Minutes 12/12/11

Present: Ceileidh, Cara, Sanna, Craig, Chloe, Ceidiog, Marjolein, Joe 

Guests: Emma Perring, Lauren Peterson

So as we had special guests at Maddrim this week, we kicked off with the traditional Name and Fact Game, huzzah!  Sadly, the majority of the facts were really REALLY depressing…

Then we moved onto the first item on the agenda, which was the poverty research group and Maddrim’s possible involvement in one of their new projects.  Lauren and Emma outlined their proposal, which is for Maddrim and others in the poverty group to attend two weekend workshops in January and March, and in between these make a film about the poverty research and the case studies, combining elements of drama and retrospective documentary (ooooh).  This will have several benefits to Maddrim, including working with a London-based production company, learning new styles of filming and BECOMING SUPER FAMOUS (I assume) (Well, the film will be shown around Shetland and possibly further a field) (Double OOOH).

One possible downside discussed was that it is a big time commitment, but everyone at the meeting agreed that they would make the time for this project (with the possible exception of Marjolein and Chloe, who may be leaving us in the New Year… WHYYYY). Another downside discussed was that we would not have full creative control.  However, the workshop plans include time to brainstorm ideas for the films, so we should not end up making films we don’t want to.  YAY!

We need to get a number of people definitely interested by Christmas, so remind me to do that!  Joe, Katya or I (me/Cara) will be attending planning meetings with Emma, Lauren and their group, so will keep us updated, and there will be a contract drawn up so we know exactly what we’re doing.

NEXT.  Cara spoke briefly about the Young Scot Handbook, which was given out to all first years last week.  It has a section about Maddrim, and we’ve had one person already ask for more information, hooray for potential new members!  We’ve decided to write back inviting them to the next meeting and to tell them a bit about the current projects.

NEXT.  Marjolein gave us an update on how the Improv Film (working title) is going.  Saturday’s filming went very well, and got Ceileidh out of the cold and hail.  However, there were some problems with the equipment, which hopefully Shetland Arts will sort out.  We will be filming the final scenes on Monday before the Christmas Party, and the schedule looks something like this:

1545 – 1630: Inside the submarine, at Dirk’s house

                                    Main Cast: Chloe or Amy, Sanna

1630 – 1700: Man who is scared of FROOT, Islesburgh somewhere

                                    Main Cast: Joe, Roseanne (as special guest), Cara, Katya

1700 – 1800: Marjolein’s Hour, Islesburgh somewhere

                                    Main Cast: Katya, Ceidiog, Craig

More people are probably needed, but I don’t remember… Marjolein will email out closer to the time!

During this discussion we somehow got sidetracked talking about my acquaintance/friend Stephen, who was voted RTE Guide’s Hottest Male Celebrity and works at RTE, the equivalent of the BBC in Ireland.  Marjolein decided he is ‘not that hot’ and listed WILLEM DAFOE and JACK BLACK in her top five attractive men.  The unanimous decision (maybe?) was that she is weird.  Then Joe steered us back on track using his steering mime, which will totally become a thing.

We accidentally skipped the next two things on the agenda so we could talk about the Christmas Party… so excited! We’re going to play party games and have food and watch a Christmas Film (‘Elf’ not ‘Santa Goes to Court’) and also watch some rough cuts of the films we’ve made since September!  If Cara gets them edited in time… Anyway, 19^th December, after Improv film shoot until 9pm!  So probably 6-9 at Islesburgh.  Bring food! Make cookies!

Then we discussed the New Year. We decided Wednesday 4^th January was fine for the AGM, so Cara will put a thing in the paper.  Items for the agenda include:

• Electing a new Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary
• Talking protocol so people don’t talk over each other (introduced at the beginning and monitored by Harry… probably)
• Maddrim ideology
• Recap of the year, watch Screenplay 2011 films again because they are excellent
• Funding
• Future projects

Then Joe sang like an old man, and Ceidiog was mean about something (according to my wonderful note taking… oh, I miss Katya).

Joe, Marjolein and Cara will be filming a flash mob this weekend, and some Maddrimers are needed to film another next week, so we’ll speak about that at the party.

And to finish off the meeting, we danced around and ate mince pies.

See you next weeeeeek! 

Cara x

Present: Chloe W, Cara, Craig, Sanna, Liam, Willem, Ceidiog, Joe, Mathew, Barnum, Katya

Cara, once again, had an agenda of things to speak about. GO CARA!

Next year, for the 2012 Olympic Games, Shetland Arts are organising “A Hansel of Film – Shetland to Southampton and Back”. This will involve a relay-race of films going around the whole of the UK – started on the 10^th when the Olympic Torch reaches Shetland. More detailed info can be found here: (read it if you don’t know about it – it’s exciting!) http://www.shetlandarts.org/hanseloffilm

This is relevant to us because we will be making films! Though, instead of our usual August-ish deadline, we’ll need to have films made for April instead. No more than 5 mins each. A Challenge; Bring it.

Jacqui has been contacted. She says sorry for not replying (she apparently needs constant reminders) but there’s hardly any money left – though she will try to get us some. HOORAY! Thus, me and Cara are going to constantly remind her. A Plan (Y).

Willem has bought www.maddrimmedia.com, www.maddrimmedia.co.uk, www.maddrimmedia.info. TAKE THAT BALLERS THROWIN’ DOWN. Also, an in-joke must be made in the sports day Ninja scene. That would make my day.

And, we need to rejuvenate the Maddrim website a little – more pictures and such. Job for Willem and Craig methinks.

Also, what are people’s thoughts on having Film Critique time set up? This would have to be outside of Maddrim hours, and non-members could be invited (recruitment drive GO), and we could watch things like “Star Wars” and “Jurassic Park”...which I have yet to see. *slaps wrists in absolute shame*

Cara, this is for you:

Then had a run through of MJ’s improv. film script, and went into groups to edit bits...

• -          Take out “They’re taking the Hobbits to Isengard; the audience will be suuy confused: change to “I love her the MOST!” type lines
• -          Make a scary face out of fruit for the Man Who Is Afraid Of Fruit to be scared of
• -          Too many Mathews! As much as we appreciate Mathew, there are too many for us to cope with just now
• -          Make Chloe’s prisoner character have a homemade tee with her “love”’s face on. Creepeh.
• -          Change turtles to tigers (we have access to THREE tiger suits, but no turtle suits)
• -          Use the WOW room in the Anderson for MJ’s Hour sequence (I shall inquire tomorrow)
• -          Give Ceidiog’s Italian a new line: “Pasta la vista, baby!”

(Cara, if I’ve missed any edits/anything email me and I’ll stick them in :) )

Then we played Who Stole My Pencil, Winkie Murder and Heads Down Thumbs Up to round off the meeting :D

Keep your thinkin’ caps on (after this, Ninja film is happnin’ - we have to be on the ball!) and I will see you on SATURDAY!

Katya

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Minutes 07/11/11

Present: Joe, Marjolein, Chloe W, Mathew, Cara, Katya, Willem, Liam, Sanna, Amy, Craig.

First, we started with the long beloved Name and Fact Game; something I'm not a massive fan of. But, it's tradition...

1. Maddrim.com
Ballers throwin’ down have STOLEN our URL. BOO!
Nothing quite has the same ring to it as maddim.com, but if we can’t buy it back, then we’ll just have to settle for www.maddrimmedia.com or www.maddrim.co.uk.

2. Jacqui

This long-running conflict has been an issue for us since Tall Ships. And we are not happy. She’s been hasn’t even had the courtesy to reply to our emails etc. about payment for our commission in the summer. And she’s never at panto meetings, so I haven’t seen her to ask her directly. DOUBLE BOO!
Cara is going to be seeing her soon and will speak to her then.

Enough bad news.

3. Lauren Peterson

We got an email asking if we want to be involved in making a documentary about Poverty, Social Exclusion and Deprivation in Shetland. Now before you all run away screaming, hear this out: there will be a PROFESSIONAL film company helping - so, it’s more like work experience. And, we only need a few people to be interested, which we’ve got.

4. Film nights/gigs

An idea came up to have a variety concert type thing with Maddrim, Comet Conspiracy, PK kids all together! This is actually feasible too :)

5. MJ’s improv. film

We’re going to rehearse next week in Maddrim time, and on the 19^th from 12-5 in Islesburgh all the equipment will be available for

Filming: 21^st and 22^nd, 5-9, Garrison. I’ve emailed the scripts :D

EDITING...finally.

Do you like Youtube?
YEAH!
Well, go to these channels for super-duper special effects in use AND How-to videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/CorridorDigital

http://www.youtube.com/user/samandniko

But first – before editing – Willem tells us of the 3 important rules:

1.       Get a good crew, it makes all the difference between an alright and an aaaawesome film

2.       Sound. Willem says this is the highest priority in filming. Watch short films without looking and you’ll see! It makes some sense really.

3.        Film everything at least 3 times. At college, Willem had to film everything 10 times. TEN. That’s crazy...but it means you have better versions of footage and more to play around with when editing.

Now, this, my friends, is Final Cut Pro.

Drag your clips from the Clip Bin to the Editing Bar to get started!

Razor Tool: (B) cuts your clip into itty bitty pieces!

Arrow: (A) means you can drag the itty bitty pieces wherever you want. Handy, eh?

Effects Tab:

Including greenscreen (good for people and skintones) and bluescreen (good for everything else).

Effects can be found HERE (for free!) à http://www.detonationfilms.com/Stock_Directory.html

Video:  the bar closest to the top takes priority.

Audio: all the bars play so that you can layer sounds.

Motion: Centre/anchor points are useful in getting special effects to move though your film.

Special effects work on an animation basis.

Willem: “So what do you know about animation?”

MJ: “It’s not real.”

...yea...point taken on board...

MJ: “Can we put the ball of fire in italics?”

...sure....

Someone: “Enough nipple talk!”

*sigh* And I thought that, for a while, we’d feigned maturity pretty well.

Also, Willem has kindly offered assistance if anyone needs help – just email or phone him. Thanks for everything Willem!

And to finish, a brilliant little video entitled “Visual Effects: 100 Years of Inspiration”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP_hAszQPgk

Katya

x