Accessible cinema: Your Local Cinema .com

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Subtitled & audio described cinema in Scotland.

£100,000 FUNDING AVAILABLE

Offer ends March 2nd 2007.

A great opportunity
for a cinema to become accessible
at a very reduced cost

£100,000 has been made available to cinemas in Scotland, to enable more hearing or visually impaired people to enjoy the cinema. The funds are there to help to increase the number of cinemas with subtitle and audio description facilities.

£100,000 could enable another 35 screens to become accessible. (Currently only 15 cinemas have the facilities).

There are more than 60 cinemas in Scotland and all have been made aware of this, but for some reason, not many have shown an interest!

So WE NEED YOUR HELP to persuade cinemas in Scotland to install and use this equipment!

PLEASE contact cinemas in Scotland and request that they take up this fantastic offer, which ends on March 2nd of this year.

Note: We don't need finished application forms by Friday 2nd March. But DO need to receive an email from an exhibitor by end of Friday, stating when the application form will be delivered, how many screens to be applied for, and what equipment would be required for each.

Cinemas can purchase the equipment at HALF PRICE. Or they could BUY ONE & GET ONE FREE, to enable more than one screen to become accessible.

Whichever way you look at it, it's a great opportunity for a cinema to become accessible at a very reduced cost

Around 220 cinemas in Britain now have subtitle and audio description facilities, to enable hearing or visually impaired people to enjoy the cinema. Most popular films are released with subtitles and audio description "files", and around 1,000 subtitled shows are screened nationwide every month.

Cinemas that have a system can simply overlay subtitles onto the latest films. The system can be turned on and off - similar to teletext subtitles on TV, or DVD subtitles, so the screen can be used for non-subtitled shows too.

The system can also broadcast audio description - a narrated soundtrack - for visually impaired people. The on-screen action is described in detail through personal headphones.

The vast majority of these "accessible" cinemas are in England. Northern and Southern Ireland also have a number of accessible cinemas, and this year, more accessible cinemas will be introduced in Wales.

In the USA over 300 cinemas have become accessible and cinemas in Australia are becoming accessible too.

Now many cinemas in Scotland have a fantastic opportunity to become accessible...

Cinemas in Scotland can apply for funds from the Cinema Access Equipment Investment Programme. The funds will be distributed by the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, the national development agency for the country's film industry. To qualify, each cinema must invest the same amount as it claims from the fund.

Scotland has more than 60 cinemas, containing over 300 screens in total. 15 cinemas in Scotland already have subtitle/description facilities, but not all have regular subtitled or described shows.

The Scottish Screen funds (£100,000), combined with match funding from cinemas, would enable around 35 more screens to be equipped. (Cost is around £5,500 per system including installation, projector for subtitles, and headphone system for audio description).

Some cinemas may be concerned that subtitled shows will have a low turnout. They are right - compared to the size of the general public audience, the number of hearing or visually impaired people in each town is small. Most people take a friend or family member to the cinema, which increases the audience, but it's still not a huge figure.

But audience figures for most morning or afternoon normal cinema shows are very low anyway, and many cinemas are used to fairly empty houses.

Cinemas could view the subtitled shows as they view disabled ramps, lifts, wheelchair spaces, loop systems etc. - NOT there to make a profit, but to enable people in their communities, who need a little extra help, to enjoy the service that cinemas provide.

Audio described shows need never interfere with "normal" shows, as the description - a narrated soundtrack - is broadcast through personal, wireless headphones. Only the user can hear it.

"It is not tragic to have a disability. Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things one needs to lead one's life"

We would like everyone who might benefit from these facilities, or who knows someone who might benefit, to contact their local cinema and request they provide a service to people who need it. Request that 'access' equipment be installed. We would like people to try to encourage their local cinema manager to make an application to Scottish Screen before the closing date on March 2nd 2007.

PLEASE help to persuade more cinemas in Scotland to become accessible! Please contact cinemas in Scotland and request that they take up this fantastic offer.

Catherine Murtagh
Cinema Access Equipment
Investment Programme
Market Development
Scottish Screen
249 West George Street
Glasgow G2 4QE

direct tel: +44 (0)141 302 1756
direct fax: +44 (0)141 302 1778
main tel: +44 (0)141 302 1700

The initiative has been launched with the support of the RNID, RNIB and the UK Film Council as well as cinema operators and film distributors.

Delia Henry, Director for RNID Scotland says: “We welcome investment in the provision of cinema subtitling in Scotland. It is fantastic news that the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people are being recognised by Scottish Screen and the Scottish Arts Council. This could go a long way to ensuring films are accessible for deaf and hard of hearing people across the whole of the Scotland.”

John Legg, Director for RNIB also commented: “RNIB Scotland warmly welcomes the possible roll out of audio description in Scotland’s cinemas. This would allow many more blind and partially sighted people to enjoy the excitement and fun of the movies alongside their family and friends.”

Morgan Petrie, Head of Market Development for Scottish Screen said:“We want cinema to be as accessible as possible. This initiative can support the provision of equipment for people with sensory impairments to enjoy a richer cinema experience.”

Maggie Maxwell, Head of Equalities at the Scottish Art Council said: “The Scottish Arts Council is committed to tackling barriers which may prevent participation and enjoyment of the arts in Scotland. This initiative can engage new audiences in an exciting and inclusive way and we look forward to working with Scottish Screen to help increase audiences for cinema in Scotland.”

PLEASE HELP to persuade more cinemas in Scotland to become accessible! Please contact cinemas in Scotland and request that they take up this fantastic offer.