About the Films

Initially the IRT collected material by notating steps and recording hard copy background material.  In the early 1980s however domestic VHS cameras began to become available and this medium was first as a collection tool by the team in early 1983.  Although at that stage the quality was fairly poor the films proved very worthwhile in recording the nuances of performance.

By the mid 1980s cameras had developed to a such a degree that they became a standard tool for the team and indeed by the 1990s often replaced the traditional notebook entirely and the tapes are thus the only record of  the collection process.

Happily other film makers were also actively recording step and clog dance. Many of these tapes have come into the possession of Garland Films and are used on these pages with the company’s permission.  Where known the camerman is of course credited on the appropriate page.