Not that again!!!

A forum for sharing views on the art of film, video and AV sequence making as well as on competitions, judging and festivals.
Post Reply
Ned Cordery

Not that again!!!

Post by Ned Cordery »

I have just downloaded the form/rules for the IAC International Competition
and see that it is the film MAKERS rather than the film that determines whether
it is an amateur or open entry. Then I look at the past winners and see last
year's amateur winner was made by a group two of whom are broadcast professionals,
admittedly one "recently retired". What gives here? I am semi-retired (the
shooting part is just getting to be too much for me) but earn from my film/video
work, can I claim to be a "Group" as my co-worker is a professional musician
rather than film maker and so enter as an amateur?
I know we have been down this road before but it must be time it was brought
to a head as it would seem that many of the high profile IAC members are
in fact semi-professionals as they shoot weddings, contract edit and offer
NLE training. Where to please?

Ned Cordery
AN

Re: Not that again!!!

Post by AN »

"Ned Cordery" <goslands@infowest.com> wrote:
I have just downloaded the form/rules for the IAC International Competition
and see that it is the film MAKERS rather than the film that determines
whether
it is an amateur or open entry. Then I look at the past winners and see
last
year's amateur winner was made by a group two of whom are broadcast professionals,
admittedly one "recently retired". What gives here?
Yes, and last years best actor award was given to pros too, as
I moaned about at the time.
As far as acting is concerned few will be concerned as the standard of amatuer
acting is so wooden that the makers wouldn't consider they were in the running
for an award anyway, so when a pro gets an award, no one complains.

I am semi-retired (the
shooting part is just getting to be too much for me) but earn from my film/video
work, can I claim to be a "Group" as my co-worker is a professional musician
rather than film maker and so enter as an amateur?
Maybe the judgement on this should be whether you consider that you have
an unfair advantage over the 100% amatuer (like me!).
More a question of ones morals than ones work perhaps.

I know we have been down this road before but it must be time it was brought
to a head as it would seem that many of the high profile IAC members are
in fact semi-professionals as they shoot weddings, contract edit and offer
NLE training. Where to please?
How's this?...If one is completely self taught, or shown how to do it all
by other amatuers, then OK, you are an amatuer even if you do weddings etc.
BUT, if you have been trained by pros, then you ain't!

Albert...house trained.
Michael Slowe

Re: Not that again!!!

Post by Michael Slowe »

"AN" <Animation@btopenworld.com> wrote:
"Ned Cordery" <goslands@infowest.com> wrote:

I have just downloaded the form/rules for the IAC International Competition
and see that it is the film MAKERS rather than the film that determines
whether
it is an amateur or open entry. Then I look at the past winners and see
I thought that I could resist joining in this one but not after Noble's entry!
We should be both flattered and challenged if professionals want to take
an interest in our competitions and festivals. Certainly our standard of
film making would benefit and very often a professional is no better than
the talented amateur. It's just that he decided to make a career of it and
the other didn't. What's more that old moan about professional gear doesn't
wash any more, unless the production is a great drama. Why the prejudice?
Is it snobbery, fear or ignorance?
last
year's amateur winner was made by a group two of whom are broadcast professionals,
admittedly one "recently retired". What gives here?

Yes, and last years best actor award was given to pros too, as
I moaned about at the time.
As far as acting is concerned few will be concerned as the standard of amatuer
acting is so wooden that the makers wouldn't consider they were in the running
for an award anyway, so when a pro gets an award, no one complains.

I am semi-retired (the
shooting part is just getting to be too much for me) but earn from my film/video
work, can I claim to be a "Group" as my co-worker is a professional musician
rather than film maker and so enter as an amateur?

Maybe the judgement on this should be whether you consider that you have
an unfair advantage over the 100% amatuer (like me!).
More a question of ones morals than ones work perhaps.


I know we have been down this road before but it must be time it was brought
to a head as it would seem that many of the high profile IAC members are
in fact semi-professionals as they shoot weddings, contract edit and offer
NLE training. Where to please?

How's this?...If one is completely self taught, or shown how to do it all
by other amatuers, then OK, you are an amatuer even if you do weddings etc.
BUT, if you have been trained by pros, then you ain't!

Albert...house trained.
AN

Re: Not that again!!!

Post by AN »

"Michael Slowe" <michael.slowe@btinternet.com> wrote:
I thought that I could resist joining in this one but not after Noble's
entry!
The name is Albert, Michael. The use of a surname on this group
is not required, as we are only friendly(?) amatuers.

Albert....Being quick, quick, Slowe!!
Ned Cordery

Re: Not that again!!!

Post by Ned Cordery »

Michael Slowe

Re: Not that again!!!

Post by Michael Slowe »

"AN" <Animation@btopenworld.com> wrote:
"Michael Slowe" <michael.slowe@btinternet.com> wrote:

I thought that I could resist joining in this one but not after Noble's
entry!

The name is Albert, Michael. The use of a surname on this group
is not required, as we are only friendly(?) amatuers.

Albert....Being quick, quick, Slowe!!



Sorry ALBERT, but any comments on the points that I made?
AN

Re: Not that again!!!

Post by AN »

"Michael Slowe" <michael.slowe@btinternet.com> wrote:
.......but any comments on the points that I made?
Our standard of film making can always be seeing/studying the best pro filmssuch
as documentary/animation etc. That doesn't mean that the pros have to encroach
into our festivals, but we should attempt to study their work.
I think my point is best illustrated by last years great little amateur actress
in the film "Yours Trudy" if I recall it correctly. (We have already discussed
this.)

Her enthusiasm carried her through in a most endearing performance....but
did she win the best actor award? No, because some pros who work at the
'Q' theatre in London were given the award. That is not flatering nor challenging
but plain unfair.
I am left wondering if these semi pros ever enter into the BIG
pro festivals too? Do they have the courage to do so, but find it easier
to enter ours, where the odds are much more in their favour of winning!

Is it snobbery, fear or ignorance?
I can give any pro a run for his money when it comes to originality etc so
I fear not. Actually Michael, I think that I am the only one here who on
a yearly basis enters his films in the biggest of the pro festivals (including
Berlin/Hollywood/Cannes!). That is how I attempt to increase the quality
of my own output, so I do compete with the very best, but yet still frown
on pros in the IAC etc amateur festivals.

(sorry about my mis spelling of 'amateur' in my last letter......it's because
I'm just an amateur! :-) )

Albert....being amateurish.
Post Reply