Press Report - Report of January club films and award to Steve Bissett

A frozen scene in the French Alps appropriately started the entertainment for Surrey Border Film & Video Makers on the very cold first Friday in January. Club member Steve Bissett had filmed it while he and his companion were on snowboards in high-speed descent rushing down the mountainside. The run was fast and furious, bringing the audience onto the edge of their seats, aided by the powerful images and music. Everyone was wondering how it would all end. Bang crash wallop, yes, Steve's companion came to a crashing halt - but the filming continued. With true professionalism Steve kept the camera rolling even with the arrival of the ambulance, then into the ambulance and even inside the hospital as his friend was patched up, complete with a view of the x-rays! Wow, not the sort of film for which the actors would be happy with a re-take!

Steve Bissett receiving his award

 On a much calmer note club members then relaxed with a film about pottery followed by further action-packed drama in The Tree Dancer, by Sir Paul Holden. Here a tree surgeon hacks away at vegetation to reach a large oak tree. With his great agility, he climbed high into it, with chain saw dangling from his waist. As he deftly cut away branches to the left and right, we all watched with bated breath, half expecting his saw to snip his tether and send him to disaster, but none of

that. He finally hitched himself to the topmost point and quickly took the tree away piece by piece.
All the films shown were those for which there was no time at the over subscribed December competition evening. That completed, came the award ceremony where snowboarding Steve picked up two well-deserved awards.

Next we were privileged to see two films by professional scriptwriter and club member Rita Wheeler. The filming rights had been acquired by two separate groups, both in America, where the films were shot. One was a mystery called Freeze Frame, the other a poignant drama called When Summer Comes. As usual the evening included a coffee break, enabling members to discuss filming, editing and related problems.