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Topic: BLACKPOOL VISITED!!!!!!
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Christopher P Quinn
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 210
From: Bedfordshire
Registered: Sep 2008
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posted November 16, 2008 06:25 PM
I did, i did.
Left home from Eaton Bray Saturday morning at 8.30. Arrived four hours later some 207 miles to the B&B and all I can say is that it was the biggest flea pit I have ever seen and I’ve seen some I can tell you. Did a quick turn around and found a really nice hotel The Clarendon.
Spent the rest of the day visiting shops as was the agreement with the other half. (All married men will understand this bit) Dined at the hotel, very nice, and had a good drink in the bar, see pictures.
Arrived at the Savoy at 10.30 full of the English breakfast and ready to go. Parking was dead easy and got a space on the road costing £0 which is always a bonus. There is though plenty of parking available for those not as tight fisted as me.
OK, I was apprehensive as I made my way into the hotel, thinking that I was going to be let down, but i have to say the whole event was nothing but brilliant! I found friendly people every where I went, including the hotel staff, who were very helpful. A good mixture of super 8 & 16mm on the tables along with DVD! Everyone was happy. Even Phil of Classic was smiling, sorry Phil.
The Derann table was well stocked and the guy’s seemed busy from the start, even the other half found a table selling film posters and prints that she liked and we bought two photos of the boys (L&H). I found Record players an old radio, loads of binoculars for those sitting in the back row of the cinema, 78’s an old magic lantern, you name it, it was there, Just a nice mixture to keep your interest up. Bargains were around and dealers keen to talk you into buying there films.
I visited one film show and watch a film on early cinema buildings, it was interesting and informative, but I get fidgety and had to move on. My mission was taking photos.
I was excited also at the prospect at seeing the Derann special Blu Ray full HD show. The 1080P show was very impressive and will write more about it later. Derann had a second table dedicated to there digital side, blu ray, DVD, a dlp projector and LCD TV on show.
I bought a little film and had fun bidding in the auction, something that I would like to see at the BFCC again. (any chance John) I won a Derann print Tom & Jerry (Safety Second) for £12 and after just checking it out, found that it is perfect! I also got Disney’s Flowers and Trees, silly symphony. (yet to view). It was really good fun and great interlude from the films being shown.
Further for the DVD enthusiasts, there were two main tables, selling hard to find DVD’s Old Mother Riley collections, see photos, and many old films that are hard to find, including a full TV series of Harry Worth. (Window leg lifting and all)
There were tables full of odds and ends; one table had boxes full of lenses from so many makes of projectors, again see photos. A range of projectors from 9.5, 16mm and of course super 8 and standard 8.
The actress Valerie Leon and Caroline Munroe were signing autographs and telling about there times in the movies.
If I was going to criticise anything it would be that the cinema was not as spectacular as the BFCC, and the blackout was not 100% effective, but I know they did there best.
All in all, a real SUPER 8 visit, and would I do it again? Yes I would. But it’s not cheap if coming from a distance £150 not including the £65 pair of boots her indoors made me buy her and of course the meals. But it was really worth it. When I go again I will be booking up the meal and staying an extra night. So, hopefully, maybe next year I’ll get again.
Next The Derann open day.
Another view of the Derann table...
shot across the room...
Interesting table...
Its that Derann again...
My favorite table..
Sorry about the quality, am not a photographer and never will be. More to come still, and photos i have mentioned in my write up, sorry they are ready to put on as soon as someone makes a post.
Just to add, it was surprising that no one seems to know about the 8mm forum. apart from Mark Williams a member and his friend Doug? that i met at the bar, not that i went there often you know. ;O)
SORRY, LINK BELOW REPAIRED!
Movie link...
http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k22/stiggpots/Blackpool%20Convention%202008/?action=view¤t=MOV03863.flv
Chris.
[ November 19, 2008, 07:18 AM: Message edited by: Christopher P Quinn ]
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Chris Quinn Rides again.
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Osi Osgood
Film God
Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted November 16, 2008 07:41 PM
All those lovely films, and no OSI about!
Did you buy any tasty celluloid tidbits, and if so, what?
(Yeah, I know, I'm nosey!)
OOPS! Sorry I didn't read far enough, got caught up in the pictures! Thanks for posting them!
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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "
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Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted November 17, 2008 02:03 AM
I agree with all that Chris has said above. Great day out, cracking weather Grommitt, for November that is.
The auction was the quickest I've ever seen (only TWO 16mm films for sale) but I'm not complaining, as I picked up a "mint" copy of "Hawk the Slayer" for a good price. Had a chat with Barry Attwood - nice to see him getting "back to normal" after his recent sad event.
One dissappointment was that not all dealers are that, in the true sense of the word. As we all know, there are some unscrupulous dealers. There was one who had a Super 8 feature Scope print of "Carousel" for sale. When I arrived, at 10.15 I asked the price and was told £120.00. By 11.30 it had gone up to £160.00 (The reason - because Derann would sell it for TWICE that! - What has that to do with the price of fish, I'll never know?).
Needless to say, it was still for sale at 3.00pm when we left. The same dealer also purchased an optical print of "Force 10 From Navarone" from the "Bring and Buy", for £20.00. It was marked up by the "Bring and Buy" seller as having "fade and light lines".
Guess what? When it appeared on the dealers stall, it was in "excellent condition" and priced at £50.00. There it sat, alongside the print of "Carousel". ![[Mad]](mad.gif)
Apart from that, I did pick up a few bargains from the lads at Derann, so I'm not complaining.
Bob Nichols did a good job with the cinema shows and he did his best to "prolong" the auction, due to lack of films to sell.
Once again, another great success for Derann. Well done lads (and lassies).
Looking forward to next year already, and to Deranns Christmas Open Day on the 7th December. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
P.S Great photos Chris - I took my camera, but in the haste of leaving home, I forgot the Memory Card!
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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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Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted November 17, 2008 06:09 PM
Del, I think the words you were looking for are "Bovine Manure!".
In fairness, the print of "Carousel" was in "excellent" condition, but to increase the price by £40.00 in the space of an hour was a bit much. It's a pity that some "dealers" do not grasp the concept of Film Conventions - collectors attend them in order to find a bargain - most will come away more than happy with their "finds" and the odd few will come away feeling ecstatic.
You expect the prices to come down, not go up!
These "hope to get rich quick merchants" who pray on the "unitiated collector" should be ashamed of themselves. As I said, my intention on going back to the stall, at 11.30 was to make an offer of £100.00 for "Carousel" but when I saw the "Price Increase" and listened to the lame excuse, for that increase, I went across to Deranns stall and got an absolute mint copy of "Calamity Jane" for £80.00 instead! His loss and my (and Deranns) gain.
At least you know, when buying from Derann, that you have a "guarantee", if there are any problems.
If there is any justice, he will have those films forever, unless of course some pure "innocent" was "conned" into buying them.
Apart from this one "person" I found the other dealers very approachable and friendly, which is what you expect at these events.
Keep them coming Adrian!!
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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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Adrian Winchester
Film God
Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted November 18, 2008 01:52 PM
I had a great time as always and it was nice to meet some Forum members making their first trip, as well as the regulars. The Saturday evening dinner privided the usual good-humoured start with abundant food and entertainment. I was sorry to not see Anne Simmonds but hopefully she was enjoying a well-deserved break in a warmer climate. I'd seen Caroline Munro and Valerie Leon at various horror/fantasy events over the years, but they are always perfect guests, entering into the spirit of the occasion as well as providing facinating stories and answers to questions. The dinner was a sell-out with several collectors unable to get tickets (maybe we need a bigger room?) and the numbers also looked impressive on Sunday.
Surprisingly, I only found one Super 8 and one 16mm film I wanted, but at least I was less weighed down than usual on the train home! The most notable item on the Bring and Buy must have been a near mint GS800 that looked a good buy for £200. Did anyone buy it? The auction was shorter than usual but nearly everything offered resulted in competitive bidding. Perhaps Derann could consider encouraging more contributions by eliminating the booking in fee and replacing it with a 10% commission on everything sold?
I think the stall with the 16mm features to the right of Tony Hutchinson's was David Guest's?
As for the dubious character who inflated the price and quality of the film bought on the Bring and Buy, is there any reason to not name him here, so that we can be warned in future?
I'll offer - at Adrian's suggestion in the other thread - a couple of constructive criticisms:
a) The light on the screen due to ludicrous health and safety measures was a pain. No fault of Derann's of course, but I hope some masking can be stuck on the ceiling in-between the most offending light and the screen to minimise the problem next year.
b) Part of the fun at Blackpool has always been to see new releases 'premiered', so I hope Derann/Classic can time at least one each next year, to coincide with the event. It must be good for business as well. I was disappointed that there wasn't even a 'recent releases' show, as I may well have bought one or two of the latest cartoons/advert reels if I'd had the chance to see them.
Overall, it was a memorable and friendly weekend and many thanks to the Derann staff for being so accommodating and eager to ensure that everyone went home happy. Blackpool continues to combine the appeal of a film collecting convention with a memorabilia/celebrity event, and in a setting that offers those of us staying two or three nights a relaxing holiday in the company of fellow enthusiasts. It's unique, and wherever you are in the world, you are likely to find it a pleasure to be there.
[ November 18, 2008, 09:06 PM: Message edited by: Adrian Winchester ]
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Adrian Winchester
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