Tag: Competition

OVFM CLUB MEETING TUESDAY JUNE 26TH 2018

Posted on by Lee Relph

 

We have another practical evening lined up for you for this meeting but this one is different. Instead of learning about filmmaking we are going to hone a different set of skills – our judgement of films.

Opinions are like bottoms – we’ve all got one – but it is how we express them that matters and in the world of judging or reviewing films (must resist temptation to plug my own film review site) this is no different.  A brusque or snootily delivered comment can make all the difference in deflating the confidence of a filmmaker whilst excessive praise to disguise any obvious mistakes won’t help someone learn from them and improve in the future.

So, how can we all learn from this and distinguish the difference between brutal honesty and constructive criticism? Our chair Jane Oliver has this in-depth explanation as to what this evening is about:

 

The Purpose of the Evening
We all need to learn the art of giving and receiving constructive criticism and acting on it if we hope to improve our filmmaking skills. We need to learn how to mark films consistently and fairly across the board, irrespective of the filmmaker
Part 1
Show a short film (about 4 minutes)
  • Get club members to rate it in accordance with most of the points on the Top Ten entry judging form
  • Filmmaker provides explanation of how they went about asking for constructive criticism, accepting or disregarding that criticism and whether or not it resulted in the filmmaker re-editing the film.
  • Show film again, split into groups, expand on comments together through discussion and to make constructive suggestions as to how this film could be improved upon.
  • Feedback to whole club
  • Filmmaker commenting on the actions they took throughout the process
  • Show revised film if there is one.
Tea break
Part 2
  • Show a film that was entered into a number of different competitions resulted in extremely diverse results from the judges
  • Break into groups to discuss how this film could be improved upon
  • Guess whether or not it won any awards
  • If club members think it did, can they suggest which competitions it would have done well in?
  • What does this teach us about judging and judges?
  • Provide the judges comments to the groups
  • Filmmaker to make any additional helpful comments.
We hope that by the end of the evening, club members will;
  • feel confident to give appropriate marks fairly across the board
  • feel confident to comment constructively on other member’s films
  • be able to receive constructive criticism to assist in developing their filmmaking skills
  • be able to discard any criticism that is not constructive and helpful
  • be able to decide whether or not it is worth re-editing that particular film
  • have an understanding of how their film could have a better chance of winning awards
We want OVFM to grow, not just in numbers, but in confidence, with an understanding of how we can develop the quality of our films so that in time, OVFM will stand out from the crowd as a club that produces award winning films.  Bring on the next Triangle competition.  It’s about time we brought home the silverware!

 

I hope that is clear, so be sure to join Jane, John Epton and David Laker for what will be an interesting and worthwhile evening for us all.

TOP TEN COMPETITION 2018

Posted on by Lee Relph

 

Yes the annual Top Ten competition is back and for the second year in a row, it is under new management!

After just one year in the role of Competitions Officer Hugh Darrington decided to step, passing the mantle to Ian Menage to run this year’s club competitions. Like last year, there will be just three, to encourage a greater response from club members, a tact that seems to have worked as there were 15 films submitted in 2017, although this sis till way down from previous years.

Remember that each film has a 20 minute time limit but can be on any subject and in any style. If you have a film from the past which has undergone a significant revamp (perhaps a new soundtrack, remixed sound, improved titling, tighter editing, extended or redacted cut etc. you are also welcome to re-submit these as your official entry.

And you can team up with your fellow club members if you need help on the technical or casting front, it will be the author of the script/concept who gets the entry credit. Couples can enter either individually or together.

Below are the names of the dates and participants of the three qualifying rounds:

 

ROUND ONE (To be held on July 10th)

Gordon Beales

Sam Brown

Barbara Darby

Malcolm & Kath Goodwin

Kuldip Kaur

Annabelle Lancaster

Walter McKenna

Peter Mitchell

Brian Pfeiffer

Mike Shaw

Bob Vine

Ron Williams

 

ROUND TWO (To be held on August 21st)

Hugh Darrington

John Alford

Charlie & Nellie Caseley

Colin Jones

Anna Littler

Ian Menage

Jane Oliver

Peggy Parmenter

Lee Relph

Trevor Rogers

Graham Sinden

Roger & Brenda Wheatley

 

ROUND THREE (To be held on October 16th)

John Bunce

Jo Coad

John & Ann Epton

Mike Graham

John & Sylvia Greengrass

David Laker

Jim Morton-Robertson

Jenny Tucker

Barbara Walker

Andy & Marian Watson

 

Remember, if you have a film ready before your designated round you are welcome to submit it early but please let us know, preferably on this website, ahead of the particular session you will be entering it. This also applies if you are unable to provide a film in time.

The final will take place on January 8th 2018 and the results will be revealed at the Oscars on March 19th 2019.

To see the results of last year’s competition click HERE

 

Good luck to all who enter and be sure to check the ongoing results on this site as soon as they are released.

Kent Film Festival 2018

Posted on by Lee Relph

 

The KFF is one of the longest running interclub competitions dating back to 1974 and returns for its 2018 iteration to be held on September 29th.

OVFM has been a regular contributor to this event and we hope that members will represent us again this year.

To get an entry form, please visit the KFF Website whilst please see our very own Ian Menage for tickets which will be available soon.

The 2018 OVFM OSCARS – THE RESULTS!

Posted on by Lee Relph

THE RESULTS

 

The Oscars took place on March 6th 2018 and here is the complete list of winners courtesy of Competition officer Hugh Darrington, who is stepping down after one year in the role, so we thank him for his efforts over the past 12 months. We are also indebted to Pip, Rita and Alan Hayes for judging the Annual Competition for us this year.

So, to the winners:

ANNUAL COMPETITION

Ian Dunbar Cup (Best film) – Devon From A Different Perspective by Jane Oliver

Orpington Trophy (Best Film Runner Up) – Remember by Andy Watson

Arthur Woolhead Trophy (Animation or Visual Effects) – Orpington In The 1840s by David Laker

Priory Trophy (Editing) – Statue Park by James Morton-Robertson

Vincent Pons Shield (Fiction) – Turkey for Christmas by Colin Jones

Rene Morris Penguin Plate (Photography) – Devon From A Different Perspective by Jane Oliver

Heyfield Trophy (Sound) – It’s A Pug’s Life by Lee Relph

Reg Lancaster Trophy (Funniest Film) – It’s A Pug’s Life by Lee Relph

Alice Howe Trophy (Documentary) – But Is It Art? by Hugh Darrington

Raasay Trophy (No special category) – Moving Moments by Barbara Darby

Jubilee Shield (Film under five minutes) – Remember by Andy Watson

 

OVFM COMPETITIONS

The 2017 Top Ten Competition –

WINNER: Orpington In The 1840s by David Laker

RUNNER-UP: 1940’s Showreel by Barbara Darby

 

Kath Jones Cup (Best joke Film) – Oh Dear by John Bunce

Vic Treen Trophy (Best Film Cut To Music) – Colour My World by Lee Relph

Mike Turner Plate (Best Film Under 1 Minute) – Same The Whole World Over by Brian Ffeiffer

 

Highly Commended Certificates

A 1940’s Experience  by Barbara Darby

Turkey For Christmas by Colin Jones (for Chris Crump’s illustrations)

Orpington Picture Palaces by Pat Palmer

 

Commended Certificates

Oh Dear by John Bunce

The Project by Charlie Caseley

The Juggler by Reg Lancaster

 

Final Scores:

Kath Jones Cup

Oh Dear by John Bunce   71

How To Open A Skoda by Graham Sinden  37

 

Vic Treen Trophy

Colour My World by Lee Relph    51

Remember by Andy Watson    33

1940’s Experience by Barbara Darby    32

Blah Blah Blur by Jane Oliver    17

Last Stand by John & Ann Epton   14

Born In Africa by Pat Palmer    10

Katharine’s Palace by Brian Ffeiffer   6

Wheels by Graham Sinden    5

Statue Park by James Morton-Robertson   5

 

Mike Turner Plate

The Same The Whole World Over by Brian Ffeiffer    40

Light Up The Sky by Trevor  Rogers   39

The Juggler by Reg Lancaster    36

Rumble In The Jungle by John Greengrass   23

Gannet Colony by James Morton-Robertson   14

 

Top 10 Results are HERE

 

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who entered a film and don’t forget you can see all of the entries in the Annual Competition HERE (make sure you are logged in).

That’s it for the 2018 Oscars, we look forward to doing it all over again in 2019!

 

OVFM CLUB MEETING TUESDAY MARCH 6th 2018

Posted on by Lee Relph

 

 

Ladles and Jellyspoons

 

It’s award season for OVFM which means the 2018 Oscars!

 

Every year we celebrate and reward the efforts of our club members with a small trinket or two, with club awards voted for by their peers and the Annual competition categories judged by an external panel.

 

This year we are indebted to Pip and Rita Hayes and their son Allen of Shooters Hill for giving up their time on our behalf to review and rate our films.

 

As you should all be aware by now, this is a black tie affair, or as smart as you can be (i.e. no trainers, jeans, t-shirts etc) so the more glam you look the better –  if I’m making an effort (this is the only time a year I wear a shirt) then you can too! If you are feeling adventurous you can come in fancy dress to add a little levity to the proceedings but this isn’t mandatory. And your partners are very welcome to join us too if you have one. If you don’t, perhaps you can borrow someone else’s for the evening?

 

We have many awards being contested.

 

In the Annual Competition they are:

 

Ian Dunbar Cup (Best film)

Orpington Trophy (Best Film Runner Up)

Arthur Woolhead Trophy (Animation or Visual Effects)

Priory Trophy (Editing)

Vincent Pons Shield (Fiction)

Rene Morris Penguin Plate (Photography)

Heyfield Trophy (Sound)

Reg Lancaster Trophy (Funniest Film)

Alice Howe Trophy (Documentary)

Raasay Trophy (No special category)

Jubilee Shield (Film under five minutes)

 

The club awards are:

The 2017 Top Ten Competition

Kath Jones Cup

Vic Treen Cup

Mike Turner Plate

Andy Watson Water Basin

 

 

Last year’s big winner was (blushes) your’s truly as “MEET DEXTER” earned five awards, closely followed by Jane Oliver with four wins. Who will be the triumphant winner(s) this year?

 

Join us this Tuesday March 6th at the Barnard Room, St Augustine’s Church for the 2018 OVFM Oscars to find out!

OVFM CLUB MEETING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 20th 2018

Posted on by Lee Relph

 

This week’s club meeting sees OVFM playing host to the annual inter-club 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.

 

We will be welcoming members from the other three clubs to our humble HQ in the Barnyard Room with the refreshment break being held in the more spacious Garden Room. And, in our role as hosts, we shall also be responsible for judging the films being shown and declaring the who is award with the trophies for Best Film and Best Program.

 

Whilst OVFM won best film for an entry courtesy of John Bunce, it was Spring Park who were the big winners in 2017. Who will take home the coveted Croydon Plaque and Triangle Trophy for 2018? Find out on Tuesday evening!

OVFM CLUB MEETING – TUESDAY JANUARY 9th

Posted on by Lee Relph

 

 

Happy New Year everyone!

As is the tradition here at OVFM we kick off the year by bring some business from the previous year to close – vis-a-vis the Top Ten competition! You can read the results of the individual rounds HERE whilst the final ten (or in this case eleven) films that garnered the most votes thus are up for a second evaluation, with the winner being announced at the Oscars in march, are as follows:

 

1. Hampden P1344 – Jim Morten-Robertson    54.62
2. Orpington In The 1840s  – David Laker   54.38
3. It’s A Pug’s Life – Lee Relph  53.23
4. Please – John Greengrass    52.84
5. No Thanks Not Me – Colin Jones    52.76
6. The Juggler – Reg Lancaster    52.42
7. But Is It Art? – Hugh Darrington   49.15
8. 1940’s Showreel – Barbara Darby   48.32
9. Come Fly With Me – Trevor Rogers    47.38
10. Glorious Devon  – Jane Oliver   47.23
=   New Year 2017 In London – Wally McKenna   47.23

 

Everyone on this list should have received an e-mail from competitions officer Hugh Darrington threatening violent repercussions for anyone who fails to bring their film with them to this meeting or arrange to have it brought via proxy if you can’t make it yourself, which will also result in immediate disqualification from the competition.

Also, members are reminded that this meeting is the FINAL DEADLINE for submitting their entries to the Annual Competition to Hugh. The entry forms can be downloaded HERE (this is a Members’ Only page so be sure you are logged in).

If you are entering a film, be advised that the judges have requested DVD only,  but we are requesting that those of you who are happy to have your films uploaded for display in the new special section on this site via the club’s Vimeo account to please bring your film on a USB stick or alternatively,  you can upload them to the designated folder on our FILEZILLA server. (Again, these are Members’ Only pages).

And in keeping with this, anyone who took a USB stick from Andy a few months back to supply a brief sample of your work in your preferred file format, please be sure to bring it with you to this meeting, so Andy and John can get to work on determining the most popular and accessible formats.

Good luck to everyone who has a film in the final!

OVFM CLUB MEETING – TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19th

Posted on by Lee Relph

 

MOVING

 

This week’s club meeting sees members given the chance to share with us the fruits of their labours in interpreting the theme “Moving”. You’ve had a few months since we first announced this project to think this over and whilst it is a difficult subject to tackle for a drama piece, there should be plenty of scope for observational pieces based on transport, people, animals etc.

Hopefully some of you will have risen to this challenge and have produced something for us to enjoy, but even if you only have a rough edit of a film, or the bare bones of an idea please bring it along and maybe we can offer some input to help you complete it.

As far as this being for the North vs South competition, things aren’t looking too positive at the moment unless a last minute saviour ride in on their white horse to rescue this long running competition from the abyss, but that shouldn’t deter us from making films pertaining to the chosen topic.

If you are bringing a film PLEASE reply to this post below, listing the format (DVD, Blu-ray, USB) run time and picture ratio (16:9. 4:3). The evening runs SO much smoother if we know ahead of time how many films we have to show and how much room to leave for discussion.

Also, don’t forget to get your tickets for the Kent Film Festival (Sept 23rd) from Ian Menage and our Autumn Film Show from Freddy Beard.

Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing your efforts on Tuesday.

OVFM CLUB MEETING – TUESDAY September 5th 2017

Posted on by Lee Relph

 

This Tuesday sees us entering the Last Chance Saloon as far as the annual Top Ten competition is concerned as Round Three is the final opportunity to get your films into contention for the grand final to be held in January 2018.

We’ve already had ten films submitted across the first two rounds but there are still plenty more to come. Listed to participate in this round are:

 

Sam Brown
John Bunce
Basil Doody
Simon Earwicker
Mike Graham
John and Sylvia Greengrass
Colin Jones
Annabelle Lancaster
Brian Pfeiffer
Trevor Rogers
Brenda and Roger Wheatley

 

However there are still some club members who didn’t submit their films in their designated rounds. They are:

 

John Alford
Ron Darby
Malcolm Goodwin
Ian Menage
Peter Mitchell
Peggy Parmenter
Mike Shaw
Alan Smith and Cherie

Freddy Beard
Hugh Darrington
Kuldip Kaur
Pat Palmer
Bob Vine
Barbara Walker
Andy and Marian Watson

 

Therefore you are invited to use this opportunity to enter your films or forever hold your peace. Hugh had some playback issues with his DVD last time which I hope he has fixed for this round.

A word of warning for anyone planning on bringing a film via USB flash drive – we had some issues last time with the club Blu-ray player reading the files so either bring a DVD instead if you can, or please can us sufficient warning to ensure we have the club laptop on hand to view the films via that platform instead. We strongly urge you to use MPEG 4 format for films on USB.

Please respond to this post in the comments section below if you will be bringing a film, declaring format (DVD/Blu-ray. USB), picture ratio (4:3/16:9) and run time, or since you all like Hugh more than me, send him an e-mail with the same details.

So good luck to everyone who enters a film and let’s make this last round one to remember!

OVFM CLUB MEETING – Tuesday August 8th 2017

Posted on by Lee Relph

 

We enter the second round of the Top 10 competition with just four entries submitted for the first round, the results of which you will find HERE. Now that the tennis has ended, Love Island is over with and there are no more general elections planned (at least as far as I know) then we hope that the sunny weather has inspired you to go out and about with your cameras and capture the world around you.

If you are one of the following, we request that you bring the fruits of your labours to this week’s meeting otherwise it will be a short night and very sparse Top Ten contest this year:

 

Freddy Beard
Hugh Darrington
Ann and John Epton
Kuldip Kaur
Walter McKenna
Jane Oliver
Pat Palmer
Lee Relph
Graham Sinden
Bob Vine
Barbara Walker
Andy and Marion Watson

 

Hugh has been informed by Freddy and Andy that they won’t be at the meeting thus no films from them this time around, putting us down by two spots already. Andy’s absence also means that we will need a substitute projectionist for the evening, so if there are any takers please let us know in advance.

If you have a film ready either let Hugh know via e-mail or reply to this post in the comments/reply section below, letting us know the film’s run time, format (DVD, Blu-ray, USB) and picture ratio (4:3 or 16:9). Similarly please reply below if you can’t make this round and we’ll accommodate your film in a future round.

We would also like to remind everyone that this meeting is the deadline for submitting their food/dessert preferences for the club’s upcoming garden party. Please see Annabelle, Jane or David with your choices.

Thank you for reading and good luck to everyone who enters a film!