Wilmslow Weekend Workshop

Mark Allan DPAGB/AV

Wilmslow Guild Audio Visual Group and the Great Northern Festival Audio Visual Group, recently hosted an Audio Visual Weekend from 17th to 19th May 2019, at the Wilmslow Guild, Cheshire.

The PicturesToExe workshop was led by Jill K. Bunting and ably assisted by John Smith. There were 12 attendees, all of whom bought their laptops, some including Macbooks which prompted some discussion on how folks run PTE on their Macs. 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.

Friday evening , an Audio Visual Competition, judged by Christine Widdall. ( A separate report is on page 24 and 25)

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.

There were many tips offered by more experienced members and participants took copious notes, of shortcuts, tips and tricks. The ‘Objects and Animation’ section was covered in detail. Some members realised that this approach offered much more ne control than the ways they were used to. The dark arts of ‘Modiers’ were introduced, with many members saying they had never heard or used them before. The abilities of ‘Modiers’ are clearly deep and powerful. One example was the control of the speed on a pan scroll with manually set controls 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 consider carefully 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, Howard Bagshaw ARPS MPAGB, and Christine Widdall MPAGB EFIAP FBPE.

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 assessment 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!