New OVFM Project Extra

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We have another project for you all but this time it comes with a twist it is an editing exercise only!

Usually a theme is chosen and club members are expected to conceive and create a film in any style or genre to accommodate that theme but the difference here is that half the work has been already been done for you. Our Vice-Chairman Sam “Choo-Choo” Brown has been out and about shooting some random footage which will now be passed on to everyone to then edit and create their own film using this “stock footage” if you will.

There are a few rules that need to be adhered to.

 

You CAN:

create your own titles

add your own music

use sound effects

use any visual effects

alter the speed of the film

use an audio commentary

 

You CANNOT:

add any extra footage

 

The deadline for this project is the club meeting on Tuesday May 10th and you can request a DVD copy of the footage from Ian Menage who will be distributing the first batch of discs at the next club meeting this coming Tuesday (March 29th).

We hope that as many club members as possible will participate in this project and that the end results will provide an interesting an varied response on the evening, in terms of how the different creative minds in the club will interpret and utilise the footage. The key objective is that we expect a different film each time but wouldn’t it be curious if two people had the same idea?

Only one way to find out and that is to join us on May 10th. Until then good luck to everyone who takes up this fascinating challenge!

OVFM CLUB MEETING TUESDAY MARCH 29th 2016

lancasters

 

When you think of the great partnerships in film, the names that usually come to mind are Laurel & Hardy, Abbott & Costello, Hope & Crosby, Lewis & Martin. But at OVFM the names at the top of our list are Reg & Annabelle Lancaster. Forever at the heart of OVFM’s activities the Lancasters have been given the opportunity to host their own club meeting.

Here’s Reg to tell us more:

 

At the committee meeting to plan the last year’s programme we had one date left to fill.

In the absence of anyone  else volunteering something for the meeting of March 29th, We offered to show four films that Annabelle and I made some years ago which have never been shown together as they were intended to be seen.

Firstly one of the 8 or 9 films that I made with Dutch filmmaker Vladimir Murtin, and  another when Dutchman Jan Schoonen joined us. On two of the Cross Channel film trips, Annabelle came along and shot film of what was going on.

The first is a comedy, Aloha and then Double Date which experiments with time. Annabelle’s are called Aloha Take 2,  and Double Take.

Our films were aimed at UNICA at a time when Britain was not a member. So they do not depend on language and represented The Netherlands successfully. Though amateurs, we tried to take a serious attitude to film making and the words “we’ll get away with that” were not to be heard.

We did have a lot of fun while being determined to try and get things “right,” so Annabelle’s films show how difficult that can sometimes be. Murphy’s Law is often close  at hand.

Above all we intend the films to show what fun there can be in a small, enthusiastic group of people can have in collaborating with like minded people to make wee films together.

We feel it should make an interesting evening.

 

I’m sure it will too.

Also, don’t forget to collect your copy of the raw footage for the latest club project, as detailed HERE while this meeting is the last formal date to get your nominations in for a place on the committee ahead of the AGM next month.

 

Hope to see you all this coming Tuesday to see “The Making of…” with The Lancasters!

Oscar Night 2016 – OVFM’s Got Talent!

 

O.V.F.M. Oscar Night 15th March 2016

It was a cold and deep, dark, black, Bible black, dark, pitch black night and the wild dogs bayed pitifully at where the moon would have been if it hadn’t been so dark (it was dark…you know…night time, well past 8pm, we don’t muck around at OVFM you know!)  as members from the four corners of the known universe (but mainly Orpington with a few from Kemsing and Otford and the odd pilgrim from afar) gathered together. For this was the time decreed by the wise ones in their lofty towers (the committee!) for the annual gathering of ritual, custom, feasting and celebration that has come to be known as… Oscar Night!

With young and old alike bedecked in breath taking finery of unequalled luxury (or whatever Oxfam had on special offer)  and with much mirth and high spirits in evidence amongst the assembled masses as they, who numbered near thirty souls, embraced the generous distribution of laurels to the good and the deserving with great cheering and rejoicing until at the time of feasting they partook enthusiastically of cake and refreshment.

 

Breathless with anticipation.
Breathless with anticipation.

To read the names that have been scribed for all eternity (or until the Cloud crashes) scroll down.

And if your own name be absent…then weep long and hard, search your heart well and vow to return with many filmic offerings at the next Day Of The Oscars.

THE WINNERS!
Competitions which took place in 2015

The Vic Treen Trophy – (Best film with Images cut to Music)

Winner is ”Autumn” by Jane Oliver

David presents Jane with the Vic Treen Trophy
David presents Jane with the Vic Treen Trophy

Mike Turner Plate – Best film under 1 minute)

Winner is –“The Biter Bit“ by Colin Jones

Freddy gives Colin the Mike Turner Plate
Freddy gives Colin the Mike Turner Plate

Kath Jones Cup – Best Joke Film

Winner is – “Commute” by Barbara Walker

Colin presents Barbara with the Kath Jones Cup
Colin presents Barbara with the Kath Jones Cup

Top Ten Trophy

Winner is – “Commute” by Barbara Walker

Barbara wins the Top Ten Trophy, Brenda presents
Barbara wins the Top Ten Trophy, Brenda presents

Runner up –“Table Top Whimsey” by John Bunce

Brenda presents John with Top Ten Runner Up certificate
Brenda presents John with Top Ten Runner Up certificate

2016 ANNUAL COMPETITION

Arthur Woolhead Trophy – Best Animation or Visual Effects

Winner is – “Table Top Whimsey” by John Bunce

Craig presents John with the Arthur Woolhead Trophy
Craig presents John with the Arthur Woolhead Trophy

Jubilee Shield – Best film under 5 minutes

Winner is “Bee Movie” by Hugh Darrington

Basil presents Hugh with the Jubilee Shield
Basil presents Hugh with the Jubilee Shield

Priory Trophy – Best Editing

Winner is “ Backlight revisited” by Reg Lancaster

Reg receives the Priory Trophy from Andy
Reg receives the Priory Trophy from Andy

Rene Morris Penguin Plate – Best Photography

Winner is – “Yellowstone” by Brain Pfeiffer

Roger gives Brian the Rene Morris Penguin Plate
Roger gives Brian the Rene Morris Penguin Plate

Heyfield Cup – Best Sound

Winner is – “Garden Visitors” by John Bunce

Lee gives John the Heyfield Cup
Lee gives John the Heyfield Cup

Reg Lancaster Trophy – Funniest Film

Winner is – “Commute” by Barbara Walker

Barbara receives the Reg Lancaster Trophy from Reg himself
Barbara receives the Reg Lancaster Trophy from Reg himself

Raasay Trophy – Best film in no Special category)

Winner is -“The Quest for Modingahema” by Pat Palmer

Annabelle presents Pat with the Raasay Trophy
Annabelle presents Pat with the Raasay Trophy

Vincent Pons Shield – Best Fiction

Winner is – “Dustin’ Time” by Mike Shaw

Mike receives the Vincent Pons Shield from Jane
Mike receives the Vincent Pons Shield from Jane

Alice Howe Cup – Best Documentry

Winner is –“ Leafcutter Ants“ by David Laker

Anna presents David with the Alice Howe Cup
Anna presents David with the Alice Howe Cup

Orpington Trophy – Runner up to Best Film in the Annual Competition

Winner is -“Make over at St Martin’s” by Hugh Darrington

Sam presents Hugh with the Orpington Trophy
Sam presents Hugh with the Orpington Trophy

Ian Dunbar Cup – Best film in the Annual Competition

Winner is –“ The Making of a Liberty Bell replica ” by Barbara Darby

Barbara receives the Ian Dunbar Cup from Simon
Barbara receives the Ian Dunbar Cup from Simon

In all seriousness a HUGE thanks to our very own toast of the trophies and countess of the certificates, the one and only Brenda our fabulous competitions secretary. It is all her hard work on Oscar Night, but also throughout the year, that makes the event so successful. Thanks Brenda, and also thanks to your deputy Roger, who is without doubt your rock, your right hand man, Robin to your Batman, yin to your yang, and Sonny to your Cher (oh actually maybe not!), Tom to your Jerry? Peters to your Lee!! Ummm well you get the picture!

And while I’m at it Big Thanks to the Super Duper Lovely Peggy, our refreshments manager, Wonderful Slovely Andy, our head of projection, Fantastic Fly girl Freddy, our executive in charge of biodynamics, and all the lieutenants and deputies, contributors, competitors, collaborators and consumers who made Oscar Night 2016 go with a bang.

ps. I think you’ll agree that this year I’ve really perfected my ‘startled bunny caught in the headlights’ style of grip and grin photography!

See you again next year and we’ll do it all again…pps Bring a torch it might be dark, really dark, I mean dark man…

Simon

To the Victors The Spoils!
To the Victors The Spoils!

 

NEW OVFM PROJECT – SPRING

 

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SPRING

It’s project time once again and the subject chosen for this particular occasion is a rather appropriate one as we head into a new season – Spring! Then again “Spring” doesn’t have to reflect the change in the weather – it could refer to the tiny piece of coiled metal, or it might reference “springing” a surprise on someone, or perhaps someone athletic jumping from a “spring” board (parkour and the such).

Maybe you have a completely different interpretation which is exactly what these projects are all about. Remember they won’t be judged like a Top Ten film so the emphasis is on having fun when making your films and simply entertaining your peers. And don’t forget you can ask your fellow club members for help if you lack certain production facets or manpower, and club equipment is available on request from our chairman Simon “Snapper” Earwicker.

The closing date for this project is Tuesday April 26th  so you have a bit of time to get your thinking caps on and put something together for us.

Good luck!

2016 Triangle Competition

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Another annual inter-club competition is upon us, this time it is the Triangle Competition in which three of four clubs – OVFM, Spring Park, Shooters Hill and Epsom – enter films in a three-way contest to be judged by the fourth, with the judging role alternating each year.

This year’s event take place on  Thursday, March 17th  and the judging will be handled by Spring Park Film Makers thus will be held on their turf at Emmanuel Church, West Wickham BR4 9JS at 8 pm (doors usually open 7.30 – 7.45).

OVFM has done well in the past in this competition so let’s see if we can add another win to our score card. For more information or if you want tickets in order to represent OVFM in person on the night please get in touch with our esteemed secretary Freddy Beard.

OVFM CLUB MEETING TUESDAY MARCH 15th 2016

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If you’re blue

And you don’t know where to go to

There’s always OVFM’s one night of glitz

Puttin’ on the Ritz

 

I must confess I’ve never put on a Ritz, I wouldn’t actually know where to start – I couldn’t find any instructions on the Internet (at least not on sites which haven’t been blocked by my ISP) – but I do know that we will be putting on the 2016 OVFM Oscars!

This is the one night of the year where we ditch our jeans and t-shirts and dig our best clobber out from the back of the mothball ridden wardrobe for its annual airing as we celebrate the hard work of club members by handing out bits of old scrap metal in recognition of their creative genius.

Of course the smart dress code is optional but if you do come in regular attire expect to be jeered, teased and have rotten vegetables thrown at you when we force you to sit outside in the car park for being a Kiljoy.

Last year saw Professor Mike Shaw crowned the big winner walking away with four awards and a sprained wrist. Will Mike reign supreme again this year or will someone else take all the glory?

As ever among the main prizes being contested are:

 

Ian Dunbar Cup

Orpington Trophy

Jubilee Shield

Vincent Pons Trophy

Mike Turner Plate

Kath Jones Cup

Bette Davis Eyes

 

Along with some new categories added by the Legion Of Doom which include:

 

Tallest Club Member

Best Club Member Over 30 But Under 50

Best Beard (natural hair colour only)

Outstanding Contribution To Putting Out Chairs

 

This year we are indebted to Kevin Doyle, secretary of AVS Movie Makers in Altrincham, for judging the entries and for his comments on said films, which he described as “very good”. Apparently “bloody brilliant” is not in his vocabulary so I guess we have to take what we can get but we do thank Kevin for giving up his time for us.

Aside from dressing up our stalwart refreshments commander Peggy “One Lump Or Two?” Parmenter will have some extra treats to compliment the teas and coffees to mark this special occasion – and when I say “will have” I obviously mean “Peggy didn’t give it a single thought before I brought it up”. You can thank me later.

Don’t forget that plus 1s are welcome (or in my case minus 1) while plus fours are prohibited as this isn’t a golf club. A 3-Iron is a golf club and is also the title of a film by South Korean auteur Kim Ki-Duk who also made a film called Time which I am now going to call on this post.

The Oscars is the most prestigious and fun filled evening of the year in the OVFM calendar so we do hope you can make the effort to join us at our regular meeting venue, the Barnard Room in St Augustine’s Church this coming Tuesday March 15th for this special annual event.