​Friday 15thJune 2018
This was intended to be a night in two parts.  As it turned out, there were three, equally important, components to the evening.
Seventeen members turned up on a cool, chilly night, but it was warm in the hall.
As usual we started with the presentation of ‘shortcuts’. 
The topic was ‘The Meaning of Life’. I’m told that this relates to an old movie called ‘The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’. 
Apparently the answer is 42.  Don’t ask me. I never saw the movie!
That said, the interpretations of our members was varied a quite delightful and there were nine, yes nine on offer.

1. A few clips of a contented cat that decides to have a friendly stoush with a friendly dog.
2. A serene walk along Mullum Mullum Creek on a foggy morning.
3. There was a definition more complicated than the question, but the photos helped. Bit of a chancer saying Happy Wife – Happy Life. She now knows how to make ‘him’ miserable.
4. 42 Short and ‘sweet’ , left us wondering what could come next.
5. A build up of bowel pressure – in a lift – caused a child to query the source.
6. An illustrated poem about standing long enough to appreciate the surroundings.
7. One member looked impressive in a ‘dog collar’ and had a sombre expression as he stood in front of a stained glass window – but he held a dictionary!!!
8. The sentiment in (3) wouldn’t apply to the member who persuaded his wife to look and act as a zombie. Of course he made her a cup of coffee to bring her back. Or did he??
9. Family photos showed the real meaning of life and was a splendid theme to end the section on.

Well done everyone.  A great show and the next one will be better. Won’t it?
The next topic is FRIDAYS.
John Millard gave a well received talk about commentaries which he prefers to call ‘stories.
I believe his mantra is – if your movie is to tell a story, then your voice over should do the same.
He went on to discuss ways of speaking including the correct emphasis, clarity, not sounding as though it was being read from a paper and if you are not comfortable with the way it sounds, change it.
All good advice, and members comments afterwards indicated a good reception.
Handouts were available.
Thanks John.
The third section of the night was given over to the running of promotional videos.
Again, quite a surprise, there were six. John Millard had three short movies.

1. John Millard tried appealing to a younger crowd.
2. Gary H did a semi professional voice over to a varied set of images.
3. John M presented a factual approach to informing people about us. 
4. Me – had a go at green screening a couple of old F..ts talking to the camera. The green screen aspect seemed to work if nothing else.
5. John M – talked over scenes from movies and
6. Kevin destroyed the mystique by telling the truth that some of our movies are less than good. What a rotter.  He could have done it privately.

Those stains are from my tears.
Graham Wooley has made some constructive comments and I have sent these to you all in the hope that others might do the same.
Supper was efficiently presented by Barbara and me – get you next time Helmut.  Don’t think being on holiday will allow you to escape.
Thank you Ron and Richard for driving the equipment. On that note Ron has asked for someone to take over the setting up before members arrive. Any offers before we nominate someone?
Ron has being doing this for years and it can’t be taken for granted that he will continue.
Kevin did a good job of getting money from you all.
Thank you all for turning up. To those going on holiday, safe journey for you and your camera. Remember to charge the batteries.
Next meeting is Movie of the Year, so come along and bring a friend or neighbour or ????
Cheers,
 
Jack 

​Hi All,
My usual round up from our last meeting on Friday 1stJune.
It was another good night.  A quarterly competition as well as the ‘shortcuts’.
The shortcuts theme was ‘Danger’, and, as usual, there were quite different interpretations..Gary H showed how we can be taken over by drones. Real Star Wars stuff this.  He did recover from the attack to show the footage. (should that be ‘metreage’?).
John Bishop gave us real life danger. Some guy had a Croc and snakes in the bath – with him. We went on to see a big croc take another. Probably easier than grabbing meat off a dangling line.
Kevin brought to the fore how many ‘danger’ signs we have to deal with almost every day, and finally,
A small group filmed a search for a spider named Boris. The poor Tarantula looked awfully flat on the back of its distraught owner.
The next shortcuts theme is ‘The Meaning of Life’.  Go to it.
Then on to our competition.
There were ten entries with a wide range of topics. One member (and I shan’t mention your name Richard) had four entries and co-operated in a couple of others. Who said crikey? I’m sure that was a first for the Club!
One movie challenged that famous one ‘The Plank’. I want to know who played Charlie Drake?
Others included an Interview, a look at Olinda Falls, a story about Dementia, a singer, and a new look at events on the Titanic. 
Thanks to everyone who entered.
Thanks also to Ron and Richard for driving the mechanisms, and to Lloyd for sitting in and learning about the process. Look out for another volunteer next meeting.
Brian managed to coax some of your hard earned cash from your pockets and, once again, Mrs Hallford (Joan), struck a bargain with Geoff to get into the kitchen. Thank you all.
What impressed me on the night was the obvious co-operation between members in producing movies. This should auger well for the groups, but I think some are having difficulty in getting started. 
Come on folks, It only needs a little idea, and a lot of enthusiasm.
At our next meeting John Millard will be talking about commentaries. Perhaps a chance for some interactive discussion. 
That will be followed by the large numbers of short promotion movies you have prepared – won’t it?
Movie of the year is fast approaching, as is the Grand Finale to our Club year.  Keep the dates free.
Cheers,
 
Jack