Screen machine
Encyclopedia
The Screen Machine is a mobile cinema that operates across the Scottish Highlands and Islands
.
for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland
launched in 1998. It consisted of an articulated unit, the trailer of which expanded and unfolded to provide a 102 seat self-contained cinema. In recent years, it stood in for Eden Court’s Riverside Theatre
in Inverness
whilst they were closed for a major refurbishment. The motivation behind the service was simple: to provide small and remote communities with access locally to the same level of cinema experience normally available in large towns.
. Toutenkamion mobile cinemas also operate in France, in the Republic of Ireland, and serving British Armed Forces overseas. Screen Machine 2 is a similar concept to the original, however the capacity is reduced to 80 seats. It normally takes three different films on each tour, visiting a community for three or four days, to give 8 or more screenings in total. The cinema is operated by one person, who acts as driver, sets up the cinema on site, sells the tickets, and projects the film.
, Tarbert, Argyll and Bute
, Isle of Arran
, Port Ellen
, Tobermory, Tighnabruiach, Tarbet, Ullapool
, Benbecula
, Gairloch
, Dornie
and Lochcarron
. Screen Machine 2 has also provided projection services to the Celtic Media Festival
, in Portree
in 2008 and in Caernarfon
in 2009.
Highlands and Islands
The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are broadly the Scottish Highlands plus Orkney, Shetland and the Hebrides.The Highlands and Islands are sometimes defined as the area to which the Crofters' Act of 1886 applied...
.
History
The original Screen Machine, now named "Screen Machine 1", was a mobile cinemaMobile cinema
A mobile cinema is a cinema on wheels.An example is the Screen machine Mobile Cinema of Scotland, which provides conventional up-to-date 35mm screenings of recent movies, with full digital surround sound, air conditioning, comfortable raked seating, and full disabled access...
for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
launched in 1998. It consisted of an articulated unit, the trailer of which expanded and unfolded to provide a 102 seat self-contained cinema. In recent years, it stood in for Eden Court’s Riverside Theatre
Eden Court Theatre
Eden Court Theatre is a large theatre, cinema and arts venue situated in Inverness, Scotland. The theatre has recently undergone a complete refurbishment and major extension, adding a second theatre, two dedicated cinema screens, two performance/dance studios, improved dressing room and green room...
in Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
whilst they were closed for a major refurbishment. The motivation behind the service was simple: to provide small and remote communities with access locally to the same level of cinema experience normally available in large towns.
Screen Machine: Take Two
Now regarded by most as "The Screen Machine", Screen Machine: Take Two is a replacement of the original Screen Machine and has been in service since 15 April 2005. It was built by French company ‘Toutenkamion’, who specialise in custom-built vehicles, including mobile recording studios, restaurants and travelling galleriesArt gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
. Toutenkamion mobile cinemas also operate in France, in the Republic of Ireland, and serving British Armed Forces overseas. Screen Machine 2 is a similar concept to the original, however the capacity is reduced to 80 seats. It normally takes three different films on each tour, visiting a community for three or four days, to give 8 or more screenings in total. The cinema is operated by one person, who acts as driver, sets up the cinema on site, sells the tickets, and projects the film.
Locations
Currently the machine visits locations including: LochgilpheadLochgilphead
Lochgilphead is a town and former burgh in Scotland, with a population of around 3,000 people. It is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute. The town lies at the end of Loch Gilp and lies on the banks of the Crinan Canal....
, Tarbert, Argyll and Bute
Tarbert, Argyll and Bute
Tarbert is a village in Scotland. It is built around East Loch Tarbert, an inlet of Loch Fyne, and extends over the isthmus which links the peninsula of Kintyre to Knapdale and West Loch Tarbert...
, Isle of Arran
Isle of Arran
Arran or the Isle of Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, and with an area of is the seventh largest Scottish island. It is in the unitary council area of North Ayrshire and the 2001 census had a resident population of 5,058...
, Port Ellen
Port Ellen
Port Ellen is a small town on the island of Islay, in Argyll, Scotland.Port Ellen is named after the wife of the founder, Frederick Campbell of Islay. Its previous name, Leòdamas, is derived from old Norse meaning "Leòd's Harbour"....
, Tobermory, Tighnabruiach, Tarbet, Ullapool
Ullapool
Ullapool is a small town of around 1,300 inhabitants in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest settlement for many miles around, and is a major tourist destination of Scotland. The North Atlantic Drift passes by Ullapool, bringing moderate temperatures...
, Benbecula
Benbecula
Benbecula is an island of the Outer Hebrides in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,249, with a sizable percentage of Roman Catholics. It forms part of the area administered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar or the Western...
, Gairloch
Gairloch
Gairloch is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch on the northwest coast of Scotland. A popular tourist destination in the summer months, Gairloch has a golf course, a small museum, several hotels, a community centre, a leisure centre with sports facilities, a local...
, Dornie
Dornie
Dornie is a small former fishing village in the Kintail district in western Ross-shire Highlands of Scotland, with a population of 360 .It is near the meeting point of Loch Duich, Loch Alsh and Loch Long....
and Lochcarron
Lochcarron
Lochcarron is a village, community and civil parish in the Wester Ross area of Highland, Scotland. It has a population of 923.-Local Information:...
. Screen Machine 2 has also provided projection services to the Celtic Media Festival
Celtic Media Festival
The Celtic Media Festival, previously known as the Celtic Film and Television Festival, aims to promote the languages and cultures of the Celtic nations on screen and in broadcasting. The festival is an annual three-day celebration of broadcasting and film from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall...
, in Portree
Portree
Portree is the largest town on Skye in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It is the location for the only secondary school on the Island, Portree High school. Public transport services are limited to buses....
in 2008 and in Caernarfon
Caernarfon
Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast...
in 2009.