In My Opinion....

After researching Glasgow Cinema and writing this blog I have learned a lot I didn't know! Who knew Cinema had such a known history in Glasgow? With all the modern music events, gigs, nightclubs and leisure facilities you don't really think about how it all started! The escape from everyday life is so easily achieved nowadays with our bustling City bringing us endless events and creativity round every corner. 

Cinema for me isn't so much a big part of my lifestyle any more but I know I certainly loved it as a child! Nowadays, I must admit, I am an added member of the group of people who love a DVD and duvet night in with friends and a big bag of sharing crisps! Although, I do still enjoy the odd trip to see the latest musical films, chick flicks and of course, films set in my own City! There's something oddly appealing about that - probably the relation between yourself and the characters, knowing you've been to the places they are at on screen. 

So, with that said, it brings me to the end of my Glasgow Cinema Scene blog! I'll leave you with one of my favourite songs from a film! Yes its Rusted Root and yes it's from Matilda - can't beat a feel good song!! 

                         

NEDS

"Ned is a derogatory term applied in Scotland to youths who wear casual sports clothes, with the stereotypical implication that they engage in hooliganism or petty criminality. Such usage in Glasgow dates back to the 1960s or earlier". 

What better concept to script a film to based in Scotland!? NEDS which stands for Non Educated Delinquents, is film that was released in 2010 by director Peter Mullan.
 Set in Glasgow in the 1970's, it tells the story of a young boy - John McGill - and his potential in life before getting involved with gangs. Living in a dysfunctional family, John soon realises that in order to survive Glasgow's rough and tough lifestyle at that time he must start fighting for himself; in turn, his education slowly takes a back seat and his grades worsen. Gang fights, violence and the odd comedy moment (especially if you're Scottish) play a significant part in the impact of this hard-hitting film. 

In my opinion, no 3D imagery, special sets, complicated story lines or intellectual plots made NEDS totally authentic and stripped everything that is today's cinema straight back to basics. Ordinary life in Glasgow's history - a film all Glaswegians should definitely spare 2 hours for. Below is an interview with the Director Peter Mullan from the Guardian. 

Famous Scots projected on the big screen

Sean Connery - Mr 007 himself! Crowned as the best screen Bond of all time and an acting career of 50 years sees him as a famous Scot BUT a famous Edinburger....

Ewan MacGregor - personally known best for his role in Moulin Rouge with Nicole Kidman - wow. Born in Creiff though - still not a Glaswegian.....

Gerard Butler - A former lawyer, he turned to acting in the mid 1990s and has starred in films such as P.S I love You and Law Abiding Citizen. From Paisley, Glasgow - finally! 

Which helps me to decide who to write about- a man born and raised in the same town as myself. Gerard attended Glasgow University where he obtained a law degree. After being approached in a London coffee shop about a role in a stage production, he decided to put his solicitors' skills to bed and become an actor - what a wise decision!! Since then his success has been unlimited starring in over 15 films in the last 14 years. My personal favourite is Law Abiding Citizen. In a story of crime, revenge and some stomach turning violence, Gerard plays lead role of the victim plotting revenge on the two villains that killed his wife and child ten years previous. Cunning, spine chilling and most definitely a must see!

Glasgow Film Festival

The Glasgow Film Festival or GFF is the fastest growing film event in Scotland.    Now in its 7th year, the festival is held in February over a period of 10 days and screening all genres of film including Hollywood Blockbusters and Scottish classics there really is something for everyone. Launched in February 2005, GFF is a non-profit organisation that aims to bring people together through the 'cultural value and collective experience of cinema'. 

This year, the festival put together a collection of music, fashion and art based events and workshops to entice more people in and it looked like it worked! A host of famous Scott's made appearances; most significantly famous director Ken Loach and his son, Jim. With screenings across the city in 15 venues and 250 film showings, the festival attracted people from all over Scotland and even abroad boosting attendance figures to over 30,000 people! Considering the first film festival in 2005 attracted 6,000 people this is a massive achievement. 

With nominations for the Glasgow Margaret Tait Award now open - the excitement for next year has already begun! This award celebrates innovative, creative talent and supports new artists with a nice sum of £10,000 to project their work further in the industry. There's also an International Best Short Film Award - encouraging people to get their thinking caps on and create something inspiring!

The Grosvenor Glasgow

The Grosvenor Cinema, on Ashton Lane in the West End of Glasgow, thrives itself on being the 'hub of the community'. It is part of the G1 Group - Scotland's largest independent leisure operator with over 40 venues throughout. The Grosvenor is a unique venue, hosting many different events and offering cinema deals. It was reopened in 2003 after a refurbishment programme and although this small cinema venue only has 2 screens, the luxurious leather seating and back row of leather sofas make the film viewing experience comfier and cosier than ever! Family tickets are also available with 2 for 1 deals on main meals. Several themed nights also take place including Monday Madness and a 'Brat Pack' kids club every Saturday and Sunday morning.  It was also a venue for the Glasgow Magners Comedy Festival and hosted many of Scotland's fresh young comedians and well known talent in the area. 

Since the refurb, the Grosvenor has been joined by a ground floor bar - 'The Lane' and an upstairs restaurant and bar area called 'The Loft'; popular at the 'weekend for a pre drink before hitting a West-End club! 

To find out more, visit their website: http://www.grosvenorcafe.co.uk/

The Breakthrough of 3D Cinema

There was a time when 3D Cinema was available only in IMAX Cinemas; the nearest one being in the Glasgow Science Centre! They were designed to make the audience feel like they were in the movie, experiencing what the characters were experiencing as well as getting a laugh at friends with some funny looking special filtered glasses on to make you see the 3D illusion (what is actually 2 images appears to be one). 

But in 2009, something that was said to "change the shape of cinema to come" popped onto our cinema screens - Avatar! The blue alien creatures of this action packed fantasy film brought the "illusion of depth" to our screens via some rather unique looking larger glasses! Some would say more stylish than the IMAX ones, hence the fashion of 'geek' glasses these days! Since then several more 3D films have been released - Alice in Wonderland, Toy Story 3 and several other children's movies including Shrek Forever After!

Now, 3D home Cinema is available to add to home surround sound, high definition and plasma sized screens - Cinema really does have competition now with high-tech home viewing! A new £700,000 investment is the next step with a 4D Cinema experience just opened in Edinburgh - although I'm not sure how much closer I'd like to get to the animals on screen never mind smelling their droppings - thanks, but no thanks! 

Cinema Advertising and Deals

Cinema and film advertising is everywhere - on Television, Radio, Billboards, Bus shelters and Magazines! Considering that UK Consumers spend an average of 50 hours a week online, watching tv, listening to radio and using phones it is no surprise that this is the best way to bring people's attention to the latest thrillers, comedy's and feel good films! However it is still a struggle. With the latest high definition technology and surround sound equipment available to everyone who can afford it, people prefer to stay indoors and watch the latest blockbuster movies in the comfort of their own homes.

So what do the cinema companies do to encourage people to soak up the cinema atmosphere instead of snuggling up with a carry out? They team up with Orange mobile! By being an Orange customer, you have the advantage of taking a friend to the cinema for free on a Wednesday night! Orange 2 for 1 cinema has also now teamed up with 2 for 1 Pizza Express to make Wednesday nights the most popular cinema going night yet! Cineworld also offers an unlimited Cineworld card; for just £13.50 per month, you can enjoy as many films as you can fit into your week. Considering one trip to the cinema costs around £7.50 a time this is a complete bargain for the film lovers!

                      

Changing Cinema.....

As mentioned in the last blog, we know that Glasgow cinema has been around for more than 100 years! The question is, how has it changed? 75 years ago, the escape from every day life and the chance to see famous stars on the big screen was a massive appeal. Contrary to today's popcorn and ice cream craze, there were cinema cafe's that served up tea and different 'culinary delights'! The architecture of the old cinema buildings was also an added experience that not many places hold today. It promoted an added atmosphere inside which, somehow, transported you into the film with the old decor and artistic feel.

Today, most cinemas are standard. You know what to expect and films are shown at scheduled times of the day - possibly even only on certain days! Back then the films were continuously shown so the fear of turning up late wasn't a problem. 

Cinema admissions were also dramatically more; Glaswegians would visit the cinema up to 3 times a week in the 1930s! However, in 2007 it was discovered that the average cinema going frequency was only 3.1 visits per year! Even people who lived close by cinemas in the city centres and busy areas only attended roughly 20 times per year! That is less than 80% less visits within 77 years!

More information on a day at the pictures in 1930's can be found at:

http://www.glasgowfilm.org/cinema_city/features/2657_a_day_at_the_pictures_glasgow_1936

History of Glasgow Cinema

Our leisure time today somewhat surrounds our life. You could go as far to say - it's what we work for! That drink at the end of a hard week, a catch up lunch with friends or indeed a visit to the cinema to see the latest chick flick!

It wasn't until the 1880s, however, that leisure activities became something of more enjoyment and less guilt at not working or staying home for some family time! From the development of football within local schools and Scottish clubs being formed, males were finding their feet in the way of entertainment! So what about the women during that time? This is when other forms of enjoyment came onto the scene with music halls and theatres being introduced! 

The first purpose built cinema was created in 1910 - The Electric Theatre in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. The cinema scene BOOMED with over 20 more cinemas built by 1914 and 114 cinemas across the city by 1939. By this time, Glasgow cinemas has a seating capacity of over 175,000 and officially had more cinema seats per head than any other city in the world!!!

[The Regal Cinema 1955]

Next blog : How has the cinema scene changed in Glasgow over time? 

Glasgow Cinema

Glasgow is one of the most bustling and exciting cities to live in and be a part of! The massive choice of entertainment and social events, restaurants and bars, nightclubs and venues available make it impossible to be bored on any night of the week - never mind the weekend! Cinema plays a massive part in this as well and by massive, I mean in size. Glasgow is the place of Europe's tallest cinema! Yes, at 203 feet tall with over 12 stories and 18 screens, Cineworld in Renfrew Street can seat more than 43,000 people!! Located smack bang in the middle of Glasgow - just a hop, skip and a jump away from Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street, this cinema is positively impossible to miss! It is also the busiest customer based cinema in the UK - very impressive and most definitely a deserved place in the Guinness World Book of Records!

Since 1896 over 800 cinemas have operated within Glasgow. Once named the 'Cinema City' in its heyday, Glaswegians visited cinemas on a more regular basis than anyone else in the world! Although this has dramatically declined - with now only around 13 cinemas in Glasgow, the desire and demand for cinema is still going strong!