Draft:BBC Productions (VT Clocks)
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1st Clock (1963-1981)
Visuals: A large standup beige clock with a white clockface and numerals counting clockwise to zero is bolted to the right onto a large blackboard. Beside it are a series of hollow boxes stacking on top of each other. In the boxes the labels,
TITLE NO. (In a box that stretches across the VT clock; 'NO'. is in a smaller separated section)
T/R N°. (Aligned left)
EPISODE TITLE (A large box)
SEQ. TAKE
SHOT N°s. (In a box that stretches to each side of the boxes above it)
RETAKE N°.
...are in thinner outlined strips above each box, except 'T/R. N°.' which is labeled aligned to the left. One box lower-right of the clock is unlabeled.
Variants:
- 1965-1973: BBC London has modified the font sizes and labels various times through 1973 at least four different times. One blackboard with 'EPISODE' and 'TITLE' aligned to each side, another with thinner font and 'No.' aligned to the left, a third with larger font, and a fourth with smaller font, 'TITLE' absent and 'No.' aligned to the left.
- Starting in the late 1960's, BBC London labeled a clock number onto the clockface. One clock had a number assigned by BBC Manchester in Goodbye to Studio N.
- The clock had its stands removed starting in 1969.
- 1969-1974: BBC London sometimes used a black clock of the same model as the original.
- 1970-1973: 'TC3' would sometimes be written in red marker on each corner of the clock. Used for Studio 3 tapings at BBC Television Centre.
- 1973-1981: A black clock with a black clockface, silver mechanics and a white hand was sometimes used. The clock, now with triangles at each quarter, counts down from 45 to 0. This clock sometimes appeared with a blue rim alongside the 1965-1973 variant. Used by BBC London but was used once by BBC Manchester in Goodbye to Studio N.
- 1973-1975: On programs taped by BBC Manchester, the logo can be seen on the clockface. The clock, now with linear strokes at each quarter and from 20 to 0, counts down from 45 to 0. There are segments decreasing in shade from the segment labeled 'TONE'. The numerals on the clock are also smaller.
- 1974: BBC Birmingham used a grey clock with a black clockface, mechanics on the bottom, and an orange dial. The clock counts forward to 60. 'VTC 6HT BM' is plastered over the 'T/R No.' label.
- 1979: BBC Manchester also used a beige clock with a black clockface, a black reset button and a white dial. The clock, now with linear strokes at each quarter, counts down from 45 to 0.
Technique: Live-action.
Audio: A 10-second tone varying in frequency between 875 to 1,100 Hz as the clock hand reaches 40, followed by a stage manager counting down from 10 to 3. In the VT Clock's first few years the tone is absent.
Availability: Seen on BBC programs taped at the time. The earliest known appearance of this VT Clock can be seen on Doctor Who.
