Forum chat in FVM

[ned c]

This thread has wandered over the whole scene of the current state of the traditional world of amateur film making. The world of clubs; Regions; polite comments; BIAFF, UNICA, a world in terminal decline. Replaced by YouTubers; Vimeors, with access to a huge catalog of films of every type; style; genre, available for viewing at a moment's notice. How long can amateur national festivals survive? As long as retirees can afford the travel and hotel expenses; for the young the important festivals are those that offer some connection; however thin; with the world of professional film.
Some time ago i castigated the AV section of F&VM as taking space that should be used by real film makers' I take it back as the AV section is now the most lively part of the magazine; no bygone memories; excellent pics (after all they are essentially still photographers), details of work completed and in progress. Look at the December magazine; the only article about the actual experience of film making is by Ken Wilson.

Comments? thoughts?
ned c

[Ken Wilson]

Hi Ned and all. Yes the FVM magazine is called, Film and Video MAKER. Very few articles appear now which are actually about the process of making films! I know the magazine has to cater for all interests and I have no objections to the reviews of film (video) equipment and always read Tom's articles, but there are now many more pieces looking at equipment rather than techniques and issues when shooting or editing a film.

The magazine looks great and Martin can only print the articles he has sent in. I have suggested to prolific film maker Howard-Smith that he may wish to write about his exploits and he may do so in the future. Michael Slowe has also written some such "making ofs" in the past and a couple of other people, but these seem thin on the ground right now.

We need a balance to suit everyone as much as possible. But the emphasis right now is more on nostalgia looking back rather than looking ahead with new ideas and projects. Perhaps this is indicative of the ageing membership and the apparent steady decline the IAC faces.

I have made 3 new films in 2024 and have been writing about the problems making these in the current issues with still more to say. I would hope that others may put pen to paper/ fingers to keyboard and tell us what problems they have had writing their scripts, shooting a film, directing or editing. We can but hope.

[Martin Evans]

Don't ever stop doing what you do Ken.

[Michael Slowe]

Ken, thanks for reminding me to "put pen to paper" and share experiences of film making.

I am currently overseas in the British Virgin Islands where, last year, I shot the material for my latest documentary, The Model Doctor-A Charmed Life, which I very much hope (?) that you will get an opportunity of seeing at B(AFF in April. I have contacted the subject of the film and hope to meet up with him before we go home. I certainly will write a piece about the making of this film because it typifies how I approach documentaries in the modern age and my approach as regards the genre.

It is tempting to hark back to old times, especially when you are my age and we think how much things have changed. The demise of the old network of clubs and amateur film making in general is to be regretted, why has this occurred? Surely, there are more people film making than ever considering how much easier modern equipment has made the process. The only way now to have one's film screened is to have success at a Festival. Most of which are semi professional, if not wholly so, and the competition is fierce. I, and one or two others such as Howard-Smith have had limited success but limited is the word. Some of the younger ambitious film makers, hoping for entry into the professional world, do gather and discuss and show films, but do they want an eighty something old person to join in? I wish I had the opportunity!

[John Simpson]

Some of the younger ambitious film makers, hoping for entry into the professional world, do gather and discuss and show films, but do they want an eighty something old person to join in? I wish I had the opportunity!

In my experience each generation is very different from previous or subsequent generations, and groups people (film-makers in this case) can be very different. If groups are approached with a humble heart there is a chance one may be accepted. And if not "shake the dust off your feet" and try somewhere else. Over the past 20 or so years I think the education system has become far less authoritarian and young people and their groups can be far less exclusive than we might imagine. I wonder what Howard Smith thinks?

[Michael Slowe]

John, but how to contact these groups? Also, do they show films properly or merely on line or on an iphone? My point is, how to get our films actually screened. We can always hire an 'art cinema' for screenings but who is the audience?