HOW DO YOU START A CLUB?

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Dave Watterson
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HOW DO YOU START A CLUB?

Post by Dave Watterson »

Some people prefer to be lone workers, making movies on their own, with their partner or friends. But even some of them like to attend a good video club to enjoy the company, share ideas, find out about developments in equipment and film styles.

I'd like to put some notes onto the main website with advice on how to start and nourish a film-making club. Any and all ideas are welcome. There are a lot of forum readers who seldom write on other topics, but who have a lot of knowledge about this one. Please share your thoughts.

- Dave
ned c
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Re: HOW DO YOU START A CLUB?

Post by ned c »

Here's a suggestion; start a video/film making group inside an existing amateur theatre group. This provides a structure, a source of actors, young people who take part, helpers, crew and enthusiasm, they also like to have rehearsals and productions videoed so plenty of practice. For an example visit www.tsbtc.org

nedc
Pqtrick
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Re: HOW DO YOU START A CLUB?

Post by Pqtrick »

Yes Ned, I think that is an excellent idea. Before I left the UK I was working with a drama group. But it is not the sort of thing you get off the ground in five minutes. It takes individuals not a 'club' to do it.

In my case, I worked with this group over a period of time. You can't just say 'Hey I want to make a film' You might get some odd looks.

I believe that there was great potential with my group, as they did a lot of their own writing and had a flexible approach to how they staged a play. Before I left, there was an idea to unfold a drama on stage with pre-filmed clips. Not film making as we know it but it proves that they were thinking. I did several short films with them. And then I left, so the stage one was not done, which in way is a pity.

Now, here in France, I was asked at the last minute to film a concert. Not usually my forte but I had got to know one or two of them. It was a musical concert in a sort of café setting. The music was quite pleasant to the ear and how it was presented was quite creative.

At the editing stage, I inserted some of their pre recorded video and music which they had used. Music? I had to ask the question, because over this side of the pond there is a sensitivity about music. I was not familiar with any of it and the lyrics were obviously in French.

To my pleasant surprise, all the music and lyrics, had been specially written by themselves. They have many ideas for another concert in the summer. Now that to me, has some rather interesting prospects.
ned c
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Re: HOW DO YOU START A CLUB?

Post by ned c »

Thanks Paddy, you are right a project with a drama group does require effort on the part of the film makers. I started with the group painting scenery, was assistant director on a stage production, a great learning experience and shot a number of rehearsals. Then last year we ran the script writing contest with very good results, made the movie "Hey Kiddo", now out on the Festival circuit and are running the contest again this year. The great advantage was how easy it is to crew a production, a lot of the actors and theatre technicians want to be part of the crew and the auditions for the leads took a whole day.

We now have a script written by a member which we will produce plus the winner of the contest. One of the great advantages is the age range; we hear so much about the aging movie making clubs; but we have in the group all ages from students to OAPs and all working together. There are opportunites for documentaries following a production, we made a short promo which has been handed out to potential members and supporters. There are more ideas than time.

It's not perfect; there are some egos that have to be handled (perhaps theatre people are more prone to self indulgence, hope thay don't read this!) and occasional conflicts of time and resources but these are problems of too much to do rather than too little.

Yes, it requires effort but the result is a very active group, plus the "wrap" parties are absolutely great!

ned c
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FILM THURSO
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Re: HOW DO YOU START A CLUB?

Post by FILM THURSO »

Locally this was once tried but the the dramtics group are so inverted ("we want to specialise in theatre") that they turned their noses up at the idea. I kid you not, 'snob' is too mild a word for the attitude they have. Thankfully that is not every amateur dramatics group (though it might be indicative of many).
The idea does make good sense and the basis of our proposal all those years ago was that it would give the theatre actors to try out a different kind of performance skill. In our area it is a simple matter of such low population that their is only one amateur dramtics group so no choice.
Thankfully there are more film making groups working away in the county and whilst all small outfits, they are beavering away and getting the work done. Good on 'em!
In larger populations you will fare better with this idea but up here in the very top the locals know we make movies and welcome aboard anyone with a serious interest who wantsto be involved in one film or many. We apply one simply rule though, when we are ready to produce, we wait for no-one! :shock:
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