Communication evolution
Recent donations
he future of using
Newsreel
as the prime means of
communication with our members is now under
scrutiny. Notwithstanding the difficulty we have in obtaining
the services of a member to take over the editor’s role, we
must face the fact the younger generation is increasingly
using the internet and web to keep in touch and for
information. As the destiny of our project will ultimately
rely on the interest and involvement of those who may now
be just starting in our industry or studying for it, we need to
facilitate easy and contemporary access to our organisation.
D
onations continue to be offered for our collection and
general operations. Some of the recent items include;
Bauer 16mm Xenon arc projector
The Paradiso Cinema in James St. Perth had no further use
for their 16mm machine and have donated it to AMMPT. At
the moment it is uncertain if we will add it to the collection
for future public exhibition only or use it in conjunction with
our own 16mm film library and special presentations.
Another factor which will be more apparent to our members
residing outside Perth, is the spasmodic receipt of the
publication. It suggests nothing much is happening, while
exactly the opposite is the case. Events in the Western
region, and admin tasks related to the establishment of other
regional branches, combined with local member activities
have absorbed all the available time of the President/editor.
Since the last edition in March, photographs and articles to
be written have been piling up, waiting for the opportunity to
assemble them together in a new edition. Time never seems
to be available as one priority overtakes the other.
Removal of the equipment which included a deceptively
heavy rectifier unit down a narrow and steep stairway from
the bio box taxed the waning muscle power of our aging
volunteers.
A few months ago we endeavoured to rejuvenate our website
and even initiated an electronic newsletter. Member Bruce
Dargie established a presence for AMMPT on Twitter and
Facebook, but again, due to time pressures, and lack of
members dedicated to sustaining these initiatives, they fell
by the wayside. With the growth of interstate membership,
it is hoped suitably qualified people may emerge to take on
these roles.
Paradiso Snr. projectionist Neil Perrie (left) with Graeme Lacey
Computer equipment
During recent years it has been noticed many of our older
members are now going on the internet, to the point where
over 90% of our total membership are now connected – most
on broadband. It is obvious the internet is becoming the
communication medium of the future and it is up to us to
embrace it if we want to survive and be relevant in today’s
society. This allows us to consider using our website as the
prime mode of member communication and enabling quick
advice of coming events or AMMPT news in general. In this
manner, events and notices can be posted as they occur.
While not destined for
the collection, it has
been decided not to
sell off the several
almost new computers
and ancillary items
donated by Curtin
University as reported
in the last edition. It is
now intended to use
these items to build
interactive displays
when we eventually
secure permanent
premises.
The committee is now in discussion with a new member who
may be interested in coordinating our web presence. It is
important a rejuvenated website reflect our suggestions and
ideas, especially those of our new and younger members and
others who regularly “surf the web”.
Keith Coote with some of the donated computers.
A special team has been established up to coordinate this
input to provide a new webmaster with the guidelines
reflecting our requirements. Your suggestions on how it
should be set up and anything else you consider would
enhance our presence in cyberspace is urgently required.
Please email your views to our email address
ammpt@iinet.net.au
with “Web suggestions” in the subject
bar.
More help from WA Museum
Several more surplus acrylic display cabinets resulting from
a WA Museum upgrade have been offered to AMMPT. They
will add
to the
inventory
of display
cabinets
already
donated
by the
Museum
and
Channel
Seven
Perth.
As it is possible some members reading this may have
recently connected to email or changed their ISP and have
not sent us their new address,
a test email
has been sent to
all members currently listed on our data base. If you are
connected and
did not receive the email, please advise us
ASAP so you will not miss out on future communication. If
you are not, nor have any intention of connecting to the
internet, perhaps you have a friend on the net whom would
be prepared to accept mail on your behalf. If so, providing
their address details will ensure you are kept in the loop.
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