Centre Screen Case Study
An initial pilot was run between January and June 2004, and following an overwhelming response, the scheme was extended to April 2007. A scheme Co-ordinator was employed with responsibility for delivering the scheme, including liaison with venues and promoters, sourcing the films, transporting equipment and providing the technical support for screenings. This Co-ordinator was based at Phoenix Arts (a live performance venue with film screening facilities in Leicester city centre), providing access to FilmBank and the necessary technical and practical resources and personnel.
Arts Development Officers within local authorities were responsible for publicising the scheme to potential venues, promoters and audiences throughout the county.
Individual promoters linked to local venues were identified. These promoters negotiated dates for screenings and selected from an extensive list of films including recent releases, classic cinema, international films, musicals, comedy, and thrillers.
As the scheme progressed and promoters grew in confidence, they were encouraged to experiment with different types of film including non-mainstream and arthouse cinema, locally produced short film and archive footage. A Promoter's Pack was produced providing clear guidance and support on all aspects of selecting films and delivering Centre Screen events.
A seasonal glossy flyer advertising Centre Screen events across the county was produced by the scheme co-ordinator, but local venues were responsible for carrying out their own publicity and ticket sales using their knowledge of networks within the local community. Arts Development Officers in local authorities also assisted with the distribution of publicity. Local venues were asked to pay a small fee to cover film hire charge, although this was heavily subsidised by the scheme's funding. If events made a profit, promoters were asked to return 50% of this back to the scheme. The remainder of this profit could be reinvested by the venues themselves in their future cultural programme.
From April 2007 future delivery options are being explored, including potentially joining forces with neighbouring counties Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire to 'hardwire' permanent equipment into key venues located in remote areas that have demonstrated the ability to sustain a regular programme and attract audiences.
The nine local authorities (two counties and seven districts/boroughs) worked in partnership with Phoenix Arts to manage and run the scheme.
The promoters within the local venues were important partners who were responsible for delivering the scheme on the ground.
Funding for Centre Screen principally came from EM Media. Each of the local authorities also made a financial commitment to the scheme, and there was some income from promoters where profits had been made on Centre Screen events.
Funding to purchase additional equipment was secured from the UK Film Council (via EM Media) at a later date.
The annual cost of the scheme in its first two years was in the region of £30, 000.
Centre Screen Case Study