8mm Forum: Curtains for 8mm? not here though....

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Topic: Curtains for 8mm? not here though....

Mal Brake
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 591
From: Neath, South Wales, UK
Registered: Jun 2003

posted November 18, 2005 01:41 PM

Ok, the header is a little misleading so let me explain. I was asked to show some steam train films to a group of retired railwaymen earlier this week. The venue was the main hall of a social club.... at 2.30 in the afternoon. I was assured the hall would be dark enough because there were heavy drapes on the windows. On arrival we found out that the said curtains had been taken down the night before for washing so the daylight was streaming into the hall. Now the GS is bright, but not bright enough for this particular case. Luckily we managed to squeeze everyone into an upstairs committee room and the show went down very well. I think the next show we do there would be about communication skills or the lack of.........
Mal

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I'm gonna live forever or die trying

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted November 18, 2005 02:25 PM

Mal,

Just for curiosity, which films did you show? I'm a fan of railroad films on Super-8.

I had a similar case to yours about a year ago where I wanted to show films in a large common room and a group of people building a puzzle wouldn't let me turn the room lights out! As a result, the films were viewable but kind of washed out. I doubt anybody enjoyed the show less than I did.

(Maybe this year I'll bring a handful of loose puzzle pieces and throw 'em in the box while nobody's looking!)

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Mal Brake
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 591
From: Neath, South Wales, UK
Registered: Jun 2003

posted November 18, 2005 04:20 PM

Steve
We have had a few similar experiences in the past!
The films screened on this occasion were:
The Engine Driver 200ft b/w
Cavalcade 1975 200ft col
Elizabethan Express 400ft ol
Coronation Scot 200ft b/w
King George V 200ft col
Rhomney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway 400 ft col

A few years ago we included King George V in a show to a Historical Society. I was approached at the end by a member of another Railway Society and he told me the the fireman featured in the above film was a member of his society and asked if I would take the show to Brecon (an 80 mile round trip). We kept the film a secret from the ex-fireman until the title hit the screen. Everybody else had already been told so they burst into applause when the surprised gentleman saw himself on the screen.
The Society also presented him with a framed photo of the famous old locomotive. All thanks to good old super 8mm.
Mal

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I'm gonna live forever or die trying

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted November 18, 2005 04:36 PM

Hi Mal,

I have these from your list:

The Engine Driver 200ft b/w
Coronation Scot 200ft b/w
Romney Hythe & Dymchurch (Mine is still 2x200')

Is Brecon near the Brecon Mountain Railway? (is this a silly question?) They have a two foot gauge Baldwin Pacific that is an echo of ones that used to run over here. I'd love to see it some day!

Great story about the fireman! I'm considering doing an all railroad film show someday at home (including the Titfield Thunderbolt as the Feature)and inviting some friends who happen to be railroad fans to attend (...oddly enough one of them is one of the puzzle people!)

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Mal Brake
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 591
From: Neath, South Wales, UK
Registered: Jun 2003

posted November 18, 2005 04:44 PM

Hello again Steve, I have been on the Brecon Mountain Railway twice this year. It's about 45 minutes from here. It is located about three miles from Merthyr Tydfil. It's not too far from Brecon, about 15 miles or so. It's name comes from its former industrial use. That Baldwin is magnificent close up.
I bought the DVD about the place from the gift shop for £10.99 which isn't too bad for a specialist item.
Mal

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I'm gonna live forever or die trying

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