TIM’S LETTER 

Three hundred letters went out. Five members replied. None of the replies were critical of AMPS administration. In fact they mostly praised the work done and indicated that we should carry on in a similar fashion.

While Council members were flattered by the complimentary remarks, there was hope of a greater response to Tim ‘s letter, and perhaps, some constructive criticism. With the lack of any such comment, the Council could easily assume that the membership is quite satisfied with the way AMPS is proceeding and complacently sit back and take it easy, but the present Council couldn’t and wouldn’t do that.

If AMPS is to continue it must grow, not only in membership but also in stature, authority and public recognition. It ‘s up to the membership as well as the Council to make that happen and contribute to progress. Get AMPS letters after your name on screen credits. Try and attend meetings, especially the AGM and Sustaining Members Show. Write in with suggestions for meetings and improvements. Send items of news and pictures of work to the Newsletter. Encourage non-members to join. It’s your Association so make it earn your membership fee by providing what you want. 

A word regarding criticism. The Council are aware of members who think AMPS should do something about long working hours, rates of pay, size of crews, and Health & Safety. These are trade union matters, AMPS IS NOT A TRADE UNION. That is clearly stated in the Constitution of AMPS, a copy of which is is given to every member on admittance to the Association, (see the last paragraph of Aims and Objectives) 

On these matters the Council advises that they be taken up with BECTU who have legal agreements with employer associations.

BOB ALLEN 

The following are two of the replies received by Tim.

Dear Tim,

You ask what I wish to get from my AMPS membership. The answers are these:

1. To meet old acquaintances/customers gained over my 30+ years in the film business.

2.  To keep in touch with what is happening in our changing world.

3.  As I am still supplying film equipment, to use meetings with people to promote my products, or at least to let them know what I am currently doing. 

4. To view films that I would not normally bother to see, in comfort at Pinewood or MPC

5. To enable my wife to participate a little in my working world and to meet my friends, such as yourself.

 Regarding Richard Daniels’ idea of a ‘vintage equipment’ meeting, I am very much in favour. As a compulsive collector, I have some audio exhibits that interest me and will, hopefully, promote discussions between others. I have seen your 1944 Tonschreiber, but would love to see it again. A meeting like this is the only opportunity. 

Keep up the good work you are all doing on our behalf; it is appreciated.

TERRY SUMMERS

SUMMERTONE

Dear Amps

Living about an hour and a half out of London, I can’t claim to be the typical AMPS Member, as an event has to be really special to make me fight my way in and out of town on the A3 and M25 for three hours! Added to this, work this year has continued to expand to the extent that on the last five occasions that I’ve earmarked to attend an AMPS meeting or film show I have had to cancel; popping in after work is not an option for me, again because of the time factor. However, from my own limited viewpoint I can make the following observations. Firstly, I think it is a very, very healthy sign that the Council thinks to ask the question at all. So many societies and associations appear to become fossilised, with those in administrative control gradually coming to the opinion that everything revolves around them and that the society exists solely to provide employment or diversion for them, while the members present an irksome distraction. AMPS is definitely NOT like this, thank God, and I am glad to see a good amount of self-examination. AMPS, to me, fulfils many functions. Living out in the sticks, and working on technically rather basic productions (I have worked solely with camcorders for years now: I have no practical knowledge of DAT nor, heavens above, of disk recorders), I look to AMPS to keep me up to date with current trends and innovations, I try hard to attend technical meetings, and when I can’t come I avail myself of the audio cassette transcription service, for which I am extremely grateful and appreciative. The AMPS Newsletter also helps to keep me up to date in this regard. The point of sound-men (I use the term non-genderspecifically) having more clout when they act collectively rather than individually is also important. On-set noise, the 

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