Dear Bob I thought maybe that the enclosed would be amusing for the AMPS Newsletter as light relief from the highly technical items which I am too old to follow? I have not been to the cinema for over ten years, mainly because all these super complexes of today have many stairs to surmount and that is a no-go area for me. However, quite recently, I was invited to the premiere of a film in Dublin. So with a little prior reconnaissance by the family it was found that a friendly access existed to the auditorium - the stalls. So I went to see my first film in a decade in those luxurious surroundings. I was truly amazed at the size of the screen, the colour and the definition. I suppose that is natural after looking at a goggle box for so long! And the presentation of the sound from all directions was good to my ears - naturally! The everlasting end titles we all like to see for who did what, were graciously slow disappearing above, easily readable and not whizzing by. It was noticeable as so often, that the camera and sound crews were sandwiched between many others at the tail end. The location camera and sound crews are the key technicians on every film and deserve better praise. The actors, directors, set designers, wardrobe and all the other multifarious folk involved in production often have a full frame, but let’s face it, they have all wasted their time and energy if the sound and picture are no good! I suppose that when you are over eighty you can be forgiven for saying what you think! Sincerely REG SUTTONDublin To the Editor I spotted an interesting comment in a fascinating article about Ray Harryhausen (the special effects model animator) in Stage Screen & Radio (Feb 2000). In it he says "I demolished San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge with my Sextapus in It Came From Beneath The Sea (1955). It was a Sextapus”, he explains, “because the budget wouldn’t run to eight legs”! So the accountants has us by the tentacles even then! PATRICK HEIGHAM | Dear Bob Thank you so much for sending me a copy of the AMPS Membership Directory. It is a well produced little book; I think that everyone concerned should be congratulated. I have to say that I do like the advertisements as they are not only very attractive but also so informative - I try to keep abreast of things. Another thing that I liked so much is to see such a healthy Sustaining Members list. You have all done a great job in constantly raising standards Thank you PETER DAVIESZurich, Switzerland ampsoffice From: “Mike Westgate”<mikewest@soundtq.co.nz> To: “ampsoffice” <ampsoffice@tinyonIine.co.uk> Sent: 24 March 2000 21:50 Subject: Re: AMPS credit Hi Brian, Producers here tend to turn a deaf ear and scoff as they think you are a bit up yourself to dare ask for AMPS after your name. I had a big enough battle to be called “Production Sound Mixer” during the 5 years shooting of ‘Hercules’ and eventually persuaded those in power by pointing out that my 3 Golden Reel nomination certificates cited me as Production Sound Mixer. Just last week I worked a second unit day of the production I am currently servicing the main unit of. They had to change the call sheet template from Sound Recordist to Sound Mixer and when I arrived the 2ndAD had to pipe up “Oh! here comes Mike Westgate the Sound Mixer!!!!” Attitudes!!!!!!!!! Kind regards, Mike AMPS member Stephen Buckland, Mike Westgate ‘s partner in the New Zealand sound facilities company, Sound Techniques, tells me that much to his abhorrence, sound crews in NZ are now referred to as “Soundies”! Ed |
