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Interview with Rosalie Elizabeth Patterson (b.1934 - ), Cutter & Film Quality Controller at the National Film Unit (NFU) 1963-1976.
Tape 1. Side 1.
Explains how she came to working at the National Film Unit. Describes the first position that she undertook at the National Film Unit. Talks about her training at Wellington Hospital in radiography and clinical photography. Mentions winning Kodak prize,1955. Mentions colour specialists Brian Pratt and Mr McGill. Talks about setting up control standards. Talks about the advent of television and assisting with commercials. Discusses social occassions at the National Film Unit. Mentions Keith Lobitt, whom she worked with on commercials. Goes on to explain the work she did controlling film and the colour process. Discusses the Personnel Administration Course that she did and its importance to the National Film Unit, mentions Di Gilbertson, psychologist. Talks about working with David Fowler on upgrading the conditions, mentions Tony Simpson. Talks about This is New Zealand. Talks briefly about the changes instigated by Robert Muldoon.
Tape 1. Side 2.
Talks about the animation and special effects achieved by the use of the Optical Printer, mentions Cecil Forsburg and Martin Townsend and talks about the work of Len Lye. Discusses how television ‘divided’ people at the National Film Unit. Talks about her first memories of film, mentions ‘Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs’ and ‘Mickey Mouse’. Talks about her first box brownie camera, mentions Bill Duff, chemist. Talks about the equipment they used. Tells story about Ken Hobman the National Film Unit carpenter. Talks about assisting with the Wahine disaster in 1968, and other incidences where first aid was neccessary. Talks about reasons for leaving the National Film Unit. Mentions chemist John Reeve in relation to toxic chemicals being used at the National Film Unit. Talks about assembling film commercials for Tony Williams, Robert Steele, mentions Kitty [Fiamboli] whom she worked with and Gordon Stone whom they worked under. Mentions Dave Connor and working on the rushes of Runaway.
Tape 2. Side 1.
Talks about her interest in sound, mentions Claude Wickstead. Discusses Kate O’Brien and other women working at the National Film Unit. Talks about the staff room, goes on to talk about the conditions and about her position at the National Film Unit, mentions Jack Ashley . Discusses possible tensions at the National Film Unit, mentions Arthur Everard and the tea ladies.
Recorded 16/09/1999.