8mm Forum: The smell of film- a film about the 61st BFCC

This is topic The smell of film- a film about the 61st BFCC in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008373

Posted by Yanis Tzortzis (Member # 434) on July 15, 2013, 07:00 PM:

...it was last October when a bunch of London Uni MA Film students made this film about...us & our hobby; starring amongst others Keith, John and...yours truly, who boasts having given them the idea of the title! Enjoy folks-& get ready for our last BFCC ever...

http://vimeo.com/55269230

Posted by Akshay Nanjangud (Member # 2828) on July 15, 2013, 07:02 PM:

Love to watch it. Can you provide me with the password?

Posted by Graham Sinden (Member # 431) on July 15, 2013, 07:04 PM:

Id like to watch it as well [Razz]

Graham S

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 15, 2013, 07:50 PM:

How about a direct link to this film on the BFCC WEBSITE?

Posted by Akshay Nanjangud (Member # 2828) on July 15, 2013, 08:13 PM:

Paul, strictly speaking this isn't film. Such mistakes on a film forum .... Sheesh!

[Big Grin]

Kidding!!

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on July 15, 2013, 08:26 PM:

Password please?
[Wink]

Posted by Yanis Tzortzis (Member # 434) on July 16, 2013, 06:56 AM:

....apologies: when I pasted the link it worked on my computer but now looks like it needs the key even from there! have contacted the film maker & await her reply-hopefully we'll have news soon!...

Posted by Fabrizio Mosca (Member # 142) on July 17, 2013, 04:17 PM:

In my opinion (and it's not as I've been also interviewed but I was cut from the final edit [Mad]

) it doesn't represent the happy mood you have during the convention.

It seems sad, only focusing on the elder people attending it (apart from you Yanis...) and not on the young ones or on all the others coming from all over the world (I think of Steven Sigel, Antonio Mota, the French collectors, the "Italian job", to mention the first I remember...)

Despite this, it's well done

BTW, Yanis, you've been promoted to dealer in the movie!!

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on July 17, 2013, 04:46 PM:

Excellent. I enjoyed that. It makes me realise once again that we have got to support this annual event.
When it's gone we'll be looking back at videos such as this one and wondering how we let it get away, so...now's the time, folks.
[Smile]

Posted by Yanis Tzortzis (Member # 434) on July 17, 2013, 06:22 PM:

Right, this is the link-tried it & works:
https://vimeo.com/55269230

Fabrizio, you must have in mind this is a teaser-not their whole doc, as Laura-who interviewed me & sent me the link-said, so who knows you might still be in the long version's final cut [Smile]

....as for me,of course I deserved to be in it,as I was the one who gave her the title idea [Big Grin]

....all in all, I think it's good to have young people promoting our hobby--even though they make mistakes such as me as dealer; how can I play at the same level with Phil Sheard or Perry's or Buckingham! [Eek!]

...well, people, enjoy 'the smell of film'.... [Wink]

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on July 17, 2013, 07:20 PM:

Loved seeing this. Thanks for posting. Amazing to see super 8mm fill that screen size. Is there a link to the full documentary or can it be purchased somewhere.

Thank you!

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 17, 2013, 08:57 PM:

Good to see Alan Gouger posting again - I thought he had departed to run the AVS Forum.

This film would make an excellent DVD for film collectors. I wonder if Keith Wilton (Filmtek) would be interested in selling it?

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on July 17, 2013, 10:50 PM:

Interesting

However I agree with "Fabrizio" when he says "it doesn't represent the happy mood you have during a convention"

Although I cant get to one myself, I am not taken with the way/slant the video was shot....or the music that went with it. Sorry, I would not rate this video very highly [Frown]

could have been a lot better.

Graham.

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on July 17, 2013, 11:24 PM:

Hello Paul it's been a while:) I still check in from time to time, film is still in the blood. I exited super 8 a few years ago and sold my equipment and collection and now Im kicking myself. Watching you guys having all the fun is tough.
I wish we had something like the annual bfcc meet here in the states.
I have my eye peeled for a stereo or duel track projector. Time to enjoy the hobby again with all the fine folks on this forum.

Thanks Paul!

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on July 17, 2013, 11:55 PM:

Good decision, Alan !

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 18, 2013, 10:05 AM:

Nice to hear from Alan, and to know that the film bug is still with him. To anybody here, who is also into digital home theater, AVS Forum which Alan helps run is the best place on the net to get all kinds of info and great advice on projectors, screens, anamorphic lenses, Blu Ray players, amplifiers, speakers,etc.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on July 18, 2013, 07:36 PM:

Hi Paul

Many years ago I bought a Keith Wilton video called "Hollywood UK" through Derann, it covers conventions etc and its excellent.

The upgraded 2005 edition DVD of "Hollywood UK" is still available and can be bought through the BFCC web-site. Another excellent DVD is "The Men Behind the Movies Reel Three". That one I watched today "its been a while" has yourself Paul, Doug, and many others in it....really good, hope you have a copy?

Graham.

PS The video that has been linked from this web-site is not one of his.

[ July 18, 2013, 11:17 PM: Message edited by: Graham Ritchie ]

Posted by Graham Sinden (Member # 431) on July 20, 2013, 12:28 PM:

Thanks Yanis for posting this link.

Although it is well made I would have to agree with Fabrizio and Graham in that it dosent show how good the BFCC is and agree that the music dosent help. It should really have an upbeat tune and some fast moving shots showing lots of action taking place. As Graham pointed out there have been better films made about the BFCC (and other conventions) like Doug's film which you can download from the forum. Also Doug's film on Cinesea is excellent with good music.

Still its good to see and cant wait for the next one in october [Smile]

Graham S

Posted by Yanis Tzortzis (Member # 434) on July 21, 2013, 05:45 AM:

...Laura emailed me the full length video of the 'Smell' here:

https://vimeo.com/57333550

again people, your comments need to take into account two things:
--it was not a doc;it was en EXERCISE of a film studies student, so it can't be judged as anything else but that;
--and, it still is a useful way of us seeing how young people who don't know about film as a means view us & our hobby.
...no matter the aesthetics of it, I feel we need to be grateful to Laura-the first person after Doug in 2006(?) who made something of BFCC. Correct me if I'm wrong,but don't know of anything else made on the subject after 2000...

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on July 21, 2013, 06:27 AM:

I would have liked to see some interviews with collectors answering questions about what they enjoyed with collecting old films.

As it is all we see is someone who knows how to keep their camera steady, these days even this is an achievement.

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on July 21, 2013, 07:04 AM:

The film was very well made, it was great to see that Laura had mastered the art of using a tripod.

It was very depressing though, it certainly depicted the film collecting convention as being in its last, sad death throws. Maybe that's right, but I prefer to remember the BFCC as it was in Doug's video, as a happy affair with a lot of banter.

Mike [Cool]

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on July 24, 2013, 02:22 AM:

We didn't publicize the fact that this was out very shortly after the last convention simply because it doesn't exactly show it in the best light. You have to bear in mind it is a student film going for a certain look and a particular impact. So as much as it's not a true representation of the state of the hobby and the convention it is very well made. I like it, but please don't think this is what the BFCC is really like.

If anyone hasn't seen the films of the conventions issued by Keith Wilton through his Filmtek company you need The Men Behind The Movies (part 1) and Hollywood UK (the 2005 version). Take a look at www.bfcc.biz/filmtek.html and to purchase http://www.bfcc.biz/filmtekshop.html

Posted by Barry Attwood (Member # 100) on July 24, 2013, 02:53 AM:

Well made little short, but as John says, the director certainly chose her shots for a certain look to the film, it's not just us old fogies (I'm 52, and consider myself an "Old Fogie" now) who collect films, and as a dealer I know this for a fact as I talk to many younger collectors all around the world. At least there is one saving grace in the edit, the fact I don't seem to appear in any of the footage, we wouldn't want it classed as an "H" Certificate would we!

Personally I can't wait for the next Ealing bash in October, as the School Keith has found is ideal for a film convention, a brilliant screening room, and a large dealers hall, and car parking to boot.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on July 24, 2013, 05:31 AM:

Barry
I wish I was 52 [Smile]

Posted by Yanis Tzortzis (Member # 434) on July 24, 2013, 06:09 AM:

....I second John on this-the eternal divide between how OTHERS view us & how WE would like to view ourselves...still a good film for what it was made to be-an EXERCISE.....

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on July 24, 2013, 08:50 AM:

I know what you mean, John, but they're only students and when you're that age anyone, or anything a few years older than yourself seems outdated!

Although, I wasn't like that as a student [Roll Eyes]

, but that's just me. [Smile]

I think, to be fair to them as film (sorrryyyy...) video-makers, they found an approach and stuck with it and it was nicely executed.

The overwhelming thing I thought is that, despite any reservations about the treatment, it was all handled with dignity towards its contributors and subject.

With their material, they could have so easily made it all look so much more voyeuristic, but I think they walked a fine, but nice line between being visually condescending and presenting something with genuine warmth to it.

Often, that is something sadly lacking when "outsiders" see our gentle hobby for the first time, and, all too often, something that current TV producers in the "real" world fail to even be aware of, let alone have the talent to consider.

I'm gonna give them 78%

[Wink]

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on July 24, 2013, 09:23 AM:

Having just seen it, I'm surprised that the comments are not more positive, although I acknowledge that appreciation has been expressed here. It's very well made and they do a good job of giving a sense of the whole day in the time available. If I didn't already go to conventions, it would make me want to attend. Sure, we would all have liked a more upbeat tone and some shots of recent releases on the CHC stall would have helped, but the mood is in tune with Keith's remarks, and as he's a long-standing organiser of the event, they were bound to be influenced by him as well as by what they saw.

[ July 24, 2013, 01:11 PM: Message edited by: Adrian Winchester ]

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on July 24, 2013, 12:39 PM:

I agree with Adrian. I can't see what the negativity is all about.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 24, 2013, 06:51 PM:

I thought it was well done, and I wish it were a lot longer. It would have been nice to have more of John and Keith, and some comments from the film dealers. I think though that it really got across that there is something special about reel film collecting compared with DVD.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on July 25, 2013, 06:52 AM:

quote:
I can't see what the negativity is all about

Perhaps it's a question of age. The students; were students, and produced a worthwhile effort.

But at my age, it's not what I consider a documentary, thinking back to the days of BTF, Shell, etc., whose films I used to show at my Film Society in the 1960s and 70s.

I acknowledge that tastes and styles change, but I'm certainly not saying that I disliked the film.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on July 25, 2013, 05:34 PM:

I think Laura and her crew did a terrific job and it's a lovely little piece. I prefer the first, slightly shorter cut. The pace is a touch slower however it flows nicely and I applaud the editing choice of letting the scenes breathe so that we can linger on the many interesting compositions.

I think using the title card "A day at The 61st British Film Collectors Convention" sets the viewer up to expect something more in-depth and yes, there is a point of view here (as there should be....all good films have one) that differs from the one we as collectors might have. This isn't a promo for the BFCC. It is an enjoyable, polished production and I'm glad Ms. Gaiarsa chose this for her subject.

Doug

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on July 25, 2013, 05:50 PM:

Doug, I haven't viewed this film, but put myself in the hands of an accomplished cameraman. I look forward to viewing same, if not
on Facebook or some such.

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on July 26, 2013, 11:36 AM:

She certainly has a damn good eye for framing.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 26, 2013, 01:39 PM:

Watched it for a second time, and I think it is great. Yanis really expresses the love of film very well. And it was great to see the ever jovial John Bird looking so well. [Smile]

Posted by Yanis Tzortzis (Member # 434) on July 27, 2013, 05:35 AM:

Thanks Paul, I thought 'well my acting isn't that bad'but then immediately said to myself : how can you call 'acting' your replying to interview questions-especially when it's got to do with your most loved hobby? [Cool]

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on July 27, 2013, 11:00 AM:

As I using my mobile phone to connect, I haven't watched the video, yet but all the promotion you made of this event, I went on their site, saw the next convention will be in London in October and bought a train ticket. I haven't been to (the so expensive city of) London and intended to go in a foreseen future, so I took this opportunity. [Smile]

Posted by Antonis Galanakis (Member # 1455) on August 01, 2013, 12:26 PM:

Great video
Great presentation

Thank you Yanni

Υ.Γ. Να τσακιστείς να κατέβεις Ελλάδα να σε δούμε λίγο!!! [Smile]

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 01, 2013, 12:38 PM:

Is it true that it will be the last edition ?

Posted by Yanis Tzortzis (Member # 434) on August 02, 2013, 05:46 AM:

....Kalomeleta Antonh... [Wink]

....what do you mean by 'last edition' Dominique?

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 02, 2013, 06:51 AM:

Well, Yanis, you mentionned in another topic ("Hello from a new member in Greece") about BFCC "sadly the last". Maybe I am misunderstanding by thinking that you mean it will be the last edition.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on August 02, 2013, 12:26 PM:

Great short film! And very professional quality as well as interesting [Smile]

.

James.

Posted by Yanis Tzortzis (Member # 434) on August 02, 2013, 06:45 PM:

...indeed Dominique, to my understanding this is the last BFCC as we knew it [Frown]

.....

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on August 03, 2013, 06:17 AM:

I know that in another BFCC thread last year, John referred to a possible "one last try" and this convention was then finalised. So it looks like being the last but I'm not sure if John and Keith have decided that it's absolutely certain that another won't be considered irrespective of how successful this one is.

Posted by Yanis Tzortzis (Member # 434) on August 03, 2013, 06:58 AM:

...Adrian, I only hope you're right & I'm proven wrong!....

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2