Warwick Student Cinema

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Warwick Student Cinema (formerly Warwick University Film Society) is the student run cinema at Warwick University, operating out of a 310 person capacity lecture theatre, and is currently the only UK film society with 70 mm film.[1]

[edit] History and Background

Warwick Student Cinema was established at Warwick University in 1976, using the projection booth and rooms situated behind (at the time) the largest lecture theatre on campus.

Thanks to corporate sponsorship deals over the years WSC have been very successful investing in high end audio equipment including Dolby Digital, DTS and SDDS, and has audio amplication of 7-8kW. The society uses Cinemecannica Victoria 8 projectors and is rare in that it can be run using two projectors rather than splicing the films together and running from a reel or platter.

The society is not just run by a student executive; student volunteers (crew) run everything, from the projection equipment to collecting tickets at the door.

[edit] Events

WSC runs a sponsored event in both the Christmas and the Easter terms. These events are usually partially or wholly funded by WSC's sponsor. In the past they have featured: free films, free quiz with pizza and drinks, film parties (one year hiring TopB, a popular event at the Students Union on Monday night) etc.

At least once or twice a term WSC try to show a 70 mm film, since they offer superior picture and sound to 35mm prints, and because very few cinemas have the ability to show these prints. Recent 70mm films have featured: Aliens, Edward Scissorhands, Top Gun and many more.

In the Christmas and Easter Terms WSC holds an Allnighter. As the name would suggest WSC plays 5 to 6 movies over one night, interspaced with quizzes and other entertainment. The lineup is often strong, with the films officer (a member of the executive who is in charge of choosing films) regularly keeping some very strong films out of our regular screenings especially for the Allnighter. There is also the mystery film, of which only 2 people in the executive know the true identity. Recent mystery films have featured, Ghostbusters, American Pie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Goonies.

Over the last 2 years (2006, 2007), in the summer term, WSC has worked with the Warwick Student Arts Festival (WSAF) to bring a free one night outdoor screening to the Warwick campus. On the day of the showing a screen (and support) is built on one of the campus' football pitches, whilst a projector and other equipment are transported from London, the equipment is all set up so that it is ready for the audience by nightfall, a massive undertaking. These have been very successful, given the conditions, with around 400 people in the audience each year.