IAC DISCUSSION FORUMS

Well now that the modem problem seems to have been overcome along with the
general crashing of my PC, I have finally got new video editing hardware
and software on this old thing. Don't get excited however as this does not
mean our work will be turning up anywhere other than local screenings. It's
only there to improve the final screening quality.

Now I didn't get to follow up Ani's silly 4:3 thingy, so what I was going
to say was:

My grand fathers original 1930's art deco shop counter is 2.35:1, my PC desk
is 16:9, all the doors in my house (if turned side on) are 2.35:1, living
room and 2 bedroom windows are 16:9, PC keyboard oh just way over 4:3 by
3 times. Uch, heck, there's just heaps of things in my house that are not
4:3 and I guess that's because, as I've said before, Planet Earth is not
4:3 ratio.
Incidentally, our "Micro-Trip film is looking like it will be in both 4:3
and 2.35:1 due to the various contributions now coming in.
Here at CFT we embrace ALL formats! I also don't know why people have to
insist that their chosen format is best or argue about it. The story determines
the methods of production. Everything that the story demands all adds up
and that includes format.
Anyone knowing the landscape of Caithness might question why a film made
there was shot in 4:3 whilst inner city settings might be best in 4:3. Open
mind, broaden vision and make movies in the format appropriate to the story.

"Cinema For Thurso Group" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Well now that the modem problem seems to have been overcome

Welcome back. We missed your comments. It seems like a summer of computer
problems. Most people I know have had some major setback or other. The darned
machines are just not house-trained. It is good to know that yours is sorted.

I have finally got new video editing hardware and software

OK - me too. I'm not a film maker but do some editing, subtitling etc. My
old system was becoming frustratingly slow and could not handle DVD cutting
so we invested in a new one. I'd forgotten how thick the manuals are and
how much there is to learn if you are to try to get the best out of a system.
So far I'm poddling along trying variations on familiar techniques. I must
say that I like DVD subtitle options though.

this does not mean our work will be turning up anywhere other than local
screenings. It's
only there to improve the final screening quality.

That does seem a shame. I realise that you are focussed on the show, presenting
work to an audience, engaging with people ... and I applaud that. There are
still too many amateur film makers who seem not to consider the audience
at all. We are often talking here about the problems of getting work seen.
But it seems s shame to restrict your work to the local audience. Could
you not do a tape version for sending furth of Thurso? People would have
to accept it was not so good as being there for one of your wide-screen extravaganzas.
But at least more folk might see the results of all your efforts and ingenuity.

My grand fathers original 1930's art deco shop counter is 2.35:1, my PC
desk
is 16:9, all the doors in my house (if turned side on) are 2.35:1,

Aaaargh! Please no more on this! Albert gracefully agreed to let it lie
while you were "off the air". (Why do I associate Albert more with "disgracefully"
than "gracefully"? I must be thinking of his humour for the man himself is
charming, elegant and good company.)

Oh - bearing in mind that nationality has been an issue here in the past
- I should admit that though I am proud of my Scots birth and upbringing
and will be flaunting it a bit in Belgium at the UNICA festival next week
... I am also proud to be the representative of the American non-commercial
film makers at that event.
BUT THE CATCH IS
I keep having nightmares about ending up like Gene Kelly in 'Brigadoon' with
a dreadful accent talking about being "Scatch" ...


Dave the Nervous

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

"
That does seem a shame. I realise that you are focussed on the show, presenting
work to an audience, engaging with people ... and I applaud that. There
are
still too many amateur film makers who seem not to consider the audience
at all. We are often talking here about the problems of getting work seen.
But it seems s shame to restrict your work to the local audience. Could
you not do a tape version for sending furth of Thurso? People would have
to accept it was not so good as being there for one of your wide-screen
extravaganzas.
But at least more folk might see the results of all your efforts and ingenuity.

It is always fascinating to hear what other movie makers and judges think
about the films you have made.
Sometimes I am surprised about the feelings my films can evoke in the minds
of other people. I don't only mean the positive feelings. Once I made a
film about bull-fighting in the South of France. Most people think that bulls
are not killed in France. Of course, that's wrong. 24 cities have received
a permission from the government to organize Spanish-like bull-fights. In
my film the bull-fighter takes a dagger and gives the poor animal, that is
covered with blood, the death-blow ! An emotional moment ! It is a shock
in the film, but I have done that on purpose. In that film I also try to
explain that those bull-fighters are sometimes very relgious by nature. You
can see them walking in a procession. So there is a contradiction between
their behaviour and their religion. At the end of the film I ask viewers
not to attend Spanish-like bullfights. Quite a lot of judges and viewers
did not enjoy my film because I showed the moment when the bull was stabbed.
I was not very succesful with this film though I still think it is one of
my best. Anyway it was a very good experience. I enjoyed the criticism on
that film. A non-commercial movie-maker should have the desire to show his
films everywhere in the country and even abroad. Discussions are also a form
of entertainment. You can have a discussion yourself or you can give rise
to discussions by showing your films. BIAFF for instance gives the opportunity
to talk about a number of films. I sometimes do not understand why so many
participants stay at home. In my club there are movie makers who cannot accept
any criticism. That's a pity of course. It's my duty to encourage them to
fight against their feelings of anger when someone passes criticism on their
"works of art". Once I would like to meet my Scottish friend from Thurso.
Next time in Bedford ?




bearing in mind that nationality has been an issue here in the past

- I should admit that though I am proud of my Scots birth and upbringing
and will be flaunting it a bit in Belgium at the UNICA festival next week
... I am also proud to be the representative of the American non-commercial
film makers at that event.
BUT THE CATCH IS
I keep having nightmares about ending up like Gene Kelly in 'Brigadoon'
with
a dreadful accent talking about being "Scatch" ...


Dave the Nervous

Welcome in Belgium, Dave ! Hopefully we can find the time to have a pleasant
discussion while drinking one of our best Belgian lagers or yes, ... Why
not one of your Scottish whiskies ! Scottish whiskies are cheaper in Belgium
than in Scotland ! Once I bought a bottle of Bowmore on the island of Islay.
When I was back home I found the same bottles in one of our supermarkets.
It was about 30 % cheaper !

Aaaargh! Please no more on this! Albert gracefully agreed to let it lie
while you were "off the air". (Why do I associate Albert more with "disgracefully"
than "gracefully"? I must be thinking of his humour for the man himself
is
charming, elegant and good company.)

Yeah, I had hoped that many moons ago the subject would have been dropped
all together but good old Al brought it up again and I didn't get the chance
to make my last comments before my pc went down. Alas and alack, as they
say! i have seen these threads elsewhere and they really are just futile.

BUT THE CATCH IS
I keep having nightmares about ending up like Gene Kelly in 'Brigadoon'
with
a dreadful accent talking about being "Scatch" ...

Again I understand. Up here in Thurso we are faced with a slightly obscure
language problem when other people meet us. They understand us clearly but
they think we are from Ireland because of the way we pronounce 'r'. Will
you be flying true?(more of a concern when the wind blows) (and face the
endless questions about what underneath!)

CFT feeling a draft!

"Cinema For Thurso Group" wrote:

Will you be flying true?(more of a concern when the wind blows) (and face
the
endless questions about what underneath!)

For the benefit of the non-Scots this is a reference to wearing the kilt.
The traditional answers to what's worn under the kilt are:

a) just socks and shoes
b) nothing at all, Madam, it's all in perfect working order!

That's flying true. And I'm too much of a prude and coward to do it.

Actually I don't own a kilt just now ... I outgrew my old one and they are
VERY expensive. But I'm tempted to get one and do a late Burns Supper at
the Festival of Nations in Austria next June because though lots of people
there love visiting Scotland, none of them knew about haggis!

Maybe there's a movie to be made about men's underwear - or the lack of it?
I mean when did they start selling pants without an opening in the front?
Does any bloke feel comfortable in those mini shorts you see in some shops?

Dave (warm down below) Watterson

That's flying true. And I'm too much of a prude and coward to do it.

If your American half is below the kilt it could lead to some awful chafing
not for the faint of heart!

, none of them knew about haggis!

Many still believe that this creature runs wild in the Highlands. Alas this
couldn't be further from the truth as they were shot near to extinction with
the wolves. Only small colonies survive as a protected species. I think there
are some near where I live, I have seen their tracks in the winter snow.

Does any bloke feel comfortable in those mini shorts you see in some shops?

Has been known for the leg to drop out when leaning over to pull on the trousers!

CFT firmly wrapped in bailer twine!

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

Maybe there's a movie to be made about men's underwear - or the lack of
it?
I mean when did they start selling pants without an opening in the front?
Does any bloke feel comfortable in those mini shorts you see in some shops?

Dave (warm down below) Watterson

I hate nudity in films when it has no function. There are film makers who
use nudity in their films to impress the audience. That's stupid. Last weekend
my "prisoners of war" were having a shower in the concentration camp of
Breendonk. The commander-in-chief SS-Sturmbahnführer Philipp Schmitt was
watching them, but also his wife Ilse Birkholz ... She enjoyed observing
naked prisoners of war... Humiliation is the theme of that part in my film.
I asked my actors to wear swimming trunks. Of course, in the film you will
not see their swimming-trunks. Our Dutch friends and film makers would rather
be inclined to use nudity in this film. Or am I wrong ?
Of course, making a film about Scottish men wearing kilts and no underwear
... That's something different. I like the moment in "Braveheart" when the
Scots are showing their buttocks. Nudity is functional here.