The judges are back

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

The judges are back

Post by AN »

I see that quite a few judges are now among us...I can feel it in my bones!
:-)
Most/all on this group here are quite experienced film makers and do not
wish to be told about over exposed shots/out of focus/distorted sound, because
if these items are in their films it is very deliberate. OK to tell beginners
about these things because they are probably due to inexperiance so a mention
by the judge is helpful.
But how can a judge help the advanced film maker? If he says that the ending
was poor, that doesn't really help, because the film maker is probably on
his next production and will not bother with a new ending to a film that
has already done the rounds. Same with choice of music etc. Anyway next
time it may be the beginning and so on.

I reckon what the advanced film maker needs from the judges is a 'pointing
to the future. A way forward.' That's very difficult to do, but there is
one judge not too far away from here, who really does attempt to do this....his
natural modesty prevents me from naming him!
So judges, we love you to bits, but we do not wish to know about our incorrect
exposures etc which are deliberate, nor a bland comment about," hope to see
more of your work in the future." We need a pointer to better things if
possible, not just a comment on the present opus, good or bad. I know that's
not an easy thing to do.
Albert....taking things easy.
Atta Chui

Re: The judges are back

Post by Atta Chui »

If the ending of my film is poor, I would like the judge to tell me that...
because it is never an intention to make a poor ending, so I either thought
it was good for some reasons, or I did not think it was bad because I overlooked
some issues.

Film is about telling a story, so if you and I don't agree, I like to see
why. Usually it is a matter of personal taste, or there is a problem in the
film so that the communication does not work for some audience.

So there is no way I am going to re-cut the film and make another ending,
however there must be something we can learn from it.
AN

Re: The judges are back

Post by AN »

"Atta Chui" <iac.web@ntlworld.com> wrote:
If the ending of my film is poor, I would like the judge to tell me that...
I'm trying to get well beyond what one man thinks of my ending. I wish to
go beyond that and have guidance to the way forward.

As I said only one judge does this, and this type of comment is of far
greater use to me than a single person not liking my ending...many may well
like it anyway. Maybe on entry forms we should indicate to judges how experienced
or otherwise we are, then they may help us go forward into the future rather
then just dwelling on the ending of a present film. All film endings are
different anyway. It's direction that is helpful, or at least some suggestions
for it.
Albert...
PS nice to see this forum is livening up...who can I stir up now to write
in...I did get Brian's name wrong recently but he didn't respond to this:-(
Michael Slowe

Re: The judges are back

Post by Michael Slowe »

"AN" <AnimatioN@btopenworld.com> wrote:
"Atta Chui" <iac.web@ntlworld.com> wrote:

If the ending of my film is poor, I would like the judge to tell me that...

I'm trying to get well beyond what one man thinks of my ending. I wish
to
go beyond that and have guidance to the way forward.

As I said only one judge does this, and this type of comment is of far
greater use to me than a single person not liking my ending...many may well
like it anyway. Maybe on entry forms we should indicate to judges how
experienced
or otherwise we are, then they may help us go forward into the future rather
then just dwelling on the ending of a present film. All film endings are
different anyway. It's direction that is helpful, or at least some suggestions
for it.
Albert...
PS nice to see this forum is livening up...who can I stir up now to write
in...I did get Brian's name wrong recently but he didn't respond to this:-(
Albert, judges comments are not going to guide you on the way forward.

The way forward developes in your mind as you progress from film to film.
I try and see documentary treatments of "off the wall" subjects and assess
what makes them enjoyable and successful (if indeed they are) and inevitably
carry in my mind ideas that may follow. We must not slavishly copy but surely
we learn from other film makers.

We all know after viewing our own films a number of times (particularly
at public screenings) where we have gone wrong, where a cut doesn't work,
where too much has been left in etc. without the need for a judge to tell
us. We need judges to classify festival and competition films in some order
of merit so that prize winning programmes can be compiled but I wouldn't
look there for guidence on the way ahead!
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