Author: Graham Sinden

We had an interesting evening firstly Steve discussing and showing how music can change the way a scene works in any film. Secondly Jane showed us some new footage she had taken at a local show and we discussed how best to edit it. Jane also showed some interesting films from someone she knew who was trying to get more views on social media and how best to make the videos more appealing. A very insightful night with a good attendance.

This evening we mainly looked at Holiday films from the archive. Many interesting films with several films not seen for years that some members couldn’t recall them.

This was an enjoyable evening looking at some members films to the theme ‘Spring’ which could be interpreted in any way they like. We also looked at archive films and tried to guess the ‘Spring’ link in them.

Ovfm members had great fun on Friday evening trying to recreate sound to film clips that had the sound muted. We learnt a lot and found that sound can be very subtle whilst also being essential. We recorded each element of sound seperately, so the audio levels could be adjusted on each sound clip individually.  For instance, where someone was walking over dry ground strewn with dead leaves and twigs, we recorded the sound of steps on leaves and twigs collected from the location, whilst watching the clip to get the sound in sync. We then tackled the sound of the jacket, sound of trousers, sound of walking on stoney ground, sound of wind chimes etc and some good suggestions were shared.  We will share these clips as part of jumbled footage project, where individuals or groups make a film from the video clips. They’re at liberty to add their own foley sound or music to make their own unique story.

Many members turned up at Ron’s lovely home to watch and learn some Archive films. Mainly looking at previous IAC 48 hours challenges as we prepare for this years entry. Also looked at some of Mike Shaw’s short films and ponder on just how it was achieved. Mike was a master of special effects years before it became standard on many editing software today. Mike, having a working background in advertising, knew all the tricks to make the audience gasp in amazement.

This was a fun meeting where we put together a short comedy film and made up the script on the night. We came up with this film about a shy character who was really not that shy after all. There was spontaneous acting and filming. Everyone took part. Now the editing begins.

After this we had some fun with a toy Parrott that repeats what you say and moves his head and flaps his wings. We are already looking to involve it (or him/her it’s only a toy 🙂 ) in a story film where we can erase any footage of the person talking to the Parrott so in the film it will just be the Parrott talking. Our thinking caps are on.

Overall a very fun evening, with refreshments of course. Thank you for everyone who attended.

We had an excellent evening of members favourite films where members can select one film from the Archive to show and explain themselves why they chose it.

The evening started with a film selected from Hugh Darrington called Call of Duty which was a comedy film with the confusion of a wrong number phone call.

Then next was The Strange Case of the Doctors Journal filmed by Mike Graham and suggested by Annabelle Lancaster.

Also the following was shown in this order…

North Wales: Sun, Steam and Vistas made by John Epton and nominated by Ann Epton (why not 🙂 )

Power Corrupts and OVFM club film suggested by me. Not my favourite film but hardly seen it and it was years ago the last time I saw it.

Deception nominated by Pat. A well made drama set in 1941.

Johnny Magoo Nominated by Jeremy. An amazing film of a man who makes musical instruments from rubbish.

Remote Control made by Mike Shaw and nominated by Barbara J Darby. Mike Shaw was a wizard at editing and using special effects most of us would not touch. One of the many clever films Mike made which still look years ahead today.

Sadly we ran out of time to show any more but a great night was had by all who attended.

We had an excellent meeting in Ron’s lovely home where several OVFM members turned up. Ron had put together edited clips of the documentary ‘The Story of Film’ and several were shown then we discussed them and learn about how the filmmakers were thinking at the time. The clips mainly centered around Hollywood films including some silents most had not seen before. A nice evening all round. It is hoped members can use some of these techniques in their own films. Thank you Ron for hosting this and making us feel welcome.