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NEWSREEL by Martin Powell

Search for Austral Duplex Discs "In 70mm"
Have you any Austral Duplex eight-inch discs in your col- Another great website with lots ofwidescreen info is the fn
lection? Please phone Chris Long on 03 9890 8164 [inter- 70mm site at http://hjem.get2net.dk/in 70mm
national 61 3 9890 8164] or write to PO Box 400, Mont
Albert 3127 Victoria Australia. "Bayside Reflections"
Port Phillip Bay on Film Rated G, Duration: 130 minutes
He offers a free CD copy of the discs located so far in ex- Bayside Reflections is the first of a two-part history pro-
change for the opportunity to remaster yours. Australia's duced by ScreenSound Australia, the National Film and
first locally recorded discs were pre-electric Austral Du- Sound Archive, and contains little-seen film footage relat-
plex issues, cut in the latter half of 1925 at Noel Penberton- ing to the two southern peninsulas ofPort Phillip Bay, from
Billing's World Record Company (Wocord) studio, in the Frankston to Point Nepean and from Geelong to Point
Melbourne suburb ofBrighton. Austral Duplex records were Lonsdale. The southem Bay stOJy is told through clips from
eight inches in diameter 78 rpm, and had a thin black shel- some 90 films- newsreels, documentaries, travelogues, ad-
lac laminate surface on a cardboard backing. Like the ac- vettisements, home movies, dramatic features and short
etate discs of the 1930s, most are now in an advanced state subjects- and more !than two hours of fascinating viewing
of deterioration. with detailed commentary by Melbourne broadcaster PauJ
Higgins. Video rrp $AU23.74 (GST included). Visit
Chris Long wants to locate, remaster, and restore every ScreenSound Australia at http://www.screensound.gov.au
surviving Austral Duplex item fon·e-issue on his Melbourne
in the 1920's CD series. 41 of the 68 issues have already "Forbidden Broadway"
been rernastered. The Austral Duplex discs were very finely Advertised in the papers this new show is previewing in
grooved (even more finely that tbe later Broadcast eight August. Starring Philip Gould, Antionette Halloran, David
inch discs), pennitting almost four minutes of program to Rogers-Smith, Katie Wilkins and Justin Jacobs, the produc-
be accommodated on each side. Unfortunately the old steel tion is billed as "New York's legendary comic salute to
needle pick-ups would rip holes in the thin shellac surfaces Broadway!
to expose the cardboard beneath. Most of these discs were
pressed wildly off-centre, so that they "wow" badly at each Whether you're a seasoned theatregoer or new to it all, this
revolution, and they were recorded at widely variant speeds, is your one-stop ticket to non-stop laughs!, "See 3l Broad-
from 65 to 90 rpm! way Shows in 97 Uproarious Minutes!" Tickets From $25
+ Cut Price Previews + From August 17. Discounts for
They have to be remastered on a variable-speed turntable groups of I 2 or more. Showing at Illusions Showroom, 26
with no centre spi11dle, so that tbe grooves can be centred Errol Street, North Melbourne. Bookings (03) 9348 9488
with the aid of a microscope. Wocord's later ten-inch Con-
dor discs were pressed in more durable shellac bisque, con- Independent Filmmaking:
sequently all of their issued ten inch local recordings have How to get a start in the industry. Presented by Filmgate,
already been located and they are not being sought. How- 260 Flix and RMIT Union Arts: This event will be held
ever, Wocord test pressings are always of interest! Chris over two evenings, Wednesday and Thursday, September 6
has compiled a list of the known Austral Duplex recordings and 7, 2000.
which indicate the particular artists and titles that he is
seeking. For more infonnation Chris can be e-mailed at Wednesday September 6
vocation 1928@hotrnajl.com His Antiquarian CO's website 7.00pm "Take The Money And Run" - A forum with
is at http://www.bluehaze.com.au representatives from various film funding, exhibition and
distribution bodies. They will discuss their role and func-
"Projected Picture Trust"
tion within the industry, uncovering secrets of who to ap-
The Projected Picture Trust in the UK have just launched
proach and how.
their new website at http://www.ppttrust The Projected Pic-
htreTrustwas formed in 1979 by a dedicated group of friends
8.00pm "Lock And Load" - A seminar for guerilJa film
to stop tbe destruction of cinema equipment in the UK. The
makers on where to find equipment on a minimal budget. A
objectives of the PPT are: To locate, preserve, renovate and
presentation will be made by Lemac and Open Channel,
exhibit the equipment and data, past and present, of still
two leading equipment hire and sales facilities.
and moving images. Among the many activities undertaken
by the Trust are the restoration of cinema projection
8.45pm "Hunger" - A Film Premiere- is a 20 minute
equipment. This is done by small groups, either at borne or
black comedy by David Blake Productions. Following the
on open days/in their region workshop.
screening will be a Q & A session with director David Blake,
DOP John Carter and actor Brett Swain (MalJboy).
The Swedish Widescreen Centre
Stefan Adler has a great website dedicated to widescreen
cinema- The Swedish Widescreen Centre. You can visit his Thursday September 7
7.00pm "Celluloid Virgins"- Those who have made it
site at http://www l.tripnet.se/-adler/wide2.html