How to Develop Your Film Ideas

At a Club meeting in June, Alex Montague, the Club Programme Secretary, made a presentation to the members on the subject of Developing Ideas in Film-making: How to create a story? You can see the presentation below. Use the practical ideas in the presentation to help your own film projects.

Isn't that Horror?

While work on group productions will be continuing, other Club members will be considering how events in real life can inspire successful films. One example of this is the horror genre. In this case, the film Scream was inspired by real crimes and became Hollywood's most successful horror movie.

Film:Scream

Why are there Horror Movies?

Let's hope that it will be inspiring.

Day: Thursday 31 January

Time: 8 pm – 10.00 pm

Location: St James' Church Hall,

Lulworth Road, Southport, PR8 2BQ.

Is He a Villain or a Good Guy?

One of the positive things about being a member of a national association (The Film and Video Institute) is that we get to share resources. For example, clubs can exchange films so that members in one club can see what another club is producing. On one level, this can provide a measure of benchmarking. On another level, it can be the catalyst that sparks the idea for a new film project. Southport MovieMakers’ films have been viewed around the country and a selection of our films is scheduled to be viewed at Stoke Cine and Video Society next week. Reciprocally, this week (Thursday 10 January), we will be the beneficiaries of seeing the work of Stoke Cine and Video Society.

The films that we will be viewing are as follows:

"Forgotten Hero"
After accompanying Scott on his expedition, Shackleton tells the story of his own attempt to reach the South Pole. The event comes to life dramatically, with shots of the hut he left behind as it is viewed by modern tourists.  (Directed by Alan Wood).


"Vermin"
"Vermin" features a householder who cannot insure his property after four break-ins in a row. In yet another burglary he catches the thief, and in a fit of rage murders him with a garden fork. His claim of self-defence hangs in the balance. This is a very well-made film, with authentic locations.

It's often said that actors like to play the villain of the piece/murderers because it gives them something to get their teeth stuck into, particularly so if they've become accustomed to playing the good guy. However, given the motivation for this murderer, is he a villain or a good guy? I'll leave you to figure that one out.


Other films are:
"Disappearing Gun"
"Coffee Maker"
"The Owl and the Pussycat" – Not to be confused with the famous George Segal and Barbra Streisand film of the same title
"Where have all the Flowers Gone?"
"High Eye"
"Statistics"
"A Sad Tail"
"Old Boots"
"Road Hog"
"I Spy"
"Hell's Angels"
"It's a Frog's Life"
"Infertile Imagination"

The Film and Video Institute

Day: Thursday 10 January

Time: 8 pm – 10.00 pm

Location: St James' Church Hall,

Lulworth Road, Southport, PR8 2BQ.

Film Ideas from Newspaper Stories

Laurence Turman in his book, So You Want to Be a Producer advocated that one of the ways of creating ideas for films was browsing newspapers and seeking inspiration; and that is exactly what we did at the last meeting of Southport MovieMakers.

In some cases, it was a matter of seeing the film in actual stories reported in the news. In other cases, it was a matter of combining two or more different items. Further ideas came about from imagining a situation and incorporating some element of a news story. Added to this was a fair amount of brainstorming and refining of ideas. All of this, of course, is preparation for writing a script.

I won’t outline the ideas that emerged but undoubtedly they represent future potential for group Club productions. 

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.