Wilmslow Guild Annual AV Competition

Joan and Clive Rathband

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 nal choice until all the sequences have been viewed on the large screen. Her comments, throughout, were uent, thoughtful and constructive.

Well done to you all! Thank you to everyone concerned!

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

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) Buttery and featured excellent photography with the WOW factor being a short video of the emerging buttery.

In the Open Section there were six awards:

Commended - Coming Soon by Ray Grover

A very short, spoof lm review, with mostly poor star ratings about the meritsor mostly demerits - of Photo Harmony ‘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 pufng 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.