Chichester Film & Video Makers
Registered Charity No. 110816 CFVM © 2009
Under the name of Southern Sound & Cine Club, the Club was formed in 1960 at the instigation of a band of enthusiasts in Bognor Regis. From this small beginning grew a Club with a membership of nearly 60, dedicated to the production of amateur films.
For the first three years of its life the Club held meetings in a room at the Picturedrome Theatre, Bognor Regis, courtesy of the manager Mr. Basil Fortesque, and in other small halls in the area. In 1963 it moved to the Little Theatre in the Camera Shop, East Street, Chichester. After six years in this comfortable cinema, meetings were held in the Churchill Rooms, North Pallant, Chichester until 1971, when more suitable premises were found at St.Pancras Church Hall, St.Pancras, Chichester and this has been our meeting place since then.
Forty years ago amateur `talkies` were in their infancy, but from the beginning the Club set out to master the technique of adding sound to film as well as producing sound recordings on tape.
Throughout the years films have been made on a variety of formats, 9.5mm, Standard 8, Super 8, 16mm and widescreen, finally progressing to using video almost exclusively.
The Club has always endeavoured to maintain a high standard of production and soon became known as one of the foremost cine clubs in the South, if not the whole country.
The first President of the Club was one of the founder members, Mr. Basil Fortesque, to be followed in 1964 by Harry Secombe CBE. In 1970 Harry continued his association by accepting Patronage of the Club and John Davis, another founder member became President. In 1978 due to Harry Secombe's many commitments, Bernard Price writer and broadcaster was invited to become Patron. Well known locally, and always interested in filming, both amateur and professional, became our Patron and always took an active interest in our Club until his death in 1993. In 1990 Bill Glue FACI became President followed by Charles Gibbons FACI in 1992. The current President is Mr. Denis Strange, following the death of Charles Gibbons in 2004.
In 1989 the name of the Club was changed to Southern Sound Film & Video Club to embrace the many new video enthusiasts. More recently it has become Chichester Film & Video Makers.
The Club holds an Annual Competition in which a variety of trophies are awarded, including Best Film or Video, Best Narration and Sound Track. Throughout the year competitions are held for the best Holiday, Documentary, and best film not exceeding five minutes duration. There is also a special competition open only to NEW MEMBERS in their first two years with the club.
As well as competing in the Internal club competitions, members often enter films & videos in external competitions such as Regional and National Film Festivals, The London International Amateur Film Festival, The International Film & Video Festival etc. as well as competitions and festivals in Canada, Australia, Malta, France and many other countries. The Club and its members has won over 200 awards in these competitions.
Apart from the achievement of success, entry into competitions is a source of valued appraisal by experienced judges.
Over the years a number of films and videos have been made on behalf of organisations to illustrate their work or for publicity. These include West Sussex C.C. Welfare Dept. The Lodge Hill Centre, Play School Group, Air Training Corps and the Newell Centre, Bognor Regis Motorbility, The Purley Park Trust and the twinning of the cities of Chichester and Ravenna in Italy. More recently the Club has made videos for St. Richard's Hospital, West Sussex Learning Links, Legio Secunda Augusta the Roman Marching Army and a 90 minute DVD for The Chichester Dance Centre filmed at the Hotham Arts Centre in Bognor Regis before a live audience. The Chichester Ship Canal Trust commissioned the club to make an Anniversary video celebrating 185 years since the opening of the canal. This successful production directed and edited by member Harry Page is now on sale in the Trusts shop at Chichester Canal Basin.
Members are also continually arranging film and video shows for local Clubs and Charities.
In 1965 the Club became affiliated to the Institute of Amateur Cinematographers, now known as The Video Institute, a National body formed in 1932 to further the cause of the amateur cine movement. The Institute has a very big individual membership as well as a large number of affiliated clubs throughout the country and overseas. It provides many useful services, including membership insurance and music copyright licences, and has the largest amateur film and video library in the world. Fellowship of the Institute is granted to members who have made a significant contribution to the amateur film and video movement and the Club was justly proud when first Bill Glue was granted Fellowship in 1980 followed by Lewis Cooper in 1985 and Charles Gibbons in 1986. The Club is assigned to the South East Region of the I.A.C. (S.E.R.I.A.C.)
Now entirely video orientated the Club caters for the beginner and advanced worker alike, and workshop evenings are held to assist with all filming aspects. Many members now use digital camcorders and PC editing, and a few are now embracing the world of DVD. HD is now a possibility and one or two members are exploring its potential but with miniDV camcorders becoming less of an expense and the profusion of camcorders with hard drives and DVDs inside it would appear that it will be a while before HD takes over at CFVM.
The Club was awarded a National Lottery grant from the Arts Council of England which enabled us to purchase some of the latest video editing and projection equipment and so offer better facilities for an expanded membership to use and enjoy. In turn the Club will be able to extend the services it offers to local charities and other organisations.
