Australian film - Federation of Australian Movie Makers

use the other image effects generated by his editor, e.g., “warping” and “morphing”? What’s the difference between the
PC-generated effects and those made “professionally”, that he may buy on a DV or DVD from a store? After all, with the
DV or DVD, Dave has full copyright advantage. He won’t be sued if he uses the stuff for his own productions, amateur or
professional.
By extension, today’s amateur can manipulate his PC audio application to create his own “original” music specially tailored
to the moods in his movies. A grey line ?
How are the judges to be sure that the music, the titles, the effects, the words in a commentary, or, for that matter, the actual
scenario in an amateur’s movie hasn’t been at least “partly- borrowed”? Where does a “sneaky suspicion” take the
judges and the fate of the movie under evaluation? In fact, is there anything really original in the World of Art?
Amateur professional - a game of Hide-and-Seek .
In this saga, the conflict may become all about maintaining appearances and winning prize/s. Let’s remember that the Pro
often enters his productions in a market-oriented Exhibition or Festival so as to attract buyers, to be “heard”, or at least,
just to puff up his ego. “Independent Video-Makers Festival” has a “superior” ring to it. Amateurs enter contests reserved
for mere amateurs, don’t they? (Who’d buy Old Dave’s Visiting Anne, anyhow? Ha, Ha !)
The plot thickens.
You have to know that Sponsors of Amateur Video Festivals or Contests have spent many hours hashing out “Rules” to
lock out Pro’s and aspiring Pro’s. ( You’d think that genuine, full-time Pro’s would have better things to do than entering
amateur contests, now! Wouldn’t you ? )
These Rules are designed to prevent “unfair competition”. You know, the same phrases or equivalents appear consistently
the words “professional”, “profit”, “money exchanges”, “College courses”, “access to studio equipment”, “professional
actors”, “amateur in intent”, etc.
Now come the “acid tests”.
From his panel of judges, the Contest Chair receives “murmurs of doubts”. Discussion. The video-maker’s “real status” is
questioned; he’s phoned and a decision must be made.
After the Contest is over, more murmurings: “THAT movie? I know those actors. They’re retired professionals.” Or,
“Peter, of Peter Pro. Huh! Really! He’s no amateur!”
“Hey, look at that point-of-view with the camera rising from ground level to roof level. You tell me that an amateur can
bring in a crane with a tractor? Get real!” Or, “What amateur can pull off blowing up a car!” “Remember that trucking
shot of the client following behind the realtor in the haunted house? Obviously, professional equipment. An amateur good
at using a Steadicam? Huh!”
What’s the Chairperson to do ?
Well, some Amateur Festivals try to segregate the “Real Pro’s” from the “Wannabe Pro’s” and the rank amateurs by offering
categories, e.g., “amateur class” or “independent class” or “student class”. If such an experienced Contest Sponsor can
attract sufficient numbers of entries, establishing categories goes a good way to having the best of all worlds.
Even in a Contest where only 25 entries total, are received, it may look good to show off one’s certificate “Best Independent”
(only one independent video-maker had entered). No egos are bruised, eh?
Finally, folks, competition from amateurs across the oceans is a good thing for us all. If we attend the Festivals or Conventions,
we’ll get to see the best that comes from the creative minds of Amateurs, world-wide.
So, let’s invite, encourage and promote our Contests by attracting overseas entries .
If we accept the challenge of allowing in these “battle-tested” entries from Europe, Australia and elsewhere, then let’s
make it easy for them to find their way to the judging panel, regardless of the TV system being used.
DVD’s - light-weight to mail, inexpensive to burn, easy for us to play, best image resolution retained - “nothing except our
fears” to hold us back .
David, the Amateur.
(Editor’s Note: Readers please ensure you have Copyright approval if you are using other people’s material.)
Australian film & video
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