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The penultimate Noggin 'n' Natter evening of the summer season was held at the Owl's Nest Bare on 9th August. Members moved into the bay window half with the comfy seats and made room for the first twenty members who attended, with one satellite table in the centre of the bar for the late arrivals. During the evening a raffle was held with the prize being a special addition cover version of the 40th Anniversary DVD, which was won by Tim Churchill.

The gathering was brought to order for a short time when a vote of thanks and a round of applause went to Graham Easton and Ron Wood for the compilation of the 40th Anniversary DVD, which had also raised £51 through the raffle and sales of copies.

The idea of producing a moment in time experimental movie was explained by Graham Easton and members agreed to give a try. The idea of the movie is for each member to make a programme of approx two minutes of a happening during the week commencing the 6th September 2010 and then bring it together in on one DVD. Before the gathering returned to talking and drinking Ron Wood suggested that the DVD be called “That Was The Week That Was”, which was approved by the members present.

July 12th saw the third Noggin 'n' Natter evening of the summer season held at the Owls Nest, Bare. The early members moved into the corner with the comfy seats and made room for the twenty members who attended, still not quite warm enough to sit outside.

This month there were no formalities, leaving plenty of time for talking and tasting the local brew. There was time for an update from Dave Weatherley on the progress with the Beaumont College project, which was filmed on 29th June and was to be handed to them before the end of term. Also the 40th anniversary DVD had been completed and sent to the “Awards for all” and North West Film Archives, thanks to Graham Easton and Ron Wood who unfortunately could not make it to the meeting.

June 14th saw the second Noggin n Natter evening of the summer season held at the Owl's Nest, Bare. This month we must have been late arriving at the pub as our corner was occupied so we had to take over the complete middle section for a change. The warm night saw twenty-two members and one guest from Preston Movie Makers tasting the local brew and enjoy the chat.

During the evening, the latest version of the club's 40th year newsreel was shown to members on a portable DVD player prior to having the narration attached; this is to take place later this week.

The next noggin night is Monday 12th July.

The Bolton Movie Challenge was held on May 28th and Morecambe Bay Movie Makers were represented by Peter Parker and Syd Cumbus. The Competition is open to all clubs in the North West and is judged by three independent adjudicators.

Ten entries, including "The Toy Train" by Dave Weatherley, were screened on a wide range of subjects but, unfortunately, this entry representing Morecambe was not placed in the winners.

The Winning entry was from Preston Movie Makers with "Blindfold at Dawn"; a story about the effects of shell shock on troops serving in the trenches of the Great War 1914-1918.

Bolton have a good venue and visitors were well received by the club.

May 10th saw the first Noggin n Natter evening of the summer season held at the Owls Nest Bare. By the time the clock struck 8.00pm there was a number of members in position in our corner of the pub. The noise level gradually increased as the numbers went up to twenty plus members busy exchanging ideas and chatting about all things movie making and the rests. The meeting was brought to order for a short time while the chairman Graeme Isherwwood explained what was happening in Chester with the Roman re enactment on 12th and 13th June which was a possible filming opportunity for members. The information was taken on board by a group of members to follow up and make arrangements with the organisers. It was then back to the business of talking and drinking and having an enjoyable evening.

The next social meeting is on Monday 14th June at 8.00pm in the Owls Nest.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers held their Presentation Dinner at Morecambe Golf Club where trophies for all the club's four competitions were presented following the meal for thirty-nine members and guests.

The Annual Open competition overall winner and Documentary class first place was taken by Chris Abram with a movie about shrimping in Morecambe Bay. The Holiday class winner was Roland Ward with a movie taken in New Zealand's South Island and the Open Class went to Graeme Isherwood with a comedy animation movie explaining the correct use of the apostrophe.

Winner of the Dave Sephton competition for "local interest" was Graham Easton with a programme showing the changes to buildings and features in Morecambe.

The Warriner competition for "a public information film" was won by Graham Easton with an animation describing the work of a little known government department from an insider's point of view.

The winner of the Cumbria competition, with an open subject, was David Simpson for a film explaining the engineering designs by Leonardo de Vinci as displayed in a French museum.

The Grand Prix award for most points scored in all the competitions during the year went to Graham Easton.

At Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' weekly meeting, the annual open competition was held, with the movies being judged by Rick McLeod and Richard Smith of Celtic Storm Films. There were twenty movies entered in the competition ranging in length from three minutes to twelve, which was the max length allowed.

The overall winner and with first place in the documentary class was Chris Abram with "Six miles out int'ut Bay". The movie follows the work of fishermen from Flookburgh trawling with nets for shell fish in Morecambe Bay using a tractor and shows the beauty and dangers of the Bay.

Taking first place in the holiday class and also winning the best sound track trophy was Roland Ward with "New Zealand, South Island". The movie makes a journey through the lakes, mountains, shorelines and towns of the South Island showing the country at its best in both the sunshine and the snow.

Graeme Isherwood won the open class with an animation movie called "A public information film" this sets out the rules of when and how to use an apostrophe correctly in the English language. The main animated character gives examples of the wrong ways to use an apostrophe with numerous examples taken from real life notices, before warning the viewer that the Department for the misuse of the apostrophe is watching us.

At Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' weekly meeting, members discussed the success of the Morecambe Bay International Video competition winners show, which they had organised the previous Saturday in the Dukes Cinema, Lancaster. They were able to watch the first edit of the event video along with a digital slide show of the winners receiving their trophies.

The second half of the meeting was devoted to planning the summer activities and compiling ideas for next year's programme.

The Grand Winners' Final of the Erics was held on Saturday 10th April in the Dukes Cinema, Lancaster between 2.00 and 7.00pm. This competition was the third and final special event to help mark the club's 40th anniversary.

A full report on the event can be found in the Event Reports section of the site.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers welcomed members of Lancaster Photographic Society for a joint meeting of A/V presentations and movies.

The evening started with Lancaster projecting digital image programmes including flower festivals, autumn scenes, touring the Isle of Man and different styles of houses set to music. There was also an explanation of how to shoot infrared pictures and produce stunning images not visible to the naked eye.

Following the tea break, the Movie Makers showed a selection of DVDs including comedy animations, the work of the RNLI and the Bay Search and Rescue organisation, natural history around our houses and members other hobbies.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers welcomed Geoff Annis, a professional voice over artist, to their weekly meeting. Geoff began his presentation explaining how he took early retirement from his position as an English teacher to become an actor and voice over artist. He then played audio examples of books and commentaries he had recorded, explaining the equipment and technique he uses to create the accent, the speed and mood required for the product he is providing the voice for. He went on to show DVDs using his voice and acting talents including the history of a major brewer, cruise line, commercial and industrial promotional features.

The evening included many questions from members for which Geoff gave in depth answers and made his visit very informative and entertaining.

"House Full" is a notice that is not common at the Morecambe Dome but that was the case when the club and North West Film Archives presented "Morecambe In Times Past" to a capacity audience of 400.

The evening began with a selection of old post cards transferred to video with music and commentary followed by vintage black and white films, as early as 1901, of Morecambe and the local area. There were sequences showing the earliest known film of Morecambe football club, the opening of civic gardens, royal visits through the years up to the unveiling of the Eric Morecambe statue, opening of the swimming stadium and Central Pier. The show included old newsreel footage from National film companies, the old local cinemas and club members, which covered fires, rail accidents, storms and local news items. Members of the Bay Organ and Keyboard Society accompanied the silent movies on the keyboard.

Well done to Chris Abram for arranging the show and to all the members who built the set, twiddled the control knobs, ushered the crowds, took the tickets, made the refreshments, filmed the action and supported the event.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers held their Warriner Trophy Competition, which has a different theme each year, with this year's theme being "A Public Information Movie". The time limit is set at a max of 5 minutes and is judged by club members.

The winner was Graham Easton with "The Insider", an animation movie which investigates a little known government department, with the help of an insider, dealing with water storage and distribution and possible links to floods and droughts.

Taking second place with another animation was Graeme Isherwood with "The Ministry For The Protection Of The Apostrophe" which describes the misuse of the apostrophe, showing numerous real life examples, all explained by an animated man from the ministry.

Third place went to Dave Weatherley with "It's Never You, Is It?" a typographical series of images explaining the dangers of alcohol and its affect on people, with statistic to back it up, all this set to music.

The subject of next year's theme was selected as "A movie within 500 metres of home".

During the evening the Fred Dibdon Trophy for 2009 was presented to Graham Easton for services to the club with respect to his work on the club's web site and newsletters.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers held their Ruby Anniversary meal at the Royal Hotel, Bolton-le-Sands, with 35 members and guests attending. During the meal, the two longest serving members, Stan Sharpe and Roy Wilson, who had joined in 1971, cut a celebration cake decorated with the club's logo.

The evening included a talk by the longest serving members and early member Michael Ellis, who traced the history of the club, its success and the changes in technology before toasting the club on its 40th anniversary and wishing it and its members success in the future.

During the evening, old press cuttings of the club's activities over the years were circulate, along with the original inaugural meeting minutes which had been held on 26th January 1970 in the Shrimp Inn, Morecambe.

 

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers held their Annual General Meeting on Monday 18th January 2010. The acting Chairman Graeme Isherwood report that the club had had a successful year but it had a sad start when the chairman Fred Dibden died. The acting chairman went on to remind members of the club's programme that had been followed over the year and the visits made to other clubs and days out to places of interest including brewers and museums.

The competition winners were congratulated and he thanked members for their work in obtaining grants for equipment and putting on public shows.

The treasurer presented a Financial Statement that showed that the club was in a satisfactory position.

The following officials were elected to serve: - Chairman- Greame Isherwood, Treasurer- Michael Ellis, Committee- Stan Sharpe, Dave Weatherley, Dave Jones and Frank Wilson.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers held their first meeting of 2010 with a Showcase Raffle movie night. Members were asked to bring in a movie or rushes to show in exchange for a raffle ticket and the chance to win a prize at the end of the night. A wide variety of movies were shown including big boys toys filmed in Germany driving army vehicles, a visit to New England, a walk across Morecambe Bay, a farmers Christmas concert, a wood turning demonstration and animation movies.

There were enough movies to fill two nights but these will be shown at a later date all making it a good start to the New Year.

 

At Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' weekly meeting, club Chairman Graeme Isherwood hosted a virtual pub Christmas quiz for the last meeting of the year. Club members formed into teams of four to answer a variety of questions in eight rounds. The questions included identifying films from their music and from their advertising posters, movie making technical jargon busters and general knowledge. Prizes were awarded for the first team and wood spoons to the bottom team. During the interval mince pies and tea were served.

    

At Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' weekly meeting, club member Tim Churchill gave a presentation of his work as a sound recording engineer. He began by explaining the theory of sound waves and the way that these can be picked up by the different types of microphones that are available. Having worked for the BBC and now freelance he was able to explain how good quality sound recordings of different types of events could be achieved and he played excerpts from choirs, orchestras, solo instrumentals and interviews that he had made.

He also showed a selection of DVD programmes that he has produced using good quality recordings of spoken memories, which are accompanied by visual images such as photographs, maps, drawings, short movie clips and sound effects. There was also on display a selection of microphones for members to examine.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers held their first competition of the season with the Dave Sephton Trophy were the subject was local interest and the time limit was 12 minutes.

Taking first place was Graham Easton with "Morecambe Is Changing", this was a combination of still photographs and movies, which looked at the buildings which have been lost and those that had been constructed. The DVD included a detailed record of the building of the new RNLI hovercraft station on Morecambe promenade.

In second place was Ron Wood with "Lancaster Edwardian Festival and Market". The DVD looked at the themed market when it was held in Lancaster and featured conversations with the participants and stallholders. There was an explanation of the products on sale along with live performances of music from that time in history.

Third place went to Alan Lamb with "Kirkby Lonsdale". The DVD looked at the charm of the town, its architecture, the river Lune and the walks around the adjacent countryside.

During the evening it was announced that Graham Easton had won the Fred Dibden Trophy for service to the club during 2008. The award was the result of a ballot by club members and was for Graham's work on developing the club's website and communications.

At Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' weekly meeting, an editing exchange event took place with six different movie editing software packages being demonstrated by club members on both laptop and desktop computers. The six workstations were set up so that members could see how each one operated and there was the opportunity for experienced users to exchange notes and techniques as well as others gaining information before buying an editing system. During the evening, the Chairman announced that the club's movie "Trapped" featuring the Bay Search and Rescues Service had been selected to represent the North in the national North v South Movie Competition in January 2010.

       

At Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' weekly meeting we held a Grand Day Out movie night, when members showed the results of movies and photographs taken on two summer events. The movies were of the Wensleydale creamery, alias Wallace and Grommet, and the Black Sheep Brewery, followed by a visit later in the year to the open-air town museum at Beamish. The varied movies showed how the same subject could be treated in different ways to tell a story. There was also an opportunity for members to show films made at other locations suitable for a grand day out.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers welcomed Phil Janvier, the North West representative of the Institute of Videographers, to their weekly meeting. Phil gave a talk on how to apply the Dolby Surround sound system to movies giving multi track sound effects from different points in a room. He was able to explain the requirements to obtain a license from Dolby to use their product in movies. He went on to show two of his movies, the first shot with three different priced cameras to find out if members could detect when each camera was used. The second movie was his award winning film of the devastating effect of a mischief night prank that resulted in a fatality, now used to help to deter young people from this practice.

The second half of the evening was taken up with an explanation of how members can take an on line examination to become an associate members of the IOV. A quiz was held using some of the test questions with the club split into two teams, the result was a draw.

At Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' weekly meeting, club chairman Graeme Isherwood gave a talk and demonstration on producing DVDs with Adobe Encore. He began by explaining the importance of selecting the right fonts, backgrounds and colour for the titles used in a DVD index. He was able to show a catalogue of fonts that can be produced by your own computer using free software from the Internet. Using his laptop and a projector he went through the various stage of transferring the video to DVD, creating chapters with their interactions and the final presentation on screen. Included in his demonstration was a tutorial training aid for Adobe Encore that can be down loaded from the Internet free of charge.

 

At Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' weekly meeting, members enjoyed watching a selection of nine award-winning movies from the British International Film Festival of 2008. The movies included a comedy drama of a mad inventor crossed with James Bond and Superman, a re-enactment and display of WW2 events in Holland and the story of life on the canal boats in the early 1900s. During the interval a meat and potato pie supper was served with peas, pickles and a cup of tea.

As part of its 40th Anniversary celebrations, the club held "A Salute To Our Veterans" on 31st October. See the Event Reports section for a full write-up.

At Morecambe Bay Movie Makers' weekly meeting, members had a new gadget night where they brought it any new items that had been bought or made to help with their movie making. The items varied from compact camera lights to a portable autocue, glidecam body camera support, glide tacks and fluid tripod heads. Each of the new pieces of equipment was demonstrated by its owner and formed a mini exhibition. In addition to the members' items, the club equipment bought with a grant from "Awards For All" were displayed. These included radio mics, P.A. system, floodlights and a green screen for special effects, all of which can be used by the members to improve their movies and to give better shows.

The world of 3D photography and movie making came to the Morecambe Bay Movie Makers when Barry Aldous was the guest speaker at our weekly meeting. Barry set up his 3D cameras and projectors and explained how he became involved with the process and how he now makes 3D movies and A/V presentations.

During his demonstration, he showed example of early equipment used in the USA and examples of 3D films made by them. He showed his own work, which included a documentary of the Anderton canal boatlift plus some commercial footage of the Rhine valley. His show finished with a monochrome 3D slide show of mountain climbing in the early 1900.

The evening concluded with the showing of the movie "Trapped", which is to be the club's entry in the North v South competition. The movie tells the story of a rescue in Morecambe Bay of a trapped walker in quick sand by the Bay Search and Rescue organisation from Flookburgh.

 

On Saturday, 10th October, Morecambe Bay Movie Makers presented eleven movies at a Cinema Evening at St. Christopher's Church in Morecambe. The movies included local places of interest and events, travelogues from the USA and Thailand plus craftsmen at work and an animation comedy. During the interval, home-made sandwiches, cakes and tea were served.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers had a packed meeting to hear club member Graham Easton talk about and demonstrate how to place movies on the Internet. He began by reminding members how movie makers' equipment and technology had changed over the years, thus allowing the audiences to expand from the makers family and friends in the front room to the worldwide Internet audience.

He was able to demonstrate, using his laptop, how a Blog is made and then how to convert a video for up loading to the Blog or as an attachment, using two different software programs. He went on to explain the importance of giving a good description to help with searches by others users to find your work and to become linked to other site.

Included in his presentation was an explanation of the club's own web site and how it is managed. He was able to give to members the statistics about the number of hits that have been made on movies that are available to be viewed on the club site.

Morecambe Bay Movie Makers began their new season of weekly meetings with a Showcase Raffle where members brought in a short film or rushes to show in exchange for a raffle ticket. At the end of the night, tickets were drawn for a selection of prizes making it a good show to watch and the bonus of a prize for the lucky ones.

The movies shown included the visit of Princess Alexandra to Lancaster's Cancer Care Shop, travelogues from the USA, Newzeland, Canada and across Europe. Other movies showed the first few days of a new child's life and the making of a rocking horse plus some of the club's summer activities in Morecambe and Beamish.

        

For earlier news articles, please see The Archive.