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SHOWMANSHIP

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2016 11:12 pm
by Dave Watterson
We naturally concentrate on the making of films ... but perhaps neglect the presentation of them.

In the days of perforated film a show at home meant we had to re-arrange furniture to set up a screen, (or move pictures if the wall was our screen), set up a stand, run cables for loudspeakers and turn out almost all the lights. Now we turn on our huge flatscreen television, tune to our home wifi and play the film on our computer / laptop / tablet ... and scarcely even dim the lights.

What about the public shows we give, which still involve a projector and screen? Do we try to ensure the screen masking is correct? Do we try to rig up tabs (curtains in front of the screen which can be opened when the movie begins)?

How do we introduce our screenings? Do we try to make each one "an occasion"?

I fear we have all too often lost the element of showmanship. But perhaps your experiences are different?

Re: SHOWMANSHIP

Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 8:15 am
by TimStannard
Good point Dave. Whilst we at Staines Video Makers don't necessarily have the greatest eqipment, even when we have no visitors, we always set up with a black apron below the screen and black tablecloths on the projector's table and the projection table (which we have at the rear of the auditorium), hide cables away where possible, and blank the projector between films.

Although I couldn't attend BIAFF this year, John Roberts use of his band lights certainly added a more professional look to the presentation.

In contrast, I attended one club (who shall remain nameless) during the past year where, the projected image had a definite yellow cast and looked decidedly soft. Upon checking, we noted the HD projector was being fed a composite out signal.

Re: SHOWMANSHIP

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2016 10:12 pm
by Michael Slowe
Dave, your scenario is absolutely bang on, no discs, all just from a computer, but at least the screens have got big enough to make it worthwhile to shoot decent pictures.

I have been slightly involved in advising two budding documentary film makers (ex advertising girls), with their first major film. It has now been taken up by a distributor. My point is though, I'd only seen the various cuts either on a computer screen or medium size TV screen. Last night however I saw it in a public cinema and wow, what a difference! I had felt quite critical up to then, but it looked a completely different film on the big screen, projected on the very latest state of the art equipment. That surely, is how films should be seen, nothing has changed from one hundred years ago, we are going downhill in that respect.

Re: SHOWMANSHIP

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 11:27 pm
by Pqtrick
Yes, I agree. The more of the showman you are the better. One of my hobby horses. When I lived in France, I had the opportunity of seeing one of my drama films shown on a clubs large screen. It was large. The impact was immense. Looking at it, I said to myself, did I really make that film? We should not undersell our efforts, the bigger the screen and audio, the better.
Pq.

Re: SHOWMANSHIP

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 12:25 pm
by Betamax Kid
Hi Dave hope you are well.

Talking about showmanship might be an idea for some of the newbies to hunt down a copy of some of the old cine magazines from the 70's, particularly Mike Kents articles which were encouraging back then with his home Cinema setups. These days its so easy with a huge amount of internet info, but I do agree it is fabulous to put on a professional looking show and makes so much difference. Fast approaching 50 years of Cine in my own life and the magic of putting on a proper presentation either at home or to groups is still as much fun as ever although a HD proj now sits next to the Elmo.