Members Documentary Challenge : July 2024
The Documentary Challenge was open to all members of the Surrey Border Movie Makers Club. There were four simple Rules:
#1 The Documentary must be about something or someone local, and made by a group of members.
#2 It must include an on-screen interview.
#3 It must include an on-screen presenter for at least part of the time.
#4 It must include some motion graphics. For example to help explain or emphasis aspects of the documentary.
The Documentaries were completed by 30th June, and shown at the 5th July meeting. There was no firm restriction on the length of the film, but ideally less than 20 mins. Unlike our Documentary Competition, that is held later in the year, this was simply a challenge, replacing the ‘Film in an Evening’ (FIAE). This time the groups were given six months notice of the project. Three videos were presented:
'Introducing Farncombe Community Garden' by the WeyFarers
Introducing Farncombe Community Garden by the Weyfarers
Peter Frost, the group leader introduced the video by explaining;
‘Our video records the events of the Garden’s Open Day with a ceremonial planting of two apple trees by the Mayor of Waverley (Penny Rivers) and the Mayor of Godalming (Adam Duce).
The garden was an idea of local doctors for health and community benefits and the land has taken years to procure, clear and develop – and is ongoing with great plans for the future as the video explains.’
The original idea was from Deepa Craig, and cameras were Gordon Sutton, Dick Grainger, and Peter Frost.
The editors were Gordon Sutton and Peter Frost, with additional guidance from Deepa Craig and Peter Stratford.’
Interesting snippet: The Weyfarers told us that the sound quality suffered in some instances because background sounds of the people at the garden made it hard to clearly hear the words of those being interviewed. They explained that Ai was used during editing to extract the dialogue and the resulting audio track is testament to a astounding ability and usefulness of Ai when making videos.
'The Pioneers' showed their 'Making of...' documentary.
This was an epic 35 minute video of behind the scenes footage, showing club members involved in recording a series of four short videos for a local community project. This video is not available to show.
'The Great Lie' by the Pathfinders
The Great Lie by the Pathfinders
Those who live locally to Farnham in Surrey probably know that much of the land in the surrounding area was used in the past for growing hops. But not too many know that, according to some locals, tobacco was grown in the fields nearby in Church Crookham, Hampshire.
Could that really be true, or is it just the wild imagination of some of the locals?
The Pathfinders set out to discover the truth behind the story of tobacco growing in Hampshire, England, and in the process uncovered ‘The Great Lie’.
Interesting snippet: The Pathfinders used Ai software (SUNO) to create the opening and closing music. Various other Ai utilities were also used to sharpen, rescale and colourize some of the older images.
Title: The Great Lie
Award: 3 Stars
This is a very interesting and a well-researched documentary giving many facts we
didn’t know about Tobacco growing in Britain. The opening drone shot is a good start as we begin high and home in on the presenter, Jim Reed.
Immediately the panel was intrigued by detailed facts that were completely unknown to us. Such historical documentaries have to rely largely on black and white photographs and we have a good selection here showing the Tobacco plants grown by Arthur Brandon.
The voice over commentary is well written and clearly spoken and the addition of other characters reading letters from the time, made the story come alive. The music was well chosen and was never intrusive.
“Action” was added by moving graphics whenever possible, easing the static nature imposed on the film by its very nature. The judges made individual observations here.
One thought the graphics a bit too gimmicky. A comment was made that we were given too many facts and too many dates without any “breathing space” and some gaps would have helped us to take it all in. One commented that it became a touch too political in the closing comments of the narration.
But without a doubt, this was a very well made and well researched film with good
photography and clear sound recordings. The makers are to be commended for a
polished production which records a little known part of the history of Tobacco growing in this country.
Ken Wilson FACI
on behalf of Judging Panel:
Jill K. Bunting CPAGB-AV LACI
Richard Scarsbrook AACI
Ken Wilson FACI
