Nigel Felangue
TVW Still photographer 1959-1961
I joined TVW-7 before the studio was completed, the staff at the time occupied part of a floor at Newspaper House in St Georges Tce. We put together motor racing docos from various oil co’s, which were sent to the tranmitter at Bickley for Trade Transmissions. Film cameramen Tom hall and Keith “Dig” Milner even shot a number of news stories which they processed by hand on a wooden rack, prior to the completion of the film processing facilities at the studio. A Dutchman named Jan Vermazen was later in charge of reversal B/W film processing, (on a Houston Fearless 16mm processor). My first task at the studio was to set up the film vault, and then work as a still photographer and slide maker. The senior photographer was Brian Hooper.
I possess quite a number of photographs taken at TVW-7 ; they are shots of the exterior and interior, including staff at various locations.
Olive Shearer, Nigel Felangue, Greg Byrne with Carol & Pearl Davies in a Samboy Chips Ad
Jean Hunsley, Peter Goodall, Pearl Davies, Greg Byrne and Anne Jackson in a Samboy Chips Ad
Greg Byrne and Anne Jackson in a Samboy Chips Ad
Carolyn Noble
Jim Healy & Jan Vermazen in the News film processing lab
Mr & Mrs David Farr’s Wedding 1961
I also have shots taken of live shows, personalities, an original floor plan of “Saturday Showtime”, starring Rolf Harris, designed and directed by Brian Williams.
An original TVW-7 caption card, and several original graphics by Rolf Harris, which he gave to me before he left TVW-7 in October, 1960. I have many happy memories of my time at TVW-7.
I took the photo of Tim Ball and Brian Williams in VMU2. It was taken shortly after May 6, 1960, whilst film of the wedding of Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong Jones was being broadcast ! On the monitor can be seen the Royal Family standing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
I remember TVW’s first Telethon in early 1961, held to raise funds for a town called Dwellingup where 132 houses were destroyed.
It was great to talk to you instead of via a machine; I sent an email attachment to show some of the TVW slides mentioned. They have not been cleaned in almost 50 years, but will be when I send them on CD.
I should be able to send you copies of all my photos,and Rolf Harris graphic etc, all on DVD.
Keith (Dig) Milner News cameraman 1959-60 was killed whilst filming a job on 28/11/60 at Cervantes Island, north of Perth. Their single engined Cessna hit the water and sank immediately. I still have the original article published on the front page of “The West Australian” dated Tuesday, November 29th, 1960.
My copy of the paper is a bit “dogeared”, however I will put it on the DVD with the other material if it’s not possible for you to obtain a better copy from the paper’s archives.
I know at the time everything was microfilmed at The West Australian.
Kind regards, Nigel Felangue
Hi Nigel
Brian Hooper was my uncle. Sadly, he passed away in Texas last year. I would be grateful for any more information you may have about him.
Kind regards
Jan
Early TVW photographer and film editor Brian H. Hooper was born on January 24, 1931 in Perth and died in the USA on December 02, 2007.
Filmography
Editor:
1980s Thinkin’ Big (1986)
1970s Scum of the Earth (1974)
… aka Poor White Trash Part 2 (USA: reissue title)
Encounter with the Unknown (1973) (as Brian Hooper)
Cinematographer:
Thinkin’ Big (1986)
Sound Department:
The Forgotten (1973) (sound effects) (as Brian Hooper)
… aka Death Ward #13 (USA)
… aka Don’t Go in the Basement (UK: video box title)
… aka Don’t Look in the Basement! (USA: reissue title)
Mr. Hooper served in the Royal Navy for nine years. He had a long and varied career in photography and cinematography and was responsible for many films and documentaries.
Mr. Hooper is survived by his wife: Dorothy Hooper of Heath, Texas, USA; son: John Murray Hooper, daughter: Sharon Elizabeth Johnston, and sisters: Kathy Gallop and Winifred Kernagahn, all of Australia; five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Thanks to Nigel Felangue for Brian’s obituary and the Internet Movie Database for Brian’s filmography.
I worked with Brian Hooper on, Thinkin’ Big. He was a wonderful person. I’m so sad to hear that he passed away.
Deborah
I knew Brian and workd close with him on film productions. Based out of Dallas we did many films together in many of the States. We live in the same small county and I saw him often on the streets and stores.
I just found out tonight 4 years passed. He will be missed and he taught me a lot. I think I am a better man for knowing brian.
Brian Hooper was my father. After he passed away, my brother John brought back from Texas, many boxes of his films and memories.
I wished i had asked him of more details of his film career, but it is always too late.
Hi Sharon,
I was a still photographer at TVW-7 and worked with your father , he was a very talented man. I would love to get in touch with you and learn
more about his film career in Texas ! Do you possess any photos of Brian
relating to his work. It was not until early 2009 that I learnt of his death on the 2nd Dec.2007, which happens to be my birthdate !
I would have loved to meet him again at the 50th TVW-7 Reunion in 2009,
I was very sad to learn of his death.
My kindest regards,Nigel Felangue.
Hello Nigel.
I was very surprised to get a reply here. I do have some photos of dad behind the camera and could scan and email them to you.
I’m sorry that I don’t have much more information about his career in Texas, because I was living in WA and Victoria.
His wife Dorothy would have known more but she also passed away not too long after dad.
My email is shayjay8858@gmail.com if you wish to contact me.
Kind regards
Sharon
Jan Vermazen referred to in your historical outline was my stepfather. He worked at TVW7 from its inception in 1959 until his retirement in the early 1980’s. He passed away in April 2015 at the age of 90 years.
As with some of the comments above, we invariably fail to ask the questions that we should during their lifetime, so any comments, facts or anecdotes about his career would be gratefully appreciated
Regards
Wido
Hi Nigel! having been trying to trace you!
You took our wedding pics many moons ago and I would love the negatives. can you email me please?