Access to films for all!
Theatr Colwyn now caters for the deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired people.
From next month, deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired people can now enjoy the cinema experience with friends and family at Theatr Colwyn, Colwyn Bay, thanks to the introduction of selected subtitled and audio described film screenings. As part of this development, the auditorium has been fitted with a crystal clear DTS (Dolby Theatre Sound) system – which produces a much deeper and richer soundtrack, with a clarity to rival that at any multiplex.
This great new service – which launches on September 22 with the new action film The Bourne Ultimatum starring Matt Damon - is funded by the Arts Council of Wales Capital Lottery Unit means that blind or visually impaired people will have a full description of the film.
A headset is collected from the Box Office by the customer, enabling the user to hear an accurate description the film's action sequences alongside the dialogue, making the cinema experience very evocative and detailed and helping to build up a mental picture of the film. You really have to experience it to understand just how good it is.
Deaf and Hard of hearing people will benefit from the introduction of subtitles which appear on the screen, projected on top of the film image, although not every screening is provided with subtitled and audio description facilities.
Phil Batty, theatre manager, said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer this extra facility at cinema performances and we hope that it will be a great benefit to those who need it.”
You can find out what's on in lots of different ways to suit you. You can receive dates and times of all accessible film screenings via email, phone, textphone, typetalk, SMS / text message, talking website or by Fax. Visit www.yourlocalcinema.com for more information on this.
Theatr Colwyn joins nine other arts centre/ cinema venues across Wales who have installed audio description and subtitling equipment. There are over 480,000 individuals with hearing loss or hearing related difficulties and 100,000 with serious sight loss. With almost every popular cinema release now available with subtitles for hearing impaired people and audio description for visually impaired people, this new project will bring tremendous benefit to audiences across Wales. The project is hoped to reflect a shift of attitude and perception and help provide the best service for disabled audiences in Wales.
Maggie Hampton of Disability Arts Cymru and ACW Council Member
said: “ You will be dealing with a whole new area of audience development, bearing in mind that deaf and blind people have been excluded from cinema, and simply may not think about going to see a film. So a lot needs to change, but there will be an audience once the groundwork has been done.”
In addition to the project, Creative Mwldan Creadigidol, funded by an ACW Small Grant for Organisations, has produced a cinema trailer that will be played at all participating venues in order to promote subtitled and audio described screenings.
The Bourne Ultimatum, with subtitles / audio description, will be shown at 2.30pm & 7.30pm on Saturday, September 22, 2.30pm & 7.30pm on Tuesday 25 and 7.30pm on Thursday 27.
For more information call Theatr Colwyn on 01492 532668 or email joann.rae@conwy.gov.uk
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Notes:
Creative Mwldan Creadigidol (CMC) was appointed to the project following a formal tender process by The Arts Council of Wales. After the initial audit of projection facilities, CMC applied to The Arts Council of Wales Lottery Unit for a capital grant of £153,265 (90% of the total project cost) to implement the recommendations.
The bid was successful and CMC was responsible for re-auditing the venues' existing equipment, tendering and appointing a contractor to install the equipment, overseeing the installation process, researching and establishing programming and marketing best practice guidelines, providing Disability Awareness Training and training for technical, front of house, programming and marketing staff.
In Wales, there are over 480,000 individuals with hearing loss or hearing related difficulties and 100,000 with serious sight loss. (Source: RNID Cymru and RNIB Cymru).
Participating Venues:
Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan Box Office T 01239 621200 www.mwldan.co.uk
Aberystwyth Arts Centre Box Office T 01970 623 232 www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
Chapter Arts Centre Box Office T 02920 304 400 www.chapter.org
The Riverfront, Newport Box Office T 01633 656757
www.newport.gov.uk
Galeri, Caernarfon Boc Office T 01286 685250 www.galericaernarfon.com
Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea Box Office T 01792 60 20 60 www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk
Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold Box Office T 0845 330 3565
www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk
Theatr Colwyn, Colwyn Bay Box Office T 01492 532668 / 872000 www.theatrcolwyn.co.uk
Theatr Gwynedd, Bangor Box Office T 01248 351708 www.theatrgwynedd.co.uk
Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells Box Office T 01982 552555 www.wyeside.co.uk
