Inter-club Competition 2012

On an annual basis, six film/video clubs from around the North West compete in an Inter-club Competition, usually hosted by Southport MovieMakers. An experienced film-maker from each club acts as a judge and awards points for the other clubs’ Competition entries.

Congratulations go to Bolton MovieMakers on winning this year’s Inter-club Competition for their film Rocky and Me about an apprentice stable boy and his passion for horses.

Here is a list of all of the entries:

Swan Movie Makers Wirral

Saronie, Master Showman (Documentary)

Documentary about James Roberts Saronie who, having established himself as a well-respected Victorian photographer, later became a pioneer cinema owner in Birkenhead.

Southport MovieMakers

King Arthur’s Nutty Knights (Animation)

So you thought King Arthur’s chums where gang of galant geezers. We dig the real dirt on those not-so-noble knights!

Warrington Cine and Video Society

Nowt but Scenery (Documentary)

A trip on the Settle to Carlisle Railway and the places and landscape it passes through.

Preston MovieMakers

Lake Garda (Documentary)

A visit to Lake Garda and surrounding towns on the lakeside.

Bolton MovieMakers

Rocky and Me (Documentary)

An apprentice stable boy and his passion for horses.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers

Steam, Steel, Motor Power and Big Bang.....All in a Shade of Blue (Documentary)

A look at the history of the Furness Railway and its importance to the area.

Congratulations, again, to Bolton MovieMakers on winning the 2012 Inter-club Competition for their film Rocky and Me.

Links to the Club Web Sites:

Swan Movie Makers Wirral

Warrington Cine and Video Society

Preston MovieMakers

Bolton MovieMakers

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers

More video clubs around the UK

Next year's competition takes place on 18 April 2013.

Film-maker 90 and Going Strong

On 21 July, members of Southport MovieMakers met to celebrate the birthday of its oldest member, Jim Morris.

He entertained the audience comprised of a room full of members, past and present, with lots of memories of film-making. No nerves of standing up and speaking – the confidence of old age. If you didn’t know it already, you wouldn’t guess his age. Part of his youthfulness comes from a lifetime of making films. Of course, when Jim started, it was very much a matter of handling physical film. However, his lifelong learning has taken him into the world of digital video production.

Although Jim’s preferred genre is documentary-making, his repertoire encompasses a quite considerable range including comedy and plasticine animation, in the case of the latter, one finished film was entitled “Lunar Tics Down to Earth” which features aliens from outer space. His range also extends to what can only be described as hypnotically psychedelic. Remember, Jim’s been making films since the 60s.

Where have the ideas come for his films? One source has been proverbs resulting in one of his earlier films “Makes Jack a Dull Boy” – a silent film! Another source has been spontaneous conversations from the real world, witnessing something and applying the film-makers creativity by putting a “spin” on it.

Reflecting upon all of his experience, Jim commented that digital video is “a piece of cake” compared with overcoming the challenges of working with Standard 8 and other physical formats. Like any success in life, perseverance pays off and Jim is no exception. He has persevered over the years to become an accomplished well-rounded film-maker.

Happy 90^th, Jim Morris.

Jim Morris (left) receives a specially-made 90th Birthday card from Paul Bagshaw, on behalf of the Club.