Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

A forum for sharing views on the art of film, video and AV sequence making as well as on competitions, judging and festivals.
Cinema For Thurso Group

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by Cinema For Thurso Group »

Well you know you are entering into the "Film or Video- which is better" arguement,
which, like Thurso/Wick arguements, don't interest me. Whatever equipment
you or I use, neither of us have experienced the full range of very capable
equipment within the industry. In this position such arguement is a futile
waste of time and demonstrates a lack of understanding the media industry.
The end result is only as good as the knowledge and expertise you put in,
if you are having problems consult and expert, don't argue about it. As for
the BBC, they are well know for loosing things- more fool you!
I havn't read everything you wrote, like I say, I'm not interested in film/video
arguements. I use both according to the needs of each production, story telling
is the priority not the technology it's made with.
AN

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by AN »

"Cinema For Thurso Group" <canuimagine@btopenworld.com> wrote:

I havn't read everything you wrote, like I say, I'm not interested in film/video
arguements.
You will recall that I gave my own personal 'joys of film'
experience in response to your own comment "So many have gone
to video that they've all forgotten the joys of film."

Then we began to discuss your views on constant lighting/sound sync/loosing
films etc. If you choose not to read what the other person says about these
interesting topics, isn't that rudeness? By the way, it would be a friendly
gesture on your part to let us have your christian name, or have I missed
this
somewhere along the line?

Albert....missing something?
Cinema For Thurso Group

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by Cinema For Thurso Group »

Well you know I was only replying to the original enquirey which was polite
of me but that was all I was willing to do. One viewpoint, not really a disscussion.
That's why I haven't read all of your comments. Having said my bit at the
beginning, that's it, nothing more. Can you not accept that some people like
myself like to listen rather than discuss and in this instance I was only
interested in giving a reply to the initial correspondance without seeking
further chat.
kindest regards.
Maya
Dave Watterson

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by Dave Watterson »

Hi Maya

Fair enough! We are glad of your company and enjoy your sheer enthusiasm
for movie making when you do write.

I started this thread in a genuine desire to learn what it was that made
some people want to use film rather than video.

I now know why animators like Albert prefer to work on computers and video,
though presumably those who animate plasticine prefer film because it is
easier to take single frames.

Of course anyone who really burns to tell stories - or show us something
about the world - will use whatever method is available to them. Writers
have it easy in that they only need pencil and paper. Movie makers have
to use gear which costs a fair bit. The medium does not matter, the message
does.

But there still seems to be a feeling that some projects are better suited
to film than to video for artistic, aesthetic reasons that have nothing to
do with what kit is available. Ned described some of the aspects of film
that are distinctive and I really want to believe that there is a special
magic which matters for certain subject. I just can't get it straight in
my own head.

Anyway it is probably my stupidity. I am very much aware that you and the
other regulars on this forum are active movie makers. The work I've seen
from them is always impressive. I am just a watcher and feel a bit inadequate.
But there is a stubborn curiosity in me. Be patient with my questions,
please.

Dave W
AN

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by AN »

"Cinema For Thurso Group" <canuimagine@btopenworld.com> wrote:
Well you know I was only replying to the original enquirey which was polite
of me but that was all I was willing to do. One viewpoint, not really a
disscussion.
That's why I haven't read all of your comments. Having said my bit at the
beginning, that's it, nothing more. Can you not accept that some people
like
myself like to listen rather than discuss and in this instance I was only
interested in giving a reply to the initial correspondance without seeking
further chat.
kindest regards.
Maya
Yes OK Maya on all that. I too am not really interested in any
film/video war but I am very concerned that potential animators are put on
the right road, which for an amateur really is video. Thanks for letting
us have your name.
Kind regards to you too, Maya.
Albert....regarding
AN

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by AN »

"Dave Watterson" <big.dave@dave.big> wrote:
I now know why animators like Albert prefer to work on computers and video,
though presumably those who animate plasticine prefer film because it is
easier to take single frames.
Most film makers these days would have a PC I guess. Most are on the internet.
Therefore it's very easy to download software,
(in one case it's a freebie), to take single frames with video.
So I do not think this is the reason, unless potential animators are too
damn lazy to explore the www before picking up a film camera....also one
can do animation now with a 60 quid digital camera (not camcorder), in fact
if one is only interested in drawn work, just a PC alone will suffice.



But there still seems to be a feeling that some projects are better suited
to film than to video for artistic, aesthetic reasons that have nothing
to
do with what kit is available. Ned described some of the aspects of film
that are distinctive and I really want to believe that there is a special
magic which matters for certain subject. I just can't get it straight in
my own head.
Nor can I. The only special magic in film is the gate wobble/grain/projector
noise. No, these really are attractive attributes to film, which I miss.
But are they really essential
to create magic on the silver screen?
Surely not.
Albert...unsure.
Ned C

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by Ned C »

"Dave Watterson" <big.dave@dave.big> wrote:
Hi Maya

Fair enough! We are glad of your company and enjoy your sheer enthusiasm
for movie making when you do write.

I started this thread in a genuine desire to learn what it was that made
some people want to use film rather than video.

Of course anyone who really burns to tell stories - or show us something
about the world - will use whatever method is available to them. Writers
have it easy in that they only need pencil and paper. Movie makers have
to use gear which costs a fair bit. The medium does not matter, the message
does.
But there still seems to be a feeling that some projects are better suited
to film than to video for artistic, aesthetic reasons that have nothing
to
do with what kit is available. Ned described some of the aspects of film
that are distinctive and I really want to believe that there is a special
magic which matters for certain subject. I just can't get it straight in
my own head.
One of the problems faced by the amateur is that of developing craft skills,
cinematography, sound recording/mixing, editing etc in addition to the creative
skills of writing and directing. For the amateur working alone or with a
very small group this is a real challenge. To work with professional crafts
people is a real pleasure because there is a mutual confidence. It is interesting
that a number of the correspondents to this forum are lone workers but I
like the collaborative experience of film making with a crew and cast When
it all works it is truly "a mystery". The medium is secondary to the story
telling, but the medium and the skill with which it is used is a contributor
to the effectiveness with which the story is told.

Ned C
Cinema For Thurso Group

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by Cinema For Thurso Group »

Hey Dave, I wholley agree with the point you make about how some people believe
how some projects are better suited to film or video. At Cinema For Thurso
we find that is very much the case and that's why we use both systems and
have no interest in film verses video arguements- they just waste everyones'
precious time anyway. An intimate family drama is ideal for video nights
in, whilst an action effects movie is definately for the big screen in Cinemascope.
Our projects quite often fall into the Cinemascope catagory due the story
content and we use any means to make them happen, stills photography, drawings,
model shots, animations- have you read about our exciting effects matting
process? The stories we select often reqire effects because we couldn't get
the shots otherwise, how else would we get a 3 masted 17th century schooner
in Dunnet Bay or put a 20ft Troll into our current project. Set on the Caithness
landscape, which is wide and beautifully panaramic, film is a must.
Having said that, we also apply anamorphic lenses to our video cameras because
video projection has come far enough to produce the required quality and
anyway, why not?
We like technology, OLD AND NEW, whatever is the means to an end.
Michael Carter

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by Michael Carter »

"Cinema For Thurso Group" <canuimagine@btopenworld.com>

Does your group host a web site? Where are you located?
Cinema For Thurso Group

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by Cinema For Thurso Group »

Hello, Mr Carter.
Well like many groups around Caithness, ours is so small we can't afford
a website but we have a page here on www.theiac.org.uk where there is a link
a little bit down the home page (strangely it gives us as "Camera" For Thurso
Group) but it's a start.
We are located in Thurso in the county of Caithness and we are the north-most
town in the UK, next stop the Orkney Islands!
If you are in our area and are able to offer up any assistance (particularly
acting, transport or costuming) to make our films happen, do get in touch
and tell us more about yourself.
AN

Re: Does anyone in IAC do film or have all gone to Video?

Post by AN »

"Cinema For Thurso Group" <canuimagine@btopenworld.com> wrote:
Hello, Mr Carter.
Well like many groups around Caithness, ours is so small we can't afford
a website
Most ISP's provide some free web site space. You can get cheap software
to create your own for about 25 pounds. So why not do that?
My own web site was created in this way....You may like to have a look Maya
if you haven't already done so, and because of the recent discusion about
still photography and art, tell me whether mine is art or not! :-)
Click below.
http://www.btinternet.com/~Animation/PHOTOGRAPHS/

Albert....www fan.
Dave Watterson

Creating a website

Post by Dave Watterson »

I have just finished writing a handbook section on web creation for another
organisation. You CAN do the whole thing with any Windows PC using Microsoft
programs:

PAINT to create simple logos
WORD to create the site (save as HTML)
INTERNET EXPLORER to send the pages up to your website.

If your own ISP does not offer free webspace there are plenty of people offering
such space, though usually with pop-up adverts. One I like a lot at present
is brinkster.com who do not use adverts and do offer free space.

For anything other than the most basic site you will want better tools.
You can download from the net (free for personal use):

coffeecup web editor
irfanview picture editor
wsftp - to send pages to your web host

EVERY cine/video club that wants the public to join should have at least
the web equivalent of a flyer on the parish noticeboard. If you really can't
get anyone to make your own, contact the IAC webmaster and ask him to put
up a page about the club on the IAC website.

McDave of McWeb

PS There are probably equivalent tools for Apple users but I am afraid I
do not have experience of them.
Atta Chui

Re: Creating a website

Post by Atta Chui »

Yes. IAC Online hosts home pages for many clubs. You are very welcome to contact
us if you like your club to have a presence on IAC Online.

In fact, you may consider to post your club news and programme here even
though you already have your own web site. IAC Online is a hub for movie
makers to gather together. So maximize the publicity of your club - write
to us today.

Atta
Cinema For Thurso Group

Re: Creating a website

Post by Cinema For Thurso Group »

Thanks for the advice there lads, we already have a web page here on IAC,
it's only a specific website of our own that we don't have but in time perhaps.
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