IAC DISCUSSION FORUMS

Now the deadline for entries has passed ... 'fess up! Which of our regulars
has one or more entries in this year's IAC competition? (Don't worry - I'm
not involved in the judging this year. After doing final jury duty in 2005
I have a year off.)

Things have been so quiet here lately that I suspect lots of you have been
frantically editing, laying soundtracks and watching scenes until you can't
focus on them.

While I am online ... a New Year's wish was passed on to me. I pass it on
to all of you:

May peace break into your house, and thieves come to steal your debts
May the pocket of your jeans become a magnet for £20 notes
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and laughter assault your lips
May your clothes smell of success and happiness slap you across the face
Many your tears be those of joy and may the problems you had forget your
address
In simple words - may 2006 be among the best years of your life


Dave

"Dave Watterson" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Things have been so quiet here lately that I suspect lots of you have been
frantically editing, laying soundtracks and watching scenes until you can't
focus on them.

Dave

I have been writing reams of rubbish on the BBC Radio 3 messageboards, all
about Bach and mahler etc., etc.

I'm waiting for someone to post something really controversial and then I'll
respond! (Michael nearly did the other day, but I thought I should keep out
of that one, as it involved my old cinevideo society ...)

"Dave Watterson" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Now the deadline for entries has passed ... 'fess up! Which of our regulars
has one or more entries in this year's IAC competition? (Don't worry - I'm
not involved in the judging this year. After doing final jury duty in 2005
I have a year off.)

I have 5 entries, Dave, 4 "one minute films" and a long one of about 19 minutes.
After the deadline I continued working on the longer one, and yes ... but,
it's always like that. Anyway,the new version is good for the Guernsey Lily
Festival and the Belgian regional and national competitions. I enjoyed working
on my films very much and I am already looking forward to meeting my British
friends in Bedford.

Something about the "one minute films" ... Once Kenneth Seeger wrote in "Film
& Video Maker" (page Video Library) that I am a very serious film maker.
Yes, I always look very serious. I hope that one of my "one minute films"
is not too shocking ! Are the British prudish ? If yes, oh ... my reputation
of being a serious man is gone then ! But don't worry ... I am against pornography
!

One other thing : Urbain Appeltans will hopefully be back in Bedford. He
has made two wondeful films : "CinemaScope" and "Hannah". He's the maker
of "Dimato" and "Prinsje" (Little Prince). Some British friends - and you
are one of them, Dave - already know that Urbain is battling against cancer.
He's suffering quite a lot, but he's already started working on his films
again. That's a good sign ! I do hope that he will be alright by the end
of March and that we can go to Bedford together. I sent Urbain's films to
poor Brian Dunckley the last day of 2005 ! Hopefully the post offices were
not on strike in England. I guess that the parcelpost does not use the Underground
system... An other problem : it was difficult to find British pound notes
the last few days (entry fees must be in pounds sterling). Perhaps many continental
film makers think that euros would be easier to pay, but please, do not reply
to this. I know it is a delicate problem. It's not a problem to talk about
here on this forum. And I myself : normally I have enough English pound notes,
because I cross the channel very often.

A new Belgian film maker will be Samuel Faict. He's a member of my club.
He's only 21. I sent three of his films to Brian. He's a rebel ! He was a
student at the film school, but he got the kick ! Now he regrets his bad
behaviour and he hopes that he will get a second chance to become a professional
film maker. I think that he is very talented, but I fear that some of us
will not appreciate his halloween stories. I think I have already told you
this before. Sorry for that ! On my computer I am a chatterbox ! So, after
all, I am sure of at least 10 Belgian entries. Belgium Rule the Waves ! (Sorry,
I am teasing : of course "Brittannia Rule the Waves !)

To all my British friends ... a prosperous new year ! All the best in 2006
!

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

I have 5 entries, Dave, 4 "one minute films" and a long one of about 19
minutes.
After the deadline I continued working on the longer one, and yes ... but,
it's always like that. Anyway,the new version is good for the Guernsey Lily
Festival and the Belgian regional and national competitions. I enjoyed working
on my films very much and I am already looking forward to meeting my British
friends in Bedford.

Something about the "one minute films" ... Once Kenneth Seeger wrote in
"Film
& Video Maker" (page Video Library) that I am a very serious film maker.
Yes, I always look very serious. I hope that one of my "one minute films"
is not too shocking ! Are the British prudish ? If yes, oh ... my reputation
of being a serious man is gone then ! But don't worry ... I am against pornography
!

One other thing : Urbain Appeltans will hopefully be back in Bedford. He
has made two wondeful films : "CinemaScope" and "Hannah". He's the maker
of "Dimato" and "Prinsje" (Little Prince). Some British friends - and you
are one of them, Dave - already know that Urbain is battling against cancer.
He's suffering quite a lot, but he's already started working on his films
again. That's a good sign ! I do hope that he will be alright by the end
of March and that we can go to Bedford together. I sent Urbain's films
to
poor Brian Dunckley the last day of 2005 ! Hopefully the post offices were
not on strike in England.


Willy, I am glad to hear you will have entries for this year's Guernsey Lily

Festival, they are always very welcome! I suspect that when Ken Seeger wrote
that you are a 'very serious film maker' he actually meant that you take
your film making seriously - meaning much time and effort and crafstmanship
in your movies - as we all know that you are not of a serious demeanour!
It is great to hear that Urbain Appletans (another great Belgian film maker)
may be able to join you in Bedford this year, it will be lovely to see him
again and we all hope his battle will soon be won. It's great to know he
is still making movies at this difficult time. Willy, please persuade Urbain
to enter his latest films in little old Guernsey. Mary and I will be two
of the (15, I think) preliminary judges at BIAFF this year, so we may get
to see yours and Urbain's films, depending on how the films are allotted
- I certainly hope so.

Best wishes and happy film making for 2006

Peter

"Peter Rouillard" <rouillard@cwgsy.net> wrote:

Willy, please persuade Urbain to enter his latest films in little old Guernsey.
Mary and I will be two
of the (15, I think) preliminary judges at BIAFF this year, so we may get
to see yours and Urbain's films, depending on how the films are allotted

Oh, don't be worried about that, Peter. Urbain will certainly enter his latest
films in little old Guernsey. It's amazing that he could make these two films
in only one year.

He cannot stop talking about your festival. I visited him the day before
yesterday. He felt a bit tired, but hopefully in springtime he will recover
very soon. In fact we can already send our entries to Guernsey. I will talk
about it when I see him next week. Now my film is finished. Making a film
is sometimes "a never ending story", but that's why deadlines are good.


We will certainly attend the festival. Urbain and I have already noted it
in our dairies.

Best wishes to all the Guernsey friends !
Willy

"Dave Watterson" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Now the deadline for entries has passed ... 'fess up! Which of our regulars
has one or more entries in this year's IAC competition? (Don't worry - I'm
not involved in the judging this year. After doing final jury duty in 2005
I have a year off.)
Dave

I have two films in the IAC competition. This will be my first nationals.
I`m looking forward to it. I proberly won`t be able to come as I would be
by myself! (Just the one ticket please!) my family wouldn`t be interested
and I doubt that any of our club members would have time.

Ian (Stingman) Gardner

"Ian Gardner" <ian@gardner44.freeserve.co.uk> wrote about BIFF:

I proberly won`t be able to come as I would be
by myself! my family wouldn`t be interested
and I doubt that any of our club members would have time.

Nonsense, Ian! You'd be with us.

I know what you look like, thanks to your movies. You can see pics of me,
Michael, Peter, Ken, Willy and Atta on the IAC website.

As soon as you introduce yourself the others on this forum will know you.
Of the regular writers here you will probably meet Michael Slowe, Willy
Van der Linden, Peter Rouillard - from that other island, Guernsey - Atta
Chui, Ken Wilson, maybe Peter Copestake, Brian Hazelden, Paul Chater, Tom
Hardwick and Frank Brown. Sadly Ned Cordery - living in the USA - and Marmite
Kid (Malcolm Whiteley)- still recovering from his battles with cancer - look
unlikely to make it.

What's more you can meet all sorts of other lovely people, see lots of wonderful
films, hear some terrible jokes, applaud presentations to some remarkable
people in our movement ... it is a busy and fun weekend.

TRY:
1.30 Hi-Speed Red Jet from Cowes to Southampton ariving 13.52
3pm train from Southampton to London Victoria (via Clapham Junction), tube
to Kings Cross Thameslink and the 17.02 from there which reaches Bedford
at 17.58.
On the Sunday the 18.05 from Bedford - retrace your steps and reach Southampton
at 21.32 Get the 22.40 Red Jet and be back in Cowes by 23.02.

Sorted!

Dave

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

In fact we can already send our entries to Guernsey.

NO! HANG ON!

By all means enter the Guernsey - it's a lovely festival - but why not wait
to see what the BIAFF judges say about the movies so that you can tweak them
before going on to Guernsey and Cotswold Festivals?

Some authors like to draw a line under a production and say: that's it.
Others like to revisit and amend their work frequently.

Our kind of movie making is such a lonely business, it is hard to get any
objective comment on your work and you can get too close to it to see it
properly yourself. When a group of judges has seen it you will get some feedback.
Of course if you do not agree with what they say, then ignore it. But it
might be that some remark they make will cause you to re-think part of the
movie.

You will get your BIAFF comments by the festival at the latest (2nd April)
and the Guernsey deadline is 15th June. Naturally they would rather have
your entry well ahead of time, since that makes life easier for everyone.
The Cotswold deadline is 15th May but that would still allow several weeks
for tweaking.

But since you are unlikely to get your BIAFF comments before the 1st March
deadline for the Festival of Nations, you can send them copies of the existing
versions.

Dave (date mad) Watterson

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

"Ian Gardner" <ian@gardner44.freeserve.co.uk> wrote about BIFF:
I proberly won`t be able to come as I would be
by myself! my family wouldn`t be interested
and I doubt that any of our club members would have time.

Nonsense, Ian! You'd be with us.

I know what you look like, thanks to your movies. You can see pics of me,
Michael, Peter, Ken, Willy and Atta on the IAC website.

As soon as you introduce yourself the others on this forum will know you.

What's more you can meet all sorts of other lovely people, see lots of wonderful
films, hear some terrible jokes, applaud presentations to some remarkable
people in our movement ... it is a busy and fun weekend.

TRY:
1.30 Hi-Speed Red Jet from Cowes to Southampton ariving 13.52
3pm train from Southampton to London Victoria (via Clapham Junction), tube
to Kings Cross Thameslink and the 17.02 from there which reaches Bedford
at 17.58.
On the Sunday the 18.05 from Bedford - retrace your steps and reach Southampton
at 21.32 Get the 22.40 Red Jet and be back in Cowes by 23.02.

Sorted!

Dave

Wow!!! You`ve done the homework for me! I will have to see then. I may. I
will look at my calender and see!
Thanks my friend )

See you soon.
Ian (Who cannot make up his mind) Gardner

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

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:
In fact we can already send our entries to Guernsey.

NO! HANG ON!

Some authors like to draw a line under a production and say: that's it.
Others like to revisit and amend their work frequently.

Our kind of movie making is such a lonely business, it is hard to get any
objective comment on your work and you can get too close to it to see it
properly yourself. When a group of judges has seen it you will get some
feedback.
Of course if you do not agree with what they say, then ignore it. But it
might be that some remark they make will cause you to re-think part of the
movie.

I've decided to draw a line under my production, Dave. I've worked on it

for many months and only last week I discovered that I could make it much
stronger. So I did, but it was too late for BIAFF and now I regret this very
much. I should have been more patient and sent my entry just before the deadline.
But it's OK for Guernsey, for Belgium and maybe for the Cotswolds. Anyway,
it's not a film to win "The Daily Mail Trophy", but I think it's still an
enjoyable film. In my club all filmmakers get the opportunity to show their
half-made films many times. I always listen to them. I even listen to the
armchair-critics. These sessions are always very instructive and useful.
After 4-5 months it's time to take a decision. I also sent many rough versions
on DVD to my English friend Brian Higbee. The film is about him. He's a folksinger
and artist. We've known each other for 25 years. We married on exactly the
same day : 23rd December 1967. (I was only 21 !) My wife Vera and Brian have
the same birthday : 31st October. Three of us were born in 1946 ... Strange,
isn't it ? Is there any English blood running through my veins ? We are
very good friends. So it also means that he could tell me the things he
didn't like in the film without any feelings of embarrassment. Now he seems
to be very happy with it. So, that's what counts. I started with my camera
work in the summer of 2004 and I went back in the summer of 2005 as you know.
Why ? Because I was not pleased with the shots taken the year before...
Now it's time to start with my film for BIAFF 2007 ! I'm very motivated !
The film is called "Breendonk". A dramatized documentary. All the actors
seem to have become very impatient and I understand.

Yes, indeed the remarks given by the BIAFF-judges are always very useful.
Of course there are remarks that I ignore. I remember that once a judge had
written : "Why didn't you film the "Palio" (horse races in a market square)
in Sienna for your film "The Triumph of the Renaisscance" ? Of course I am
still an amateur film maker who makes films for fun and who can't afford
going to Italy many times a year for a travelogue. I already went to Tuscany
twice for that film. To Britain ... that's something different. And a good
angle from a balcony in Sienna costs about 60 pounds sterling. Anyway, I
appreciate the BIAFF- and Guernsey reports very much. These festivals are
unique thanks to the reports that are given to the film makers ! And of course,
Ian, I agree with Dave. These are festivals where you can have a nice chat
with your forum-friends. I hope I that will see you in Bedford.

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

As soon as you introduce yourself the others on this forum will know you.
Of the regular writers here you will probably meet Michael Slowe, Willy
Van der Linden, Peter Rouillard - from that other island, Guernsey - Atta
Chui, Ken Wilson, maybe Peter Copestake, Brian Hazelden, Paul Chater, Tom
Hardwick and Frank Brown. Sadly Ned Cordery - living in the USA - and Marmite
Kid (Malcolm Whiteley)- still recovering from his battles with cancer -
look
unlikely to make it.

Yes, expect to be there, but with an entry that doesn't seem to be making
waves. Judges don't make much criticism, just not interested in the subject,

perhaps. Have done a last minute tweak to it for a fault I was conscious
of tho' judges weren't and improved it in one respect but worsened it in
another. I wonder if they will notice! Now I've reached a certain standard
I'm able to see things judges don't seem to, but I still value their comments.
Peter.

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

I've decided to draw a line under my production, Dave.

Fair enough, Willy. Your way of working and of sharing partly completed
work to the club does mean that in addition to your own excellent judgement,
you have already had a fair amount of comment from external sources. I think
that is unusual. Many film makers seem to assemble their work alone and
only show it to a partner when almost finished. For them it makes sense to
consider comments from judges and if necessary tweak their film before putting
it into the next festival.

And the best reason to draw a line under a production is the one you give:

Now it's time to start with my film for BIAFF 2007 !

We look forward to seeing your new work. Luckily BIAFF in Bedford is only
a few weeks away now ... 31st March-2nd April.

I wonder what our hosts at North Thames Region have planned for April Fool's
Day.

Dave

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

same day : 23rd December 1967. (I was only 21 !)

I was 1 year 4 months old!

I Ian, I agree with Dave. These are festivals where you can have a nice
chat
with your forum-friends. I hope I that will see you in Bedford.

I know, but they are a type of holiday as well and you don`t want some old
codger clining on to you! I`ll check the dates again and see what happens!

Thanks Guys. These forums do bring out the best in people who have the same
hobbies, but.............

Do we get to bring up the subject soon of The World Cup and ENGLAND winning
it! Or is that a sore point for some!!!!!!!!!

Bless you all.

Ian (Stingman) Gardner.

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

Many film makers seem to assemble their work alone and
only show it to a partner when almost finished. For them it makes sense
to
consider comments from judges and if necessary tweak their film before putting
it into the next festival.

I work alone on my films. Filming, Acting, Editing etc. I would like to
Direct more then one person. At least I don`t argue with myself unless i`m
scitsofrenic (sorry for spelling!) It can get boring, and you are limited
to still shots if your in frame but it`s still fun and thats what counts.
I love it. I show my neighbours my movies and the three (Video to Music)
entries over the years I done are Abba - Knowing Me, Knowing You, YMCA and
Amarillo. They just laugth their heads off! When they see ABBA on TV or listen
to them on the Radio, they just start laugthing. Now if that isn`t POWER
to the filmmaker, I don`t know what is!
When I have finished a film I burn it to DVD-RW and show the wife on telly.
It`s normally a waste of time as she has no comments, just an `Oh` or `is
that my tee-shirt` or `YOUR AN IDIOT!`

Working alone and not much money does have it`s drawbacks. As I said earlier
you cannot be it that panning or moving shot (unless you hold the camera
and run with it with you in the frame - Been there). I have lots of ideas
for films but you would need a production crew with outside space and a big
film set. One day maybe!

Have fun everyone and keep them cameras rolling.

Ian (Just The One Ticket) Gardner

To answer the question, we have three films in this year. In fact, recently
I have limited it to that no matter how many we may have made. One reason
is that you are in fact competing with yourself if you send in multiple entries.
Another is the cost. A third is the (unwritten) restriction that Brian usually
will not show all the films from one maker at the festival, unless of course
they are all top winners. This is of course quite fair and reasonable, as
everyone should get a chance for a screening of one of their films, if possible.
But the consequence is that if I were to send in say 4 or 5 films, I would
be throwing some of them away as I know they will go no higher than Silver
and would most likely not get shown. Best to pick your best ones and only
send these.(Logical?)
Perhaps I shouldn`t make so many.

However, this year we have had two abandoned films due to actor problems
and of course, the "TAKE ONE" fiction film makers documentary was never intended
for competition... so 6 became 3!

I know in my own mind, as most of us on this forum do, what results I would
be happy with, but of course, for now, that`s a secret.

We certainly plan to be at Bedford, unless something unexpected