AGM
17th JUNE 2009
PAM CUNDELL
What a wonderful woman. Pam told us a little about her theatrical beginings including tales of Noel Coward at The Savoy Theatre when she appeared in a musical version of Blythe Spirit. Plus there were stories from the Dad's Army years. She certainly is a great entertainer, many thanks again Pam.

She was born into a show business family, and trained at the Guildford School of Music and Drama before cutting her teeth in rep and summer shows as a stand up comic. She has worked with many of the great comics, including Frankie Howard, Benny Hill and Bill Fraser, the latter of whom she married. Making her first television appearance in 1957 with Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine, she has since appeared in many popular shows, including, The Bill, On The Buses, Casualty, Z Cars, and Big Deal.

Pam Cundell has kept busy with theatre work and pantomime, has appeared in several feature films, and in 2002 worked on a new film by Mel Smith. Her most notable credits include Dad's Army (as Mrs Fox), later the on-screen wife of Clive Dunn, The Borrowers, The Benny Hill Show and, more recently, as Nora Swann in EastEnders. She is the widow of the Scottish character actor Bill Fraser, who died in 1987. He appeared on British television during the 1960s, as Snudge (opposite Alfie Bass) in The Army Game.

COMPETITION WINNERS 2009

Magali Rage picked up the Best Film award for her short Snared (watch it now)


Mary Harris collected the Documentary prize for Brian Harris with Top Brass

GUY BIDS US (almost) FAREWELL

Sadly our present Treasurer, Guy Langdon, has new pastures to sow, railway lines to be laid, roads to be tarmaced, hills to be moulded and shaped, houses, backyards and sheds to construct for the very new Langdonville, waiting to be built in rural Somewhereshire.

So he will be retiring from very carefully looking after our club books over the last four years of his 'free' time. And, of course, not forgetting him as our hardy, always there, expected and very trusty projectionist. I personally shall miss Guy's down to earth touch on the times we've worked together designing, and his practicality with those static parts and electronic gadgetry, which has amazed me time and time again.

Yet I have not learnt a thing from him on those matters through a very strong desire to remain steadfastly ignorant with these thingy-me-bobs. Especially as Guy coped so readily without an ounce of input and pure ignorance on my part. I, and I'm sure the rest of the club membership, wish you well and the very best in your latest move to your new chosen home and county which we hope will be everything you and Gill both want from it Guy, for your retirement. Did the kids know you were going? I didn't mention the name of the county or town just in case they read this.

Regards Byron and all of the club membership. A Big Thank you and Good Luck for the future to both of you.

MAGALI'S SNARED

Brian Harris entered Magali's film, Snared, into the Staines 36th Annual Competition on Friday 13th of March. Said to be unlucky for some but out of a good healthy ten entered, she won a very respectable 3rd position.

She should be very proud of this as it was her first directorial roll of a script written by herself. Working along side was a delight and hard work as she was full of energy, ideas and willing to deviate if there seemed to be improvements upon her own hand drawn story board. Next time I feel she will be doing the photography as well!

It seemed to me again that a 1 minute 45 second, one liner film was the order of the day which I hope is only a phase, although the winner of the evening called The Little Chef, was a very deserving entrant from the old Westcliff group now running under the name, South Essex Film Makers. Second was a film called Talking Pictures from the Orpington Film Makers Club.

Byron

WHAT'S YOUR GAME?

During our last meeting (March 18) it seemed that the general consensus was that most of us thought it would be a good idea to identify our main individual skills in video making. This way more of us might become involved in a club video and of course improve upon our abilities.

And, possibly, I suggest learn a little more about where our interests lie but which we are maybe not quite so well qualified with. It has to make better video makers of us all in the long run. Doesn't it? An info gathering form will be sent or given out over the next fortnight.

Byron

A HERITAGE COLLECTION

On Thursday 5th March 2009, invited members of HHMM attended a gathering of Dacorum Heritage Trust at the Civic Centre, Berkhamsted. The Mayor and members were there to view a preview of a new Exhibition 'Your Heritage, Your Future' - planned for the Museum Store.

Roger Hands of the Trust explained the work carried out at the Museum Store and talked about it's future.

HHMM took this opportunity to present the Trust with a set of 13 Heritage Videos. The 'Heritage Collection' are part of the ongoing work of recording events taking place in Dacorum - many of the early movies were shot on 8mm film and our aim is to digitise these to DVD in order to preserve the subjects for the future.

The excellent design work was carried out by our resident graphic artist and Chairman Byron Welch. Guy Langdon, our Treasurer produced the discs and covers.

Keeping a visual record of events in Dacorum has always been an important part of the Movie Makers activities both in the past and we hope in the future.

Brian Harris

IT ALL STARTS WITH A GOOD SCRIPT

Ian

DO I MIND LOSING...
...HELL NO!

A member of the clubs thoughts. Which I thought was very fair comment.

I know we will all be disappointed with the results of the Triangle Competition 1st round held in Colchester on Feb 21st 2009. It seemed that the judges were more interested in the witty punchlines than the quality of the films. Their comments belie the scoring!

Anyway, I thought it might be comforting to write up from my notes some of the comments the judges actually made:

"Top Brass": a) Really liked opening, steady photography, luist of library music difficult to read (strobing?), transitions well thought out, good planning of a journey, Liked it very much.

b) Well put together, very good film, special effects – could get carried away but didn't

c) Excellent film. Good start, technique for interviews good, and showing them in the band; some background noise when lady interviewed; didn't like transitions. Scores: 1, 2 and 3! =6

"The Uros Islands" b) A holiday film. Nice, colourful pictures; off frame narrator; clear commentary

c) Very nice tourist film; captured local customs; good use of music; a bit predictable

a) Might want to go there, a tourist film but different. Scores: 2, 1 and 1. =4

"Snared" a) Dramatic music; Excellent acting; tension build up good; well structured – Hitchcock like. Ending not so satisfactory.

b) Like speed of opening; realistic sounds; sinister feeling and atmosphere; liked the shooting angles (ie legs) which helped to create atmosphere; also playing with the ball whilst on the phone. Very observant of tension; clever idea, Liked the cord round the neck.

c) Lot of effort; well shot; held attention; Alex voice unchanged whether on phone or present was the same. Scores: 1,2,3 again! =6

I think that there is something wrong when the judges can be so diverse in their opinion and marking. But then, what do I know?

Byron

FAREWELL TO AUDREY

Audrey Batchelor has finally decided to hand in her pad and pencil and has informed the Committee that after much thought and many well spent years of looking after the Club affairs, which I might add, have been varied and many, she would like to resign as our Club Secretary.

On a personal note I hope that is not as a member as I have known Audrey and her late husband Tony for over 43 years and would miss her well-timed sense of humour and innuendos. As the Secretary and as a member, Audrey's input, advice and invaluable opinions, along with much more, have enabled this Club to remain active, open and grow for over forty years now.

So it is with great reluctance on the committee's part to accept Audrey's resignation at this particular time, as no resignation is ever very easily filled when any committee member decides to leave us. All I can say Audrey, and I think I speak for us all at this time, is a huge thank you for all your time effort and input over the years in helping to make this Club what it is today and may your new found free time and new interests be more than aptly rewarded. On behalf of the Club and all the Committee members, may I wish you a very warm and affectionate Bon Voyage

Byron.

LATEST FROM GUY

Brian, Byron and I had a meeting this morning (23rd Jan 2009) to put together the draft case for a grant for new equipment, which we will be submitting to the Hertfordshie Grassroots grant scheme.

MOVING MEETING

We feel that it is necessary to apologise for the very short notice about the 4th Feb 2009 meeting. We will not be meeting at the usual hall, but have agreed to show the various films we have made about papermaking at the Paper Mill in Apsley.

Most of you know that Audrey and Tony Batchelor, and their relatives, were closely involved with the manufacture of paper there, and they and other club members have devoted a lot of time to capturing the story before it all closed down, with some superb films.

There is an emergency short term funding crisis at the Paper Mill, as reported in the local paper, and recognising the contribution she and Tony made over the years, and the importance of this to Audrey, Byron made the decision, on behalf of the Club, to help her with this. She hopes to increase public awareness of the problem (it may also increase awareness of our Club). This all happened within hours of the last meeting, hence the confusion. Audrey has already got some publicity out - follow this link:

http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/Help-save-Hemel39s-heritage.4904723.jp

We realise that some members may not be interested, and will quite understand if you don't want to attend. The meeting will be open to the public, and we will be credited as a Club, and have some Club publicity available at the meeting. The good news is that we won't have to pay the usual hall for that date!

It was a superb attendance on Wednesday (21st Feb) for our Triangle entries, which must be winners. Hopefully, you will all understand the position. Roy's Film night will be held later in the year. Guy

Byron reports that...

Alan Hewison
has won the  Enfield Challenge Shield for
his 'How to make a Commercial' Watch NOW

Alan Hewison being presented with the Enfield Challenge Shield, by chairman of Hemel Hempstead Movie Makers, Byron Welch on 17th of December 2008.