I’ve got all this equipment that I couldn’t resist buying because I was always looking at adverts in magazines and shops. My excitement is overwhelming and I can hardly wait to do something creative with it. Now, let me think! Oh dear, I thought it would be easy once I got myself technically well stocked up.

Lesson number one: creativity does not depend on equipment. Creativity is very much more about talent and having an idea or two! Then the equipment can do wonders to put those ideas into practice more efficiently or speedily.

Ideas for a script - consequences

No matter how much movie or video equipment we have amassed, updating and perfecting our ability to shoot, edit, thinking of a title etc. The nub of film making remains
“THE IDEA,” “THE SCRIPT,” - “THE INTERPRETATION.”

Recently I saw a German film (Professional), which followed the basic idea of turning points in our lives which ultimately lead to a consequence of importance. That theme I can remember being used in other films over the years, but in this instance the film maker followed through with the thought , “WHAT IF?”

The plot showed the interventions of other characters (“both major and minor”) throughout the story, until the end. There followed two re runs of the story where happenings, either dramatic or comic were changed, that in turn altered the outcome of the film. The end result in the first two stories was disastrous, but the last story had a happy ending. I thought long and hard about this theme which has affected all our lives in some way. I think most of us have altered someone’s life just by chance. But the film was about a sequence of events, with just a slight difference in time, or decision, leading to the right or wrong result. I think we all say sometimes, “If only!”

If it’s a drama you want to shoot as your next epic, it could be a good starting point. How often do we view a film which strikes a chord in us?, causes discussions, thoughts and ideas to flow. Once the script takes shape and you work out your interpretation in filmic terms, you are almost there!

That is, there remain only a few things to sort out:- Actors, crew, locations, props, equipment, lighting, sound, etc. etc.

There you are! It’s easy!

Who are we in this film/movie/video club? We make films, videos and movies and meet on the first Friday of the month to answer members questions and to discuss ongoing club projects. Well known film makers, judges and film professionals are often our speakers for the evening. We welcome visitors and new members interested in film and video, and there is no need to own digital cameras or camcorders and no need for previous experience, as we happily provide mentors for beginners. Surrey Border meetings start at 7:45pm and end just after 10:00pm with a refreshment break at around 9:00pm. Visitors and new members are warmly welcomed to the monthly meetings which are on the first Friday of each month (and the first visit is free). Our meetings are held in our new contemporary hall in St Joan's Centre which is in the grounds of St Joan's church in Tilford Road, near the station in Farnham. The hall has a large car park and is within easy reach of Guildford, Farnborough, Fleet, Bordon etc. In Surrey and Hampshire. Read more about us here.