As is now traditional, the morning began with tea and coffee at ten o'clock for members as they arrived. Following the success of last year, our Sustaining Members were invited and a large number accepted the offer with most choosing to exhibit small items of equipment and information leaflets around the outside of the room. At 10.45 the AGM was called to order by vice-chairman Peter Musgrave deputising for Bob Allen who was in New Zealand.
Apologies for absence were taken and the Minutes of the 1997 AGM were passed with no amendments.
Under Matters Arising, Peter mentioned two points. Firstly that the changes in the Constitution ratified last year had proved a success and that the enlargement of the Council to 18 members had resulted in all the Council meetings of the 12 months being quorate. He also brought up the subject of NVQs and mentioned that the points mentioned by Bob Allen at the previous AGM were still not resolved. Peter then read the Chairman's Report - a copy of the full text is attached to this copy of the Newsletter. This section of the meeting was closed with a few words from Peter in recognition of Bob Allen's devoted and unceasing work on the Association's behalf, as a spokesman for AMPS and his editing of the Newsletter; and that the Council still has his valued enthusiasm continuing in the post of AMPS Secretary. The meeting was then returned to the floor for questions on the Report. Sandy MacRae commented on the idea to introduce discussion with the film makers at screenings, thinking it was a good idea but there would be a need to make the screenings earlier and ensure that there were more of the film's sound crew present. Peter Musgrave mentioned that the Council were considering adding a second screening in some months - at Mr Young's preview theatre in the Westend on Saturday evenings. There was a request to identify how many of the audience would find that interesting - 20 hands showed. Lionel Strutt. as the new Treasurer, then outlined the financial situation of the Association - which is relatively good. He listed the major items of expenditure and income; and the changes which have taken place in the management of AMPS bank accounts.
All attendees were issued with a copy of the audited accounts summary. The only question raised in response was an inquiry about the number of copies of the Newsletter produced each year. Peter Musgrave then raised the topic of future directions for AMPS and asked for any comments. A discussion on the subject of sound credits developed and why they seemed to be moving further down the list. Brian Simmons suggested that we should aim to get the three main sound credits - production sound, editing and mixing, at the head of the credits because mentions later are worthless and show that sound is not achieving the status it deserves. Peter Musgrave acknowledged that this is a topic AMPS should be addressing and added that the concept of very long listings was making a mockery of the idea of credits, particularly those who had no direct input to the film - such as the 'honey wagon' driver. Sandy MacRae said that in the US there was much discussion about the introduction of a Sound Director but exactly what this status was is not clear. Brian Simmons felt that such a position would require the holder to have experience in all three crafts areas and not be just an administrator brought in after production - it must be a technical grade, to which Sandy added that he understood this to be the case. Graham Hartstone mentioned that in his experience credits near the front were by negotiation. With casualisation in the industry, an on-film credit is the only proof of working on a film, which made this important. He also commented that most credits now seem to run sequentially through the production process and unfortunately most sound is at the end, in post production. Peter Musgrave then asked Sandy MacRae to outline his experience of the internet news groups and the discussions appearing in these areas.
Under any other Matters, Peter Musgrave explained about the BFI Visionary Partnerships initiative, the sponsoring of restoration of old nitrate-based film in exchange for an on -screen credit. He asked the meeting for their views on the subject of AMPS contributing to this project and a vote followed showing unanimous support. No other points were raised and this part of the meeting was brought to close.
The results of the AMPS Council Elections were then announced, the count having taken place during the meeting. The totals were as follows: Graham Hartstone 68, Eddy Joseph 59, Peter Hodges 56, Patrick Heigham 56, Colin Broad 52, Simon Bishop 53, Nick Lowe 45, Anthony Faust 29, Jim Betteridge 16. The first six were elected to the Council with the unsuccessful candidates asked to remain 'on standby' should any Council places fall vacant during the year.
Peter Musgrave then introduced guest speaker, Sir Sydney Samuelson, the retiring Chairman of the British Film Commission. Sir Sydney then entertained the audience for 50 minutes beginning with the story of how his appointment to the the BFC came out of the blue, just after he had retired. The setting up of the Commission and the clash of Industry v Government cultures were described and how he had to walk a tightrope to make it happen effectively - even down to the choice of name. The financial side was touched on - the problem of answering the Treasury's annual questions about how its funding benefits the industry. He gave the example of 101 Dalmations which may not have come to the UK without BFC help over the dogs quarantine and locations. Sir Sydney pointed to the indirect aspects of movie making in the UK - the tourism generated by the use of British locations in successful film and TV productions. He then moved on to his own career in films from an early job as a 'rewind boy' in a cinema at the start of the last war, through his interest in sound and fascination with the dubbing process, to the setting up of Samuelson's - all told amongst an amusing stream of anecdotes.
Peter Musgrave brought the meeting to a close, thanking Sir Sydney and the Members for attending. Many then made their way back to the Sustaining Members' area where discussion continued until at least 1.30PM. The feeling of the Sustaining members were canvassed as they were packing up and all found that meeting names who they normally only spoke to on the phone was a very useful experience. Although not necessarily the aim of the event, it is worth noting that several reported selling items to members during the morning - which placed a completely different spin on the event - everyone went home happy.