First Visit | Services | Council | Festivals | Fellowship

Welcome to the IAC from Chairman Linda Gough FACI.

IAC stands for Institute of Amateur Cinematographers - we usually say: IAC - The Film & Video Institute.

Hello there, I am delighted that you have opened up the IAC website and hope that you will take the time to have a good look.

As the new Chairman of the IAC Film and Video Institute, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you and to spend some time introducing myself to you.

In a different time and place I was introduced to the joys and magic of film by my mother who was an avid cinema goer. In days long before the National Curriculum when children had time after school to spend as they liked I was picked up from school and taken to the cinema to cry and cheer over such wonderful animations from Walt Disney as Bambi and Snow White. Going to the cinema became a way of life which is still with me.

In college I studied Drama. This was long before the days of Media studies or even Film studies but it did mean that I continued with an interest in the dramatic arts. Then I met my husband Mike. We were both teaching in a School for the Deaf and Partially Sighted in Gorleston, Norfolk. It was here that we saw our first amateur film footage. It was one 3 ½ minute reel of a baby coming home from the hospital for the first time. It wasn't especially good but Mike decided to buy a Super 8 film camera and the first film we took was on the day we got engaged. The rest as they say is history.

Mike went on to become very proficient as a film maker. When I take hold of the camera it is to make sure he appeared on our holiday films. Now that we have a second video camera I shoot a bit more but don't actually make films myself. I do like looking over his shoulder when he is editing and making cryptic comments though.

I have made cryptic comments about many films over the years. Part of the joy of going to see a commercial film or sitting through an amateur competition is talking about the films on the journey home. I am no different from many of you out there who beg to differ with the results as determined by one set of judges or another. Judging is not an exact science. I have judged many competitions now from club to National level and to anyone out there who is critical of judges (and who isn't) I would say try it yourself. I find that watching a film as a judge is a much different experience than watching in a relaxed fashion during a show.

My main involvement with the cine/video movement has been as a committee person. I have been on our club committee and through that moved onto the local inter-club committee (NECA). I represented them on the Regional Council of the IAC, NERIAC (North East Region IAC). I became involved with organising National events which happened in the North East Region. I also became Chairman of the Region.

During my time as NERIAC Chairman, all of the Regional Chairmen were invited to attend an IAC Council meeting. It was at this meeting that Mike and I were asked to join the IAC Council. So here I am.

I thoroughly enjoy going to clubs, Regional meetings and IAC weekends. The companionship is great and the films are wonderful. There is always something to talk about and someone to talk to. What is really good is putting faces to names that you have seen on the credits of much admired films. We were able to go to UNICA in Korea. This is an International Festival into which countries enter a programme. The IAC is responsible for choosing this programme. This was just an extension of the family of film makers we have met while travelling in Britain.

If you haven't tried moving outside of your club or you are a lone worker do come along to a Regional or National event. I am sure you will be made warmly welcome and the speakers or competitions are worth seeing. Most of these events are open to the general public. If you are not a member of the IAC this need not stop you from attending. Go on give us a try.

I hope to see you at an event in the future.

Linda

First Visit

Let me tell first time visitors something about us. The IAC, the Film and Video Institute, has around 300 affiliated clubs as well as a couple of thousand individual members – all interested in the great hobby of movie making for the sheer FUN of it.

The IAC is arranged in seven regions with many clubs as well as individual members in all parts of the country. These Regions and clubs usually have their own annual events, often including a movie competition and festival where non-commerical movies are shown to their best advantage.

The IAC also organizes an International Movie Festival every year. These used to be held in London, but nowadays the Festival weekend moves around the United Kingdom from Region to Region.

The IAC is a member of UNICA, the UNESCO supported international organization devoted to our hobby. UNICA holds a Congress in a different country each year, built around the prestigious movie competition. Member Nations’ 70 minute programmes are assessed by an International jury of seven, who award bronze, silver and gold medals. It’s great fun, film watching, debates, outings, shared with people who also love to party.

Whatever your own level of involvement or skill, I can assure you that the IAC is here to help you. We can put you in contact with your nearest club, which can be a rewarding way to meet fellow film makers.

They’ll give you a warm welcome, and who knows, they may be able to help you with any film making problems you have encountered. You may even be able to share your own skills with them. They will know the ins and outs of the local equipment scene, and will almost certainly be able to provide you with a place to see your work in a more public venue than your telly in the corner.

Drop a line to our mailbox if you need more information. We look forward to hearing from you!

- Introduction by Reg Lancaster, IAC Vice-President

This website contains information about IAC, filmmaking clubs around the countries, festivals and events, and discussion on filmmaking techniques and award winning films.

What is the life of a typical amateur filmmaker like? What is the life of the IAC chairman like?

Links

Read about our immediate past Chairman, John Gibbs, FACI, here

Reg Lancaster's "Filming CV"

Good Reasons to Join IAC

Page updated on 21 March 2008

Authors' views are not necessarily those of The Institute of Amateur Cinematographers

Free JavaScripts provided
by The JavaScript Source