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Topic: 57th BFCC - MAY 16th
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Adrian Winchester
Film God
Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted May 10, 2009 10:08 AM
I'll be there - I don't think I've missed one since the early 1990s.
The "use it or lose" it warning is something that I hope we can view as motivating as well as alarming. The BFCCs - and of course the NFCC in Blackpool - are the 'jewels in the crown' of the UK collecting events and I'm sure that all keen collectors would agree that it would be severe blow to the hobby to lose any of them, although I suppose it would be understandable if the BFCC reverted to being an annual event in the spring (much as I would prefer to see two a year).
Without being at all critical of the good publicity already given to the BFCCs in various ways, I thought I could put forward a few ideas that could potentially help to boost the attendance, although some might already be happening, and some - even if considered valid - would be impractical in the limited time before Saturday, but could perhaps be considered prior to October.
1. Something collectors can do (that I've done for some time) is to send an email publicising the event, with an electronic flyer and a BFCC website link, to everyone they know that might respond to encouragement. Some recipients I contact are people on the fringe of the hobby, who don't subscribe to publications or make a point of attending events, but will sometimes do so if they're free and get a reminder.
2. Encourage fairly local film enthusiasts that are NOT collectors to attend. The spectacular shows and talks that the BFCC specialises in can of course also be of interest to non-collectors. I told woman I know that lives in Ealing about it and she rarely misses it, partly because she always finds some film-related memorabilia that appeals to her on the stalls.
3. This might already happen but posters/flyers in a few specialist shops might be worthwhile, if the places in question would accept them. E.g. Umit Films in Hackney; the Widescreen Centre; Sendean Cameras in St Anne's Court off Wardour St (packed with Super 8 cameras and sells camera stock); PEC in Dean St, etc. It might also be worth placing some flyers on the table provided at the Westminster Central Hall film memorabilia events.
4. Posters/flyers in film schools might be desirable; one of the most enthusiastic 'younger' collectors I know started as a film-making student. Students are unlikely to already be collectors but might well be attracted by the shows and the equipment on offer. Appropriate colleges include the London Film Academy (in Fulham Broadway so not very far from Ealing) and the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield. I have a contact who collects film at the latter who might be willing to display material. He told me a while back that they were having difficulty finding enough 16mm cameras for the students wanting to learn how to shoot on film. To attract this sort of audience, it might be worth placing more emphasis on the dealers and the bring and buy stall on the publicity material.
5. Maybe the Blackpool approach of selling advance tickets for a slightly cheaper price is worth considering, as someone who has already bought a ticket is very likely to turn up on the day.
6. Finally, I'd suggest having a show of new and recent releases on 16mm, featuring releases from Derann plus perhaps one or two from CHC, Robbies Reels etc. Not only would this be a first at a UK event, it might also help to attract the significant number of 16mm collectors who don't collect on 8. Many 8mm collectors may not know how good modern 16mm prints can be. It's worth noting that Derann have not released anything new on 8 for some time, but are still making additions to the shorts available on 16.
If you have any further suggestions or comments that John could consider discussing with Keith, please put them forward, and let's see if we can start building up the numbers attending again!
[ May 10, 2009, 05:27 PM: Message edited by: Adrian Winchester ]
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Adrian Winchester
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Graham Sinden
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1131
From: Kent, UK
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted May 10, 2009 12:33 PM
Some interesting points Adrain. I like the blackpool idea of selling advance tickets, but this would require a fair bit of work. As Keith dosent have a shop, Im not sure how he could take credit card payments over the phone. And you would also need to post out every ticket naturally or you could reserve a ticket and collect it when you arrive. I agree with you about printing or emailing flyers/adverts and sending them to as many places as possible.
One point I notice about recent collecting events I attend is that a lot of collectors arrive early and initially the halls are packed, but after only 1 hour or 2, people start leaving whereas years ago collectors would hang around for the whole day drinking tea and chating etc. Why this hapens today is anyones guess. Mabye their excuses are the traffic on the roads, got food shopping to get, DIY work at home, football on telly, nice sunny day, busy day tomorrow etc. I think the 3D shows at the BFCC will make people stay (the last one I remember was packed) and mabye what we need is some more shows like that, but then the dealers will get fed up if everyone is in the cinema!
What I would like to see is a return to the old days of the BFCC where films are projected in the middle of the hall and the dealers stop trading during those shows but start up again when finished. That way the dealers can enjoy the shows and still sell films, and everybody is in the same hall will make for a nice atmosphere. There could even be a fish and chip meal as well. It might just work again.
Graham S
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