Star and Shadow Cinema (Newcastle upon Tyne)
Address: Stepney Bank / Newcastle upon Tyne / Tyne and Wear, NE1 2NP, UK / United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 0191 2610066
Email: info at starandshadow.org.uk
Contact: Christo Wallers, Debbie Bower, Mat Fleming.
www.starandshadow.org.uk/
1x screen + 2x flexible screening spaces/ 60 seats (+20 if neccessary). Venue capacity including bar: 210.
Tech: 35mm/ 16mm/ Super8/ BetaSP/ VHS/ DVD/ video from files/ live music p.a/ lighting rig.
History: The collective emerged from a group already active since 2001 screening in a rented screening room (the Side Cinema). The group left the Side Cinema in Dec 2005 and acquired a lease on the present building. We moved in in April 2006 and had built the cinema (to the satisfaction of authorities) by December 2006.
Organisational structure: At the same time as planning for a new building/ change of name etc. the group changed legal status to become a Community Interest Company and actively sought to expand membership and develop a non-hierarchical, pragmatic, entirely voluntary organisational structure – work which develops constantly.
Editorial line: The established pattern is for independent or (most often) retrospective film at least 2 nights a week. These usually fit into monthly seasons based on an idea or a director etc.
Often another night of the week will be an unconnected documentary or ‘art’ film. There are usually at least 2 “events” or gigs too. Monthly film nights or infrequent ‘branded’ nights also happen such as ‘Cinema of the world’, ‘Musical of the Month’, ‘Midnight Movie’ an open submission night ‘Eye’s wide Open’ etc.
All of this is constantly in a state of gentle flux and exceptions to the pattern are fine.
The content comes from volunteers who usually take personal responsibility for programming and organising events and collectively the group support one another’s projects. Meetings based on consensus decision making techniques approve content but known volunteers are rarely turned down and the ‘shape’ of the programme is discussed collectively online and at meetings both formally and informally.
Regularity: 12 screenings per month.
Other Stuff: Gigs/ Parties/ Market/ Political meetings/ workshops/ darkroom/ screen printing/ private hires/ exhibitions/ festivals.
Publicity: We have a printed brochure which comes out every 2 months, we print 6000, which we self distribute and mail to members who have submitted their address. Most one off events and gigs now produce posters. Facebook, the website and email outs are also important, as is word of mouth.
Audience: Our audience is very diverse probably because our programmers are also diverse. Male and female, aged 15-85. Sometimes attendance is poor and at other times it is suprisingly good. The audience is often older than people expect. The music audiences and film audiences are not easily crossed over. The audience is often keen to engage in conversation, help out and get involved and offer advice.
Funding: The vast majority of our income comes from The bar and ticket sales (in that order).
We have some annual funding from the City Council (approximately £8,000). We have sometimes received Arts Council funding specifically for ‘Arts’ activities, but are not currently receiving any, We sometimes apply to the local film agency (NF&M) for small grants for individual seasons or for attending film festivals etc.