Post by Leanne on Aug 22, 2009 13:01:38 GMT -5
Punters pay 30p for Cameo role in cinema's makeover
BIG SCREEN DREAM: The Cameo needs £80,000 to restore the cinema to its glory days, like in this picture from the late 1940s (see pix on clicky)
Date: 22 August 2009
By GARETH EDWARDS
A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched to help restore one of Edinburgh best-known cinemas to its former glory.
The Cameo is hoping to raise £80,000 to carry out long-needed repairs and renovations to its 95-year-old B-listed building.
The cinema has added a voluntary 30p donation on to its ticket price, in the first of a series of moves to help raise the cash.
It is also looking to organise fundraising premiere screenings of major Hollywood films in the coming months.
In addition, a scheme allowing supporters to sponsor a seat at the venue, similar to an existing scheme at the Filmhouse, could be launched.
And the owners are also likely to call on the help of their celebrity backers, who helped save the cinema from closure four years ago.
Film directors Ken Loach and Richard Jobson backed the Save the Cameo campaign, along with Trainspotting's Kevin McKidd and Ewen Bremner, when the Cameo was put up for sale after public protests led to plans to turn its main auditorium into a bar-restaurant being abandoned.
Among the most vital work needed at the cinema is renovation of the toilets, as well as work to repair the drains.
And manager Ian Hoey added that he also wanted to restore the front entrance of the historic cinema to its former glory, opening up the two old box-office booths for the first time in decades.
The historic canopy, which carries the names of the latest films being shown at the cinema, is also in line for a revamp.
Mr Hoey said: "We will be starting the main campaign in a few months, but we introduced the ticket charge to start things off and it has been going very well.
"We have said that anyone who doesn't want to pay it can opt out, and a few people have, but most have been happy to pay it, and our prices are still very reasonable, with the most expensive seat going up to £6.80.
"We could have just put the ticket price up and used the money for renovation, but we wanted to give people the choice to support us, and the work we will do is all work that our customers will see.
"It's no secret that we need to do work to the cinema – even the newer parts, which were installed when we reopened in the 1980s, are now old, and anyone who has been to the cinema will tell you that the toilets need work.
"It will be a long process, and because the building is B-listed we will have to consult with Historic Scotland on whatever we do.
"I would like to see the box offices at the front reopened, but we need to look at the practicality of it, as the queues could very quickly stretch out onto the pavement."
The ticket donation scheme is being backed by owners London-based City Screen Ltd, who have pledged to match each 30p donation to the fund.
The Cameo dates from 1914 and has been a speciality arthouse cinema since 1949.
news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Punters-pay-30p-for-Cameo.5579186.jp
BIG SCREEN DREAM: The Cameo needs £80,000 to restore the cinema to its glory days, like in this picture from the late 1940s (see pix on clicky)
Date: 22 August 2009
By GARETH EDWARDS
A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched to help restore one of Edinburgh best-known cinemas to its former glory.
The Cameo is hoping to raise £80,000 to carry out long-needed repairs and renovations to its 95-year-old B-listed building.
The cinema has added a voluntary 30p donation on to its ticket price, in the first of a series of moves to help raise the cash.
It is also looking to organise fundraising premiere screenings of major Hollywood films in the coming months.
In addition, a scheme allowing supporters to sponsor a seat at the venue, similar to an existing scheme at the Filmhouse, could be launched.
And the owners are also likely to call on the help of their celebrity backers, who helped save the cinema from closure four years ago.
Film directors Ken Loach and Richard Jobson backed the Save the Cameo campaign, along with Trainspotting's Kevin McKidd and Ewen Bremner, when the Cameo was put up for sale after public protests led to plans to turn its main auditorium into a bar-restaurant being abandoned.
Among the most vital work needed at the cinema is renovation of the toilets, as well as work to repair the drains.
And manager Ian Hoey added that he also wanted to restore the front entrance of the historic cinema to its former glory, opening up the two old box-office booths for the first time in decades.
The historic canopy, which carries the names of the latest films being shown at the cinema, is also in line for a revamp.
Mr Hoey said: "We will be starting the main campaign in a few months, but we introduced the ticket charge to start things off and it has been going very well.
"We have said that anyone who doesn't want to pay it can opt out, and a few people have, but most have been happy to pay it, and our prices are still very reasonable, with the most expensive seat going up to £6.80.
"We could have just put the ticket price up and used the money for renovation, but we wanted to give people the choice to support us, and the work we will do is all work that our customers will see.
"It's no secret that we need to do work to the cinema – even the newer parts, which were installed when we reopened in the 1980s, are now old, and anyone who has been to the cinema will tell you that the toilets need work.
"It will be a long process, and because the building is B-listed we will have to consult with Historic Scotland on whatever we do.
"I would like to see the box offices at the front reopened, but we need to look at the practicality of it, as the queues could very quickly stretch out onto the pavement."
The ticket donation scheme is being backed by owners London-based City Screen Ltd, who have pledged to match each 30p donation to the fund.
The Cameo dates from 1914 and has been a speciality arthouse cinema since 1949.
news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Punters-pay-30p-for-Cameo.5579186.jp