THE new year was off to a flying start with a well attended meeting which heard the speaker, Howard Springthorpe, an Alcester U3A affiliate member, give an enthralling talk on amateur films.

He started by showing a humorous film made by Evesham Movie Makers, of which he is a member, about a magic coffee pot and its genie.

The movie makers wrote the script, found internal and external locations, and selected the actors, local amateur dramatic societies being a good source.

Behind the scenes a professional camcorder is used and the sound, lighting, props and make-up have to be organised.

After shooting is completed the film is edited, extra sound effects and titles are added and appropriate music chosen.

It takes from six months to a year from start to finish and the end result is usually entered in amateur film competitions.

Excerpts from professional films were shown and we were asked to observe camera work, sound effects, use of close-ups and other aspects: these were from Chicago, Psycho and Porridge.

The usual business and reports on the activities of the dozen special interest groups concluded another successful meeting.