El Cerrito Rotary: The Wheel June 10, 2010

Editors:  Gary Buffon & Michael Dougherty & Charlie Weaver
Week of June 10, 2010     
(www.rotary5160.org) 

President Tracy welcomed everyone to the Friendly El Cerrito Rotary Club.  Rod led the flag salute and Lee provided the thought for the day.

Secretary John:   In John’s absence Jack introduced two visiting Rotarians from Australia – Bob Lane and Yvonne Ryan who are participating in a home exchange program and are staying locally.  Other guests included Todd (Karen’s husband) and Alan Kain a local Albany businessman.  Jack had a guest, Matt Kelleher. 

4-Way Test Presentation:    Frank recited the 4-Way Test

Announcements:

• Karen reminded us of the July 17^th Oakland Museum gig and the Rotary day at the A’s July 7^th being headed up by Richmond Rotary.  She sent around a sign up sheet and will do that again at next meetings
• Jack reminded everyone of Tracy’s demotion dinner which is Saturday night at the Berkeley City Club at 2315 Durant Ave. 
  Social hour 6p and dinner at 7p

Happy dollars:   Lee had a report on his trip to Sonoma for the Rock, Paper, Scissors contest that was not held this year but he and Heidi enjoyed their trip and did some wine tasting.  Mark S is happy to be back from a serious bout with pneumonia.  Gary B is happy about the great success of the ECHS Interact club and all the things they accomplished this year.  Jack is happy for the upcoming trip to the Rotary World Convention in Montreal.  Nobuko is happy about husband Jon took such great care of her during a recent illness.  Todd is happy he remembered the team the Oakland A’s will play on Rotary Day at the A’s.  Karen is happy that Jack took her to the budget meeting in his classic 1957 Thunderbird.  Tracy gave a happy dollar for all the Past Presidents in attendance and thanked them for all their support.   

Sgt at Arms Nancy:   Not on duty today

Today’s Program: 

Karen introduced today's speaker, Mark Berger is a supervising rerecording sound mixer and sound editor who has won four Academy Awards.  Mark began his presentation by warning us he was going show us how sound tracks are created for movies and we would never be able to watch a movie without thinking about that ever again.

He brought a clip from the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley and used it as an example of the elements which make up the sound track: Dialogue, Music and Effects.  We were shown the entire clip and then Mark show the clip with just the dialogue, then the clip with just the music and then the clip with the effects.  At each stage Mark explained the why’s and how’s of how he does his work (magic) to bring the movie alive with the great sound tracks we are all accustomed to taking for granted. 

It was very interesting to hear how each of the attributes adds to the depth of the sound track.  Mark answered a number of questions and we all walked away having a great deal of respect and understanding for the creative genius of people like Mark.  Thanks Karen for inviting Mark to explain his fascinating profession with us.

Today’s Lottery Winner:   Marty had his ticket drawn for the bottle of wine.  Frank had his ticket drawn for the jackpot and pulled a catseye marble.   At our next meeting the jackpot is $135.  Nobuko won the drawing for the beautiful orchid Tracy brought.

Thought for the Week:

 Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in.
--Amy Lowell

Tracy explains to Mark Berger the book that will be given to a grammar school in his honor