Scottish Association of Moviemakers

DATE : JANUARY 11th
PLACE : ECVS, EDINBURGH, 3pm
ITEM : NORMAN SPEIRS STRIKES AGAIN!

REPORT BY: BRIAN SABERTON 

Norman Speirs gave SAM members something special for the first meeting of the New Year with a fascinating and nostalgic selection of award winning films that had featured in the Scottish 8 competition which ran from 1987 to 1993.  Many of the best films are in the SAM library and are available for hire by members and affiliated clubs.

As Norman remarked in his programme notes, most of the films were produced in the early days of video, sometimes on VHS, so the presentation was already several grades away from the producer’s final edited version. However, even though the picture quality might have not been up to the crisp detail of today’s digital or high definition images the quality of the material shone through in every single film, proving, if proof were needed, that it is the imagination and skill of the film-maker rather than the equipment used, that produces a good movie.

The programme was a glorious mixture of drama, animation, impressionism, comedy and music and was thoroughly enjoyed by the large audience.

SAM Chairman, Pat Menmuir with Norman Speirs

The full programme was:

Peter
by Jim Cooper

A sensitive family drama about a young mother trying to cope with the loss of her son

Bus Stop
by Tom Hardwick

An imaginative and visual tour-de-force featuring a car and a derelict bus.

Temptation
by Finchley CineVideo Society

A multi-layered drama about the dilemmas facing a rock musician turned vicar and his relationship with his wife.

Isometrics
by Neil Carstairs

Animated film inspired by the abstract drawings of Escher.

Undercover
by Terry Mendoza

Spoof TV documentary about an investigative journalist conducting an expose on the work of a vet conducting trans-capitation experiments.

The Ice Prince
by Richard Lewendon

Puppet film telling the story of a doomed relationship between an Ice Prince and a Fire Princess.

Just Passing By
by Leandro Blanco

Impressionistic movie, set to music performed by the author, illustrating how we are all passers by.

The Square Rainbow
by Tooskha Productions

A dramatic story of twin sisters who experience a terrifying situation whilst on a summer vacation.

Final Curtain
by Huddersfield Video & Cine Club

An entertaining, lively, and humorous musical film.

Rooney the Rhino
by Alan Cleave

Beautifully drawn animated film showing Rooney the Rhino performing a music hall routine complete with a troupe of singing and dancing giraffes.

Aoife’s Day

by Frank Morgan

A sensitive and powerful drama about a young girl in a small town in Ireland and how she copes with an acoholic father.

The Shoot
by Terry Mendoza

A very funny and imaginative pastiche of silent films where an over enthusiastic actor creates havoc on the set of a movie.