Then when you get the only comment "It's out of focus for a second" I ask
Dear Michael,
I have seen some of your films and I must say they are wonderful!
myself have you seen the movie
I've always been specialised in digital systems. Whator did you just look at the focus. I have been a Optical Service Technician
for almost 6 years. I do know what "out of focus" is (Probably better than
any
judge in Belgium) But I don't even think about a reshoot. like: this is
the
story of my film, now tell me something I DON'T already know.
Hello Michael, It's good to read that Davy has written that we have enjoyedI want to hear from a judge is about the story, the creativity or the shots
taken but no technical explanation (in wich they are probably wrong anyway).
I wouldn't mind if one of the judges payed attention to this but not the
whole panel. Maybe I underestimate the task of being a judge (probably)!
your films very much. I already told you some time ago.
Yes, Davy is a technician, but he's against strict rules and he hates accuracy
in work. He doesn't like paper work for instance ... (He's written : "I
don't even think about a reshoot" See above) I'm different. Sometimes I take
shots five or six times. That's exaggerated I know. When editing the film
I always have problems ...
Also as a chairman I'm a bit like that. I am for suppleness, flexibility,
but also for strict rules. When a guest is showing and talking about his
film then I can't stand that members of my club are having a chat about other
things at the same time. Then I get nervous. We must always feel respect
for the qualities of other filmakers. I know that sometimes members say that
I am a bore and that I sometimes behave like a school teacher. I think that
times have changed and that I should be able to accept nonchalance. That's
a pity. Luckily I still have a very good treasurer. He's 75 I think ... He's
not careless... On the contrary ! That's good.
Davy says : "What I want to hear from a judge is about the story, the creativity
..." In my club we always stimulate creativity. That's why I have also shown
Michael's films. "Still Life" for instance is a good example of artistic
creativity. Moreover I always ask the judges to tell my filmmakers what they
think about the story, not only about the technical qualities. Davy made
his very first film last January only a few days before the competition.
Reason : he had been too busy. His film was called "Geocaching". He didn't
win a gold or silver award with it, but all viewers enjoyed it. The judges
were also very positive and told him that his story could have been stronger.
Davy told us that he doesn't like competitions. Last weekend I attended our
regional festival. About 80 films were screened. Also Davy's one minute movies,
but he preferred staying at home. The last few decennia my club was always
there with an impressive group of about fifteen to twenty filmmakers. I must
admit : the judging system in regional and national competitions in Belgium
is really disgusting. But at least we could enjoy good films. This time I
felt a bit lonesome. We were only nine. I myself have a very bad experience
: In Belgium the five judges are obliged to give their marks after each film.
Three years ago the following thing happened at the national competition
: The results for my "Masquerade" were something like 84, 85, 78, 77, 77.
They were announced immediately on the screen. But the man who operated the
projection system wrote 75 instead if 85. Judge number 2 did not agree with
it. He told the secretary (behind the scene) that he had given Willy 85,
not 75. There was some discussion, but they didn't want to change my marks
anymore because the results had already been announced in the festivity hall.
I was told this by one of those five judges. I think that I can say that
I am not extremely competitive which does not mean that I am unhappy when
winning an award. For instance I always do my utmost to encourage excellent
filmmakers to take part in festivals. BIAFF is a good example. Dave Watterson
knows that. But I hope that you understand that I felt very frustrated after
that national competition three years ago. Fairplay is something typically
English, but in Belgium ... Perhaps you already know about the scandal in
our soccer competition. Sometimes I feel ashamed to be a Belgian.
Anyway I think that we must continue promoting our festivals. These are the
forums where we can enjoy lots of films. In some way I don't understand Davy.
He is a real film freak. So where would he like to show his films then ?
I know that he asked Atta Chui to show his one minute movie on the IAC-website.
I appreciate it. But I would also appreciate it if he would be willing to
show his films at festivals in Belgium, in England or anywhere else.