The Winter 1998 issue of Film for the Collector magazine did not carry a formal Convention report, but did include several letters from attendees, including one from the organiser, Derek Simmonds of Derann Film Services.
“THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR”
No, not my own words, but those of many collectors as they left the recent Northern Film Collectors Convention at The Savoy Hotel, Blackpool. Barry Littlechild (never one to fear speaking his mind!), said he thought this year’s event was one of the best ever, and the evening dinner one of his most enjoyable. I reckon it’s because Maurice Andrews was seen to put his hand in his wallet and buy Barry a drink (only joking Maurice!). To get this year’s event off the ground had been particularly difficult, since my wife Anne, who normally organises the dinner and hotel reservations, has had two hip replacements, and has been rather poorly. But despite this, she looked after all the bookings and, as usual, did a fine job. Four weeks before the event we thought the bookings for the dinner were a little lower than last year, so decided to go into the smaller Derby Room. No problem, the room looked great and everything went wonderfully well – except that on the day of the dinner I had ELEVEN requests for dinner tickets, and sadly had to turn everyone away! At the very last minute (we were in fact halfway through our soup) three guests didn’t turn up and David Erskine (our wonderful M.C.; thanks Dave, for a great job) hurried out into the foyer and ‘found’ two lost souls who looked like collectors and were waiting to see if there were any cancellations.
As usual, the Attwood table (Independent 8) walked away with loads of raffle prizes, including a brand new up to the minute video recorder; nice going Barry. Next year I think I will just put all of the raffle prizes on your table to save time!
Soon the entertainment began in the form of horse racing. I am sure they heard the shouts and whoops of delight on the South Shore a couple of miles away. What a great fun-filled evening it was. We ended the night with a ‘nostalgic’ film show. I had found out a movie we shot at an open day in 1986, plus a promo reel I had made up for Blackpool some eight years earlier. It all worked very well indeed, and turned out to be a very enjoyable and unforgettable evening. The icing on the cake was that we raised a staggering £326.00 for the hospital ward where Anne had her operations. A million thanks to you all.
So the great day arrived on Sunday 15th. A bleary-eyed staff, and a few dealers ate a hearty breakfast (didn’t spot anyone worrying about calories!), eager dealers were setting up their stands as early as 7.30am. By 9.30am the place was ‘alive’ and already collectors were waiting at the door to come in, as is our practice, we opened the doors early at 9.45am, and from that moment on it didn’t stop; the place was crowded all day.
The first cinema show was compiled and presented on 16mm by Keith Wilton, and was a repeat of the Errol Flynn compilation he had shown at Ealing. The collectors loved this, and many expressed their appreciation; thanks Keith.
This year, in response to many requests, I decided to have a DVD and Laser Disc demonstration in the cinema after the auction. I have to admit to being a little worried about this, knowing how ‘anti- video’ some of the collectors are. I needn’t have been; this event attracted a jam-packed cinema with people standing three deep at the back. Sadly, we hadn’t done our homework, and the long runs of cables we had for the speakers caused the amplifier to ‘cut out’ a few times, so we couldn’t really play the sound to its fullest power – we shall rectify this next year! However, the picture looked great, and we sold two video projectors on the strength of the demonstration, and four players.
When we finally totted up our sales at the end of the day WE HAD BEATEN EVER RECORD FOR EVERY CONVENTION WE HAVE EVER DONE. On behalf of my staff and I, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone for supporting and helping at this event.
Derek Simmonds
TECH BREAKTHROUGH
Setting off from Burnley on a smashing sunny day in November, with a car full of members of the Burnley Camcorder Group, we were all looking forward to another Northern Film Collectors Convention at The Savoy Hotel, Blackpool. We had no idea on arrival what treats Derann had in store for us though!
Unfortunately, I missed the Flynn films put on by Uncle Keith, instead I had dived straight for the film sales as not to miss any bargains, snapping up several Super 8 gems not least a couple of reel, sorry, real bargains from Phil Sheard. Looking down the Derann stall I could see features right down to some lovely trailers, so obviously I could not resist – oh, and some Disney’s on such special offer, I just had to have them – you know how it goes!
Looking round the various rooms I came to large crowds gathering around a huge display of DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) video projector equipment. Can I just say how helpful the lads were and clued up on the technical side; it makes such a change these days to get decent info when you need it. I spent some time looking over the projectors and DVD machines and was very pleased with what I saw, including the very keen prices. I have used a Sharp video projector alongside my 8 / 9.5 / 16mm projectors for a number of years now, and use it as a means of filling programmes with trailers, etc, while I change reels on the cine side of things. I find this works very well and would not swap the magic of using a cine machine for anything, but it is true to say that LCD video projection has come a very long way in the last ten years or so. So much so, that I have passed on my old LCD projector and am looking at the wonderful Sharp ZX1 fortunately available from Derann. I say ‘our’ Derann, as I think I can say that for most of us, we all feel like a big family. Derann have given me and some of my friends the sort of service over y 24 years dealing with them, only what some high street shops dream about, so thanks Derann for everything.
Knowing that Derann are authorised main agents for Sharp, I would have no qualms about buying video gear from them, but more on this another time. Talking to the chaps around the DVD gear, they were amazed at the picture quality and facility for multi channel sound, but the best was yet to come…
After looking at some of the new 8mm films available, we were given a real treat. Using one of the Sharp projectors and a DVD player, Uncle Derek gave us a very professional demonstration of just how to, and how good the gear was, and having attended the Manchester launch of DVD in March, hats off to you Del, this was the best demo I have seen mate! Bloody ell, sorry my word, it was really great, and if you missed it, you missed a real treat. Please, please, please, let’s have it again in March.
I was bothered in case some of our film friends created a scene about watching video instead of film, but there was more of a ‘ohhhhhh’ than anything else, in fact one chap nearly pushed me over to buy his LCD projector. I’m not joking. Well, it really was a superb day; DVD made its mark at Blackpool alright in November, and as for the 8mm films us Burnley lads brought home, what a great show we had that night – a real day to remember.
Lee Mannering, Lancs
SUPERB VENUE
Many thanks for organising a first class convention once again I’ve been trekking up to Blackpool for the winter con- vention since 1982, and can sayin all honestly that it does get better every year. The Savoy is a superb venue and the staff there are particularly helpful. It would be nice if they would sell biscuits and cakes though, after the free biscuits have run out!
Last November this was not a problem, the weather was so warm that the cafe on the prom opposite it was still open, and you could sit outside and enjoy bacon sandwiches and scones, etc!
Plus points of the Blackpool convention; When selling, the auction is a dead loss for cartoons and documentaries – but great for features. Shorter films seem to attract better prices in the Bring & Buy. It’s also a rare opportunity to see some top quality prints from collector’s cupboards and save the cost of postage on new prints!
Martin Tonge
FLYNN FANTASTIC!
How can the Blackpool conventions get better each year? The answer baffles me; all I can say is that they do.
This year’s certainly topped the lot – what a thoroughly enjoyable weekend – right through from arrival at The Savoy, until we left, tired, exhausted, broke – and very, very happy on Sunday.
I loved Keith Wilton’s Errol Flynn programme. It only seemed to last 10 minutes, and I was so surprised to find I had been sitting there for some 50 minutes! As always, the 8mm shows were beautifully presented, varied, and plenty to enjoy.
I must admit that I was apprehensive about the Laser and DVD show, but how wrong I was; it was not only entertaining, but also very informative. I was astounded at the picture quality on the big screen. Shame Derek had trouble with the sound, hopefully this will be sorted out for next year’s event. I firmly believe that the laser and DVD show should become a part of the day, no reason why it can’t run side by side with 8mm and 16mm.
In closing, may I also thank the M.C. at the evening dinner, who did a wonderful job.
Robert Grimes, Northants
GREAT WEEKEND – AS USUAL!
I have just returned from the convention, tired and broke as usual. I always enjoy these events, but this year’s seemed particularly good. I was seated with two very nice couples at the dinner, and we had a very enjoyable evening. We won the quiz and some money on the horses – a new event for me. The day before, as I was leaving the Hotel to have dinner with a friend, I was waylaid by David Erskine, who asked me if I would like to sponsor a horse in the races. I decided that ‘Gobsmaked’ was the one, and handed him a fiver – I have never seen a note disappear so quickly – David should be working for Derann! (the horse won by the way).
It was a shame that Anne couldn’t make it this year, and I’m sure all other collectors will join me in wishing her well for the future. The DVD demonstration looked great. The picture quality on the smaller screen on Derann’s stand was very sharp, with great colour. I’m very tempted to invest in one of these, although I could never give up film. Possibly film and disc can live side by side, who knows? We’ll have to wait and see if this new technology has any effect on both 8 and 16mm.
Thanks again for a great weekend. I hope to make it over again in March.
Mr Goodwin, Northern Ireland
Blackpool Film Collectors' Convention 