Now that BIAFF (British International Amateur Film Festival) 2004
is over, we can recognise that it - and the competition which underlies
it - were extremely successful. Apart from a few technical hiccups
which may have been partly linked to the heat and lack of oxygen
for both machines and operators (!) it ran well.
But there is always room for improvement. Festival has changed often
over the years and if we have ideas, old or new, on how to make it
better, let's share them here.
My own initial thoughts are mainly concerned with seeing even more film:
a) drop the Chairmen's Reception which is fairly pointless these days.
b) drop the Gala Dinner, replace it with an informal reception/buffet.
Mass catering banquet food is bland at best. It is great to share
a table with nice people (old friends and new ones) but we do not
need all that time together.
A simpler event would be cheaper and so allow more people to attend
and would allow time for more movies to be shown after it.
Or the post-meal event could be the celebrity lecture if we want to
keep that feature.
c) the awards show should never run beyond 4pm
d) we need an even bigger screen for the awards show, from the back of
the hall that seven foot screen looked like a portable tv.
e) the award show movies should be transferred to a single tape (with
backup copy of course) to make the job of the projection team a
shade easier. The pressure on those guys is immense with the p.a.
slides and lights to look after.
Final thought for now ... Brian and Alice Dunckley deserve an enormous
cheer from all of us. Others give a few weeks of their time to festival,
they spend a large part of the year on it. While we think back over the
fun they will be packing up and posting tapes, comments and awards to
entrants who were not there in person. They have maybe one month in the
year when they can stop thinking about the competition and then it is
down to sorting out any rule changes and getting the new forms ready
for distribution in late summer.
Dave
Should the BIAFF format change?
-
Ashley Bond
Re: Should the BIAFF format change?
Dave,
I agree with quite a few of your points, particularly:
stay an extra night - I for one had to travel the 4 hour journey back to
South Bucks after the show (and in fact had travelled up that morning this
year for just the Sunday).
I were sitting in the same row. The widescreen films especially need to be
screened ... wider! Also, volume on some of the films could have been increased
a bit too.
level.
I see from the start of a lot of filme this year the "o" ring in the right
corner before the film started. I guess most people are using Premiere's
countdown leader. Do film makers also put a line-up tone and colour bars
on the head of their tape? This should be standard practice and will aid
the projectionist, or assemble-editor to make a tape of the section of films
to play. You can sample a 1 khz tone (say from broadcast TV - if you can
find a station which closes down these days), and make sure when you end
up with it on mini DV that it is at -20 or 18 db. as long as all your sound
is mixed properly, all should be well, and will transfer to DVD with no need
for a line-up tone on the disc.
Otherwise, an excellent show, but yes I think there is room for a few more
films. And as I've mentioned before, perhaps provision for those who don't
drink tea or coffee???
I agree with quite a few of your points, particularly:
Wel, maybe 5 pm, and certainly on the last day, as not everyone is able toc) the awards show should never run beyond 4pm
stay an extra night - I for one had to travel the 4 hour journey back to
South Bucks after the show (and in fact had travelled up that morning this
year for just the Sunday).
Absolutely, exactly what I was going to say to you on the day - Dave andd) we need an even bigger screen for the awards show, from the back of
the hall that seven foot screen looked like a portable tv.
I were sitting in the same row. The widescreen films especially need to be
screened ... wider! Also, volume on some of the films could have been increased
a bit too.
This would also allow for all the films to be compiled at the same volumee) the award show movies should be transferred to a single tape (with
backup copy of course) to make the job of the projection team a
shade easier. The pressure on those guys is immense with the p.a.
slides and lights to look after.
level.
I see from the start of a lot of filme this year the "o" ring in the right
corner before the film started. I guess most people are using Premiere's
countdown leader. Do film makers also put a line-up tone and colour bars
on the head of their tape? This should be standard practice and will aid
the projectionist, or assemble-editor to make a tape of the section of films
to play. You can sample a 1 khz tone (say from broadcast TV - if you can
find a station which closes down these days), and make sure when you end
up with it on mini DV that it is at -20 or 18 db. as long as all your sound
is mixed properly, all should be well, and will transfer to DVD with no need
for a line-up tone on the disc.
Otherwise, an excellent show, but yes I think there is room for a few more
films. And as I've mentioned before, perhaps provision for those who don't
drink tea or coffee???
-
Michael Slowe
Re: Should the BIAFF format change?
I agree with most of your suggestions but the problem with having even more
films to see means "overload" for the memory. I would prefer the better
films to be shown more than once (as they used to be) so we can plan our
viewing more carefully and selectively. Also I think that there are way
too many Golds awarded. This standard should be confined to films which just
miss the top awards. The disparity between the best and the worst of the
Golds was too great.
However I felt that it was a fantastic festival and reflects great credit
on the organisers. Would that we could have that venue every year!
Michael Slowe.
films to see means "overload" for the memory. I would prefer the better
films to be shown more than once (as they used to be) so we can plan our
viewing more carefully and selectively. Also I think that there are way
too many Golds awarded. This standard should be confined to films which just
miss the top awards. The disparity between the best and the worst of the
Golds was too great.
However I felt that it was a fantastic festival and reflects great credit
on the organisers. Would that we could have that venue every year!
Michael Slowe.
-
Ken and Jean McRonald
Re: Should the BIAFF format change?
We agree with some of Dave's points, particularly a larger screen. I am sure
we have had a larger screen in the past.
We have no quarrel with the finishing time but as we come down from the north
and would not be going home on the Sunday evening we stay over, so there
is no problem for us.
By all means replace the Gala Dinner with a buffet if that is the feeling
as long as it is a sit down affair and not a standing one around trying to
juggle everything. We are quite happy with the present arrangement even if
the food is typical banquet standard.
Yes, we agree that the transferring of the awards show to a single tape would
take the pressure off the operators and reduce the chance of them having
one of these nightmare moments when a machine or DVD or tape goes temperamental.
However, we enjoyed the weekend very much and must also congratulate Brian
and Alice Dunckley for the excellent organisation of an event which has great
potentail for going wrong.
Ken and Jean McRonald
we have had a larger screen in the past.
We have no quarrel with the finishing time but as we come down from the north
and would not be going home on the Sunday evening we stay over, so there
is no problem for us.
By all means replace the Gala Dinner with a buffet if that is the feeling
as long as it is a sit down affair and not a standing one around trying to
juggle everything. We are quite happy with the present arrangement even if
the food is typical banquet standard.
Yes, we agree that the transferring of the awards show to a single tape would
take the pressure off the operators and reduce the chance of them having
one of these nightmare moments when a machine or DVD or tape goes temperamental.
However, we enjoyed the weekend very much and must also congratulate Brian
and Alice Dunckley for the excellent organisation of an event which has great
potentail for going wrong.
Ken and Jean McRonald
-
Brian Saberton
Re: Should the BIAFF format change?
I thoroughly enjoyed this years BIAFF and I think a big vote of thanks should
go to Brian Dunckley for his excellent organisation and imaginative programming.
Also due our appreciation and support are Michael and Linda Gough for their
exceptionally hard work in organising the event. The projection teams also
deserve high praise for the excellent standard of presentation.
I don't have a problem with the Chairman's reception; this is a fairly informal
thing these days and is a nice way of starting the evening. I do not like
the idea of a buffet for the annual dinner. I've been at a few of these in
the past with other organisations and in my opinion it just doesn't work
for this type of event as you end up with long lines of people waiting ages
to be served with what is usually indifferent food. However, I'm not sure
that we need to follow the dinner with entertainers, good though they may
be, as it does reduce the available time for members and guests just to have
a chat.
On the subject of the screen I'd rather have a small screen that everyone
can see than a big one where the lower half is obscured by the heads of those
in front, especially where films with sub titles are concerned.
We did have some long sessions and late nights, and perhaps the AV show could
have been trimmed a little, but when all is said and done we go the festival
to watch movies, meet old friends and make new ones, and I returned home
feeling quite inspired!
Brian Saberton FACI
go to Brian Dunckley for his excellent organisation and imaginative programming.
Also due our appreciation and support are Michael and Linda Gough for their
exceptionally hard work in organising the event. The projection teams also
deserve high praise for the excellent standard of presentation.
I don't have a problem with the Chairman's reception; this is a fairly informal
thing these days and is a nice way of starting the evening. I do not like
the idea of a buffet for the annual dinner. I've been at a few of these in
the past with other organisations and in my opinion it just doesn't work
for this type of event as you end up with long lines of people waiting ages
to be served with what is usually indifferent food. However, I'm not sure
that we need to follow the dinner with entertainers, good though they may
be, as it does reduce the available time for members and guests just to have
a chat.
On the subject of the screen I'd rather have a small screen that everyone
can see than a big one where the lower half is obscured by the heads of those
in front, especially where films with sub titles are concerned.
We did have some long sessions and late nights, and perhaps the AV show could
have been trimmed a little, but when all is said and done we go the festival
to watch movies, meet old friends and make new ones, and I returned home
feeling quite inspired!
Brian Saberton FACI
-
Dave Watterson
Re: Should the BIAFF format change?
Just a thought ... if the AV show is longer than most
of us like and the gala dinner is also longer than needed ...
Could they both happen on the same night?
Imagine a dinnerlike a picnic with tables that each
had plates of snadwiches, cakes etc on them and to
which plates of hot sausage rolls and nibbles might
be delivered. It would be part-dinner, part buffet,
part picnic.
The meal and socialising need not take
more than 90 minutes (say 7pm to 8.30pm) clear the
hall for 30 minutes and show AV 9pm to 10.30pm. As most AV
sequences are under 10 minutes that allows the
winners and most runners-up to be screened.
Now fit that pairing into Friday night - on the priciple
that the kind of people who most enjoy the gala dinner
are the kind who can usually get to festival for
Friday evening.
That leaves all day Saturday for mini-cinemas which
could run on until 10pm.
That in turn would leave scope for some judicious
repeat screenings if lots of people share Michael's
view about that.
Dave (Bank Holiday madness) Watterson
of us like and the gala dinner is also longer than needed ...
Could they both happen on the same night?
Imagine a dinnerlike a picnic with tables that each
had plates of snadwiches, cakes etc on them and to
which plates of hot sausage rolls and nibbles might
be delivered. It would be part-dinner, part buffet,
part picnic.
The meal and socialising need not take
more than 90 minutes (say 7pm to 8.30pm) clear the
hall for 30 minutes and show AV 9pm to 10.30pm. As most AV
sequences are under 10 minutes that allows the
winners and most runners-up to be screened.
Now fit that pairing into Friday night - on the priciple
that the kind of people who most enjoy the gala dinner
are the kind who can usually get to festival for
Friday evening.
That leaves all day Saturday for mini-cinemas which
could run on until 10pm.
That in turn would leave scope for some judicious
repeat screenings if lots of people share Michael's
view about that.
Dave (Bank Holiday madness) Watterson
-
Ken Wilson
Re: Should the BIAFF format change?
Hi to all. Thought that I would add my thoughts on this, though I usually
don`t like expressing my opinions (???) We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend,
despite the tummy bug we caught at some point on Sunday, knocking out the
rest of the week. Nevertheless, this didn`t dampen the enthusiasm and atmosphere
of a great festival. I think that people did get a bit restless due to the
unusual heat wave- though we do seem to get this on most IAC movie weekends!
The Saturday shows were varied though I am unsure about Brian`s decision
to include a number of Bronze winners. I can see that it will probably encourage
new film makers to enter and visit the festival, but this is at the expense
of those who were awarded higher honours.(Whether we agree with them or not.)
The Sunday shows were too long. I applaud Brian`s idea of trying to squeeze
in more films, but fatigue set in.
I also agree that the festival dinner is never very good and other options
should be looked at. Buffet style is fine with me, but I see that some people
like to settle in one place with a warm (ish!) meal. If you were at one of
the end tables, warm(ish) was the best you got.
I also agree that the entertainment should go. It always comes on too late
and can only ever appeal to a relative minority whatever it may be.
Dave`s idea of an extra show Saturday evening after a shortened meal, is
I think, a good one.
Looking at statistics as provided in the programme: 223 entries, 126 films
shown.
This means that 97 films never got a screening at all. Also, we have to choose
our programme from the 4 Saturday cinemas, obviously missing 3/4 of the Saturday
programmes. There is no SECOND CHANCE. (Mmmm, good title for a film!)
This was the most often stated remark over the weekend: "What about all the
other films we won`t see?" On this last point, I have, as "Baldrick" in Blackadder
might have said: come up with a cunning plan. However, before revealing it
here, I will submit it to the powers that be in the IAC and see what happens.
A big thanks to Brian and Alice Dunckley for all their work.
Ken.
don`t like expressing my opinions (???) We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend,
despite the tummy bug we caught at some point on Sunday, knocking out the
rest of the week. Nevertheless, this didn`t dampen the enthusiasm and atmosphere
of a great festival. I think that people did get a bit restless due to the
unusual heat wave- though we do seem to get this on most IAC movie weekends!
The Saturday shows were varied though I am unsure about Brian`s decision
to include a number of Bronze winners. I can see that it will probably encourage
new film makers to enter and visit the festival, but this is at the expense
of those who were awarded higher honours.(Whether we agree with them or not.)
The Sunday shows were too long. I applaud Brian`s idea of trying to squeeze
in more films, but fatigue set in.
I also agree that the festival dinner is never very good and other options
should be looked at. Buffet style is fine with me, but I see that some people
like to settle in one place with a warm (ish!) meal. If you were at one of
the end tables, warm(ish) was the best you got.
I also agree that the entertainment should go. It always comes on too late
and can only ever appeal to a relative minority whatever it may be.
Dave`s idea of an extra show Saturday evening after a shortened meal, is
I think, a good one.
Looking at statistics as provided in the programme: 223 entries, 126 films
shown.
This means that 97 films never got a screening at all. Also, we have to choose
our programme from the 4 Saturday cinemas, obviously missing 3/4 of the Saturday
programmes. There is no SECOND CHANCE. (Mmmm, good title for a film!)
This was the most often stated remark over the weekend: "What about all the
other films we won`t see?" On this last point, I have, as "Baldrick" in Blackadder
might have said: come up with a cunning plan. However, before revealing it
here, I will submit it to the powers that be in the IAC and see what happens.
A big thanks to Brian and Alice Dunckley for all their work.
Ken.