Richard ‘Dick’ Hibberd, founder of the Guild of Television Cameramen (GTC), its Honorary President and Member No. 0001 has died, after an extended illness.
Having started as a film cameraman, he became a BBC television cameraman at Lime Grove in the 1950s, later moving to ITV, including spells as head of cameras of HTV and technical supervisor at Thames TV, which is where he had the idea of forming an association of television cameramen and founded the GTC in 1972. The Guild has since grown to more than 1100 members, mostly UK-based but with many overseas members.
Hibberd had established the GTC’s aims as: providing networking opportunities and exchange of professional expertise; to help camera manufacturers to optimise the development of end-user friendly camera products; to uphold craft standards; and to promote respect for and recognition of the skills of cameramen.
It has been successful in this, with annual awards, regular free workshops, and magazines (including Zerb, which can be picked up at the GTC stand at IBC – corridor between Halls 8 and 10). The Guild has evolved with the times, particularly the move of most members from staff to freelance and new ways
of working, and Hibberd remained active and engaged with the GTC as its Honorary President
until the end.
