Street Cinema Project Aims Establish a unique cinematic venue at the location which birthed British Cinema. The cinema will be supported by a full schedule of festivals and regular events. Pioneering film and cinema technology in partnership with the University of Westminster Film School, and other organisations and educational establishments. Provide student and experimental filmmakers with a hub for exhibition, networking and innovation. • Based upon the principles inherent in the history of innovation that established the site.
Outline Introduction Bringing together various stakeholders to enable the rescue of this historic venue for the benefit of future students, and especially student filmmakers Current focus is to bring together a costed plan that enables a fully functioning single- screen cinema to be refurbished and operated outside of University time-tabled lecturing
There is a major shortage of cinema screens in London’s vibrant West End Digital film exhibition has reached a stage meaning a single screen cinema is commercially viable Situated opposite the UK Film Council, and around the corner from the major west end production and post houses (niche in screening room market) 6000 students on site and Oxford Circus’ Tourist pull Student Filmmakers have limited exhibition opportunities, yet have to independently raise funds Previous attempts have overreached Why Do This – Project Benefits Background
Do This – Project Benefits Historical Significance The Regent Street Cinema is the Site of the Lumiére Brother’s first demonstration of their Cinematographe, making the site the birthplace of Cinema in the British Isles site of the world’s first photography school and the UK’s first film school. Home of the Magic Lantern Society and the Pepper’s Ghost Illusion Contains one of three remaining Compton Organs in London that are still in their original location (Recently refurbished) The BFI library was first launched here Operated as a Cinema until 1981 Key Facts About the RSC Poster for the first demonstration
Do This – Project Benefits Milestones Pepper’s Ghost first Performed here -1862/3 Britain’s first film school established here -1933 The National Film Library held it’s first public screening here, 21st Feb 1936 Lumiere Brothers’ demonstrate Cinematographe Interior remodelled. Last used as a commercial cinema Cameo Poly 1896 1923 1930’s 1980 2001 2005 1860’s 2007 2009 Intended opening of the Regent Street Cinema Idea for Regent Street Cinema put together Engaged with Architects for feasibility Refitted as the Polytechnic Theatre Compton Theatre Organ installed - 1936 Compton Organ restored – celebrated 15th Feb 2006 with Lord Mayor Opening 2008
Public profile Refurbishment of an essential learning space – Taking opportunity to provide desired facilities that were previously lacking for lecturing: Chilled ventilation/air conditioning Sturdy tablets folding into seat arms Synergy with courses – MAD – Film School, Animation, Contemporary Media Practice – SSHL – Language Schools Keeping students on Campus Future partnerships better facilitated Higher profile lectures and events venue Regenerative impetus for Upper Regent Street Bringing Students closer to industry Making better use of a valuable space in its current down time Increasing the number of corporate clients and having more people passing through the University’s doors Why Do This – Project Benefits Advantages for the University of Westminster
Film Council Operational Plan Location & Surrounding Industry – to be completed Regent Street Cinema Producers Other Media Partners Effects Houses Distributors Cinematic Community
Works Areas of Work Frontage – Canopy, Interactive elements, Windows Box office/Foyer Bar/concessions area Seating – Floor raking Projection Equipment Sound and Lighting Toilet facilities Ventilation Possible extra internal decorations Total capital cost estimated between £1.25-1.5m Specific Costs and Scheme to come with procurement of architectural feasibility
Plan Target Audiences Students – Year long pass – Sell bulk at discount during Freshers’ period and January – Regular special offers with local businesses for members Local residents – Discounts for local residents – Membership options – annual or lifelong Corporate hires – Target market between large Leicester Square venues and small Soho screening rooms – Partnerships with hotels Tourists – Oxford Circus not served by any other cinema
Plan Execution Plan Objectives Strategy Next Steps Local infrastructure and security Fit-out cinema to West End Standard Compliance with Campus Security Plan Costed Business plan Tender Architects Hiring/People Recruitment and Training needs to be structured and professionally maintained Programming independent if possible Cinema Manager Concessions/Box Office Programmers Licenses / Agreements The RSC needs strategic alliances University of Westminster Approval UK Film Council Heritage – Listed Building - Approval Local Council Approval University Relations Course tie-ins need to be formal Open to other film schools Regular events for student filmmaking Control Environment/ Platform Engage top level Cinema Operators Control improvement plan established Operation and Expansion Structure management roles to spread skills across two roles Development of long term goals Engage Industry to integrate into local community Forge links with industry partners UK Film Council/Partners to assist with development plan Marketing Partner with local and international firms to deliver excellence e.g. London Film Festival Innovative, as well as traditional marketing Develop brand as a mark of quality and innovative entertainment Make initial contacts – subject to approvals To build, implement, & maintain a high standard cinema platform
Plan Organisational chart proposed structure – to be updated 2 members University Reps Cleaning Outsourced Matt Snyman Rayhan Rafiq Omar Project Directors 2 members External Partners 2 members External Partners Ushers Student Staff Box Office IT based solution Programming Manager Can be outsourced <> Cinema Managers 307 Regent Street Finance Outsourced Marketing/PR Assistant Possible integration with management roles above Board of Directors Board of Directors Web Designer Outsourced
Plan Our Logo – Literally stamped all over the building – The image of a mounted Bellerophon slaying a Chimera is literally embedded in and throughout the Regent Street building – This image is also associated with the iconography of George and the Dragon – This particular design shares similarities with Benedetto Pistrucci's 1815 design of St George and the Dragon for the Royal Mint – It was used on the exterior by noted cinema architect Frank T. Verity when the building’s façade was rebuilt in 1911 – The logo was also an emblem of the Royal Polytechnic until it fell out of use – The image signifies the cinema’s core values: History, Drama, Adventure, Class, and the Power of Imagination – The imagery entices the imagination and offers boundless scope for creative expression: Bringing it to life – Animation – a signature animation to play before features – enhancing brand identity – Statue – on façade, to mark the location and draw attention from passers-by
Plan The Compton Cinema Organ The 2Manual/6Rank Compton cinema organ was installed in the Regent Street Polytechnic's Cinema in 1936 It is one of only three such instruments in London remaining in its original location. The organ chamber is located at the rear of the stage (behind the screen) It is playable today thanks to the efforts of Peter Hammond of HWS Associates who repaired it after the organ fell into disrepair - http://www.hws.org.uk/ It is intended to play the organ to silent films on a regular basis – Silent Sundays
Plan Summary Not-for-profit – Surpluses ploughed back into cinema/events Links with industry, facilitated by: – Regular events – e.g. Silent Sundays, magic lantern shows – Festivals Bringing students closer to industry and providing them with much needed exhibition – Students shorts and trailers with the commercial trailers Bar/Concession area – Partnership for daytime offering – e.g. Hummus Bros – Evening unique offers – e.g. Coffee Menu Partnerships for commercial private rentals – e.g. Hotels, local media industry
Partners in Conversation Westminster Film School UK Film Council/Film London The Cinema Theatre Association Tony Jones (Founder – City Screen) Joost Hunnigher (ex UOW department head and chair of the CILECT research project into the future of digital cinema) City Screen (Largest Independent Cinema Operator) Peter Hammond (HWS Associates – Arts Heritage Consultancy) Film distributors: Pathé, New Wave & others Other potential partners The Heritage Lottery Fund Prominent British Film Producers and Distributors Private equity specialising in film/cinema BFI Regent Street Organisation – Crown Estate Major Production and effects houses The Magic Lantern Society
Steps To achieve Our Goals It is imperative that the cinema has ties to industry, for this vision to be fully realised We aim to have between 1 and 3 producers / directors / distributors as ongoing partners Consolidate University support External Partners/Investors Costed Business Plan To demonstrate our vision to investors, we need to have a costed capital works schedule We have engaged the leading architects in this field (3 firms have tendered) The cost for this will be £5,000 + VAT Operational advice has been sought from many current and previous cinema operators Costs have been over- estimated and revenues under-estimated We are seeking an investor to underwrite the operation of the cinema Architectural Feasibility
Street Cinema Project Summary Birthplace of British Cinema Home for future student and experimental film makers 300+ seat theatre fully refurbished Digital projection – with two supplemental 35mm projectors Regular events programme Silent Sundays (with organ accompaniment) and magic lantern shows Interactive Frontage – nobody should be able to walk past without wanting to look in Future proof ticketing and seasonal passes Student shorts and trailers before the main feature Not for profit
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