World’s Largest TV Studio - Michael Shamberg Interview (1972)

Excerpt from an irreverent documentary produced by video pioneers covering the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach, Florida. This was truly the first major news event to be covered by portable video cameras. The tape is experimental, informative, and humorous.

In this excerpt, Michael Shamberg is interviewed by a magazine reporter. He explains TVTV's philosophy of small format video. They are not interested in mass media because it is inherently ineffective, and instead advocates the use of special purpose media. After the interview, we then see "The way it came out", ie the published article. Instead of the well-thought out philosophy that Shamberg explained, the article describes them as a group of hippies who like to chill out and smoke pot in the booth.

Producer: Skip Blumberg, Nancy Cain, Frank Cavestani, Steve Christiansen, Mike Couzens, Bob Devine, Stanton Kaye, Chuck Kennedy, Anda Korts
Production Company: TVTV
Audio/Visual: sound, b&w

NOTE: Observe the  Portapak AVC-3400 camera used in the dorsal fin of the car! Also see how many Sony AV-3400 Portapaks (AKA Video Rover II) you can spot in the duration of this movie.  Notice also the traditional media that was on site was shooting 16mm film not any form of video back in those days. -Ed Sharpe