In the late 1970s it became fashionable for large organisations in the world of business to mount “audio visual presentations” in support of conference events or the launch of new products. Some Ministers and civil servants became aware of the genre and decided they would be a useful addition to their portfolio of presentational tools.
These presentations had come about because it had become possible to link a number of 35mm slide projectors together with a sound track, both controlled by a computer. The effect was to offer presentations with changing pictures and synchronised sound track. From the audience perspective they were to all intents a film.
Such presentations linked to a “live” speech at a conference added considerably to the effectiveness of the event.
Mounting such presentations fell a little awkwardly between COI Exhibitions Division and Film Division. The former had long been used to designing and building exhibitions often as part of a conference as part of a conference but did not have the expertise to produce audio visual presentations.
In the event and for a period, Film Division took on a number of projects for static and touring presentations where a series of Ministerial events were being made in different parts of the country.
Such events involved the design of a stage set that incorporated a speakers podium that could moved about the country. Incorporated in the set would be a screen and provision of rear projected pictures by a group of six or more slide projectors providing several short “films”. The latter would of course require a script, the shooting of pictures albeit on 35mm slides, editing the pictures and recording a sound tack.
For around two or three years a number of such projects were undertaken. One such was the launch of the Manpower Services Commission (MSC). The concept and task of the MSC was ambitious and its eventual success would rest a good deal on its relationship with companies in the private sector. . In order to reach out to the business community MSC wanted to mount presentations in a number of venues around the country.
Film Division put together a presentation that consisted of purpose built set that provided podiums for two speakers. It also provided a fair sized screen with audio together with a bank six or more slide projectors and a synchronised sound system. All this equipment could be erected and moved around the country.
MSC provided a speaker - often a Minister- to introduce the presentation. Detailed information with graphs and statistics were provided by the pre-recorded slide tape system. Local business men would take part relating the presentation to local needs.
The presentations went very well so that the concept was replicated for several departments and subjects.
The concept was overtaken after a few years by the introduction of video presentations.