Why join a video club? For help with filming of course!

Recently there have been articles in the Video Press suggesting that Cine/Video Clubs are on the decline. This caused me to think about our main reasons for becoming members of such a club.

1To meet others with similar interests and enjoy the social contact.

2To discover what other cine/video makers are producing.

3To hopefully polish up our own Movie Making output, be it holiday or family shots, by improving editing and sound.

4To have access to, and discussions about, the latest equipment in this ever changing medium - either through club demonstrations or other members’ experience.

5To visit, or be visited by, other clubs in order to see their films and discuss ideas and techniques.

6To enter club competitions as we become increasingly skilled, and/or brave enough, to display our efforts to others.

7To widen our horizons by competing in local and national competitions.

8To enjoy the privilege of using either club or other members’ equipment, which we may not otherwise be able to acquire ourselves.

9To join with other enthusiasts in making films which need a larger or more ambitious set-up. eg documentaries about local events or facilities, dramas etc.

10To learn by other members’ mistakes or triumphs and enjoy the right to criticise or praise.
 
 

We are lucky to belong to a thriving club and are happy to make new members welcome, both to club meetings and outside social activities.
It’s comforting to know that if there is a technical problem that we can’t solve, JUST PICK UP THE PHONE.

WE KNOW A MEMBER WHO CAN!

PS. Or at least a shoulder to cry on!
 
Further thoughts
I thought I would end by saying something about the collective gatherings of film makers. We differ very much in that ideas that are put together from both beginners and even professionals whose job is also their hobby, (as if that is not enough) help each other. I have always said that the word amateur in no way means amateurish. It simply means that it is not labour for making a living, although it can be a bit of both. On weighing up the advantages concerning visits to Area Film Festivals and various Film and Video clubs, I suppose it all comes down to how we view (no pun intended) our approach to film making.

Apart from the social aspect involved, i.e. meeting other film makers and hearing them enthuse about their ideas and methods, or type of equipment used. The enjoyment of their hospitality or ours when we are the hosts, often leading to the making of new friends who have the same hobby (or passion) as ourselves. An other advantage is seeing the results of their film making, the ideas and stories vary a great deal. It is very interesting to hear how the projects were accomplished and just what was involved and how many members of a club or friends helped to make up a group or unit. Or sometimes the project of a lone filmmaker. Always I learn from the experience and appreciate the great effort made by the organisers.              John Woolmer