1961 will remain a significant year in the History of our Institute, since it marks the birth of the Film Club. The first show was held on Sunday in October 1961. The projector, the projectionist and the members were all there, in that grimy corridor in the central workshops and though all of them failed at various times during the show, it was a good start. That show was the result of months of correspondence between us, the various Film Distributors and of course the Institute authorities.
The next few shows were held just outside the Workshops, where it was more airy and where Members could relax on the grass or have the thrill of seeing a picture from ladders, tree-tops and window-sills. But now the Film Committee was up against a lot more difficulties than it had bargained for. There were several technical problems regarding projectors, screen, electrical connections, etc. Most of these were overcome by the sheer will-power shown by us and to a greater extent by the determination of the members to see good pictures. The last shows that year were held just before the Final Examinations started.
1962-63 saw a more mature and experienced Film Club. It knew the worst that could happen at a show, the proper thing to be done when projectors, members and the weather were all against it and lastly, the psychology of the common picture-goer. We started our shows in one of the smaller workshops, but as usual, we always got what we did'nt ask for. We got bad weather when the members had the unique opportunity of seeing pictures while kneep-deep in water, and we always got either more or less than 22O watts in the lines, when we went back to the 20's and saw silent pictures.
Problems regarding projectionist, projectors and transport got worse and many a time, members of the Film Committee have had to drop the projectionist back at his home on private conveyance. We are grateful to Bawa and Mahesh in this respect. The Second Term was the beginning of an exodus, when we migrated to the Open-air Theatre. Here the shows were more enjoyable due to better weather and operational facilities. We welcome the German staff and their families and hope they will enjoy our shows.
Our reports will not be complete without the mention of Mr. Ramaswamy, who has been exceedingly helpful in the operation of the projectors.
Our thanks are also due to Prof. Narayanamurti, Venkateswarlu, Mr. Ebert for their help and guidance.
P. L. KAPUR
Secretary, Film Club
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Artist's rendering of OAT in 1962
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Scanned copy of original article
