Australian film - Federation of Australian Movie Makers

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