Minutes of meeting 28/11/06

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swithun
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Minutes of meeting 28/11/06

Post by swithun » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:12 am

Present

Nick, Magda, Swithun, Duncan

Mission Statament

The mission statement of the group was discussed. We couldn't think of anything good at the meeting, but we have a bunch of phrases and 3 points that the statement should cover. The points are:

a good atmosphere for watching films
good films to watch
promoting good locally made films

A good atmosphere is discussed below. Good films to watch is intended to cover not just arthouse films, but also the occasional mainstream film that we want to show. It should however exclude most mainstream films that might get suggested. Good locally made films means that we won't show just anything made in Edinburgh (plus environs). Such a film would have to go well with a main feature.

Rather than use the word 'good' everywhere, some other phrases might be:
experimental, cult, obscure, enducational, cinema as artform not entertainment. If anyone can weave these 3 ideas and some phrases toghether into a mission statement, please do.

Shorts

Get submissions of locally made short films. Have to view films first - not show just anything. Find a good feature film that it would go with.

This will happen later on, when the film night has become more established.

What films to show

We plan to show more non-feature films - documentaries etc.

Those present at the meeting will each suggest 5 films (on the BB) and these will be discussed at the next meeting, or on the BB.

A good atmosphere

At the moment, customers and staff often disrupt the film. To make the film night more like a cinema, we propose the following:

Shut kitchen during film
Turn off all lights
Announce that film is going to be shown
Move furniture (get help from customers)
Turn off wifi
Break between films (kitchen open)
Sign for curtain to say that film is in progress
2 people in charge each night
Introduce film

So that kitchen staff don't have to wait until after film to clean kitchen, film staff could help before and after film. We can see how this goes and how much time/help is needed.

We couldn't decide on whether to start later. At 8pm, some people are still eating dinner. If the film was put on later, say 9pm, then we would have a more dedicated crowd. The reason for not starting later is that we could then show, say, 4 hours of films.

Equipment

Get video from freecycle (must have NICAM sound) (AP Swithun)

Price a popcorn machine (AP Magda)

Clean lens of projector before each film

Move projector closer as picture is too big (AP Magda)

Publicity

Before we finalise the programme and publicity, we need to find out how legit the operation is. Nick will ask Dan/Ryan about this.

Depending on how many films we can show, we will advertise on the Forest boards, the website, university and colleges.

Write-ups for films will be done.

The new programme will start the 2nd week of January. Films will be finalised 6 weeks in advance.

Next meeting

Next meeting 2 weeks time (12/12), monthly in future, more often just now.

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ravanwin
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Post by ravanwin » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:21 am

thoughts on the kitchen:

i agree with all of this.

in terms of KITCHEN.
Okay, you don't want to sell anything.

I think it is unfair to volunteers who are comming in to be productive and help make some money are then forced (asked) to sit through hours of films, they can't chat and then they have to clean up the mess.

it doesn't seem fair to my sensibilities.

i don't know what time you plan to start but, i guess i feel kitchen staff should be given an early night / night off and that the event holders should lock-up etc.

is that harsh?

swithun
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Post by swithun » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:25 am

That seems OK. With the film programme known long in advance, perhaps we can get volunteers who would like to sit through the films. Or, if the volunteers bugger off early, then we might want 3 film staff on the night.

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chris
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Post by chris » Wed Nov 29, 2006 12:07 pm

are the films known for december? cos the events poster is gonna be made real soon...

cleaning the lens - this is likely to be unnecesary as the limit of the resolution is imposed by the format of video (in video the quality of the lens is much less important than in film) and the not the lens. however focussing could be checked prior to screenings, although it is unlikely to change as it is on the ceiling. (additionally it is typically a bad idea to clean lenses frequently for proper camera equipment, becuase the process of cleaning them can easily introduce scratches, which can cause distortions on film. best is to use compressed air, or a dry, grease free soft cotton cloth)

popcorn would be great - it might be already possible to make it easily in a pan, or the potato oven, or a microwave, or the grill... i have no idea... but it might save some money/hassle..

legitimacy - im pretty sure we have paid for permission to screen films.
Maybe it could work? But it will be a kaleidoscopic blend of mysterious shadows and rainbow hued-dreams seen through compassionate tears.

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ravanwin
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Post by ravanwin » Wed Nov 29, 2006 12:47 pm

i agree re: popcorn machine.

couldn't we make it in the big pots on one of the hobs.

i am not sure how it works but it must be possible.
no?

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Jane
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Post by Jane » Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:49 pm

you just popcorn in a big pan with a lid till it pops. or stick it in the microwave.
"We all tend to idealise kindness and tolerance, then wonder why we find ourselves infested with losers and nutcases." Sebastian Horsley

swithun
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Post by swithun » Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:53 pm

You can make popcorn in a pot. I believe it was done like this before microwaves and specialist machines were invented. But neither Nick nor me have ever done it without ending up with some black nastiness at the bottom. And Magda has her heart set on a popcorn machine. It might be an attraction.

I don't know if we are planning on having a programme for before Christmas. It might just be the usual Monday afternoon phone call, unless anyone has a better idea.

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chris
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Post by chris » Wed Nov 29, 2006 2:40 pm

please do not worry about the number of films and so on, let us not reopen that waste of time paranoid headache! just program and all will be fine.

this is an anyone can read forum, so this stuff should not be discussed here.
Maybe it could work? But it will be a kaleidoscopic blend of mysterious shadows and rainbow hued-dreams seen through compassionate tears.

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ravanwin
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Post by ravanwin » Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:50 pm

yes. anyone. sorry.

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chris
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Post by chris » Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:55 pm

its so strange...like magic...
Maybe it could work? But it will be a kaleidoscopic blend of mysterious shadows and rainbow hued-dreams seen through compassionate tears.

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Jimmy Bastard
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Post by Jimmy Bastard » Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:30 pm

I'm writing up full events for poster tomorrow (Thu)
Do we have a programme?
Pep Up The Turmoil

swithun
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Post by swithun » Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:38 am

In the absence of any other suggestions, I can provide:

Tie me up, tie me down (4/12)
More Spanish kinkiness from Almodovar

Les enfants du paradis (11/12)
A classic from occupied France.

Poor cow (18/12)
Grimmer than kitchen sink, this has to be waste disposal unit cinema. Loach will eliminate any feelings of Christmas cheer you might be harbouring.

Will that do, clart?

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Shannon
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Post by Shannon » Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:48 am

Re: popcorn machine - I don't think they're very expensive and it is much easier than doing it in a pot. A request to freecycle may be fruitful, as a lot of people just throw it in the microwave now, so they may have a machine hiding at the back of their cupboard.

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Magda
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Post by Magda » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:00 am

cleaning the lens: I brought this up at the meeting because I don't think that it has ever been cleaned and I have a feeling that it is dusty and contributes to bad image quality. I don't think it needs to be cleaned that often, but it would be nice if we could do it.

popcorn: microwave popcorn is rubbish and not really worth it. Popcorn in a pan is risky, it burns easily and it's difficult to get it really nice and fluffy. This is my personal experience anyway. It would be awesome to have one of those huge cinema popcorn machines but they are very expensive. It might be worth thinking about a small one. I will get prices.

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Jimmy Bastard
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Post by Jimmy Bastard » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:13 pm

ta swith, saved me the task of penning descriptions too.
Pep Up The Turmoil

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Shannon
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Post by Shannon » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:23 pm

When I said machines aren't expensive, I meant the small air poppers. I don't know how we'd possibly find room for one of the big mo-fos they use at the cinema.

swithun
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Post by swithun » Sun Dec 10, 2006 3:37 pm

How about this for a mission statement.
The Film Working Group aims to promote cinema as an artform, not just as entertainment. To this end, the group will screen films in a conducive atmosphere, and also provide a means for local film makers to have their work seen alongside that of more established directors.
That covers all the points, and any future ideas can be measured against these articles of faith.

The missionary position will be tackled during the Forest WG meeting this evening, so any insertions should be made soon.

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thehemulen
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Post by thehemulen » Sun Dec 10, 2006 5:23 pm

popcorn's the easiest thing in the world to make.

a drop of oil in the pot! when its hot, cover the bottom of the pot with a thin layer of corn. lid on and listen to the magic. shake the pot a few times before it all really starts popping.
its a fast, cheap, healthy, tasty snack.
"If something is boring after two minutes, try it for four. If still boring, then eight. Then sixteen. Then thirty-two. Eventually one discovers that it is not boring at all." --John Cage.

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Magda
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Post by Magda » Sun Dec 10, 2006 6:10 pm

about the mission statement:

I don't think we should write "local filmmakers", but rather "amateur filmmakers" or something to that effect. I see no reason to prioritize people just because they're from around here.

swithun
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Post by swithun » Sun Dec 10, 2006 6:31 pm

OK. It now reads:
The Film Working Group aims to promote cinema as an artform, not just as entertainment. To this end, the group will screen films in a conducive atmosphere, and also provide a means for amateur film makers to have their work seen alongside that of more established directors.
That is a good point - it makes the dichotomy between established and others more sensible.

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