Current Group Projects in Development

As well as watching films and hearing visiting speakers, a major part of the core activity of Southport MovieMakers is actual film-making.

This year, Club members have a long list of subject -headings from which to select as the theme for their film:

Music Videos
Filming at Night
Animation
Film from Newspaper Story
Transport
Film based on Circles
The Chase
Local Events
Animals/Wildlife
Following
Comedy
News
Horror Film
Reflections
Sport
Local Architecture
Travel
Film without Words
Watching
Crime

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.

QR Code - Another Step into the Digital Age

Southport MovieMakers is pleased to announce that it has taken another step into the digital age and has just posted a QR (Quick Response) Code on the Home Page of its web site.

If you have the necessary software installed on your smart phone, your phone’s camera can scan any QR Code and open, immediately, a web site/blog without having to type in the web site address. Depending on the software you have installed, you may be able to send the web address retrieved via e-mail and text message.

Here is the QR code for Southport MovieMakers' Home Page:

QR Code for Southport MovieMakers' Home Page 

It has lots of applications – limited only by the imagination. A real boon to marketing.

Further Information

What is a QR code?

Film-making Creativity Can Often Work Well in Partnerships

First of all, Happy New Year.

On Thursday evening 3 January 2013, our Chairman, Josh Gwynne will be presenting his choice of films.

Film-making creativity can often work well in partnerships. Consider Steven Spielberg in partnership with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen in setting-up DreamWorks; Joel David Coen and Ethan Jesse Coen, together known as the Coen brothers; Ismail Merchant and James Ivory (Merchant Ivory Productions)……and Laurel and Hardy. The list could go on.

This preamble about partnerships is by way of introduction to the theme for this Thursday's meeting. Josh is currently in collaboration with Ian Casey of IanCaseyArts. Such is their industry, that in the last month alone they have worked together on three short projects. Recently, the two have done work for charities including sponsored Santa Dash’s, Help for Heroes and The Fair Trade Company (Southport).

Ian and Josh will introduce a selection of their films (studio work and short films). The evening will feature the premiere of “Me Ian and I” which is a film about Ian and his identity, filmed by Josh and is very experimental; even avant-garde. Josh expects that the film will raise some conversation and questions from the other members of Southport MovieMakers.

Also, Josh and Ian will discuss plans for the future of their partnership in 2013.

Tony Glynn Introduces Dark Films of the 1940s

At our next meeting on 27 September, Tony Glynn presents excerpts from three British dramas in the noir tradition from a productive period. He explains why they are among his personal favourites.
         
Created by talented specialists in both the dramatic and technical fields, these films were full of noted performers and many who would become famous in later years.

They represent a time when British cinema shook off its 'quota quickie' image and came of age and the final offering is a chiller that made a lasting impression on all who saw it.

If you want to find out what films Tony is talking about and more about the films themselves, then come along to our next meeting.

Day: Thursday 27 September

Time: 8 pm – 10.00 pm

Location: St James' Church Hall,

Lulworth Road, Southport, PR8 2BQ.

Knights to Remember

This blog post has been contributed by Club member Tony Glynn. Tony writes below about one of the group productions of 2011/12, King Arthur’s Nutty Knights.

The saga of King Arthur and his gallant band of knights has often been brought to the screen but it has probably never before been presented in the way chosen by three members of Southport MovieMakers. David Wareing, Geoff Williams and Tony Glynn portrayed the noble company in cartoon fashion. They do not claim any historical accuracy for the finished product but they learned much in creating King Arthur’s Nutty Knights – and had a lot of fun in the process.

Some of the stalwarts depicted were cowardly Sir Endor; boozy Sir Osis, the mad surgeon; Sir Lancelot and doggy-loving Sir Winalot.

It was chiefly a series of still cartoons with a tiny modicum of drawn animation. David, as director and chief technical expert, used his wide knowledge of the secrets of computing to bring perfect images to the screen.

Geoff’s well known acting skills were utilised to provide the voice-over, describing the characteristics of each knight in gradely Lancashire fashion, for the team’s research has revealed the hitherto unknown fact that all were reet gradely Lancashire lads.

Tony drew the cartoons, devised the limited animation and was left with a desire to develop more ambitious animation in a feature of wider scope. 

All three had a hand in the script and felt their joint efforts were rewarded when they witnessed the audiences’ appreciation of the offering.

Like many another Southport MovieMakers’ production, King Arthur’s Nutty Knights showed the value of teamwork, bringing various talents and skills together. Anyone joining the Club will find enjoyment in creating films, an opportunity to spread the wings of the talents they bring and, quite likely, to discover talents that they didn’t know they had.

If you have an interest or ability in drawing, painting or animation or in any other aspect of film-making and would like to find out more about the Club, please contact us.  

New Year Starting

The new programme for 2012/13 has now been posted on the Southport MovieMakers web site. A full year of activity  has been planned.

Starting this Thursday 6 September:

Musical trailer of the 2012-13 Programme

Followed by:

• 1-minute extracts from Club Productions 2005-2011

• Short extract from the new Artworks production, Malcolm

• Trailer for Nigel Moran's feature film

• Shorter version of Night Vision

• Andy Harrison's latest production - I Live on the Deaths of Millions

Day: Thursday 6 September

Time: 8 pm – 10.00 pm

Location: St James' Church Hall,

Lulworth Road, Southport, PR8 2BQ.