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Film Selection Questionnaire Results

Last modified on 2008-01-29 00:23:25 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

NUMBER OF QUESTIONNAIRES RETURNED: 57

Q1: Current membership status

Whole year members 55
Half year members —
One week members 2

Q2: How long have you been coming to ABCD screenings?

New this year 4
Since last year 9
Pre-2005 season 44

Q3: What do you think of the ~ 50/50 English language/foreign language ratio of films?

Strongly Agree 17
Agree 35
Disagree 4
Strongly Disagree —
Am indifferent 1

Q4: What do you think of the ~ 60/40 recent/archive (1930 to 1980s) ratio of films?

Strongly Agree 11
Agree 33
Disagree 6
Strongly Disagree 2
Am indifferent 4
Members who did not answer 1

Q5: Do you think there should additionally be a silent film with piano accompaniment?

Strongly Agree 27
Agree 15
Disagree 2
Strongly Disagree 2
Am indifferent 11

GENERAL COMMENTS

  1. If you had printed this on both sides of one sheet you would have saved a number of trees.
  2. The season so far seems to have had a rather high number of harrowing films, eg, Pan’s Labyrinth, Keane and especially The Wind That Shakes the Barley (I nearly fainted during the torture scene, despite having seen the film previously). More light as well as shade, please, in future selections.
  3. I realise that this comment is beyond the scope of the questionnaire but it does strike me that we should try to attract younger members. Perhaps a selection of films studied by, or in similar genres to those studied in, Film and Media Studies courses might attract AS and A level students, for example. New AS and A level courses are being introduced in September 2008, so that might suggest some titles, perhaps.

COMMENTS re Q3.: (ENGLISH LANGUAGE/FOREIGN LANGUAGE RATIO)

  1. I could live with more foreign films but it is the quality that matters.
  2. Fewer sub-titles please (perhaps 1/3rd).
  3. I enjoy films from non-English speaking areas.
  4. An excellent mix. ABCD is the only venue where I can see foreign language films. The Phoenix is too far and inaccessible by car.
  5. Best to retain some flexibility as dictated by quality/accessibility, etc.
  6. Good to see a variety of countries represented. I would like to see even more foreign language films in the programme.
  7. I think this is a good formula.
  8. Proportion of foreign films should be reduced to 1/3rd.
  9. 1/3rd foreign language films.
  10. Depends on films available. Some years may vary, eg, 2/3rds to 1/3rd.
  11. I enjoy the variety and content of the programme. Would enjoy the occasional musical !!
  12. I am not a fast reader of sub-titles, and when I have to watch a film as well as read (text), I find it difficult to do both unless the action is slow-paced.
  13. More than half seem to be foreign language but the balance seems about right. I know it is not always your fault but the sound isn’t very good sometimes.
  14. Programme has been well balanced and I see no reason to change it.
  15. There should be a reasonable balance, used flexibly according to the relative quality of films available.
  16. This formula is fair enough but need not be rigidly adhered to. I feel if a film has good legible English sub-titles, that’s good enough for me.
  17. Any chance of Russian films? A slight bias towards German films is evident.
  18. The formula should be as flexible as possible without any constraints to take into account of what films are available (or not) for a particular season. This is particularly important when some of the titles being considered will not be screened for another 15 or 16 months after the selection process begins.
  19. At least half of the feature films should be English language dialogue.
  20. Sub-titles preferred to dubbing - (but this is the usual policy).
  21. Generally, there are fewer opportunities to see sub-titled films since multiplexes rarely show them, so I would expect at least half the films to be sub-titled. I think 13:8 in favour of sub-titles might be accommodated by this wording. So I approximately agree.

COMMENTS re Q4.: (RECENT/ARCHIVE [1930 - 1980s] RATIO)

  1. What went wrong with from 1990 to 2003? Apart from this glaring omission, generally a good mix.
  2. What about films from the 1990s?
  3. We have seen excellent films in both categories.
  4. Cannot understand why 1990s films have been excluded. This year’s programme has no films from the ‘70s, ‘80s or ‘90s.
  5. Agree but with some flexibility.
  6. Best to retain, as recent releases are increasingly going quickly onto DVD video.
  7. Recent films should only be chosen if the film is slightly unusual in some way.
  8. 50/50
  9. It is good to have a broad spectrum.
  10. I wouldn’t object to a slightly higher percentage of older films.
  11. My greatest interest is in older, classical and ‘60s films. My preference would be for a few more of these.
  12. I would support a slight shift in the balance towards earlier films.
  13. Agree but would like to see more classics of the ‘30s and ‘40s, together with B & W.
  14. Reduce amount of ‘30s to ‘80s to 30% with amount of pre-70s to 5%.
  15. Wouldn’t object to more oldies but a good film is a good film.
  16. As for Q3, there should be no fixed percentage but the proportion of each should vary according to quality. Some contemporary films can be here to-day and forgotten tomorrow. Some archive films are a fascinating window into the culture and way of life of past eras.
  17. I would prefer to see more films from the 1930s to the 1950s and some earlier silents.
  18. Again, need not be rigidly adhered to, and I think some 1920s or even earlier silent films should not be excluded.
  19. All decades.
  20. This rules out films from 1990 to 2003.What about a mix from all decades?
  21. What is wrong with the 1990s?
  22. Please keep the current formula.
  23. Why neglect the 1990s? Doesn’t make sense to me.
  24. More archive film. The great period of film last century was from the ‘20s to the ‘80s (with some blips). These are the films we ought to be showing, with a few token modern films.
  25. A few recent titles to attract new members are a good thing but with so much material being released on DVD, such films are less of a draw than they used to be. In any case, much more of the archive is now being transferred to DVD, rendering it an increasingly fruitful source for Societies such as ABCD, where the focus ought to be away from the mainstream. Not forgetting, of course, how good the films actually are.
  26. Some films appear only for a brief exposure locally, then disappear. Their worth may be reflected in later showings, 5 - 10 years later, in other parts of the country at smaller-scale outlets such as ours. I’ve noticed this several times. Unless ABCD can also respond, I think we lose something. I’d like to see the 1980s threshold abandoned.

COMMENTS re Q5.: (SILENT FILM WITH PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT)

  1. Not in theory my cup of tea but still a delightful variation.
  2. Always enjoy this one.
  3. I enjoyed last year’s film in the church in Abingdon centre.
  4. Not experienced it yet but it sounds like a fun idea and takes me back to my early days of cinema.
  5. I don’t mind and some members seem to like it a lot but they are not usually very good films.
  6. This has always been a highlight of the programme.
  7. Highlight of the season! I always look forward to this film, especially when the DVD doesn’t get stuck.
  8. Fine - as long as it can be managed.
  9. Appreciate that the piano accompaniment seeks to re-create a contemporary atmosphere but to me is distracting - we are now fully accustomed to film and it tells its own story.
  10. Agree but not bothered.
  11. Why not mix the films used in the evening? ie, a comedy (Keystone Cops, Keaton, etc.) and a documentary/historical work or a social study.
  12. Splendid! AY is a true artist but can we have more comedies of the silent era. Also I agree, providing that good silent films are available.
  13. Yes - one film with this accompaniment is a good idea.
  14. It would be nice to have a more even mix between comedy classics and dramatic narrative, of the silent European films.
  15. If it is a silent film it should be sufficiently well known to our audience.
  16. A good feature - please retain.
  17. The number of silent features should not be restricted to one in any given season. Flexibility is all! Titles for the Arts Festival may be an influence here.
  18. Always a delight!
  19. I assume we are fortunate in having the best advice in the choices made. We now have an even better piano at St. Nicholas’.

COMMENTS re Q6.: (GENRES OF FILM)

  1. 1. More comedies please - or an occasional Western.
  2. 2. A mixture please - as now.
  3. 3. Genre does not matter as long as the film is unusual and of a high quality.
  4. Am happy with the existing balance.
  5. 5. Emphasise politics/war and comedy - less crime thrillers.
  6. 6. Balance fine.
  7. 7. Just one musical every year would be appreciated.
  8. The whole range makes most sense. I have joined because my husband only likes comedies and thrillers.
  9. Balance seems fine.
  10. I probably value the political/social issues more highly than most of the others. Some of the foreign films have been most informative.
  11. Present balance seems fine.
  12. The balance seems good as it is. I enjoy the cheerful notes in the film before Christmas.
  13. Generally supportive of current policy - happy to take the genres as they come.
  14. I think the balance is fine but it helps to be a full member to see that there is a balance.
  15. Maybe the planning of the mix is as important as the actual mix. I did hear the comment ‘Do we have to have three miserable films in a row?’
  16. I think the programme generally features a good spread of genres - no formula necessary. Also some films defy classification.
  17. I think the existing formula seems to give a natural balance which pleases the majority: otherwise we wouldn’t keep coming back!
  18. The balance is a good eclectic mix.
  19. good variety of thrillers, romantic and classic comedy. I would like to see a musical. Analysis of this year’s films seems to be a heavy weighting of war and social (issues) but I don’t have a problem with the social.
  20. Conspicuous by the absence of musicals. Could we have at least one a year - but not Moulin Rouge.
  21. A mixture makes a good balance.
  22. Some films relating to issues of the present day environment - ie, Les Glanuers. Good discussion should be an important feature, which is appreciated by members.
  23. Balance about right, I think.
  24. I think the balance is just about right for me.
  25. A little more of ‘The Best of Hollywood’ please in war, comedy and thrillers.
  26. This year’s balance seems fine. Many thanks for your work.
  27. Good balance but am strongly against films which appear to present violence as entertainment. It is OK if it is for making a point, ie, Pan’s Labyrinth and Armee des Ombres.
  28. The only issue to watch for is avoiding films which have been on mainstream TV: ie, use more independent or foreign films.
  29. Usually fine (this half of this season’s films have been a bit grim). Could we not have one musical or Western per season?
  30. How about the occasional nature (or indeed any other documentary) film if of outstanding quality of photography and/or wide interest?
  31. The films at present seem to be shown according to critical merit. A mix of all genres is desirable but please no quotas, or quality will suffer.
  32. Whilst not in favour of ‘dumbing-down’ the programmes, they are at times in need of lightening up: ie, the inclusion of a few more comedies (‘30s/’40s), romantic films or classic documentaries (Humphrey Jennings, etc.). The programme should be broadly challenging. However, if this is overdone it could be off-putting. A series of thought-provoking films on serious issues is laudable and in the spirit of the Society’s aims - but you need a break! What about some animation, or shorts of feature length. Also, I would like to see some films which are programmed to co-incide with particular anniversaries, ie, Remembrance Day, St. Valentine’s Day or historic events.
  33. How about a season (say 3 or 4 films) from one director, ie, Bunuel, Bergman, Herzog, etc. Also more ‘art-house’ films.
  34. . A mix of drama, thrillers and comedy would be more welcome. ABCD should also avoid having blocks of depressing or violent films next to each other - some light relief please (as in this season!).
  35. I would like to see examples of Eastern European animation.
  36. Perhaps a few more comedies, as it’s fun to laugh together. When we are going to have a violent film (especially if it contains torture scenes), please could we be warned in advance?
  37. No particular genre requirements. A balance of genres across the programme is ideal.
  38. You don’t often show a Western - OK, the first one post-Christmas is - good - but so little known (excluding the recent ‘Brokeback Mountain’).
  39. My feeling is that this can’t be pre-determined (beyond saying the bleeding obvious) - we should aim at balance (much easier to demand than deliver).
  40. A higher proportion of films on political and/or social issues would be welcome. It would improve the overall balance of the programme: eg, note how well Bamako was received.
  41. Please, not too many atrocities and/or violence.
  42. I think it is important to have a varied balance of genres/film characters by striving to intersperse violent/conflict types and thrillers of any sort with the sorts of film I consider more reflective to our normal situations (of which I want plenty) and with places for films of epic scale, bio-pics, where chosen. Using this season’s films as an example, with The Black Book added to this term’s four highlighted films of conflict, it might seem a high proportion.