BBC News Gathering evolution from film to electronic cameras
Stephen James Lowe
- Regions:
- England, Surrey, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Hobby with professional elements
- Fee:
- Free
- Category:
- Media
- Updated:
- 22nd June 2026
- Tagged:
- Bbc Engineering | Film Cameras For News | Electronic News
The move from film to electronic cameras had both technical and operational challenges. It required a change in the roles of the teams and a new infrastructure to handle the stories. The former was at least as challenging as the second. To the point that during a training session for NBC in Washington a cameraman had a stroke because he couldn't cope with the new technology. Not a common experience in my lecturing career. The use of iPhone content creation seems so easy now but they rely on the infrastructure of the early, rather cumbersome systems.
Views: 22 | Enquiries: 0About Stephen James Lowe
At Mullard Research worked on the development of super conductors for Telstar, the first transatlantic television satellite and MRI scanners.
Worked on television recording systems for BBC Engineering Design. Author of Focal Press technical book Videotape Recording.
Developed the news gathering systems both film and the move to electronic cameras.
Ran the worldwide training group for a broadcast equipment manufacturer.
Project director for the construction and commissioning of Wet Country Television studios and transmission network.
Technical strategy manager for cable operator Eurobell based in West Sussex and Devon. Later to become part of Virgin Media. Dealt with systems for the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.
Project manager for the installation and commissioning of the telephone exchange and cable system in Devon.
Ran several EU funded projects on microwave communications systems with installations in Moscow, Rome Paris Oslo
Presented lectures and conferences on broadband systems in the US, Singapore, St Peterburg and the UK over a 20 year period.
Contributor to several broadcast related trade journals.
Instructor member of the British Dog Training Association training in the UK and USA
Member of Action Incorporated, a stunt team providing special effects and stunt doubles to various film organisations.
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Stephen James Lowe
Send a message to the speaker
If you are interested in this talk and wish to contact the speaker, please complete the following form: