The Answer to "Life, the Universe, and Everything" The East Anglian Audio Visual Competition 2019

A report from Malcolm Imhoff FRPS FACI(M)

The East Anglian AV Competition is always a top class and very enjoyable occasion, and the 27th event was no exception. It was held as usual at the Margaretting Village Hall and organised with the usual impeccable efciency by chairman Dick Williams ARPS DPAGB and a loyal committee, with Keith Leedham FRPS on the sound desk and operating the projector. As you would expect the quality of sound and visuals was superb. There was a healthy entry of AVs, every one of which was worth watching. It's getting increasingly rare to see a duff sequence these days. There were quite a few "gongs" up for grabs on the table, and they have a tradition of awarding prizes for various aspects of AV production, Best Photography, Best Sound, Best Dissolve, Best Humour, Best Creative as well as the usual 1st, 2nd, 3rd and the Audience Vote. I was a bit disappointed that we the audience only got one vote which made for a very difcult decision.

Below: Master of ceremonies Dick Williams

Below Right: Technical Expert Keith Leedham

The judges this year were Howard Bagshaw ARPS MPAGB and Paul Keene FRPS MPAGB EFIAP/d3 MFIAP I have to say I was very impressed by the judges. They did not make any comments during the day, but in the evening at the Gala Presentation of the Award Winners it was clear that both Howard and Paul had made copious notes and were able to give very detailed and perceptive praise and critique on the 16 or so chosen to be shown again.

I do think that in this case the judges got it pretty right, and I certainly had Melanie Chalk's Just Dance as my winner, and The Farm by Roger Gage as my Runner-Up. In fact nearly all the productions that I awarded an “A” appeared in the list of awards. Melanie has written about her AV elsewhere in this issue and I will be doing a feature on it in FVM Magazine later in the year. I was very surprised but pleased that my Walking With Grief was awarded the Bronze Medal. When your AV brings a tear to the eye of the judge and he nds it difcult to talk it makes it all worthwhile.

So what is the "answer"?

"42" of course.

That was the number of AVs in the competition.