By Chloe Ryan
Across the decades, from the 1960s to the 1990s, television has become a pivotal element of our society’s cultural identity.
Robert Nowland was an editor for the Channel 7 Network during the 1970s and 1980s.
He has worked on some of the most iconic Australian television productions including Home and Away, A Country Practice, The Norman Gunston Show and Class of 74.
Home and Away continues to be one of Australia’s most popular television series, following the trials and tribulations that face the residents of Summer Bay.
After the Seven Network aired the pilot episode in 1988, the show shortly after became a hit nationwide with episodes still being released today.
Nowland worked on Home and Away during one of the most significant industry transitions: the shift from tape to digital editing.
“It was an advancement; it was an easier track,” Nowland said. “Like back in the analog days it was very hard, digital made it much easier.”
Some may say to become an editor is to become the backbone of post-production, ensuring that transitions are seamless in between scenes.
With his experiences leaving a lasting impact Nowland noted: “The stress and long concentration periods, planning and time management all contributed to the importance of my work.”
He went on to reveal how he got the job.
“I’ve always been interested in movies,” he said, “but it was purely by chance at the time because back then there weren’t any qualifications required.”
He recalls asking for a job that wasn’t available but as he was leaving they called him back to offer him a job as a videotape technician.
Despite his lack of qualifications in the field, the woman assured him: “No-no-no, it’s okay. You’ll be trained on the job.”
Thirty-five years later, Robert Nowland’s experiences shows us how unexpected opportunities can turn your life around.
His experiences on Home and Away shaped his career and taught him how to adapt to rapid change within the industry.
Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories, as we continue to explore the rich history of the entertainment industry.
Featured image: An editor at work at DNTV-2 Television Studio, Dunedin, New Zealand. Photo: Archives New Zealand
