Summer 2001 - The Association of Motion Picture Sound

Dear Bob
I was most
interested to read
Antal Kovacs article
on the ftlmThe ltalianJob in the Newsletter,
especially since I was the production mixer sent ottt
by Paramount to replace the hospitalised Dicky
Bird who was injured as the result of an accident
with a Mini.
Antal Kovacs mentions that to his knowledge,
nobody has written a book about that film. I can
inform you that the manuscript of such a book is
now with the publisher BT Basford, entitled T/?e
Mctking OfThe ltttLianJobby author Matthew
Field. After the interest shown in the recent
Channel Four documentary on the sane subject,
the book should sell well.
I was also interested in the article Going Frtr The
Clnp in the Spring 2001 issue of the Newsletter,
iving details of the post production sound on
CrouchingTiger, Hitlclen Drugon. This leads me to
suggest that there must be many more stories like
that one which would prove suitable for AMPS
members. I realise that Production members
outnumber Re-Recording members by almost 4 to
12, and Sound Editors roughly 2 to I. So it is fair
to assume that articles relating to Production sound
should predominate.
But perhaps you could cast your net amongst
members, even Sponsor members, to attract rnore
articles on Sound Editing and Re-Recording. My
experience in these fields is somewhat oldfashioned
so I'm afraid that I cannot contribute on
up to date techniques.
Best wishes from AMPS Costa Del Sol branch
Yours sincerely
JOHN ALDRED
_ ruengirola, Spain
Dear Bob
Hutchings Magnetics is presently winding down
and the majority of assets purchased by RPS (UK)
Ltd under the control of Allan Curtis, my son-inlaw,
who has taken over the baton. We thank our
friends for their continued support.
At 63, I am still quite active, being available to
Allan for technical advice, refereeing soccer up to
Surrey lntermediate level both Saturdays and
Sundays, and running a football club with my son
Jimmy, and Allan.
I apologise for not responding (it appears like
most others) to Tim Blackham's request for what
the membership wants of AMPS. I would like to
offer some suggcstions.
l/ I would like more 'where are they now'
reports on the personnel of my era. I will keep you
aware as to my activities, and I know about Ken
Somerville, Peter Harris and Paul White as we still
l5
socialise, and Allan keeps me up to date with the
studio personnel which he serves. But there are many
more both active and retired that it would be nice to
hear about.
2/ As I have ahvays been a bit wary of the
increasing'iffy'content of films,l seldom go to
AMPS scieenings. It would be helpful if, like TV,
someone could give the films the sqttare, dot,
diamond and triangle treatment so that I could then
attend the square (family viewing) category (if any
still exist).
3/ I would like more articles relating to audio
developments in the semi-pro and amateur field and
how they relate to our profession - ie DVD, internet
audio sourcing etc. The Newsletter itself is excellent
so keep it up.
A few more things about my activities :
- I have sold my French watermill to a Frenchman
(how about the recent floods!).
- My son now lives in a villa near Nice so we have
our own room there.
- My Reigate vineyard is doing well - about 100
bottles of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir this year.
- Our Reigate Hill FC 2nd team won the local cup
last year and the lst team have been promoted from
5th to 1st division in the last four years. Those who
remember the Hutchings Magnetics /Make-A-Wish
charity 5-a-side witl not be surprised by my interest in
football. These charity games still live with me -
many turned out over the years - London Weekend,
TVS, BBC TV, Pinewood, Anvil and many rrrore-
Do these events still take place somewhere?
As you know, one of my last acts before edging
into retirement was to make Hutchings Magnetics a
Sustaining Member of AMPS. RPS (UK) has now
taken over this mantle. I thank you for my honorary
membership - the certificate has pride of place over
my 'homework' desk.
One day, when my 'retirement' is not so btrsy, I'll
settle down and write you the inside story on the birth
and death (although Mark Twain's words suddenly
pass through my mind) of the perforated mag film -
ihose old acetate bases, rusting cans, jumping perfs,
wavy edges, oxide dust et al - perhaps by then it will
rate alongside the dinosaur age, or interest only
fellow Honorary members
Very best wishes to all at AMPS
HARRY .] HUTCHINGS IJSC. I]Ion,\\,II)S
LIONEL SELWYN HAS MOVED
Lionel Selwyn, Foley Artist and Sound Editor, would
like to let all those friends and colleagues, who don't
already know, that in May 2001 he went west, moving
his home to glorious Devon. Details as below:
2 Glastonbury Close
Beacon Heath
Exeter
Devon EX4 9EQ
Home: 01392 270551
Mob: 07703 579999
Email : lionelsel vwvn@hotmail.com