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For their September meeting Surrey Border Film & Video Makers viewed some award winning films. No doubt members came hoping to pick up hints and tips for their own masterpieces, but there was an added interest in that the title of the actual overall winner was withheld until the end. The seven short films of the first part of the evening were wide-ranging. There was a lively one entitled ‘Bob the Builder’ which had a strong beat and cut between real builders and children’s toys. Another was a lovely spoof spy thriller involving a mix up between ashes of a dearly departed and drugs hidden in a funeral urn. When all seven films had been shown club members were able to use their film critique talents by voting for the one which they thought should have been the winner. The vote was heavily in favour of the film which actually won. So clearly club members have developed considerable expertise. In the second half of the evening members watched four films recently produced by members. Andrew Evans showed us his holiday movie from Sri Lanka with excellent initial establishing shots and originality in the form of turning pages of maps. The narration was masterly with amusing dry humour. After the film Andrew came forward to outline the problems he saw and ask for suggestions which were enthusiastically and sympathetically offered. Two more travel films followed, one by Kay White which displayed wonderful close ups of lemurs of all shapes and sizes, and another by Margaret Fermston which showed extracts from a more complete masterpiece shot in Borneo. Once again members were helpful in their feedback.
Pirbright by filmmaking Caroline Bullock
The last film of the evening was a highlight in view of the background to its production. It was a documentary about Pirbright written and narrated by Caroline Bullock, a relatively new club member. Caroline was the presenter and was shown describing, interviewing and reminiscing so naturally that it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that her film was not straight from the BBC. Yet this was Caroline’s first ever film. Naturally, the audience was able to offer views as to the odd tweak here or there but that happens with any film - and there is little doubt that with films like this Caroline is on the way to a glittering career. Caroline has no camera or editing equipment of her own and was ably assisted by club members Bill Jackson and Alistair Cuthbert. She does have a desire to break into broadcast journalism, and judging by this masterpiece it can only be a short time before she gets snapped up by one TV channel or another. Altogether the evening was particularly satisfying. It demonstrated that the club as a whole can feel pleased that it is able to assist its members so effectively, and individual members must surely be inspired by a confidence in their own abilities. |
