Documentary on B.B.C. shelved

Press, 28 March 1979, Page 19

Documentary on B.B.C. shelved

From KEN COATES A major documentary series that the 8.8. C. was planning to produce about itself has been shelved. The series was due to run for eight weeks this autumn in Britain, but the project has run into trouble because of a union squabble over extra payment to staff appearing in it. The hour-long programmes were to be made by the team responsible for the prize-winning “Sailor” documentary screened in New Zealand last year. Using special filming techniques, the cameras were to eavesdrop on 8.8. C. activity at all levels — from the private meeting of the board of gover-

nors, to a secretary’s farewell party. Now, however, the Association of Broadcasting Staff at the TV centre. White City, has banned the 8.8. C. from filming its members on its own premises. Under the terms of their contract, actors and musicians who appear in vision receive extra payments — but cameramen, scene shifters and- secretaries demanded extra money, too. But normally when the 8.8. C. films a documentary it does not pay people going normally about their business. Negotiations are continuing and the 8.8. C. says that the project is not cancelled, only delayed.