Last Meeting - PAGB APM Weekend
Friday 17th May - WGAV ‘Open’ & 'Closed' Competitions
Saturday 18th am - AV workshop
Saturday 18th pm - PAGB Advisory Session
Sunday 19th - The PAGB APM's in Audio Visual Adjudications
An excellent weekend of wide ranging AV.
Two reports follow below
Many Thanks to all our willing helpers over the weekend who did an excellent job of making sure everyone had an enjoyable time. We couldn't have managed without you.
Jill & John
on behalf of the WGAV Committee
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A report on the weekend from Joan & Clive Rathband
Wilmslow Guild Annual AV Competition - 17th May, 2019
Having booked for the weekend of PAGB Awards for Photographic Merit in AV in Wilmslow, we made sure we arrived in good time for the Wilmslow Guild Annual AV Competitions on the Friday evening.
The event was extremely well organised by Competition Secretary, Jill K. Bunting and Webmaster, John Smith and their willing and friendly team. There was an entry of 15 sequences, supported and enjoyed by a good-sized audience. The evening was introduced by Chairman, Les Hitchcock and presented by Jill and John.
The competition is divided into two categories, viz. A. Open and B. Closed. The latter, Closed Section, is only open to members who have not previously won an award in a National or International Audio Visual Competition. Entries in this section, however, are also eligible for an award in the Open Section.
 The judge for the Competition was, the “irrepressible” and well-known judge, Christine Widdall MPAGB EFIAP FBPE from Oldham and the L&CPU.
In her introduction, Christine said that, although she was more used to judging single images, she produced AV sequences using PicturesToExe and that she had a good feeling for music and sequence production.
Christine had viewed all of the sequences a few times at home, but had left the final choice until all the sequences have been viewed on the large screen. Her comments, throughout, were fluent, thoughtful and constructive.
There were four awards in the Closed Section:
Highly Commended - Blaen y Coed by Ken Stables
This is a personal, family sequence, which discussed the acquisition of a woodland, leading to forest management and successful regeneration.
3rd place - Temple of the Holy Family by Les Hitchcock
A story about the Gaudi architecture in the famous cathedral in Barcelona, using some excellent photographs and a well-researched script.
2nd place - Talls by Mike Pill
Which is a clever story of tall giraffes and buildings featuring a conversation between a father and his little boy about the word ‘Talls’.
Winner - Vanessa’s Story by Eric Davies
This was a natural history sequence about the life cycle of the Vanessa (Painted Lady) Butterfly and featured excellent photography with the WOW factor being a short video of the emerging butterfly.
In the Open Section there were six awards.
Commended - Coming Soon by Ray Grover
Was a very short, spoof film review, with mostly poor star ratings about the merits - or mostly demerits - of PhotoHarmony ‘Narrative Free’ sequences.
Commended - Seeing the Light by John Smith
A story about climbing to the top of the Hook Lighthouse in Wexford, Ireland, with an atmospheric, live commentary from the guide and puffing from everyone else following him up the steps.
Highly Commended - The Essential Link by Chris Bate
A well-researched documentary on the Falkirk Wheel, which detailed the engineering feat of this amazing structure.
 3rd place AND Best/Most Creative Sound Award - Watching and Listening by John Smith
This was a very amusing and imaginative sequence, featuring many very clever twists, animations and effects about the RPS International - and moving the GCHQ “doughnut” - from the venue in Cheltenham to Capel Curig for the IAC Peter Coles International. John had a very involved and successful soundtrack with clever sound effects.
2nd Place - Who am I? by Ray Grover
This sequence was about Time, starring Ray’s granddaughter, who was knocked off her bicycle and had to wait for Time to heal her broken ankle.
Winner - The Forgotten by Jill K Bunting
A very imaginative and abstract sequence with animation and lovely, moving misty effects.
Well done to you all!
We also thoroughly enjoyed the Audio-Visual and PTE workshop on Saturday morning. Jill expertly shared her knowledge and experience and there were some interesting discussions throughout the session. She gave tips on setting up PTE and then gave demonstrations on Objects and Animation and the use of Masks and Video. Delegates who were present also contributed informally to the workshop, so everybody learned something from the session. We found it very informative and worthwhile. Thank you, Jill.
The PAGB Audio-Visual Advisory session took place later on the Saturday afternoon.
The advisors were Robert Albright, Christine Widdall and Howard Bagshaw.
There was one CPAGB application, which the advisors believed would pass with a few changes.
Three delegates submitted sequences for DPAGB advice. The advisors believed that all had problems and that a number of improvements were necessary to have a chance of success.
On Sunday, there was an air of excitement and anticipation when the audience and many applicants arrived for the Awards for Photographic Merit in Audio Visual day.
The assessors were Robert Albright (Chair), Christine Widdall, Howard Bagshaw, Martin Fry and Gordon Jenkins. The event went off without a hitch and the comments were well considered.
There were six applications for CPAGB, with two successful applicants.
Another six applicants entered for DPAGB, with three successful applicants.
There were two applications (one was a joint application) for MPAGB but sadly, neither of them were successful.
The weekend was extremely well run and we were very pleased that we had driven three hours each way to attend. There were about fifteen people at the Harvester Restaurant on Saturday night and there was GREAT hilarity and we all had a fantastic time. It was certainly one of the highlights of the weekend!
Thank you to everyone concerned!
Joan and Clive Rathband
Report by Mark Allen from Northern Ireland
The Wilmslow Guild Audio Visual Group and the Great Northern Festival Audio Visual Group, recently hosted an Audio Visual Weekend 17th to 19th May 2019, at the Wilmslow Guild, Cheshire. The events included;
Friday evening, an Audio Visual Competition, judged by Christine Widdall.
Saturday morning to mid afternoon, a PicturesToExe workshop,
Late afternoon, Advisory Session for Awards For Photographic Merit in AV.
Sunday, The Photographic Alliance of Great Britain, Awards for Photographic Merit in Audio Visual Adjudication.
 Saturday 18th May. The PicturesToExe workshop was lead by Jill K. Bunting and ably assisted by John Smith. There were 12 attendees, all of whom bought their laptops, some including macbook’s which prompted some discussion on how folks run PTE on their Mac’s.
Jill started by going over the basics, mainly in the ‘Preferences’, but also ‘Project Options’. Despite the fact that most participants were more than familiar with PTE, everyone learnt something. It was the little things, for example under ‘Control’, ‘ticking’ the radio box to ‘Permit Control Of Show’. This allows the competition organisers to check that things run correctly. Also under ‘Advanced’, maybe folks untick the ‘Sync’ and ‘Pause’ radio boxes in the mistaken belief that these impact the timeline, when in fact they should be left ticked, as default.
 There were many tips offered by more experienced members and participants took copious notes, of shortcuts, tips and tricks. The ‘Object and Animation’ section was covered in detail. Some members realised that this approach offered much more fine control, than the ways they were used to. The dark arts of ‘Modifiers’ were introduced, with many members saying they had never heard or used them before. The abilities of ‘Modifiers’ are clearly deep and powerful. One example was the control of the speed on a pan scroll using 50, 50, 20 or using the preset ‘Smooth’. The subject of ‘Masks’ was also covered in some detail. Again Jill was able to run some examples that speeded up the learning process.
Later that afternoon, there was an Advisory session for PAGB APM in AV. This approach allows for authors to carefully consider the feedback of judges before they submit their sequences for an APM.
Chaired by Rod Wheelans MPAGB Hon PAGB MFIAP FIPF, three of Sunday’s panel of Adjudicators were present. Robert Albright FPRS and current President of the RPS, Christine Widdall MPAGB EFIAP FBPE, Howard Bagshaw ARPS MPAGB
A number of sequences were offered for both Credit and Distinction awards. Detailed and constructive feedback was offered. The panel members took turns discussing the sequences outlining what they thought worked well and what didn’t. Where appropriate they offered ideas and suggestions on what the author needs to do to bring the sequence to the standard required.
Observers nodded in agreement of ‘fair comment’, whilst participants listened carefully and took notes, some of them happier than others. Which, of course, is the whole point of these advisory days. It allows authors to carefully consider the feedback offered, to take it on board, or not as the case may be. It allows authors some time to take everything on board. Members present, who had never attended an advisory day, but who had sequences going forward for consideration of an award on Sunday, wondered if they were wise in the head!
Sunday 19th May. Almost everyone was present for doors opening at 9.30am. Proceedings started promptly at 10am under the careful watch and usual humour of Rod Wheelans.
 The Adjudication panel were joined by Gordon Jenkins Hon PAGB and Martin Fry FRPS APAGB EFIAP AV-EFIAP.
There were six applicants for Credit, six for Distinction and two for Master. The Adjudication panel were given CAV, DAV, MAV and numbers for the participants rather than names.
Rod, for the sake of clarity and to avoid any misunderstandings, clearly outlined the required standards expected for each level.
Two of the six achieved a C, three of six achieved a D and neither of the two achieved a M. Participants and audience members found the APM session a worthwhile learning experience. it was great so see so many different approaches to the medium. There was a clear increase in quality and expertise moving from the ‘C’ to the ‘D’ applications, which was to be expected. The Adjudicators' feedback was detailed, informative and much appreciated by the participants.
 Successful Applicants were L to R
DPAGB/AV - Mike Edwards
Chris White & Mark Allen
Roger Parry PAGB Vice President
CPAGB/AV - Howard Wilson &
Mike Pill (Not present)
The Awards were presented by Roger Parry Vice President of the PAGB
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