Inside Cygnet Cinema Projection Room

Post

Subscribe

I had the rare opportunity to go inside the projection room of the Cygnet Cinema. Normally only the projectionist is allowed into this small secret room.

This room is naturally at the back of the cinema, upstairs. Patrons sitting in the last row may even hear the sound of reel film running through the projector during the film screening. Older patrons would fondly remember the anticipation before the film starts as the projector starts to wind the film through.


The Cygnet uses the Italian made "Cinemeccanica model 8" projector which was made from 1961.

They also use a smaller English made 'Gaumont Kalee model 21" projector for screeing trailers of future movies to come, before the main feature commences.


35mm film is still used but as it is very heavy, the actual film is received in two halves. The two parts are then spliced together using a splicer cutter and invisible tape to join back together. When the film needs to be returned to the distributor it is then cut in the middle again before packing and shipping away.




The film sits on a platter and is threaded into the projector by various rollers that go up and down across the room.


The occupation of projectionist is dying out as modern cinemas are now using digital projectors from the internet using a special code to receive the digital movie.


Sadly, older cinemas such as Cygnet Cinema and other independent cinemas in Perth may close in the near future due to the high cost of purchasing digital projectors.

So enjoy an outing and relive the golden days of 35mm reel films before they are all gone.



#vintage_retro
#near_perth
#fun_things_to_do
#family
#como
#cinema
#cheap
%wnperth