Australian film - Federation of Australian Movie Makers
Australian film - Federation of Australian Movie Makers
Australian film - Federation of Australian Movie Makers
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THE AMATEUR<br />
By David Fuller<br />
(Nanaimo, British Columbia - Canada)<br />
David Fuller, Aussie born and now residing in Nanaimo British Columbia Canada. You were introduced to David in<br />
the article titled “My Husband the Flickers Man” on page 24 by his wife Joan. David will become a regular contributor<br />
from Canada. Ed.)<br />
Funny thing, you know - an amateur video maker doesn’t want to be thought <strong>of</strong> as a bumbling dabbler in the art, while the<br />
Pro lives in fear <strong>of</strong> appearing amateurish. It’s all in “vibes.”<br />
Well, let the amateur call himself a “non-pr<strong>of</strong>essional”. Yes, that clears things up. Although the term itself is unwieldy,<br />
some distinguishing connotations attend it. Let’s see - the amateur doesn’t make any money from his Contest productions;<br />
no clients are at his throat every day with deadlines and complaints. On the other hand, even if the amateur does, on occasion,<br />
let a few “unavoidable” flaws slip by him, the worst that can happen to his ego is handed to him from the vitriolic<br />
pen <strong>of</strong> a contest judge! “Little things”, anyway, eh? Damn, picky judges!<br />
Oh, just a passing, he is allowed to set up his shingle and solicit business - as a sideline. Perhaps a wedding or two, isn’t<br />
he?<br />
Let’s look at what we may term an Advanced Amateur. This dude’s case is worth examining .<br />
Long cross-fade to……One time in the glorious “sprocket era” which old retirees can reminisce over, it was easy to distinguish<br />
an amateur from his counterpart: an amateur simply couldn’t afford a heap <strong>of</strong> <strong>film</strong> stock, let alone Lab costs for<br />
printing, nor the production equipment associated with double-system sound, etc.<br />
Today, it’s more difficult to see how an amateur differs from a Pro, NLE so affordable and abundant; both may buy and<br />
enjoy the same equipment.<br />
Well, now that we amateurs have evened up the playing field, the next BIG Question promulgated is are Pro-made videos<br />
any better than those flowing from the editing suite in the amateur’s den?<br />
WESTCOAST VIDEO PRODUCTIONS or DAVIDEO<br />
I ask you, gentle reader, what images most likely spring into your mind? The suite with a receptionist and studio behind<br />
the curtain or David’s den - or, er, his cloak room ?<br />
So it’s as easy as that, hey? You could be right. But, wait a while. “Cloak-Room Productions” isn’t as “amateurish” as<br />
you think. I’m talking about this fella Dave who is an “advanced” amateur. Take note: advanced! Say the phrase slowly,<br />
too, please. If he’s newly retired, as well, Old Dave has another advantage; he’s got scads <strong>of</strong> spare time and if he has the<br />
production skills he claims to have, he has plenty <strong>of</strong> time to make his work the absolute best. To look pr<strong>of</strong>essional!<br />
With Peter Pro, it’s always “deadlines”, “clients’ unfulfilled expectations”, incessant interruptions, “that’s the best I can<br />
do in the given time”, etc. Running a one-man business ain’t all that glamorous, as the newly-turned Pro finds out .<br />
All very fine, Dudes!<br />
So, it looks like Old Dave Amateur is sunning himself; Peter Pro sweats it out. But, there’s more.<br />
Tain’t quite that simple for Old Dave to maintain his good standing in “amateur “ Contests. You see, it’s this bothersome<br />
thing about “pr<strong>of</strong>essional help.”<br />
When he blithely plugs in copyrighted music, or sound effects or other pr<strong>of</strong>essionally-produced “artistic enhancements”,<br />
his production is no longer truly in the amateur domain. Things have got muddied up. Now, you have to know that Dave<br />
would never commit such a felonious act. Not our Dave.<br />
Mozart is well out <strong>of</strong> copyright protection, but pr<strong>of</strong>essionally-recorded performances <strong>of</strong> his clarinet concerto aren’t!<br />
Shakespeare’s OK, but not an oral delivery by a living theatrical actor. That is, without written permission. And so on.<br />
It gets even stickier.<br />
Can he still use the red-hot transitions and other video effects that come with his PC editor or may be added on? Can he<br />
Page 50<br />
<strong>Australian</strong> <strong>film</strong> & video