Exactly how we do it is a mystery but, true to form, the morning of Sunday, January 28th was another day of brilliant Winter’s sunshine completely against the prevailing weather but something we’ve manage to achieve for the last four years. While the low sun makes driving difficult, it creates an ideal backdrop for the AGM and Sustaining Members Show in Pinewood Studios’ Green Room and Gatsby Suite that overlook the studio gardens. The socialising started over coffee as members arrived. It was an ideal opportunity to catch up with old colleagues and meet some new members. The meeting was called and gradually the gathering moved to the Green Room for the AGM itself. As the audience was seating, the cry went up for more seats as it was standing room only! Tim Blackham, the organiser on the day, conjured up a dozen extra chairs and the meeting began. Outgoing Chairman, Peter Hodges gave his report of the year’s activities while AMPS Treasurer Lionel Strutt outlined AMPS’ financial position at the year ending. Both of these reports will be carried in detail in the separate AGM leaflet. Outgoing AMPS Secretary, Bob Allen proposed a vote of thanks to Pinewood Studios for their support and contribution to the day’s events. The minutes and agenda were addressed and worked through with discussion of certain issues including the topics of recognition of AMPS and charitable donations. The meeting ended promptly and moved into the Gatsby Suite for the Sustaining Members Show. Each year we extend an invitation to all the companies who are Sustaining Members of AMPS, to come and show us some of their equipment, meet the membership, and the opportunity for an informal exchange of ideas. It has always been well supported and this year we had eleven companies take up the invitation. Exactly how the companies wish to present themselves is entirely upto them but it was good to see so much equipment on display. Notable, as always, were Audio Developments and Nagra GB who have supported this event since the very first. Other regulars with plenty of equipment to show were Audio Ltd and Richmond Film Services, and we were pleased to welcome back Dolby who had been absent for a couple of years. It is more difficult for large format mixer manufacturers to bring gear but AMS Neve and Harrison had plenty of literature. First time exhibitor, Sony Cinema Products attracted interest, allowing us to catch up with progress in the SDDS format. Present, as a guest of Sony SDDS, was John Allen, an American theatre sound system designer, who just happened to be on holiday here. The prize for the most heavily loaded table easily goes to RPS (UK) for a comprehensive display of recording media, and a compact video projection | system. It was also interesting to see dB Post, a post production facility, take a table. They were the first studio Sustaining Member to accept AMPS invitation, and chose to distribute post production advice notes that they have prepared for as an aid to their clients. As last year, the size of the excellent free buffet lunch easily exceeded the capacity of the visitors to finish it. The informality on the day, a chance to discuss all aspects of motion picture sound over a drink and food, and learn a few things about equipment, has proved a very attractive combination. Attendance was considerably up on last year and everyone - members and exhibitors were thoroughly pleased with the event. From: Ian Richardson <ian.filmsound@ntlworld.com>
To: Ampsoffice <ampsoffice@tinyonIine.co.uk>
Date: 01 February 2001 14:16
Subject:Re: An enjoyable AGM
To the AMPS Committee
Many thanks for arranging an enjoyable AGM. From one from the Provinces’ it was well worth the effort!
Could you pass on my thanks to the Supporting Members who took the time and trouble to exhibit their wares.
See you all soon
Ian Richardson amps.
Production Sound Mixer We were delight to receive thanks from several attendees, particularly those who’d travelled further than most. As the AGM / Sustaining Members Show rapidly turns into the AMPS’ event-of-the-year, I encourage all members to consider attending next year and find out what you’ve been missing. KSA (See the pictorial record on the following pages)
FROM THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Many thanks to all those members who responded quickly to the new Standing Order request recently. There have been one or two glitches, whereby a double debit has occurred, probably by the members Bank branch not reading the new form correctly and failing to cancel the existing Authority. In the event that this has happened to you, a refund will be made by cheque once our bank statements have been scrutinised.
PAT HEIGHAM
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