Notes From Our previous Meeting

​Shortcuts
Shortcuts appear to be gaining strength if members comments can be used as a gauge. A number have said that the club has a purpose each night and the variety of interpretations on the chosen theme is quite remarkable. 
The theme for the last meeting was ‘Ancient and Modern’.
 

• Memories of family through snapshots is something we all treasure and, believe it or not can be viewed by non-family when presented well.
• Australia is a mine for this theme and we were taken on a short journey through ancient landscapes to modern living and city lights.
• A comparison of reading from Grimm’s tales by ‘normal’ book (with proper paper pages) to a modern ‘love’ story on a kindle demonstrated how far things have moved, but, I still like a ‘proper’ book.
• An unpopular dictator (with a small moustache in case you don’t know who) ranted on about a person called Gary who hadn’t done his homework. We have two Gary’s in our club so who was it directed at? I glad he wasn’t there when I was at school!!!
• A member showed half of his real face with the half as terminator. Not sure which was which, but I guess it did show the old and new.
• There was a satirical look at the use of your telephone assistant. The sexy, sultry voice of ‘B’, (not her real name to protect identity), tried to help couch potato Norm (again not his real name), choose somewhere to have a meal.  Unfortunately he was a cheapskate and ‘B’ got a bit narky. I had that once with a satnav wanting me to turn right. When I didn’t, she insisted I do a ‘U’-turn.
• We were taken on a tour of some of the old and new parts of a town in Macedonia.
• The last movie took us through the advances in audio reproduction from a phonograph through 78’s, LP’s, cassettes and on to CD’s. A journey most of us will remember taking.  Not the phonograph though for me!!

A member has suggested that we invite shortcut makers to comment on their movie covering perhaps difficulties, techniques, benefits and so on. If requested, the audience could give feedback.
 
The selected theme for the next shortcut is ‘Watch Out’. Surely this is wide open to interpretation. Go to it folks.
 
Alfred Hitchcock
Perhaps we should call him Alfred the Great. A lot has been attributed to him and much has been said about him.
Kevin spent a lot of time preparing his presentation and we were reminded about many of A.H’s works. 
We all know that he made cameo appearances, but in some of the clips he was more obvious than others. Kevin did a great job of taking us through many of the features of Alfred’s movies. (Is that too familiar?). I found the interviews interesting.  Was it tongue in cheek when he said one movie scene of 45 secs had 78 pieces of film. How the hell could it be spliced???  I think he had a very dry humour and was pulling the interviewers leg much of the time.
One demonstration showed how a facial expression can mean different things depending on the context in which the shot appears.
Many thanks for your time, Kevin. For me it was well spent.
 
Supper
Once again Richard’s wife Joan came along. Every visit she makes, she volunteers for supper duty. Thank you Joan and Gary H.
Our next volunteers are from (in order) Norman, Joe, John M., Elizabeth. Anyone who doesn’t turn up gets two go’s in the future.
 
Presentation
Ron and Richard drove the bus smoothly with only one little speed hump.  Who pressed the mute button.  I think it might have been someone sitting behind them!!
 
Syllabus
April 6th is our green screen night with Gary H. He asks that we come prepared to shoot anything – doesn’t matter how silly you might think it is, just have a go. We’ve also been asked to do a short Documentary on the night for members who can’t be there so bring your camera and shoot. This promises to be a great practical night if we all try.
April 20th is when we discuss and plan the group movies. After that night we should get rolling.  I’ll send out a reminder later about this.
Ron will soon be sending out some titles of previous group movies for you all to make a selection to show on the night.
 
Finally
Twenty three members turned up and I think they all got something from last Friday night. Eight shortcuts was the best so far. Kevin’s presentation was strong. Let’s keep it going
My thanks to everyone for being part of the club activities.
 
Cheers,
 
Jack