FROM THE PRESS OFFICER

Tony Chuter.

"You’ve got to accentuate the positive".

Those opening words from the pen of the supreme lyric wordsmith, Johnny Mercer, ring true today as they ever did. It is certainly good advice to follow for somebody like me who suddenly finds himself in this publicity hotseat. But where to start.

Taking Johnny Mercer’s advice I have begun by making new, and renewed old contacts with many people and organizations that could - if my efforts come to fruition - help us to certainly maintain and hopefully, advance our position and influence in the photographic world.

The most pleasant contact is with John Ruffel L.R.P.S. the recently appointed adviser on all matters concerning Audio Visual, at the Institute of Amateur Cinematographers (known to us all as the I.A.C.) whose H.Q. is at Ashstead, Surrey.

I wrote to John and gave him as much information as I have about the C.R.C. - which he accepted - as a basis for an article, albeit, a short one, because the space available to him is at a premium - for publication in the June issue of the I.A.C’s bimonthly magazine, ‘Amateur Film Maker’

Now I have already said that what John will say about us in June will be: in outline form, but he has intimated that he would consider giving us greater in-depth exposure if I let him have more details of our activities, with the proviso that what what I say will have (not, an unreasonable request) a strong bias towards A.V.

Here’s the rubs I do not possess any special knowledge of, YOUR activities in this field, or, for that matter, just what is your main line of interest. You can easily see that for me to attempt to get to grips with a request of this complexity I MUST KNOW WHAT YOU DO!!

I make no apology for saying that I think that it’ is very remiss of the past administrators of the Club for not keeping records of this importance in some form of retrieval system for subsequence information and action. I hasten to add that your present committee is cognizant of this lamentable situation and is taking the necessary steps to put the matter right.

I hope that you will help me to partly rectify this past deficiency and that you will write to me. ... ‘swamp me with info.’..., give me the gen I require about your A.V. activities and anything. else that you think would be of interest. I would like to know what equipment you have; do you use electronic fade? What is your preference in slide binders? Do you favour the glass slides? My own Carousels cause my slides to ‘pop’ and focusing is almost impossible if I don’t mount my slides in glass. I’m sure you can think of much to tell me, so do put your thoughts and experiences to paper at let’s see if we can collectively offer John an. interesting and informative article. My Address is - 44. Lingwood Close, Bassett, Southampton. SOl 7GJ.

Previously to this article you will have read the contribution by Bob Grimes of the Widescreen Association -Bob was invited to contribute – as Indeed will others who can be said to have an infinity of interest - because the Widescreen Association is moving towards an increasing use of slides and we are having a stand at their. annual. ‘Widex 87 ‘festival at Homford on the 10th of May.

The purpose in taking a stand at ‘Widex 87’ is to distribute information about our Club to those who are photographically orientated already and - there must be many who do not have, the slightest knowledge of our. .existence. Many could become members,I am sure.

Likewise the members of the Widescreen Association themselves could be potential CRC members. I was, for many years a member of.the Widescreen Association; my interest then centred around films in the widescreen format, but there were already changes afoot from being an exclusive cine movement to include widescreen slides... if it can be done. Yes, it was done and by yours truly, no less. Modesty forbids a full account of this momentous event; maybe it can be squeezed out of me at a later date.

The following is an extract from a press release of the events at Widex ‘87. Those of you who can come to the show will I promise you - have a thoroughly enjoyable time and we could do with your support for our own cause as well. Dont forget. The Dolphin Centre, Romford, Sunday May 10th 1987 Pleanty of parking space.

Now to the Widescreen slide and cine programme ……

STRAVINSKY COMES TO WIDEX 87.... Not’ the man, but his music, via the Kinderman projectors of Tony Shapps in his new production ‘FIREBIRD’

The drama of the African bush is featured in Larry Moss’s production of AFRICAN SNAPSHOT’, projected by twin coupled Pradovit projectors.

Bob Grimes brings us the slow moving pace of a lovely little known resort in the Spanish Costa Blanca, ‘CALPE’ projectors with coupled OAF projectors.

Three new productions for Widex 87 by the London Widescreen AV Section. 1~ere else in ON~BIG’ SHOW could. you see - in action - three different Audio Visual projector systems.