A Bunch of Amateurs

[Michael Slowe]

For those that don't know and who are not as ancient as I am, Albert Noble was, in the 60s and 70s a wonderfully talented and successful film maker, all animations as I recall. He was on the stage at the NFT with a Ten Best on more than one occasion.

I may have expressed myself badly because of course I only would make a film that I would enjoy and in my favourite genre, but that's not to say I don't want it to be appreciated by others and exhibited at festivals.

[Albert Noble]

Gosh Michael, what wonderful things you say about me.
I couldn't have put it better myself
You too, have trod the 10 best boards as well it should be known.

After nigh 40 years of a break from film making I'm back at it before I kick the bucket....
...an animated bucket of course

As you said, make films to please yourself, but if in doing so it pleases others at times
then so be it. An audience etc is a nice extra bonus.

As I once said, "Silver trophies are all OK but an audience cleans itself,
silver doesn't"

[John Simpson]

After nigh 40 years of a break from film making I'm back at it before I kick the bucket....
...an animated bucket of course

That is amazing to be starting again film making after 40 years, I wonder what you will come up with?

[John Simpson]

No Tim, I don't think it is "a different outlook". We are film makers, whether we wish o make a career out of it or not. The aim of the activity is identical, to make good films.

That is the aim of both, yes, but for we amateurs, that is it. We aim to make the best film we possibly can based on our own criteria. It may be that the criteria is to make something that will appeal to that fictictious animal the "general audience" or something that will do well in the eyes of BIAFF judges, but we have the luxury of being able to set those criteria.

For the student film maker it is to make a film which satifies criteria set by other people. This may the faculty at their film school, it may be to create a portfolio that impresses whatever orangisation they hope will hire them (or end customers if they want to go solo). It also HAS to compete with all the rival student film makers.

In my mind that's a massive difference in outlook.

Another aspect of this is that student films will be a showcase, of using skills needed in a longer feature film, with a number of locations and large film crew; out of the scope of most film clubs. But at least, like at the Bradford Club, an individual film maker can, or as part of a film club, direct and manage the shots. There were willing actors at Bradford as well!! Having chance to direct is fulfilling, and there is an audience to be had on social media.

Nowadays there is even freelance work creating content for advertising agencies using Tiktok and suchlike. There are opportunities for people who are keen.

Many of the students on media studies courses want to be directors. In reality there is more chance of work for specialist trained editors & suchlike. Many post grad film students will have to go through the ranks perhaps starting as a lowly runner, maybe not even being paid. Perhaps the most important thing is gaining evidence of the ability to be able to work with other people.

[ned c]

OK; I will write some more. When I was President of AMPS the student section of the annual AIFF was well subscribed; on occasion the number of entries exceeding the open category. I have twice e-mailed a senior member of the Council outlining my proposals for a student section at BIAFF and never received a reply. Perhaps the IAC is a lost cause and some new approach to providing support for the world of n-c film makers is needed.

What do we need? Equivalent to BIAFF with categories including a student section on a national level and on a local level. A register of people willing to share their skills, both technical and creative. Local open screening nights for discussion of works in progress. An active website and an on-line forum; a newsletter would be nice - hold on; most of this is well within the ability of the IAC if it wants to survive and perhaps flourish. I haven't seen the minutes of the last AGM so perhaps there is a plan.

Why am I some 5,000 miles away and at no risk of having to put my money where my mouth is? I saw the complete collapse of the traditional amateur film world in the USA and Canada; and from a distance the disappearance of the central organization in Australia. I have been a member of the IAC for many years from Britain; Hong Kong and the USA and would like to see it survive.
ned c

[ned c]

Also; very best wishes for the New Year!

ned c

[John Simpson]

Phew! There is no-one to set up your student system, is there?

If the IAC/BIAFF is going to go down the route of wanting commercial like films then there may be the need for amateur film makers to keep up with the amazing state of the art AI software which is now available. I am a slow learner so if I do decide to get up to speed with this it will be a big undertaking!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43t4r9K ... l=FilmRiot

[Albert Noble]

Soon films will make themselves. No need for film makers anymore.
No need for an audience either as they will be replaced by robots.

No need for the human race then, much too antiquated, wearing
out within years, not lasting forever as I will
signed....... model GXYT56m