Amateur Film Makers.

[alan french]

Hi,

In addition to the professional film makers, I am curious as to how many Britmovie members have indulged in some way, the amateur scene. Have they taken part in anything or even belonged to a club or society.



In my case, I am a member, as stated elsewhgere, of the Hemel Hempstead Movie Makers. Formally Hemel Hempstead Cine Society and possibly Hemel Hempstead Cine Club. I joined in 1968. We have made documentaries, comedies, etc.

Some of our productions which involve local interest, have had DVD copies sent to the local history archive. We some times talk about films, enter film competitions and even get around to making films. I use the term film possibly incorrectly, as our output today is on DVD. But early productions were on film proper. One of our productions had tiny snippets shown on television several years ago in a regional magazine programme. But as I write, I cannot remember the name of the programme. The item was about a cinema in nearby Berkhamsted. We also had a member who was interviewed for THE NATION ON FILM.



My own personal output stopped long ago, when condensation got inside the camera. But it was going to cost a lot of money just to look at it, so I never bothered. But I still am involved in this media by belonging to this. club. I also have a blog spot which I write for our website on the computers in the local library.



Hemel Hempstead is not far from Borehamwood and Elstree, Leavesden and the National Film Archive at Berkhamsted. This area has been used for location work for both television and cinema. It used to have Kodak in the town. Its rival, Fuji was severely damaged during the Buncefield Oil Depot explosion of 2005.



Some famous people have lived in this town, such as James Hayter, Christopher Trace, William Russell, William Lucas and even Roger Moore. Nearby districts people such as Peter Sellers and Roger Livesey.



Right. Thats me done. Now is there anyone else out there?



Alan French.

[Lord Brett]

In the eighties I was a member of Leeds Movie Makers, and still have a couple of the Super 8 epics I made at the time. The best was a pop video for Divine's cover of Walk Like a Man.

[alan french]

Hi,

Just seen your post. That's great. I am not sure what my best epic was. But I have found making films very interesting. Athough sometimes can be stressful, as a whole fun.



Alan French.

[alan french]

Hi,
If anyone is in the Hemel Hempstead area on October 5th, my film making club, Hemel Hempstead Movie Makers is at 8pm having an open evening. Anyone wanting to come along, we meet in a hall at the back of The Carey Baptist Church in Marlowes, which is the name of the main street in the town centre. I will be there, and will be pleased to meet anyone from Britmovie.

Alan French.