[QuadList] Laugh-In (was "Assemble edits vs Insert edits")

Thu Jan 28 12:59:34 CST 2010

I can confirm that is how it was done as I observed the process while
attending RCA school at Burbank.  NBC also came up with the 15Hz control
track pulse so the edits would always be on the same frame sequence for
color framing.

I made a lot of black tapes myself.  We started using the term "striped"
sometime in the late 70s.  We tried the Recortec unit that would stripe
the code while it was being evaluated, but it seemed inconsistent.
Things worked better when done real time on a VTR.  The code speed was
more consistent and the CT was in the right place.

There was a comment during the capstan speed thread that once they
recorded two tapes and one was a few seconds longer than the other.  We
ran into that apparent problem during the mono to color transition and
it was the diameter of the counter roller that caused the apparent
error.  They were calibrated for 30fps and 29.97fps caused a 3.6 second
error per hour.  We just learned to adjust the time given to traffic so
the show wouldn't get cut off at the end.  Later, they came out with
electronic counter retrofits that were calibrated for 'color time' and
the problem went away until automation where a few frames will mess
things up!  Enter drop frame timecode and all is well! HI, HI (The Hams
know what that means!)

73,

Bill Spencer

RF Engineering Supervisor

NorthStar Studios, Inc.

3201 Dickerson Pike

Nashville, TN 37207

Phone 615.650.6000 ext. 6610

Cell 615.445.5616

Fax 615.650.6027

email bill.spencer at northstarstudios.tv

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From: quadlist-bounces at quadvideotapegroup.com
[mailto:quadlist-bounces at quadvideotapegroup.com] On Behalf Of Thomas,
Stephen D
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 12:36 PM
To: Quad List
Subject: [QuadList] Laugh-In (was "Assemble edits vs Insert edits")

David,

Thank you for explaining the process you went through with the shows at
NBC Burbank, where I was born (coincidentally) in December 1956.  I'm
sure it was of interest to many on the list, including myself.  

Did you happen to work on "Rowen and Martin's Laugh-In?"  Wikipedia
describes the edit process like this:  "The show was pre-recorded at NBC
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC> 's Burbank
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burbank,_CA>  Facility. Since
timecode-controlled videotape editing had not been invented at the time,
montage was achieved by the error-prone method of physical splicing
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_video_editing>  of the two-inch 
quadraplex <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadraplex>  tape. This had the
incidental benefit of ensuring that the master tape would be preserved,
since a spliced tape could not be recycled for further use. Laugh-In
Editor Arthur Schneider <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Schneider>
won an Emmy Award <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmy_Award>  in 1968 for
his pioneering use of the "jump cut" -- the unique editing style in
which a sudden cut from one shot to another was made without a
fade-out."

I have read elsewhere that the show was kinescoped and the film was
edited into a rough-cut that was later used to edit the videotape.
Could you elaborate further on this complex process?

Steve Thomas 

SENIOR EDITOR and TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

phone:  248.351.7905

e-mail:  sdthomas at cbs.com

"This user thinks that there are too many people who don't know that
they're worse than their own children at spelling!"

________________________________

From: quadlist-bounces at quadvideotapegroup.com
[mailto:quadlist-bounces at quadvideotapegroup.com] On Behalf Of
dcfwtx at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 1:14 PM
To: quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com
Subject: Re: [QuadList] Assemble edits vs Insert edits (wasOMG!!!!)

George and all,

Depending on the nature of the edit session and the time factor (how
close to air time), edit sessions were insert (on time-code black tapes
as NBC used to call it) or assemble. For example, in the late 70's, I
worked (recorded and then edited) a load of NBC game shows (Hollywood
Squares, Password Plus, Card Sharks, etc.) all on 2". If the show was a
total rebuild (in the case of severe show disruptions due to gaming
problems, other production issues, or technical glitches-rare in
Burbank), the session would be built on time-code black tapes as an
insert session. This was usually in edit two (TR 70B's with the RCA/EECO
single event edit controller) or in edit three (TR 70C's with the
RCA/EECO single event edit controller). Both rooms had a GVG 1600
switcher and access to an HS 200. If it was a simple pull up session,
assemble edits were the fastest way to get the show done. Simply one
copy (two were made at show time) was added/pulled up to the other copy,
thereby generating an edit master to time. All 2" stock as 3M 400 or
420. The edit master was dubbed to three other tapes when finished. The
EM and a dub went to 30 Rock, the other two were for Burbank. Game shows
were never a situation where it was close to air. They were taped 5 per
day (with a meal break), several weeks in advance. On the other hand,
The Tonight Show was rarely a rebuild as the turnaround was too close.
It was either spliced or assembled edit (as in a pull up). The
turnaround time was much more critical when the show was ninety minutes
as opposed to the later sixty-minute shows (thanks to Johnny's contract
modification in the early 80's).  

One cottage industry at Burbank was the creation of time-code black
tapes (known as crystal black or black&coded tapes at some other
facilities). Jake (at that time) would come in and load up every
available 2" machine (there were about 40 in Burbank) and record
time-code-black tapes all night (all six Ampex machines and all the TR
70's and 600's). That's all he did from about 11P to 7A. A lot of 3M 2"
stock was consumed overnight, both new and low-pass. He did a great job
in assessing the TCB's on hand and what was needed (30, 60, and 90
minute loads). 

The entire edit department in conjunction with zone delay and production
VTRs was well organized at that time.

David Crosthwait

DC Video

www.dcvideo.com

-----Original Message-----
From: georgenann at aol.com
To: quadlist at quadvideotapegroup.com
Sent: Thu, Jan 28, 2010 8:16 am
Subject: [QuadList] OMG!!!!

Hey Guys,

Just received the following from Ted, regarding one of my boo boo's:

Hi, George, 

On Jan 27, 2010, at 12:30 PM, georgenann at aol.com wrote:

Also if I remember correctly, at least with the Ampex machines the cap
actualy freeruns momentarily in an assemble edit.  Also I think this is
the reason that at least at CBS insert edits were never used, always
used insert edits.  I think this stigma has stuck around for some time,
even though insert edits are now OK with the newer machines.

Did you mean to say "... at least at CBS assemble edits were never
used," and "even though assemble edits are now OK with the newer
machines"?

Ted

My computer put in the wrong word, it must have been confused.  Had I
proof read that e-mail it should have said  "CBS ASSEMBLE EDITS WERE
NEVER USED."

ALso there two "L's" in actually, I apologize for that one also.

Thanks to Ted and apologies if this caused loss of sleep or hypertension
among the group.

73,

George Keller

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