Rca Tk-41

[old_tv_nut]

I just acquired a set of DVDs of the Dean Martin Variety Show, which was shot with TK-41s. The remastering seems to have somewhat high saturation, but otherwise looks good.

The thing I wanted to note is the frequent use of a wide-angle lens with the camera close to the performers for head/shoulder shots. I have noticed this on many programs of the time, and I don't know if it was done because of studio space constraints or as a deliberate method to make the relationship of camera and performer more intimate, but it definitely does that. When Dean gestures toward the camera, the perspective change in the size of his hand is quite large, and I think having the camera so close encourages the performers to talk to it like an individual person.

There apparently was much less use of zoom lenses at the time, and I have actually seen dolly shots where it was obvioius that a wheel had developed a flat spot, and the camera "nodded" slightly, periodically, as it rolled.

Anyone having insight on the evolution of camera/staging techniques over the years, I'd love to hear it.