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Author
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Topic: New venue northwest film fair 2013 blackpool
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Mark Norton
Master Film Handler
Posts: 330
From: Hampton Hill, Middlesex, U.K.
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted November 20, 2013 05:03 AM
I think that it's great that film enthusiasts have events like this to meet, and this time in such comfortable surroundings, the friendly staff, all night bar, leisure facilities and excellent food in the Hilton made for a thoroughly enjoyable stay.
It's not just down to the organizers but also to the collectors that make the effort to come from far and wide to these events that keep the hobby alive, and this year if you did not make the effort I am sorry to say that you have missed out.
There was a real buzz to this years event, the Saturday evening really was great fun. Relaxed atmosphere, rare entertaining films shown and amazing raffle prizes on offer , I won a mint Derann Super8 scope feature of "Logan Run"!
Sunday the Cinema was packed all day, good shows never seen 9.5 before. Many rare and unusual items on offer in the dealer room which you would not find anywhere else, and at bargain prices. I went home fully loaded.
Thanks to David, Adrian and all involved. I am looking forward to next year. Now I need a few days to recover from those late nights drinking and chatting to 1.30am in the bar.
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Adrian Winchester
Film God
Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted November 20, 2013 08:20 AM
I must endorse the positive feedback regarding Blackpool. It was a matter of survival in 2011 followed by consolidation and a return of the dinner in 2012, but this year there was a sense of moving into an exciting new era, particularly due to the inspired move to the Hilton, which provided us with the most spacious, attractive and convenient facilities we have ever known at this event. It must have been the highest attendance for years and what 'rewards' those coming found in the dealers room! Some of the 16mm features on offer (e.g. 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' and 'Carrie') were a bit out of the ordinary and there was no shortage of 8mm too. The bargains were amazing - e.g. EFS had a box of £20 16mm features, that was nearly empty by 10.20 am when I saw it! The Bring and Buy stall was exceptional too, with more bargains that included moderately rare Super 8 400' digests for an astonishing £3 or £4, plus several optical sound features I'd never previously come across, such as 'Love at First Bite'. It also had plenty of nice condition Elmo 1200' reels for only £10 each. I bought 3 films on the B&B (including a 45 minute 1989 16mm dance-related documentary) and only spent £11!
As mentioned, there was a real 'buzz' that reminded me of the old days, with film retuning to the fore. The film shows were packed out and I think David plans to have a larger cinema next time. My only disappointment was the lack of new releases in the show where they were due, but of course that's down to the lab and it reinforces how regrettable it is that there's no competition in an era when most labs are crying out for business.
Thanks to those who have posted kind words about the dinner - I'm glad everyone enjoyed it so much. Considerable credit is due to the Hilton for providing excellent food at a very reasonable price; even the prices in our private bar - e.g. £3.40 for a pint of bitter - were less than I expected. The raffle has become so popular that the income this generates means that we will now have a budget that can be used to enhance the event further and the ticket price next year may well be less than cost price! James Cecil showed what a good idea (I think) Bob Nicholls had when he suggested a few years ago having a new presenter each year, as collectors are sharing the 'specialities' in their collections, which enabled James to offer astonishing sights such as city scenes from 1905 and a commercial from the silent era in colour! James also screened an old commercial for a Kellogs promotion which showed the cine equipment offered as prizes. His documentary about Norfolk's 'Singing Postman' was another entertaining rarity that probably no one else had seen. Thanks are also due to David Watson - who I welcome to the Forum following his recent first post - who played an important part in making the dinner a success. I'm also grateful to the friendly Hilton staff who bent over backwards to be be supportive - e.g. offering to erect their own 8 foot screen, which we decided to use.
As Lee has said, there's a great sense of cameraderie at Blackpool, with the friendly chat starting before the events and continuing well after midnight, which means that during the Film Fair it's easier to focus on what's for sale and the shows. Those staying at the Hilton clearly experienced unprecedented luxury, but some of us staying elsewhere had a superb Sunday night carvery meal in the Hilton followed by a Super 8 show in the lounge/bar of our hotel, which kept the fun going until 12.30am on Monday!
I detect signs here and there of rivalry between the BFCC and Blackpool with both wishing to be 'the best', and there's no harm in that if it remains good-natured, but in my opinion BOTH are the best as they each have fantastic attributes that are unique to their own event. I was delighted that Ealing had a comparable 'buzz' and the best attendance for a few years, and the fact that this also applied to Blackpool means that we can go into 2014 with greater confidence. If you have only been to one, I beg you to try the other because you won't be disappointed. I didn't manage a proper holiday this year but I had such a fun-packed time in Blackpool that I wouldn't have exchanged it for a week elsewhere. Everyone in Lancashire always seems to be friendly and hospitable and Blackpool itself looks better each year due to the fortune the local council is spending on improving the promenade and other parts of the town. If you're not convinced yet that the trip will be well worth making in 2014, you probably never will be!
[ November 20, 2013, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: Adrian Winchester ]
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Adrian Winchester
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