It’s time ladies and gentlemen for you to reveal to the club how hard you have been working in fulfilling the project theme of “Spring”, as originally announced HERE.
Project evenings are a fun way to flex one’s creative muscles and it never ceases to amaze how many different interpretations we get on a single topic and we are sure this project will be no different.
As always could we ask that you PLEASE reply to this post in the comments section below if you are bringing a film, listing the format, run time and picture ratio. This is crucial in helping us to plan the evening time wise and to ensure we have sufficient material for the whole session, so your co-operation is very much appreciated.
And a reminder for anyone who wants to taken part in the editing project we have currently running to speak to Ian Menage about claiming a copy of the raw footage.
Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing your “Spring” related films this Tuesday!
While we have a lot of fun across the calendar year we do sometimes have to get serious here at OVFM and that means our annual AGM has come around again.
This is the one night of the year where club members get to air their grievances, their concerns, their fears or ask that all important question they’ve been a bit shy about asking. Once the minutes from last year’s meeting have been approved and the annual reports have been read, we turn the floor over to YOU, so please don’t let this opportunity pass you by.
Also at the AGM we elect our Committee. Every year they work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure there are the club keep running, projects are conceived, outings and events are organised and all of the perks and treats you get to enjoy on a regular basis are taken care of.
Every seat on the Committee is temporarily vacated – including the position of Chairman – so anyone can who has been nominated or has decided to stand can find themselves as the newest member. While we appreciate everything they do for us, like anything an injection of fresh blood can make all the difference, which is why this opportunity is there for the taking.
The current committee as it stands is as follows:
Chairman – Simon Earwicker
Vice Chairman – Sam Brown
Treasurer – David Laker
Secretary – Freddy Beard
Competitions Officer – Brenda Wheatley
Ordinary Members:
Reg Lancaster (Club President)
Annabelle Lancaster
Ian Menage
Andy Watson
Roger Wheatley
The club is also looking for a full time Press Officer. If you think you’d like to take up this position and help get the club notices, events and other stories into the local press and across social media on the Internet then please make your intention known at this meeting or speak to a Committee member.
And it is not just the Committee who can suggest ideas – this is YOUR club so YOUR ideas and suggestions are equally valid and welcome. The club needs films to survive and we thrive on having great ideas to make those films, so please have a think about ideas and themes for future project evenings or other club events.
To download the agenda in full for the meeting please click HERE.
To download the minutes from the 2015 AGM please click HERE.
Remember this is about your voice, your views, your club!
Finally, if you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to collect your DVD from Ian Menage for the editing project as discussed HERE .
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 10thand you can request a DVD copy of the footage from Ian Menagewho 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!
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 HEREwhile 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!
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.
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
Mike Turner Plate – Best film under 1 minute)
Winner is –“The Biter Bit“ by Colin Jones
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
Top Ten Trophy
Winner is – “Commute” by Barbara Walker
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
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
Jubilee Shield – Best film under 5 minutes
Winner is “Bee Movie” by Hugh Darrington
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
Rene Morris Penguin Plate – Best Photography
Winner is – “Yellowstone” by Brain Pfeiffer
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
Reg Lancaster Trophy – Funniest Film
Winner is – “Commute” by Barbara Walker
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
Vincent Pons Shield – Best Fiction
Winner is – “Dustin’ Time” by Mike Shaw
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
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
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
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…
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.
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 Makersthus 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.
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.
The guest speaker lined up for this week’s club meeting should be familiar to everyone at OVFM as it is our very own Professor Mike Shaw!
Before he picked up the camera and became the club’s resident special effects whizz, Mike spent many years working in advertising and was responsible for masterminding a number of campaigns for many top name companies and businesses of the time.
So what does this have to do with filmmaking? Both films and adverts, or indeed any creative process, begin the same way – with an idea. Certainly there are differences in that ads need to be short, to the point and within a specific remit of the company or product requirements (and we at OVFM are not adverse to making short films under a minute either) but there needs to be a starting point and it is that common thread which will be one feature of Mike’s presentation.
Mike will be talking us through some of the campaigns he was responsible for, explaining the various stages of creative process and sharing the end results with us, which saw Mike rub shoulders with some the showbiz elite of the era – not that Mike is a name dropper so don’t expect to hear the name Sammy Davis Jr. mentioned at any time during the course of the evening!
It might be a different tact from our usual film related guest speakers but I’m sure it won’t be any less interesting to us as creative types. And who knows – we may see an ad campaign already familiar to us unaware it was actually one of Mike’s.
Only one way to find out and that is to join us this coming Tuesday evening where you are Shaw to be in for a fascinating evening!
It is hard to believe that twelve months have passed already since the last Spring Film Show from OVFM but here we are ready to do it all over again!
Now the days are getting brighter, the weather (hopefully) is getting warmer and the colour is returning to the leaves on the trees, we will be to marking this occasion by sharing with everyone the best of the many films made by our club members over the past twelve months along with a few delights unearthed from our extensive archive. And the local events of 2015 will be revisited in the annual Newsreel!
As ever refreshments will be on hand as well as our raffle where great prizes can be won!
The 2016 Spring Show will take place on FRIDAY 8th April at 7.30 pm
Club members get in free but for others the tickets are £5 – which includes refreshments – and are available from our secretary Freddy Beard or by email at info@ovfm.org.uk.
A poster for the event can be downloaded (for best printing results) from HERE (right click on the image then select “Save Image As”) so please print a copy off and spread the word around your neighbourhood!
For an entertaining and sociable evening of drama, comedy, documentary, music, travelogue and more get your tickets a.s.a.p. and bring along your friends and family!
