Kangaroos, birth, death and re-birth, Man flu... all that in just one meeting.

Brisbane Movie Makers Club Meeting 3 July 2025...

Acting President Glenn opened the meeting at 7.30pm, with a healthy 18 members and guests present including Rish, and  Joy M Matthews and his film crew who are making a documentary on kangaroos for audiences in India.

Membership fees due.  Treasurer Nigel advised he would be sending out membership reminder. The fee this year is $80 for the year for single and family membership, $40 for country and student members. Membership fees can be paid in cash (old school) or by direct debit (preferred). The details were emailed to all current members on Friday 4 July.

Film Bite: Nigel showed a an exert from a non-narrative documentary called Samsara, released in 2011. Filmed over five years on 65 m film, it was deep, intriguing, perplexing and complex but captivating. The film bite was followed by an interview with the Director, Ron Fricke and Producer Mark Magidson who explained that it was exploring faith and music, with the inter-connecting themes of birth, death and rebirth. For more “Behind the Scenes’ videos click on this link.

“Smoke and Mirrors” project David gave an update on the proposed “Smoke and Mirrors” project. He commented that he hadn’t had an awful lot of enthusiasm and was wondering if this is the right project. Freddie offered some ideas on how it could become a reality and the resources that could be used to elevate it to a commercial level. Nigel commented that Eleven Tomorrows had a similar slow start and it was hoped that this would similarly gain traction.

Speed Ramping Glenn introduced a segment on speed ramping. He explained this was a relatively simple device done in post production editing to ‘speed up or slow down video’, returning them to the original speed whilst allowing a smooth transition. Glenn said speed ramping, in the right setting, “adds to the professionalism of the video” making the video ‘more cinematic’. . He showed a video which he shot on a farm which demonstrated how speeding up and slowing down video can shift time and create added interest. Glenn explained how he achieved how he achieved the effect on his editing platform DaVinci Resolve, but it is readily achievable on any editing platform. Glenn recommended that the camera be set at 50/60fps, plan your shot, and always move in the same direction. Using a gimbal or drone is ideal but it will work otherwise if you are careful. Smoothness is the key for success. It requires a little bit of practice and a sense of where and how to make best use of it in the video for maximum impact and benefit.

Green Room…. Peter has opened up his “green room” (it is literally painted green) and members Glenn, Nigel and Hermann went along for a couple of hours on a recent Saturday morning to shoot three scripts in three hours. The movies were “Man Flu” with Dr Halfear consulting with a soon-to-expire Glenn about his rampant Man Flu, and “Relatively Speaking” in which the fully-recovered Glenn found his twin brother Hermann. It was totally convincing, and they are going to keep in touch at least twice a month (every first and third Thursdays). Peter explained the idea was to have people write a script, direct, and act in it. By having three short videos to work with, it meant that each person had an opportunity to direct, do camera and post production. It also provided the opportunity to go through lighting, sound and acting (although the acting was probably the most challenging). Peter also showed how well the ‘green screen’ worked by filming himself in Iceland in the day and Iceland at night. This is a great learning exerise which Peter has made available to all members. Upcoming events at the Green Room Saturday July 12 – 9-11.30am - Mobile Camera Filming. You need to bring mobile camera/gimbal if you have it, and have an editing program on your phone. The aim is to make/shoot a short film using your phone and edit it on your phone. You may shadow other people doing this if you do not have editing app on your phone. Sunday July 20 2-5 pm Official Opening of The Green Home (Invites will be sent). If you want to participate just contact Peter for details.

Kangaroos lose in the top paddock. After the break, Peter introduced to Joy K Matthews, who is making a documentary in Australia, Papua New Guinea and India for audiences in India. Part of the project centres on kangaroos in Australia. A number of members including Peter, Glenn, Nigel and Leonie were invited to record on camera their experiences and interactions with kangaroos. The meeting ended with club members bursting into a dubious rendition of “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport”. It remains to be seen what our visitors made of that, but Murray videoed the whole proceeding and it will be interesting to see if it makes the final cut, and what an international audience would make of it (and us).

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 17 July when we will be playing with gimbals. If you have one, please bring it along. They are very useful for both video cameras and phone cameras.

The meeting wrapped up at 9.20pm.