This new schedule had been adopted to ensure the long term operation of the Screen Machine by reducing the number of times it has to undergo the stresses associated with setting up. Following a number of major, and costly, structural repairs, this appeared to be the only way to ensure the M Machine would remain on the road, by reducing the level of stress on the mechanics and minimising the risk of future breakdowns.
This was, however, very much a test, and as we did not achieve the audience numbers we had hoped for, and understandably received many appeals from communities which were missing out, we have moved to a compromise position.
From 10 January we will visit a regular circuit of twelve venues, from Ullapool to Arran, and including two venues in the Western Isles. Each venue will normally be visited for three or four days at a time. We hope that this approach will have the following benefits:
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It still reduces significantly the number of times the Machine undergoes the stresses of set-up
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It includes four Council areas, and most of our most successful and popular locations
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It retains a greater flexibility for choice of films and screening times
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It allows us to inform communities well in advance of the dates of our visit, even if we can’t yet confirm the specific films to be shown.
HI~Arts is also developing plans for a new, and much more robust and reliable, mobile cinema. If these plans are successful, they would allow a return, in 2004 to a fully comprehensive service. More details will be announced early in the next few weeks. |
