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Topic: Farnworth Film Fun Day - Date?
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Lee Mannering
Film God
Posts: 3216
From: The Projection Box
Registered: Nov 2006
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posted February 19, 2008 03:27 AM
Well, another Farnworth has been a gone as indeed have all the visitors, but what of film? It was a bit of a funny old day actually. We arrived a little later than usual, one hour after opening and the dealer hall was almost empty as people had been round to view the films and then decided to sit in the Church café area and chat. Anyhow the general consensus was from the people who still buy cine films that anything worth having just wasn’t there and it was pretty much had become a dumping ground for crap.
I know a few folk picked up some reasonable titles during the day and I came away with a brand new feature for only £40.00 still in the shrink wrap. I faired better the night before having purchased a collection of features prior to the event from another collector packing in cine which included a Disney feature amongst other things.
As very little of interest was evident for me at Farnworth I spent the rest of the day chatting to folk until the death around 3PM and the auction. 16mm features were going from £15 upwards and there were no bidders for 8mm whatsoever. After speaking to so many my thoughts had been confirmed. The majority of people attending had already made the switch to a video projector and were only coming along to meet old friends at the event they had attended for many years which rather threw me just a little. One guy even offered me his Elmo ST1200 HD for £40 which was in his car. He said he did not bring it in as he thought it would not sell.
Having been off the forum for a few weeks due to work it has been a little surprising to witness the numbers selling up and going Video. What is clear having now removed my rose coloured glasses is the death knell has rung and I sincerely believe it’s on its last legs. Speaking to another collector last night who proposed I even sell up I explained that this would not happen as every reel of film within my own collection has a memory attached to it. Gone with the wind, shown every week for 12 months in the 90’s, White Zombie when after the show the handle broke off the GS1200 as I was carrying it upstairs at 2AM and I watched it bounced down the stairs. As I say, each cine reel has a memory attached to it, some good and some bad.
Let’s hope not everyone pulls the plug or all you will have to do on this forum is reminisce and drink tea at what may turn out to be very few if any events.
Farnworth has always been a very friendly event and it’s a good place to make new friends, but it has evolved into social coffee stop where you can freely talk about DLP and BluRay, certainly a sad day out for the cine fan I found. It may well be my last visit.
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Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted February 19, 2008 08:36 AM
Goodness Lee - sounds a bit like the "bring out your dead" scene from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I agree with you that Farnworth was disappointing, especially from a Super 8 point of view. However, personally, I don't think it's quite as bad as it may seem. Cast your mind back to the enthusiasm and turn out at Ealing and Blackpool last year. I don't think that entusiasm could have wained that quickly.(I know, "it never wains, but it pours!") ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
I think it is the "ecconomic status" that many people face, at the moment,having,no doubt received their "bills" from Christmas and also faced with the possiblity of a recession looming on the horizon,the £ aginst the $ etc, money is being held on to.(I don't want to turn into the "Manager of the Bank of England",mind you, I wouldn't mind his salary!!).
I don't think the Death Knell for the hobby is that close. Not everyone who sells up and "moves" to video. Some do it out of necessity.
If collectors can't be optomistic then who can? ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I have enough problems trying to explain my love of "reel" film collecting verses the DVD,to my non-cine friends and work colleagues, with regards to cost, time, effort etc. But, as I tell them, "They are "Couch Potatoes, not the purists that is the true film collector. ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
Any silly beggar can put a little silver disc into a slot or tray!!" ![[Eek!]](eek.gif) .
Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking DVD users(I have just purchased a DVD projector myself, only to get the benefit of my DVD collection in a "Cinema" mode - best of both worlds now) ![[Razz]](tongue.gif) They do not appreciate the buzz we get when handling, presenting, watching "reel" film. I may be wrong with my feelings, I certainly hope not. ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
Since getting back into "Reel Film" 15 months ago, after an absence of 10 years, I have to say, this hobby has given me a new lease of life. Your absolutely right about film and memories. Most people can relate a memory with film or music. Even more so for us collectors because we live with it (and our respective loved ones, of course - just in case the wife reads this!)
It's up to us collectors to "nurse and care for" this hobby for as long as possible. (Soap box back in the cupboard now!)
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"We'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as a turnin' of the earth".
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Simon McConway
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1085
From: Doncaster, UK
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted February 19, 2008 01:18 PM
It has to be remembered that the previous report offering a negative view of Farnworth is only one person's point of view. I went and found it great. I bought lots of features very fairly priced, and also the odd projector lamp. Yes, there was rubbish there; this is the case at any cine fair. But I found it a great day. The comment about the hall emptying...well, I was there and I didn't notice this! Yes, people are buying video projectors, but who cares about "everybody" I went there to buy film, not to collect views. My report would be; great attendance, fairly priced stuff, excited chatter and plenty of that was about film! Long may it continue.
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James N. Savage 3
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1375
From: Washington, DC
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted February 21, 2008 07:00 AM
Thanks to all, for your honest views of the event.
Although I have never experienced any "film show events" here in the U.S., I have observed patterns of cine-buffs. Film itself (s-8/16) has been on a rollercoaster since the early 80's. When video tapes came out in the 80's, many film collectors realized that it wasn't practical to collect film anymore, and left the hobby. Then there was the DVD period. And now, there's blue ray & affordable video projection units. As more cine-buffs departed the world of film, many have looked back, and some have returned to the world of unpredictable projectors and clumsy film reels.
In my own observation, I believe events like Farnworth & Derann Open Day, will see better days, as well as bad days in the future. And I know the film business may never see those huge events of the 80's, but I believe it will go on, probably into the next generation. So we can continue to enjoy it while its here.
And remember, lets support Derann and CHC as much as possible and buy new film from time to time ![[Wink]](wink.gif) .
James.
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