Australian film - Federation of Australian Movie Makers

THE AUSTRALIAN WIDESCREEN ASSOCIATION
The Australian Widescreen Association has been meeting since December 1972, and today, there are a few
of us founding members still making movies in Widescreen.
Over the years our members have made movies using Anamorphic lenses to give 2:1; 2.33:1; and 2.66:1
Cinemascope type movies. Cameras, and films used were with Standard-8; Super-8; Fuji Single-8; and
16mm equipment. One of the notable achievements was the Super-8 Cinerama system made by members
Wade Hatton and Harvey Hutchison in 1987. I believe a digital version of Cinerama is being developed at
the moment. Cinerama is a 3-camera/ 3 projector system which takes in an “Ultra-Wide” image of about
120 degrees, and shown on a deep-curved screen to give the audience a “you-are-there” feeling.
My own specialty has been taking Panoramic slides with the Widelux 140 degree camera, and since 1983
taking Stereoscopic Widelux Panoramas, and projecting them onto a curved screen in 3D.
I have also taken a few Cinemascope movies with Chinon Pocket-8, and a Kodak Super-8 cameras with the
French Hypergonar lens made by the inventor of the Cinemascope lens Henri Chretien. I bought the Kodak
Super-8 camera years ago in a bargain box for $5 only! It took some very good Cinemascope movies.
Each year we have a Widescreen Festival in October, with entries from not only Australian movie/still
makers but also overseas entries as well. In past Festivals entries have been from Europe, UK, NZ , South
America and USA. Our members have gained prizes in overseas Festivals and Competitions in the UK.
USA.
These days our members take movies with camcorders
with the 16:9 format, and are shown via DVD
player with my Luxeon digital projector.
The AWA meets each month throughout the year
excepting December, January, and July. Meetings
are 4 th Monday of the month at 8.00PM Feb. to
April, and 7.30PM May to Sept. then revert to
8.00PM Oct. and November.
Some of the coming meetings are:
July: No meeting [mid winter break].
August : TBA
Sept: Equipment Demonstration.
October: Annual Widescreen Movie & Slide Festival.
November: Christmas Break-up.
Meetings are at the:
Bennettswood Guide Hall,
21 Station Street,
Burwood. [Melway 61 C7]
Visitors, and new members are always welcome.
Contact:
Brian Beatty [President AWA]
(03) 9878 8804
Attendees at a 3D Widelux Stereoscopic screening of
Hokkaido and Hong Kong.
A portable 35mm
movie projector
which a member
had repaired in
Melbourne.
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Australian film & video