NORTH THAMES REGION - the film & video Institute

NORTH THAMES The Film & Video Institute
REGION

NEWSLETTER

North Thames Region Annual Competition and the NT AGM will
take place at Pinner Village Hall on Sunday 22 November. The
closing date for entries is 12 September when they must be in the
hands of Ken Mills, the competition officer.

The winning films and as many of the other entries as time
allows will be shown on Sunday 22 November.

The AGM will take place at 2.15pm between the morning and
afternoon film shows. More details on pages 6 and 7 and a
nomination form for elections to Council is on page 10.

September-October 2009 1

CHAIRMAN'S CHAT

I am sure that everyone is tired of my continual cry about
the need for more members on the North Thames Council
but here I am again. By the time you read this news
letter it will only be a couple of months away from the
North Thames Annual Film Show and AGM. I therefore
encourage you to get your films in to Ken Mills by 12
September. I also encourage you to look at the
nomination form on page 10 and consider whether you
would be prepared to stand for election to Council or
whether there is someone you know who should be
encouraged to do so. It is, after all your Council and it is detrimental to the
organisation for the same people to go on and on ad infinitum. We need new
blood with new ideas.

On a lighter note, I am very happy to announce the great success of all my
films on DVD. They may not do well in competition but they are brilliant at
keeping the birds away from the plum tree! The tree is bedecked with DVDs
and looks very pretty as the DVDs sway in the breeze and get caught by the
sunlight. However, best of all, the birds are afraid to land and so this year I
have a nice crop of plums instead of just a pile of stones on the ground.

Speaking of the ground, I have spent many happy hours sitting on the floor
trying to film a dog at nose level. The trouble is that he does not seem to
understand that he is supposed to walk towards the camera. If I call him he
gallops up which is not what I am hoping for. If anyone has tackled this
problem successfully I should be grateful for advice.

Finally, as everyone seems to be in a panic about swine flu, can I encourage
you to be prepared for it and in addition to your favourite comfort foods, also
stock up on film footage that you can edit to your hearts content while you
are house bound. I would hate you to be both sick and bored!

Brenda

North Thames Region President: Christine Collins FACI

Chairman: Brenda Granshaw
8 The Green Walk
Chingford E4 7ER

[email protected] Tel 020 8529 6196

Secretary: Roy Claisse FACI Newsletter Editor:
Eric Granshaw CBE FACI
2 4 Purlieu Way [email protected]
Theydon Bois Epping Tel 020 8529 6196

Essex CM16 7ED

Tel 01992 81 2520

Television for Beginners.
By Peter Sampson

I’m setting up a training school for aspiring TV directors to teach them how to
make fashionable TV programmes. There are only three things they need to
learn.

The first is to ignore the script, because anything spoken will be inaudible
anyway, swamped by background music that gives programmes a truly
up-to-the-minute feel. Any old dribble of tinkling tuneless meanderings will
do. I’ll show them clips from the latest Little Dorrit production to show how
it’s done.

The second is that nobody over 35 is usually allowed in front of the camera.
Above that age, if needed, people are to be shown as loveable grumps, like
Morse and Meldrew, or comic grotesques, like Hyacinth Bucket.

Finally no picture should stay on the screen for longer than two seconds.
Programmes, particularly documentaries on serious subjects, must dash
hysterically from shot to shot to demonstrate the director’s youthful energy.
Students will be shown clips of archaic documentary performers like Kenneth
Clark, Brian Horrocks, AJP Taylor and Jacob Bronowski to prove how
ridiculously old-fashioned it is to think that viewers can follow an argument
for longer than two seconds at a time.

Oh, just one thing more. Visuals. Lots of visuals. Without them, you have no
studio cred whatsoever. If your newsreader, for instance, is to talk about the
housing market, he or she must be backed by visuals of lots of tiny money-
bags, each with a £ sign on the front, floating from a tiny bank to a tiny
house and back again. Talk of the credit crunch is useless without a large
red arrow pointing vertiginously downwards and a tiny cartoon family being
squeezed in a giant pair of nutcrackers.
This article originally appeared in Saga Magazine. To subscribe ring 0800 056 1057 or
visit www.saga.co.uk/magazine

If you get a warning
in an email about
swine flu, just ignore it,
it’s only spam!

3

From The Editor

First, an apology for the reduced margin on page 10 of the last
issue. It is what comes from trying to get a quart into a pint pot! I
shall be more careful in future.

As you may remember, the newsletter is available in colour on the
IAC web-site - www.theiac.org.uk/North Thames Region /newsletter.
I am glad to say that I have now found out how to make it reader-
friendly so take a few moments to have a look at it. It will be
available on the web-site a week or two before it is delivered with the
main magazine.

As the current newsletter editor I would like to encourage you to
contribute to the content of the newsletter. Letters are welcome and
so are reports on something that a club, a group of filmmakers or
individual filmmakers are doing. They could all be of interest to the
250 or so members in the Region. This is your newsletter and your
input can help to make it more interesting.

Eric Granshaw

A letter from Ken Mills following the discussion on editing
techniques in the last issue of the NT Newsletter:

Just a comment on Mike Shaw's and Ned's points on editing I
have to say that I'm saddened when I read these blanket
condemnations of 40's and 50's films, as all that these folk
remember of those decades . Sure there were probably a number of
“B” movies with contrived and stilted acting, but do they really
think that the old Ealing comedies like Lavender Hill Mob, Passport
to Pimlico, Ladykillers, films like Ben Hur, Bridge over the River
Kwai, Whiskey Galore, Rear Window, - I could go on - are stilted
and contrived?. These are my memories of that period and I think
they are films that will last a lot longer than some of today's
"reality" offerings.

4

THE NTR 100 CLUB

The IAC North Thames Region members are a fun loving generous
crowd of moviemakers, some are more fun loving and generous than
others. These are the elite members of the Elite 100 Club.

The late Dr John Smart around the end of the last century founded
the Club. It is registered with the local Council under the Small
Lottery and Gambling act. The law allows only a hundred members.

Since it’s start we have raised around £7000 and paid out the same
amount in prize money. The proceeds from the 100 Club help to
finance the North Thames Regional events and the purchase of
equipment for use by the members. Our present equipment needs
updating e.g. a new DVD HD recorder.

You can join any time. You do not have to wait until the end of the
year. The cost of membership is £12 for a year giving 12 monthly
entries, one pound a month or around three pence each day. The
prizes are not vast but one win could repay your entry fee for the year
plus a profit and any subsequent win that year is all profit.

It is a fun thing. Whenever a member wins, even the winners of the
third prize, they are always delighted. A reward perhaps for the joy of
giving, the knowledge that they are contributing to a good cause.

Are you a fun loving and generous member? Do you agree that the
North Thames Region is well worth your support? Why not treat
yourself and or a member of your family and become one of the elite.
All you need to do is send me your details and a cheque and I will do
the rest.

Jim Tumbridge FACI
Briars 42 Ridgeway, Hutton Mount, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 2LJ

An application form to join is on page 9

55

THE MOVIE FESTIVAL IS COMING TO PINNER !
by Aivar Kaulins, FACI

For several years, the North Thames Region of the IAC has been
holding its AGM and Movie Festival in the Quality Hotel on the outskirts of
Hatfield. A perfectly good venue, but regretably let down by the quality of
food served at lunch-time, even more so by the standard of service in the
restaurant. Eventually, we all said "never again !"

Members of the NTR Council have made many enquiries in order to
find a suitable replacement for next November's event, travelled many
miles inspecting possible venues, only to be disappointed time and again
for a variety of reasons, not least on grounds of cost.

Now, at last, we have found and booked a suitable place. This is the
Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane Car Park, Pinner, Middlesex. For those
travelling with the aid of sat-navs, the post code is HA5 1AB.

The date for this annual event will be Sunday, 22nd November
2009, with doors opening at 10 am for a 10.30 am start, and finishing at
about 5 pm.

Tickets at the door will cost £8, which will include morning tea /
coffee and afternoon refreshments. However, tickets purchased through
your clubs will be priced at £7 provided five or more are sold, and at £ 6 for
sales of ten or more.

As the address implies, the hall is situated on the edge of a large
public car park, which is free of charge on Sundays. It is also within very
easy walking distance ( 3 mins) of Pinner Tube station on the
Metropolitan Line, but beware of occasional Sunday maintenance work.

You will need to make your own arrangements for lunch, but as
you will see from the map on the opposite page, there are plenty of places to
eat.

Put the date in your diary NOW, and get your videos ready for
entering the regional competition. We look forward to seeing you there in
large numbers, members, families and friends. Let's make it a festival to
remember !

6

7

8

“North Thames Region IAC 100 Club”

This prize winning Club is open to all aged 16 Years or over.
Entry costs £12.00 a year, representing an entry of £1.00 in each of
the twelve monthly draws. After deduction of expenses, the sum
available is divided, half going to the North Thames Region IAC funds
and half being distributed as prizes. The available prize money is
awarded as follows – 50% as first prize, 33% as second prize, and 17%
as third prize

All prize winners will be notified by post. The North Thames Council
will adjudicate any disputes and their decision will be final.

APPLICATION FORM

I wish to join the North Thames Region 100 Club and am over 16
years of age.

NAME Mr/ Mrs/ Miss/ Ms (Please Print) ---------------------------------------

Address…………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Post code -------------------------------------------- Telephone No. --------------------
------------

I enclose cheque/postal order No …………….. for £ 12.00
Cheques/Postal orders should be crossed and made payable to NTR
100 Club.

Please send to the Promoter – Mr J. Tumbridge FACI.
Briars, 42 Ridgeway, Hutton Mount, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 2LJ.

This Lottery is licensed with Brentwood Borough Council in
compliance with the Gambling Act 2005 No L/07/0003/LOT.
No money received for an entry may in any circumstances be
returned.

I understand the rules and agree to abide by them.

Signature----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date -----------

Membership makes a nice birthday gift to a friend or relation,

and it lasts a whole year. 9

NORTH THAMES REGION IAC

This form must either be sent to the Hon. Secretary by Friday 20 November or
handed to him before 12.30 pm on Sunday 22 November.
Note . The agreement of the nominee must be obtained before nomination

NOMINATIONS FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS 2009

(For a term of three years)

1. ………………………………. 2………………………………………

3. ……………………………. 4………………………………………..

Proposed………………………….. Seconded……………………………….

Membership of the Council is open on an elective basis to all members of the IAC in the
Region. The Council consists of an elected group of 10 post holders and up to 8
members, a total of 18. We currently have only 10 people on Council.

The Council meets 10 times a year (not August or December) on the fourth Tuesday of
the month. The meeting takes place in Wanstead House and commences at 7.30pm.
Usually business is completed by 9.30pm.

NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICERS OF COUNCIL 2009

(For a term of one year)

1. Chairman…………… ………… 2. Vice Chairman………………………..

3. Hon. Secretary…………………. 4. Hon. Treasurer………………………..

5. Membership Officer……………. 6. Publicity Officer………………………

7. Newsletter Editor………………. 8. Triangle Trophy Officer………………

9. Youth Officer ………………….. 10. Training Officer……………………….

11. Annual Competition Officer……………………….

Proposed………………………………… Seconded………………………………..
10

North Thames Region IAC
Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the 47th AGM of the members
of the North Thames Region of the IAC will be held at
2.15pm on Sunday 22 November 2009 at Pinner Village
Hall, Chapel Lane Car Park,Pinner, HA5 1AB

Proposed amendment to the Rules and Constitution

At the Annual General Meeting on Sunday, 22nd November 2009,
the Council propose to seek approval to amend the Rules and
Constitution by the addition of Annual Competition Officer to
the list of Officers.

Roy Claisse Hon Secretary
September 2009

MUMBLINGS FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP OFFICER
PENNY LOVE

Many thanks to club and society contacts for replying so
speedily to my letter about the information I hold for them.
Its amazing how clubs forget to notify the IAC office about
things like a change of name, meeting times or addresses. I
depend on the IAC office to keep me up to date. It is important
that I have the correct information because when I get
notification of new members joining the IAC, I send them a
‘welcome’ letter and give them the contact information of their
nearest club in case they are not already a member.

I can only give them what I have so if that is wrong, not only
does it give a bad impression to the new member, but you
could also miss out on having another member join your ranks
of excellent film makers.

There are several clubs and societies who are not shown in the
Club directory at the back of our North Thames newsletter.
Their choice of course but if any of you change your mind then
just let Eric Granshaw or me know and we can add you to the
list.

11

THE ELITE 100 CLUB
(Only 100 members allowed)

Results of the June 2009 draw of the NTR 100 Club

1st prize of £17.95 went to Mr. Paul Adrian No 22
2nd prize of £11.55 went to Mr P. Barnes No 36
3rd prize of £6.13 went to Mr R. Jones FACI No 29
The sum of £35.67 went to the North Thames Regional fund,

Results of the July 2009 draw of the NTR 100 Club

1st prize of £17.95 went to Ken Mills No 34
2nd prize of £11.55 went to E Reynolds No 76
3rd prize of £6.13 went to Lorna Gill No 13
The sum of £35.63 went to North Thames Regional Fund

Results of the August 2009 draw of the NTR 100 Club
1st prize of £17.95 went to Shirley Fulcher No 87
2nd prizr of £11.55 went to V.V Duffin No 17
3rd prizr of £6.13 went to Ron Jones No 29
Total prize money paid out so far this year £289.26

Total donated to NTR this year £289.26

Promoter for NTR J.Tumbridge, FACI.,
42 Ridgeway Hutton Mount, Brentwood Essex,
CM13 2LJ
Tel. 01277 221950 FAX 07092 012703
E-mail [email protected]

HEATHER LEE
Former Secretary of Harrow Cine & Video Society
After a long illness, Heather died on July 11th, aged 72.
She was a valued member of the Society, and her cheerful
personality will long remain in the memory of members of
the Society and others, who met her at regional and
national events.

Copy Dates Copy Dates Copy Dates

If you have something that you would like to see published in this
newsletter, then send it to me. Email or post it to:-
12 Eric Granshaw, 8 The Green Walk, Chingford, London E4 7ER.

. Print deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication.

Diary Dates

Saturday 3rd October--Potters Bar Cine and Video Society Present their BEST
EVER VIDEO SHOW. At Northaw Village Hall,Northaw Road West, Northaw,
Herts EN6 4NW 8.00 pm. Tickets from Penny Love 01707656446 or at door £5,
including refreshments and programme. Best to book ahead . Last year we were-
FULL !!!

22-25 October. NERIAC host the IAC AGM at the Cairn Hotel in Harrogate.
This will include a technical forum on 23 October which will include a
demonstration of the Casablanca editing system and a talk about sound for
movies. Download a booking form from the IAC web-site:
http://www.theiac.org.uk/central/agm2009/AGM_2009_booking_form.pdf

Wednesday, 28th October —Harrow Cine & Video Society's AUTUMN
MOVIE SHOW, Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane Car Park, Pinner. Doors open
7.30pm for 8pm start. Tickets at the door £ 4 include interval refreshments.
Information: Ken Gale on 020-8424 0235

Sunday 22nd November - NTR Movie Festival and AGM. Pinner Village Hall,
Chapel Lane Car Park, Pinner. Middx. HA5 1AB.Doors open 10am for
10.30am start. Information: Roy Claisse, FACI on 01992– 812520

Friday 27 November - Wanstead and Woodford Cine and Video Club’s
MOVIE SHOW at St Paul’s Church Hall, Chigwell Road, Woodford Bridge,
Essex. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Tickets at the door £5 including
light refreshments.

Advertisement - For sale

A DVC-built full tower case with a 1.7 GHz Intel Premium Motherboard, 212Mb
RIMM Memory, 200Gb Hard Drive capacity, Windows Professional 2000, Adobe
Premiere 6.5 and Canopus Raptor RT with Xplode Basic. Extras installed include
Photoshop 7, Nero SmartStart, Procoder Express, Ulead Worksop 2 Express and a
Pioneer 107 DVD Writer. Also included are an LG 19" Flatron 4:3 Monitor, manuals
& tutorial tapes, and more besides. Any reasonable offer considered. Contact John
Astin on [email protected] or phone 01992 42 6937

Secretaries and publicity officers of affiliated clubs are invited to send in
details of their forthcoming public shows for inclusion in the AIVAR
KAULINS PUBLICITY PAGE. Send details direct to the newsletter editor.

Aivar Kaulins, 19, The Ridgeway, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4BE

13

CLUB DIRECTORY

ACORN FILMS CHINGFORD EALING VIDEO & FILM MAKERS
Well known for their Chingford Newsreel. meet on Fridays at 8pm at the Annexe, Greenford
Contact David Piggott 020 8524 9642 Community Centre. 170 Oldfield Lane South,
for information on the group. Greenford. Secretary Karen Cherrington. 41
Flemming Avenue. Eastcote. Middx HA4 9LE
AYLESBURY CAMCORDER ENTHUSIASTS 020 8429 8497.
http://www.bucksinfo..net/ace
[email protected] ENFIELD VIDEO MAKERS
Every third Thursday of the month at Eskdale meet on the first and third Tuesday each month at
Community Centre, Eskdale Road. Stoke 8pm at the JubileeHall. 2 Parsonage Lane. Enfield.
Mandeville, Bucks, from 7.30pm. Contact Cyril Middx. Contact: Stan Lane. 020 8363 8898.
Blunden, 53 Wendover Road, Aylesbury. Bucks
HP21 9TA. 01296 48 5508 EPPING FOREST CINE & VIDEO CLUB
meets at Pelly Court, Hemnall Street, Epping,
BOURNE END VIDEO CAMERA CLUB at 8.15pm 2nd and 4th Mondays each month.
www.bevcc.co.uk Contact:Chairman: Peter Bradford,
meets in the Red Cross Centre, Victoria Road, 24 Lampits, Hoddesdon, Herts EN11 8ED.
Marlow. Bucks, at 8pm first & third Wednesdays 01992 479312
of the month..
Contact Derek Miller (Secretary), 01628 637587. THE ESSEX AUDIO-VISUAL GROUP
Email: [email protected] www.essexavgroup.org.uk [email protected]
First Wednesday of the month, Holy Trinity Church,
BRENTWOOD VIDEO CLUB Rectory Garth, Rayleigh, Essex.
meets Thursdays 7.30pm at St Thomas’s Church Contact Mr R. Williams. 34 Heather Way,
Centre. Romford, Essex RM1 4TA. 01708 748580
St Thomas's Road. Brentwood.
Hon Sec Julian Ryley. 8 Robin Hood Road. FINCHLEY FILM MAKERS
Brentwood. Essex CM15 9EN. 01277 21 6147. www.finchleycinevideo.co.uk
Meets at Quakers Meeting House, 58 Alexandra
CHANNEL 7 PRODUCTIONS Grove, North Finchley N12 8HG, 7:30pm on
darren@channel7. org.uk Fridays.
Based in St Neots. Cambridgeshire, and Contact Peter Kidman. 020 8292 6367.
operating as a production unit which holds
project, rather than Club meetings. For more HARROW CINE & VIDEO SOCIETY
information, contact Darren Lalonde on 01480 www.harrowcinevideo.org.uk
405 615; mobile 07887 932498. Meets Mondays at 7.45pm in the Canons Room.
Harrow Arts Centre (adjacent Morrison’s),
COLCHESTER FILM MAKERS CLUB Uxbridge Road, Hatch End. from the beginning of
cfmclub.org.uk September to the middle of May
Every Tuesday (September to May) 8pm to 10pm in Asst. Secretary Ken Gale. 020-8424 0235
The Hythe Community Centre, 1 Ventura Drive, [email protected]
Colchester, CO1 2FG. Chairman: Sue Howden.
Contact Jt Secs: [email protected] HEMEL HEMPSTEAD MOVIE MAKERS
01621 891125 or [email protected] www.hemelmoviemakers.org.uk
01245 422023 meet first and third Wednesdays each month at
8pm. The Memorial Hall, (back of) CareyBaptist
14 Church, The Marlowes, Hemel-Hempstead. Herts.
Contact Audrey Batchelor. 01442 25 6853.

CLUB DIRECTORY

HORNCHURCH CINE & VIDEO CLUB SOUTH ESSEX FILM MAKERS
meets at Cranham Community Hall, Marlborough www.sefm.org.uk
Gardens. off Avon Road, Cranham. Upminster, on meets at Wyburns School, Nevern Road.
Mondays 8 to10pm. Closed August and December. Rayleigh. Essex SS6 7PE. on Monday evenings
Secretary Sheila Goodwin, FACI, 7.45 for 8pm.
4 Athelstan Road. Harold Wood, Romford. Essex Publicity Officer Nigel Woodham 01702
RM3 OQB. 01708 34 1445. 462073.
Email: [email protected]
STAINES CINE & VIDEO SOCIETY
LUTON MOVIE MAKERS Website www.stainesvideo.co.uk
[email protected] every Friday at 7.30pm in Laleham Village
www.moviemakers.freeuk.com Hall. Contact Hon Sec Mr A Valvona 24
meet Thursdays at Hat Factory Arts Centre 7pm Kingsmead Avenue Sunbury on Thames
NTR members welcome for free Middlesex TW16 5HJ 01932 782889
Contact Paul Clarke 01582 508616
WALTHAMSTOW AMATEUR CINE VIDEO
MILTON KEYNES CAMCORDER CLUB CLUB [email protected] http://
Www,mkcamcorderclub.co.uk www.wacvc.org..uk
[email protected] meets weekly Thursdays at 8pm at Stafford Hall.
Meets at Centrecom 602 North Row, Secklow St Barnabas Road. Walthamstow.
Gate West, Central Milton Keynes, third Hon Sec Sid Abraham’s, 73 Elphinstone Rd,
Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm Walthamstow. E17 5EZ. 020 8527 8580
Tel: 01908 236419
WANSTEAD & WOODFORD CINE & VIDEO
OXFORD VIDEO SOCIETY CLUB
oxfordvideosoc.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk www.wansteadcinevideo.org.uk
meets every Monday (September-June) at meets 1st. 3rd and 5th Fridays each month at 8pm
Gosford Hill School, Kidlington. at 7.30pm. at St Paul’s Church Hall. Chigwell Road, Woodford
Contact Norman Staples. Pear Tree Barn, High BridgeIG8 8BT. Hon Sec Martin Page, 33 Bush
Street, Harwell, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0EX Road. Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 6ES 020 8504
01235 833 660 9430. Email: [email protected]

POTTERS BAR CINE & VIDEO SOCIETY 3 COUNTIES MOVIE MAKERS
www.pottersbarcineandvideosociety.org meet at the home of John Walker, LACI.
meets alternate Thursdays at 7:45pm in Room 2, 29 Crawley Drive, Hemel Hempstead, Herts.
Wyllyotts Centre. Darkes Lane. Potters Bar. HP2 6BX. 01442 214990
Contact Penny Love. 01707 65 6446.
IAC ONLINE - website of IAC
SVGA - The Select Video Group of Amersham, The Film & Video Institute
meet at various member’s homes approxi- for all the latest on amateur film, video and
mately every three weeks. Contact Ron AV
Haddock -www.hrh [email protected] www.theiac.org.uk

ST ALBANS MOVIE MAKERS 15
meet every other Tuesday at the UnitedReformed
Church Hall. Homewood Road off Sandpit Lane.
St Albans. Contact Chairman Frank Miller 01727
831166. email: [email protected].

16