• The next meeting is on Wednesday 21st July and will focus on producing better sound on sequences. Howard and Alastair will give some ideas, but will hope for contributions from other members of the group.
  
  
  
• As an alternative to the summer school advertised below, you might be interested in a one-day school being run by Howard Gregory and Suzanne Walker at Wilmslow. This is aimed at novices and further details are available from this pdf file. Note that they are both on holiday until early June.
  
  
• Tony Winfield has set up a website of his photographs, have a look at www.tonywinfieldfineartphotography.com 
  
  
• Want to really learn how to make AVs?
  
  Richard Brown and Keith Brown (not related!) are again running a residential summer school in the Peak District, from 26th to 29th July. Costs from £195 including all tuition
  and 3 nights accommodation and meals. For more info
  see this pdf brochure or phone Richard Brown on
  0121 350 4629 or Keith Brown on 01433 621072.
  
  Places still available as of 19th May
  
  

• The Annual Competition was held on April 21st. The judge was John Holt ARPS DPAGB. The picture alongside shows John (on the left) awarding the cup for the best sound track to Terry Chinchen.
  
  There were 14 entries from 10 members, covering a range of subject matter and styles. Click here for a pdf of all entries. Thanks to all those who entered.
  

The 'Peter Rogers Perpetual Trophy' for 1st place went to
Howard Bagshaw for 'Migrant Mother'.

The 'Edmund Graham Memorial Trophy' for 2nd place went to
Terry Chinchen for 'Puzzle Wood'.

The 'Stafffordshire AV plaque' for 3rd place went to Phil Gee for 'Two men, one Goal'.

The 'Howard & Carole Bagshaw Cup' for the best sound track went to Terry Chinchen for
'Puzzle Wood'.

"Thou shalt not' by Ray Taylor, 'Devotion' by Alastair Taylor, 'Farne Islands' by Howard Bagshaw and 'Every Dream is Different' by Tony Winfield were each awarded a Judges Commendation.

The audience voted 'Migrant Mother' by Howard Bagshaw the best sequence.

• Our speaker at the March meeting was Jeff Morris from South Africa. He talked about AV in his homeland and about the MFFC 2nd International Salon of AVs. Howard entered a sequence
  'Tough Guy Challenge', (a shorter version of his similarly named sequence which is available to view on the Resources page of this site).
  
  Much to his amazement Howard won the Documentary/Travelogue section and was awaded a PSSA silver medal. This was presented by Alastair Taylor at the April meeting of our group. Full results available on this link.
  
  
• Also at the 21st March meeting we looked at ways of adding more interesting text to sequences and adding narration inexpensively. The 'Samson Go Mic', a £35 USB cardioid microphone was demonstrated. There is a brief review, including sound samples, in the Resources tab. You will also find info about downloading new fonts.
  
  
• At the first meeting of the new year, on the 20th January Martin James, from Newport Photographic Club, talked about and showed us examples of his use of timelapse photography to make video sequences. For lots of information about how to do timelapse photography have a look at his site at www.tf10.co.uk/ .
  
  
  
• Putting sequences on the web for friends to see has always been a bit fraught. Not least because of the situation regarding the use of copyright music. In the latest copy of the IAC 'Film & Video Maker' magazine, the IAC reports that films/video/AV sequences using copyright music can be put on YouTube, provided you have the appropriate copyright clearance licences.
  
  I've put a couple of sequences on this site, under the 'Resources' tab. Interestingly, YouTube came back saying that the sequences appeared to contain copyright music, they would leave them up, but added adverts. I have sent off the dispute form and await developments.
  
  
• A newsletter from the PAGB (click here to download the newsletter), reiterates the situation about obtaining licences to use copyright music. One fact I didn't know is that members of clubs affiliated to the PAGB can buy licences. It states that "...Both the MCPS and BPI Licence can be purchased by members and clubs affiliated through Federations to the PAGB for £8.54 including VAT and clear all dubbings and recordings made within the 12 months FOR ALL TIME. " Our group is not affliated to the PAGB, but you may belong to a camera club that is.
  
  
• The 16th December meeting of the group was our Christmas fun evening. There were 9 entries for the fun competition, based on using one of the set pieces of music. Much to my amazement the majority used the 'Strange Boat' music. Congratulations to all who entered. Results were:
  
  1st Phil Gee (Strange Boat based on paintings by Turner)
  2nd Howard Bagshaw (Wet in the Dales - 'On my own' music)
  3rd Terry Chinchen (Humour using 'Strange boat')
  
  
• Congratulations to the four members of our group who entered the Great Northern AV competition. Terry Chinchen entered his hilarious sequence "The Policeman" which got the biggest laughs and loudest applause from the audience. Jeff Mansell and Phil Gee entered "A Case for Conan Doyle", the first time they had entered the Great Northern. Everyone was delighted that they not only won the "RPS George and Doreen Pollock Medal" for the best new entrants (being awarded by Keith Scott FRPS in pic alongside), but were also awarded a Highly Commended PAGB ribbon for their sequence. Howard Bagshaw entered "Migrant Mother" and won the PAGB Bronze Medal for third place. Big congratulations to all for raising the profile of the Staffordshire AV group.
  
  Full details of all entries award winners and photos are available on the AV News website here.
  

• If you're looking for other AV events, have a look at the AV News website, or link to the diary here.
  
  
• The latest version of Pictures to Exe (version 6) is now available. As usual go to www.wnsoft.com , and on the front page look for 'click here to download' in the 'latest news' section. Note that the new file will not overwrite your current version of PTE so you can have both running concurrently.
  
  Remember that there is no additional cost, once you have paid for any version of standard PTE, this is a free upgrade. The licence for video builder/Mac output is additional and valid for two years.
  
  

  The new version of PicturesToExe Deluxe delivers a number of new features and improvements to enable the creation of even more elaborate slideshows and ensure smooth user experience. To give the slideshows even more impressive look, a user now can utilize the extensive capabilities of 3D graphics, offered by the program. What’s more, various unique fonts can be used to give the slideshow a truly personal touch. Of particular interest to some members may be the program's ability to create (on a PC) files which play on a Mac. Still no Mac editor/creator, but hopefully this is a step on the way.

  Key New Features

  • 3D Effects for Images and Text
  • Output for Mac
  • Multidisplay Support
  • New Customizable Startup and Help windows
  • Border for Images and adjustable Canvas Size
  • Editor of Masks for Special Effects