Minutes 07/09/11

Present: Harry, Chris, Joe, Roseanne, Cara, Martha, Katya, Chloe W, Marjolein, Ceidiog, Freya and Peter. 

Well. As you may have seen on Facebook this was a very INTENSE meeting. In fact, despite our hastily scribbled agenda that appeared disorganised, we spoke about some pretty important and deep stuff.

1. Congratulations!
 As a nice start to the meeting we spoke about the successes of this year’s ScreenPlay. We certainly showed “quality not quantity”: the films were undoubtedly much more professional than in 2010 and seemed well appreciated by the (almost) full house. Also, Mark Kermode really enjoyed new Maddrim attendee Marjolein’s contribution to the festival – a documentary investigating the Adam Heart Appreciation Society and starring John Haswell as the Chairman of the group. Well Done!

Also, to avoid the situation of Lost Cake Film Tapes reappearing in future films, Cara has taken on the role of Tape Person. Basically, she will keep an eye on all the tapes and look after them.

I now have written in my notes “Ware-horse!” I’m not sure what this means...

 2. Nomination 
Avril Nicol has put us forward for a youth volunteering award! This is the same one that we went for last year but didn’t win. So, fingers crossed, and thanks to Avril for appreciating us :D There will be a ceremony on the 25th of October to see who wins the awards.

Cara also took Martin’s place in the meeting and is actually being PAID to go to Maddrim. She told us about the Youth Achievement Award. More and more universities are recognising this as a way to choose between students with similar grades on their applications. We, as Maddrimers, can get Silver awards; we get to decide our own 15 hour challenges to complete. And we can backdate the whole past year’s efforts. And in the end we’ll get a lovely certificate. AND a party! I like the sound of this. There will be a meeting with Cara to discuss the award in Islesburgh on Monday from 6 if anyone’s interested :)

3. Tall Ships 
Jacqui hasn’t paid us yet for our Tall Ships film. Oh dear. Cara’s on the case and will give her an email reminder. However, we’re not sure how much we’re due as our commission was changed from two films down to one.

4. Recruitment 
This is important for Maddrim’s future as we’re lack new and younger members that will keep the group growing after everyone else gets too old. After much discussion, we decided we will actively focus our time and energy on this in the next few months until Christmas. Our conclusion was to get film-related workshops up and running in order to encourage new people to come and have a go, which will also help current Maddrimers learn vital skills that they might not posses, or, indeed, improve those they do. Since now Maddrim has made a name for itself, we’ll be able to maintain our reputation and keep the quality of our films up.

Workshop ideas were:
• Filming Masterclass – hopefully happening on the 21st, thanks to Chris and Cara, to help with the basics of filming.
• Script Writing
• Editing
• Premier Pro
• Sound + Sound Editing
• Lighting
• Jib and Steady Cam
• Greenscreen and After effects
• Mareel Digital projection screening (when the building actually opens!)
• Repetition film – to write a short film, make it, edit it, and repeat the process with the same short film to track progress and improvement.
• Recreate – take a small section or scene from a favourite film and try to recreate it as closely as possible. 

Chris: “CAN WE GET A GIANT CONFETTI CANNON AS WELL?!” Ummm...

 We thought we might need some help with this colossal list. Jono Sandilands may be willing to offer assistance if we asked nicely, and as we saw from the music video he collaborated on at ScreenPlay this would be helpful! Also, Lorcan and Roseanne have gained useful wisdom at university that is relevant to producing films. And, next summer filmmaker Tim Barrow might be resident in the Isles for two weeks. If this becomes more concrete we could ask him for some tips. Providing transport to workshops etc. would be useful as well, as this would encourage people to come along from more obscure parts of the islands *Accursed lack of decent public transport!*

5. Equipment 
On Monday some of us will go to Shetland Arts to see what equipment is available and what we would like to get for ourselves. Here is the brainstormed list of possible purchases that will be revised:

• Video SLR Canon 7D camera - costing about £1300 - Ouch. But if/when we do get this, we will need to keep it safe, in a distinctively SAFE place. Youth Services and Mareel were suggested, and lending it out to others is also a possibility.
• Camera Bag
• Microphones and boom
• Dolly (although there are internet tutorials so you can build your own! DIY Maddrim time?)
• Steady cam So, what we need to do is FUNDRAISE.

6. Future Ideology 
Ideology, according to Collins: a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system etc. and underlies political action. Agreed Chris?

This was the intense part. Older generations are leaving – should there be a distinction made between the newer members and the graduates? And, if so, how?

Joe voiced that he would be worried that a distinction would create a gap between the more experienced and less members, since the older members compromise – NO, COMPRISE – most of Maddrim. He also said that the line would be unclear to draw, as he would consider himself right between the two groups. Chris said however that we would all be clearer in our heads about what we’re doing and where we stand in the group. Distinction might help make sure that less-comfortable-with –film-making members, such as myself, don’t have the “Oh, well when the uni people get back (then they can sort us out)...” mindset because we would have to contribute more ourselves to keep the group going. Another point is that sometimes Maddrim members sometimes make films individually, or without actual Maddrim much involved – should they still be under the Maddrim umbrella?

While defining positions might boost motivation and responsibility, division might harmfully separate the group. But, as this is a topic that we are quite divided on we’ll leave it till Christmas. This will give everyone to make up their minds and decide what they would like to do about it.

 I got absorbed into the debate and hugs and forgot to write for a tad. Bad Katya. If there’s anything vital I’ve forgotten let me know  :)

 We also thought to try to include other forms of media, i.e. music and drama. This could happen because most Maddrimers are involved in other artsy things. For example, Maddrim is planning to film a music video for young local all girl band “Comet Conspiracy” in the near future.

 Maddrim tee-shirts are to be thought about in Christmas.

7. Future Ideas & Projects
Joe: A six part mini-series of 5 minute films. This would be a collaboration that would bring the whole group together.
Freya: Filming Live Events. Although from past experience this is supposed to be boring and not worth it. :L
Marjolein: A film involving Devil’s Gate, in which Marjolein is very up herself and talks about re-achieving her “peak” in life. She collaborates with Dirk who wants to make a scary film, they hire a PA and bully her mercilessly. The arrive at Devil’s Gate to create their masterpiece when it is demolished before their eyes. PA – “Thank God!”
Roseanne: The Waiting Room. A film that shows two people in hospital waiting rooms worrying about their loved ones. A young man is waiting on his wife who is having a caesarean section and an old lady whose husband is having major heart surgery. Both have difficulties in surgery and it becomes clear that one will die. In the end, the baby dies and the wife and old man survive :’(
Chris: The Man who Touches People and Then They Dance Until They Die. On a similar vein to The Man who is Always on Fire.
Ceidiog: The Cup Film. Yes, Ceidiog, this is happening.
24 hour film: Would be a great opening for next year’s ScreenPlay.

Next meeting is the 21st – which will hopefully be a Workshop! – hope you can make it :)
Apologies for writing ridiculously long minutes, just skim if it’s all too much :P

Thanks,
Katya
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