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Badge of the Month belongs to the Redcar Amateur Cine Club whose contact is Mr G. Guy, 13 Bermison Crescent, Redcar. |
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Action Incorporated in action! |
ONE SUMMER'S EVENING, I popped over to Wanstead and Woodford Cine Club where I had the pleasure of watching Action Incorporated give more than their share of the action.
On film and for real we were treated to a Bond like mixture of hell and high water, with many a scene looking as if the Action guy had become the victim of a holocaust.
Needless to say that the 'actuality' material demonstrated in a church hall had to be toned down, not only for the sake of our eardrums (which some realist bullets-in- wood nearly shattered anyway!) but also in defence against the punsters present. After all, if they had burnt the place down, who could have resisted saying holy smoke?
So, having emerged alive and un-roasted, I retired to the comparative silence of the proposed site for the third London airport to consider the fate of the Action team.
There is no doubt about it - as bombers, as the perpetrators of pyrotechnical performances and as the splitters of seconds in the tantalisation of time - they are the tops.
As actors - they are lousy.
And they know it.
But they had to make their demonstration films with some sort of a storyline on which to hang together the various filmic fireworks.
So - why do they exist? As young people just in it for the kicks ? To test their bravery and skill of which they have abundance ? Well, maybe a bit of some or all of these things, but I believe them when they say that while they enjoy their work, it would mean so much more if their efforts would last - not just for the flashpoint of time it takes for the beginning, middle and the end of an explosion - but forever, in a well produced, well directed and adequately acted club (or individual) production. With themselves stepping in as the stuntmen when the scriptwriter gets tough.
So how about giving them - and your club - a break ? You're not required to make an All Quiet on the Western Front, although it could become a 'milestone' in your club career. It doesn't have to be a remake of world war two or a dabble with the dervishes.
But how many plots have you abandoned (or altered to their detriment) because the modicum of action the story calls for can't be handled? That's when the wise director calls for Action!
And they are not expensive.
Action Incorporated: Peter Treagus,
61 Rother Crescent, Gossops Green,
Crawley.
Wanstead and Woodford: Kenneth
Grundy, 20 Theydon Grove, Epping,
Essex.
There was a short report from Leslie Rodgers at the Sussex Film Festival. He fired the starting gun to announce the start of the cine sale which was part and parcel of the preliminaries to the films entered for the competition. Earlier Sidney Manasseh had been on hand with his Gunmen which many felt could bear a repeat showing.
Sidney, as always, was fired with enthusiasm as he spoke about the film which shared the action with All Available Trumpets made by Argos Productions. John Fernée was on the sidewalk to keep the ammunition of questions coming in as fast as possible. Then came the result of the main competition:
First place went to Leslie Rodgers for his Winter flight to Ibiza (Challenge Cup), second place to Hayards Heath Cine Society for Treacle Galore while Southern Sound and Cine Society came into third position for Do Not Disturb.
News from SERIAG Monthly. Mrs Irene Morris, 12 Lakeswood Road, Petts Wood, Kent.
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Yet another creepie on the way, although delightful Sarah Parry being made up for a in scene in The Seat of Dracula, produced
by Peter Nicholson and Val Gray Vather Film Unit. I hope I've got the names right for the club's scribbled report was very difficult to read. Please, dear sirs,
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Obviously capturing the spirit of the title of the film Days Beyond Recall are Barbara Hamilton and Alan Smith, appearing here in an open air waltz scene. The film by Double Four Films (a group within Chessington Cine Circle) is meant to be sheer entertainment, with no politics, mean manners, or messages. Contact Constance Dunnett, Belsize Lodge, 57 Hanworth Road, Feltham, Middx. |
COME OFF IT DEPT! At least one reader has written to Comment and one or two have expressed the same view in their own magazines that Tony Rose, under pressure from John Wright, put the stop on film-with-tape entries being entered for the Ten Best. I suppose I should feel flattered that some think that, besides having the Editor's ear, I can twist it!
But I'm not flattered because, to have an Editor like that - who bowed to the pressure of one contributor on such a major issue - would be unthinkable. Not only that - unbearable.
Obviously these innocents do not know Tony Rose! Believe me, he's not a wilting one and he can put up a thorn or two on subjects about which he feels deeply.
I would like to feel that the remarkable success of the Back Stripe - You Know It Makes Sync campaign was in some measure responsible for the increase in stripe competition films, not only in the Ten Best, but also in other competitions. But I think this would be only one of the factors which would be considered by Tony. In fact, he has clearly indicated his other reasons.
One dear lady who runs a magazine has gone so far as to suggest that Tony made the move to cover what she considered was a flop campaign-wise. Charming! But where has she been! Not looking in my mail-bag nor studying the results of competitions throughout the world, I'll be bound.
It was, in fact, a far more successful campaign than I hoped it would be - so it's sledgehammers away! But, from time to time I shall issue reminders to this lady, and others like her, that we are, in fact, in the twentieth century.
Years ago, I was a regular contestant in the famous Bullets word competition run by the old John Bull. One was given an example to which the contestant added two, three or four words of his own choice, to make an original phrase or saying, amusing or serious
At the time of the Yangtse incident which HMS Amethyst fought its way out of for what seemed an impossible position, being attacked from both sides by the Chinese, there was a popular song, Slow Boat to China. On the morning Amethyst docked at a worthwhile production is worthwhile Portsmouth, my effort was published: reporting legibly is it not? 'Heading for Home - Show Boat From China'. I collected £100!
One of the secrets of winning was to write down everything associated with the example given, and may I offer this as a suggestion to people tackling the Southern Sound and Cine Club 'Jigsaw' Competition (or any other club people running similar ventures ?)
A five minute film has to be made around four of the articles given by Southern. They are: Umbrella, Balloon, Hearing Aid, Camera, Post-card and Vacuum Flask. It may help to take each word and list whatever is provoked by it. For example: Umbrella - rain, damp, water, wet, ducks, etc. Balloon - air, light, blow, hiss, etc. You might just find that this mental exercise with words leads to sentences and even to plots! Try it, you've nothing to lose except maybe an hour or so!
Southern: Mrs H. Gibbons, 108 The Hornet, Chichester.
The Cowal Camera Club has acquired a row of eighteenth century cottages which Dunoon Town Council had originally proposed to demolish in favour of a car park.
Now, armed with a 21 years lease, the club are going to adapt it to serve as a centre for photographic and related activities, with the Dunoon Council matching their enthusiasm by restoring the narrow street outside the building and forming a pedestrian area.
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Here are some mouth- watering prospects for any club - but the lucky one is Cowal Camera Club, gen on whose ambitious project is covered in this month's column. |
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A lot of the work will utilise the skill of club members, but nevertheless, the internal structural alterations will cost around £2,000 and internal decor another £1,000 - a hefty figure for any club to find.
As the scheme is intended to benefit the whole community, it is envisaged that the premises will be available for use by a variety of artistic, educational and charitable organisations - so hopefully financial help will be coming from some of these quarters.
I have included some architect's drawings of the proposed project which tourists to the Cowal peninsula will be interested to see come alive. (The Cowal peninsula is that part of Argyll between the Firth of Clyde and Loch Fyne which, in common with the whole of the Scottish west coast, enjoys a mild climate throughout the year, thanks to the Atlantic Gulf Stream.)
Holidaymakers and cineastes, please con- tact: Harry Smith, Auchamore, Dunoon, Argyll.
Charter Films is a sort of loose association - in the nicest possible way I am urged to say! - of characters who are interested in all aspects of film making and who operate in the kindly atmosphere of Nottingham Amateur Cine Society.
Their David's Day, which came out top at Swindon and also gained the John Player Trophy in the competition organised by the Midland Amateur Cine Association - has had stacks of publicity, particularly in the Nottingham Guardian Yournal.
Derek Oram - one of the top chaps of Charter - tells me that there is an even bigger production in the offing but, at this point, not even wild horses ... etc.
Meanwhile, Derek travelled to Manchester for the Ten Best show which I had the pleasure of attending, and he thankfully approved of the presentation and the content - although he thinks I have been a little unkind to a certain pipe-smoking (or former 01pe-smoking) member of the Movie Maker team. I wonder why? I might have said he was mean and moody in a jocular vein, but I did add that he was 'magnificent'! And that's my story, Derek! I have to 'live' with . . . well-you-know-whose-topic-writer.
Charter Films via Derek Orarn, 3 The Close, Chilwell, Nottingham.
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Back to Chessington Cine Circle and the 'Double Four Films' Days Beyond Recall. This young lady does an Isadora Duncan type speciality dance in the film. / like the look of Charmion Taunton, and as / am making her Pin-up of the Month, / hope club will like the the look of a roll of K.11. Constance Dunnett, Belsize Lodge, 57 Hanworth Road, Feltham, Middx. |
A most successful show in Malta of the Ten Best this year. But not the current one - it was the 1967 show which attracted over 600 members and guests of the Malta Amateur Cine Circle, whose tremendous efforts raised much money for the cause of the rehabilitation of the Physically handicapped. MACC: PO Box 450, Malta, G.C.
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Always ready to keep the amateur film movement in full swing, Ealing and Boston Manor Cine Club Chairman, Alan Foster, has agreed to take a programme of films made by the Ealing club and it's members to Shrewsbury Cine Club on Tuesday evening, October 31, 1972.
Henry Aldred, Chairman of the Shrews- bury Cine Club, hopes that many clubs, societies and individuals living within striking distance of Shrewsbury will take advantage of contacting him with a view to making this a 'bumper' evening as it is seldom that a club is willing to travel such a distance to put on a performance of films. Here indeed is a special opportunity for local film makers and viewers to see some of the work of one of the most go-ahead clubs, as visits of this type can occur only occasionally.
For further information, please contact the Chairman, Henry Aldred, Shrewsbury Cine Club, 'Headingley', 33 Port Hill Road, Shrewsbury.
Another club recently in the local headlines was Halifax Cine Club whose latest This Town Of Ours made headlines in the Evening Courier. An audience of 300 saw the launching of the film which has covered Halifax at a most important stage of its development. The club have preserved, on film, people and places who may change but will not be forgotten.
The Mayor, Alderman Maurice Jagger, JP, described the film - which is available for local hiring - as a 'wonderful record'. Congratulations via Mr E. R. Hardy, 188 Boothtown Road, Halifax.
I have received an unusual, but direct request from Cheadle and Gatley Cine Club, to say something horrible about them as "things are a little slack at the moment". Regular patrons of things Wright will know that it is not in my nature to be unkind in deed or thought and that I positively ooze goodwill towards the cine fraternity and clubs in general.
It's just that sometimes some club people do the most incredible things that make me blow my stack and my typewriter sometimes runs untrue to my type!
Of course, Cheadle are only ribbing me - or are they? They remind me that some time ago, they expressed concern because report after report failed to get published in my column and that "the arch enemy of the piece, John Wright, pointed out that Movie Maker was far more interested in plans for the future, present activities, etc.".
Apparently, following my statement, at the next club meeting there was an atmosphere of simmering resentment which soon reached boiling point, culminating in what can only be described as the Dunkirk spirit emerging ...
For a time, there was silence and un-scripted plans began to take shape. Then, quietly modulated, members heard the strains of We'll Meet Again and first one lens cap and then another was removed. Tripods came out, lights went on - and the battle began.
The first offensive action was to produce a film which, if it didn't knock the enemy for six, made him think. A Woman's Privilege was placed fourth in the North v South 1971/2; obtained a three star award from the Ten Best and ultimately became a prize-winner in this year's Eight of the Year organised by the Scottish Association of Amateur Cinematographers.
The club have issued the following warning to me: "John Wright - we may be slow to anger, but this is only the beginning. Should you make any more snide remarks, you can expect no mercy. There will be other films, each one better than the last and this will go on until you put your hands up in despair and admit that Cheadle and Gatley Cine Club is worthy of inclusion in Club Commentary."
Well, I absolutely refuse to print anything about Cheadle. Why? - 'cos if my ignoring them has inspired them to gain these worth- while awards for a very worthwhile film - then I shall continue to ignore them to the best of my ability.
This non-report about Cheadle has come from Mr R. G. Prophet - and he needs to be one in a club like that - 11 St John's Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire.
The North Devon Cine Club has been having some hard times and it will take tremendous efforts from the new team of Messrs Ford, Thornton and Stevens to inject life into it. The name is being changed to Barum. Cine Group; there is a new club room; a sparkling programme and ... well, if you're in Barnstaple and Bideford, why not call in? Contact Dick Stevens, Webbery Cross, Bideford, North Devon: Telephone: Newton Tracy 34.
Ayrshire Cine Club are now in full swing and have advised Bill Davison, Sidney Mannesch and others that they had better watch out because Ayrshire are on their trail - filmwise. If you want to be part of this great challenge, write Alfred Ellis, Burnlea, 95 London Road, Kilmarnock.
Followers of sagas in this column may recall that in the July issue, inspired by the beloved 'Taggy' of the Whitehall Cine Society, I put a straight question to Michael King, chairman of Sutton Conservative Cine Club, concerning his film on the development of Croydon airport. Both Taggy and I wanted to know: "Where did you acquire those early shots - or were you making films then Michael?"
Thinking Michael would have to admit
that he was much older than he looks - one
in the eye for me today because Michael has
come up with some interesting data! He was
copying old film, and for the benefit of those
who haven't tried it, here's Michael's gen,
and I quote:
(1) 1 put a sheet of tracing paper, stretched
tightly, into the easel of a Gnome titler.
(2) 1 set up a borrowed Specto l6mm
silent projector to project on to the back of
the tracing paper, ensuring that the projector/
screen distance was correct for filling the
screen
(3) 1 put the borrowed l6mm monochrome
film, with double perf., back to front on the
projector so that the lettering on the very
visible aircraft was the right way round.
(4) There were only a couple of short
scenes I wanted and happily these were at
the beginning of the film. So, setting up my
camera in its usual place (a Yashica T3 at the
time, so I had to allow for parallax), I made
a direct light reading with an Avo meter,
and filmed for the correct length of time,
repeating the shot with alterations to the
speed of the projector in case I had trouble
with strobing.
Happily for Michael, all was well. No strobing and taking monochrome on colour had a sepia tone effect which was most attractive.
So, acknowledging that Michael is not, in fact, as old as we kidded him to be, I hope the above information proves useful to newcomers - and maybe even some old- comers. Sutton: Michael King, 12 Sherwood Park Road, Sutton, Surrey. Whitehall: C. W. Tagg, 18 Chiltern Court, Windsor, Berks SU 513J.
GOLD STAR GALA Ealing and Boston Manor Cine Club, always in the forefront of the amateur film movement, are once again breaking new ground. After showing a programme of their own films to an audience of over 200 in May of this year, when Jack Hawkins accepted Honorary Life Membership of the club, they presented a programme of educational films aimed at teachers and education authorities which proved sufficiently successful to merit a write-up in the Times Educational Supplement.
On September 8 and 9 they were one of the first clubs to show the Ten Best of 1972, and attracted full houses. Now it has been decided to present a programme of Gold Star award winning films from the 1972 Ten Best Competition. Three performances have been planned for Saturday evenings - the dates being October 28, November 4 and November 11, 1972.
The programme which has now been
finalised contains the following films:
Cinemania by Trio Films of Woodford
Green, Essex.
Look Back to the Future by Dr C. Yorke of
Richmond, Surrey.
The Becket Business by P. J. Ryde of Spalding, Lincs.
Aphrodite's Island by J. Copp of Alwoodley,
Leeds.
Barnet Horse Fair by R. Longhurst of
Barnet, Herts.
Vortex by Group Five Film Unit of Aberdeen.
Alan Foster, Ealing's Chairman, has been both overwhelmed and delighted with the response to his requests for films for this programme and regretfully has had to turn some of these down for this occasion, since the audience would otherwise have needed to sit through a three and a half hour show. The film Vortex runs for almost one hour, but has been requested by so many people to be included in the programme that it is being shown in its entirety. As reported in an earlier issue of Movie Maker, this film has proved to be a tremendous success, and been seen by over two million viewers on six television transmissions in the north of England.
The three performances will be held in the club's own premises above the Odeon Cinema, Northfield Avenue, Ealing, London W5, commencing at 8 pm on each evening. Tickets will be 20p each and include light refreshment. They can be obtained from the Hon. Sec., Miss jean Dockley, 18 Perwell Avenue, Rayners Lane, Harrow, Middlesex, or from Alan Foster, 62 Whitton Avenue East, Greenford, Middlesex. Applications should be made as early as possible - enclosing a stamped addressed envelope please, for reply.
Should this venture prove to be the success it deserves, Alan Foster has intimated that a Gold Star Gala will be held by them as an annual event following the judging of the Ten Best Competition.etc. Play on words, was, of course, an you wouldn't think so from this still of essential part of the competition.
This page was last updated 02 Dec 2002