Author: Lee Relph

Free Film Making Coaching Sessions

Posted on by Lee Relph

coaching

Free Coaching Sessions

OVFM will be running FREE Coaching Sessions in the New Year to show you how to get the most of your film material.  This offer is not limited to those using a camcorder but also includes anyone filming on an SLR camera or smart phone.  It also includes anyone who takes only still pictures but would like to know how they can put these together into a short ‘film’ by adding pan & zoom effects and adding music.  These sessions are completely free and without any obligation.

 

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

Why are we offering these free sessions?

Most families probably only have a couple of faded photographs of grandparents or perhaps great grandparents and these will be passed to the next generation as family heirlooms.  Our hope is that in years to come what is being filmed today will be regarded as similar family heirlooms by future generations.

You can’t fail to notice the boom in people using their smart phones or SLR cameras to film moving images nowadays, in addition to those using camcorders.  Sometimes they are filming an important family event such as a wedding, sometimes it’s children or grandchildren, sometimes it’s a holiday scene or maybe it’s just something that has caught their eye.  Some of those moving images should also become family heirlooms but too often they are deleted after a couple of viewings, in part because when watched the quality is disappointing.

Our members enjoy film making but do get frustrated when they see films that could have been so much better if a little more care had been taken with how the material was filmed and how it was edited.  In the club we give feedback on members’ films to help them improve, and with these free sessions we are keen to pass on what we have learnt to the wider public.

We also want to show people who only take still pictures how they can put the images together using effects such as pan and zoom and adding music to create short ‘films’.

For the club we hope that when people meet us through these sessions, and see what the club has to offer, some will decide to join OVFM.  However there is absolutely no obligation to join.

 

How can the sessions help you?

We can help you if you are not completely happy with the material you have filmed or what you do with it after filming. For example:

  • If what you filmed doesn’t look as good as you had hoped when you play it back.
  • If you don’t know how to edit out the parts you don’t want and move clips around to turn it into a memorable film that is worth preserving.
  • If you only take still pictures but would like to know how to arrange them in a show with pan and zoom effects and added music
  • If you want advice on cameras, software or any of the special effects you can create in your films.
  • If you don’t know how best to produce and store films for the long-term or how to convert old 8mm or 16mm films or VHS tape.

 

What will the sessions cover?

We will finalise the content when we have heard what people want to have covered.  We will cover topics such as:

how to plan what you will film,

how to build a story with your film,

how to film without excessive camera movement, which spoils many films,

how to edit your film to cut out the unwanted parts and move clips around,

how to make a film from still pictures

how to store your film for longer-term viewing.

When and where will they be held?

Fortnightly from 8 to 10 on alternative Tuesday evenings in the New Year at our club meeting room in St. Augustine’s Church Hall in Southborough Lane, Bromley Common.  Precise dates and further details will be provided when we know how many are likely to attend.

If you are interested in taking part or have any further queries please email us at info@ovfm.org.uk

OVFM Club Meeting October 14th 2014

Posted on by Lee Relph

topten14_R5

It is as if I’ve blinked and missed it because we are already at the final qualifying round of this year’s  Top Ten competition! Where did the time go?

After round four only pulled just three entries (the results from that round can be found HERE) can we brace ourselves for the usual last minute rush to get a film into the competition? The best way to find out is to come to the club meeting next Tuesday evening.

Selected to enter films for this round are:

nike free mens
 

Annabelle Lancaster

Mike Graham

Leo Staggs

David Laker

Pamela Webb

Ian Menage

Barbara J. Darby
air max 97
 

Remember, if  your missed your designated round now is your FINAL chance to get your film entered into the competition.  If you can’t provide a film then be sure to either REPLY TO THIS POST below saying so or let Brenda know ahead of time – conversely if you DO have a film ready early, please bring it along as chances are it will be welcomed for screening time permitting. This is also applicable to new members and recent joinees who wish to share their work with us or throw their hat in the ring.

And if you are bringing a film this week then PLEASE reply to this post in the comments/reply section below, letting us know the film’s run time, format (DVD, Mini DV) and picture ratio (4:3 or 16:9). This is a great help for us when planning the evening out and if you could accommodate us on this it is greatly appreciated.

Good luck to everyone who enters a film.

OVFM Club Meeting September 30th 2014

Posted on by Lee Relph

speaker

It’s that time were we once again hand over the reins of the club meeting to a guest speaker.

This week we will hear from Graham Kirkman who is an award winning dubbing mixer with 15 years experience currently employed by Halo Post, with a range of TV and film projects under his belt including Top Gear, The Apprentice, Made In Chelsea and Gladiators!

Graham Kirkman

 

One of the common hurdles that has blighted the films of OVFM members is sound, and I am guilty as anyone in that, so perhaps Graham can provide us with some tips of the trade to help us improve our sound recording. Of course we don’t have the same hi-tech equipment as Graham does but the principle is still the same so this should prove to be an enlightening evening for us. For the record however Graham is sworn to secrecy as to the identity of The Stig!

For more info on Graham Kirkman visit his website HERE.

See you all on Tuesday!

OVFM Club Meeting September 16th 2014

Posted on by Lee Relph

topten14_R4

 

Time flies when you’re having fun but the annual Top Ten competition waits for no man (or woman – and it’s position on children and animals has yet to be made clear) judging by the fact we’ve hit the fourth round already.

In the last round we had a healthy six entries (the results of which are HERE). Will this number be topped  in round four? Only one way to find out!

Selected to enter films for this round are:

 

Nick Kasper

Andy & Marian Watson

Mo & Peter Lodge

Sam Brown

Jim Morton Robertson

Hugh Darrington

Harold & Maisie Trill

Simon Earwicker

Lee Relph

Barbara Walker

 

As ever if you can’t make your designated round be sure to either reply to this post below saying so or let Brenda know ahead of time – conversely if you DO have a film ready early, please bring it along as chances are it will be welcomed for screening time permitting. This is also applicable to new members and recent joinees who wish to share their work with us or throw their hat in the ring.

And if you are bringing a film this week then PLEASE reply to this post in the comments/reply section below, letting us know the film’s run time, format (DVD, Mini DV) and picture ratio (4:3 or 16:9). This is a great help for us when planning the evening out and if you could accommodate us on this it is greatly appreciated.

Good luck to everyone who enters a film.

OVFM Autumn Show 2014

Posted on by Lee Relph

OVFM_autumn_14_banner

OVFM Autumn Show 2014

 

One of the most important dates in the OVFM calendar is our annual Autumn Show where we share the fruits of our labours from a year of busy filmmaking, along with some gems from our archive with the public. As the nights are getting darker and colder you’ll need something to brighten them up so why not join us for another evening of films from the very best local amatuer filmmaking talent.

We are pleased to announce that the film Cakes and Onions about the Homesdale Road Allotments charity event for St Christopher’s Bromley (formerly Harris HospisCare) will be screened as a part of this show, after we regretfully were unable to screen it back in March.

There will also be a very special announcement made at this show regarding a new initiative from OVFM for anyone who wishes to improve their filmmaking skills.

This year’s event will take place on  FRIDAY 24th OCTOBER at 7:00 for 7.30 pm

VENUE –  Methodist Church, 19 Sevenoaks Road, Orpington BR6 9JH

DIRECTIONS – GOOGLE MAP

WEBSITE – http://www.orpingtonmethodist.org.uk/welcome.htm

Club members get in free but for guests and non-members the tickets are £5 – which includes refreshments – and are available from our secretary Freddy Beard on 01689 813616 or by e-mail at beardfreddy@gmail.com Don’t leave it too late as they tend to get snapped up very quickly!

If any OVFM club members or our external friends wish to help publicise this event please download a printable version of the poster HERE

And if you want sample of what to expect at our shows then please take  a look at our showreel on our YouTube page HERE

For an entertaining and sociable evening do join us on October 24th and bring along your friends and family!

See you then!

OVFM Club Meeting September 2nd 2014

Posted on by Lee Relph

nvs14

 

You may recall that the original plan for this week’s club meeting was to have a guest speaker in Graham Kirkman but unfortunately, due to work commitments Graham had to pull out. So we’ve had to resort to “Plan B” but don’t worry as we have something rather fun line up for you.

Because we have yet to make an official film for this year’s North vs South competition (and I apologise personally for not being able to progress with my film submission) we will be endeavouring to rectify this with something similar to our “Meet the Members” evening a few weeks back.

The idea is simple: we will be exploring the “What if..?” theme and will be asking club members to think of a humorous idea to both ask and answer that question – eg: “What if dogs could fly?” “What if I had two heads?” “What if my hoover could work by itself?”… I’m sure you can come up with better ideas than that which is the main thrust of this evening.

We will set up a camera and green screen and if you could provide some props or costumes apropos to your idea, we will do our best to make these light hearted scenarios into a visual reality.

So please get your thinking caps on and remember the emphasis is on humour so be afraid to abstract or esoteric in your choices – creativity and fun are the key elements in this project (that and winning the N vs S of course! 😉 ). We want to get as many people in front of the camera as possible so don’t be shy in stepping up and joining in.

Hope to see you on Tuesday brimming with ideas! 🙂

OVFM In The News

Posted on by Lee Relph
Picture courtesy of John Epton

Our club members have been busy in between club meetings as ever covering local events for posterity and the club annual newsreel. Thanks to our press officer, Professor Mike Shaw these filming sessions have been publicised  by local media.

Two recent events have been covered by a good friend of OVFM, Margot Rohan, webmaster of the Orpington Community website:

Orpington Hospital Memorial Re-dedication

Petts Wood Memorial Service

Thanks to Mike for spreading the word, to our intrepid filmmakers for their time and work in keeping the OFM name out there and to Margot at Orpington Community website for the articles.

OVFM Club Meeting August 19th 2014

Posted on by Lee Relph

topten14_R3

 

And so we come to round three of the annual Top Ten competition aka the “Barbara Darby Hands Off That’s Mine” award!

In both Round One and Round Two we received just THREE entries each so we are still looking for an improvement on that front although the standard of the films has been high thus far! You can find the results of those rounds HERE!

As ever you asked to bring in your best film to be judged by your peers in OVFM and the ten films that receives the highest votes over the course of the five rounds that will take place between now and November (see this post for the full list of dates).

The members who have been drafted to provide a film for this opening round are as follows:

 

Tony Faller

Bob Vine

Jenny Tucker

Roger & Brenda Wheatley

Tony Keable

Nellie Caseley

Freddy Beard

Reg Lancaster

Cherie Hamlet-Smith

Chris Coulson

 

As ever if you can’t make your designated round be sure to either reply to this post below saying so or let Brenda or reply to this post ahead of time – conversely if you DO have a film ready early, please bring it along as chances are it will be welcomed for screening time permitting.

And if you are bringing a film this week then can you PLEASE reply to this post in the comments/reply section below, letting us know the film’s run time, format (DVD, Mini DV) and picture ratio (4:3 or 16:9). This is a great help for us when planning the evening out and if you could accommodate us on this it is greatly appreciated.

Good luck to everyone who enters a film.

Club Day Trip 2014

Posted on by Lee Relph

bond

This year we are taking a break from the annual club ramble to embark on something different for our summer gathering. Having considered a number of options the committee decide that the London Film Museum would make for a fascinating and fun day out for the club – we are film makers after all!

The trip is to take place on SUNDAY AUGUST 17th to the London Film Museum in Covent Garden, and this year the museum is hosting a James Bond themed special entitled Bond In Motion in which cars, props and other production memorabilia will be on display for our perusal.

For full details of the event please visit their website HERE!

This event is open to all club members who are welcome to bring to bring spouses, family members and friends. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink although there is a coffee shop on the premises and numerous places in and around Covent Garden for you millionaires to feast at. 😛

The museum is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm with last entry granted at 5:00pm. We plan to meet up outside the venue in Wellington Street, Covent Garden at 11:00am. There is a map and directions on their website.

TICKET PRICES

Represents standard admission prices.

Full price – £12.50

Child Ticket – [5-15 years] £8.50

Concession Ticket – £8.50

[Students, 65 + and freedom pass holders]

Family Ticket – £38

Under 5 – Free

Audio Tour – £5

At the club tonight we will be asking for numbers so we have an idea of how many be attending so we can book the tickets.

So please take a look at the website and if you want to join us let us know tonight.

Thanks for reading!

OVFM Club Meeting August 5th 2014

Posted on by Lee Relph

project_special

 

MEET THE MEMBERS!

 

You’re probably thinking  “but we’ve already met!” So what is this all about? Well it’s a long story so I hope you are sitting comfortably.

At a recent committee meeting when we were brainstorming ideas for our club meetings to get everyone interested and involved I suggested a practical evening based on the Radio 4 show “Chain Reaction” . For those of you who have not heard it before, the concept is simple: one week a celeb will interview another celeb then the following week the one being interviewed will now interview a new celeb who will then go on be the interviewer the next week and so on.

The idea I had was similar in that we set up the club equipment (camera, lights, boom, etc.) and have a two person interview set-up then we swap the roles around so everyone gets a go at at least one role on the production side or in front of the camera.

Then – inspired by the recent archive film from 1963 in which the OCS (Orpington Cine Society) club members were being interviewed – our chairman Simon” Snapper” Earwicker thought it would be a great idea if we used this project to make an updated version of this film – hence this week’s special one night club project “Meet the Members”! Simon also thought that we could possibly incorporate this into our official North vs South entry with questions concerning the topic “If”.

Got all that? Good. So please do all show up on Tuesday and be preserved on camera in the OVFM archives for generations to come when they look back to see who was keeping the OVFM name alive in 2014!