Community Cinema Success

Chieveley Cinema Club hosted a training event in April which 31 people from 12 halls attended. The hall was laid out as it would be for a cinema evening which is usually held on the first Tuesday of the month.

Delegates were welcomed by the cinema club committee who explained how the club was set up and how it is run. Following a cinema club event run by CCB in Kintbury in 2011, the residents of Chieveley decided to establish their own and with £5,000 Parish Plan grant and funds from the village hall, the equipment was purchased. With help from the British federation of Film Societies (BFFS) a trail run showing Slum Dog Millionaire took place and in February 2012 a club with 50 members was established. Members pay £40 a year which entitles them to see 10 films and attend a social event in December. Non members pay £6 per film. The committee meets twice a year to choose the films to show and each member has their own role - projectionist, treasurer, front of house, publicity, refreshments etc.

The hall has a Premises Licence (with the ability to show films) PRS and PPL, full public liability insurance and insurance for the storage and movement of equipment. FilmBank is used to choose films from their catalogues which usually costs about £100 per screening.
 
Delegates were shown a clip from a film to show how the projection and sound surround worked and a stills video was shown as to how the hall is set up and cleared away on film night.

The evening was judged to be a great success and thanks to the film club committee for hosting it and providing refreshments. There are about 8 film clubs in West Berkshire and North Hampshire – further details can be obtained from Wendy.Dacey@ccberks.org.uk