BMM Club meeting 16 January 2025
The first meeting of the new year attracted a modest number of club members. In addition to the 12 club members, we welcomed visitors Chris, Mac and Tom to our meeting. We received apologies from Noel and Damian.
President Jenn set the scene for the year ahead and strongly urged members to speak up about what you want from the club this year. The first meeting in March will be devoted to discussing what members want. She urged everyone to have a really good think about what activities you would like and come forward with lots of ideas and suggestions.
Over the holidays, we were approached by Sydney Video Makers club to share opportunities to create and make videos. The committee is actively pursuing this as a positive opportunity to expand our interests and scopes and interact with like-minded videographers in NSW and Victoria.
Compact 8S8 8mm dual film projector. We have had an offer via email of a Compact 8S8 8mm dual film projector to give away. If you have any interest please contact us through the club email address or any of the committee members.
Drone lessons. Glenn is conducting more sessions on flying drones. An “Introduction to Drones” will be held this Sunday 19 January 3.00-5.00pm at Bediver Street, Carindale. Meet near the dog area parking zone as the drone area is just beyond it. Maximum of three members, and you must advise your attendance in advance by texting Glenn on 04040 299 802. Glenn is also running a ‘scenic drone videography’ course on 23 February 1-.00-5.00pm, meeting initially at Glenn’s place at 33 Mallawa Street, Slacks Creek and going on to fly the drone. All details are on the club’s website.
More emails please. Stewart G requested that the club send out more emails to members informing them of what is happening in the club. This is in addition to the Blog sent out after each meeting and the information also available on the club’s website. As we are in the communication business, the committee agreed to make this happen and keep members fully informed.
The Buddy Project. Glenn urged members to think about making a video for our next UGG competition which will be presented at our next meeting (6 February). The idea is to make a short film about one of our members where you get them to tell their story about an aspect of their life, preferably something the rest of us don’t really know about.
Together Project, Peter W gave an update on his Together project which focuses on mental health issues. Following on his work which focused on the impact of depression, anxiety, trauma and change, he said he wanted to shine a light on the positive impact of how people’s lives have been transformed by the power of positive connections. He showed a trailer of the work which is in the late stages of production.
David W said his plans to make a documentary in Papua New Guinea with the assistance of the PNG Government was ‘slowly going ahead’ and discussions were being held about the project which could have a budget of between $1.5 million and $2.15 million.
David also introduced Tom who scored the music for a feature film called Santa Hunters, and appeared as an actor in the movie as well. The music from the film has been put out as a vinyl album. It’s hoped that Tom will be a special guest in the near future to talk about how it all came about.
Encore presentations. It had been planned that the last meeting of 2024 would feature a reprise of some of the videos made by members during the year but there was so much new original content available that this was held over until the first meeting of this year.
We were treated to an encore presentation of the following
7 days of Creation – Nigel
Centre of Spectacular – Murray
Drones on holiday – Glenn
I have a feeling about colour – Peter
Tweed Caldera – Born of Fire – Paul
Stuffed animals -Nigel
Southern Cross documentary – breaking new ground.
After the break, Stewart introduced a very special presentation of a documentary he has been working on for the past six months, and it was well worth the effort.
Inspired by the work of legendary documentary maker Ken Burns who pioneered the technique of using historic photographs and first person correspondence to bring to life historical documentaries, Stewart sourced the log of Australian pioneer aviators Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm who, with two American crew members Harry Lyon and Jim Warner, were the first to fly across the Pacific from Oakland California to Brisbane in 1928 in the three-engine Fokker plane the Southern Cross.
Stewart used a text to speech software program called Speechelo to give voice and bring to life the on-board log written by Kingsford Smith and Ulm. Stewart said it took him about six months from start to finish to produce the 20 minute video which included a wide range of sound effects from heavy storms encountered by the expedition to the sound of the three Wright J-5 air cooled, radial engines engines which powered the Southern Cross. It was a remarkable production, and as Stewart readily admitted, an incredible experience where many mistakes became steep learnings. Great work Stewart. Unfortunately for copyright reasons we can’t link to the video.
Our next meeting will be Thursday 6 February with Glenn presenting another in the very popular “film bites’ segment, entries in our latest UGG competition ‘The Buddy Project’, or ‘something to do with a ‘holidays’ theme.
Our meeting ran a bit longer than usual wrapping up at 9.45pm.
Keep the cameras rolling.
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