That's all Folks

After researching about Glasgow's Cinema scene, I've learned quite a lot! This was no doubt the aim of the task but anyway... The history in Glasgow cinema has intrigued me. I genuinely didn't know just how long the cinema's been about for, I always heard my Gran and Grandad talking about when they used to go to the 'picture halls' back in their hay day but never knew much else.

I've never been to the Grosvenor cinema before but definitely plan on going, I never even knew about it. But I must say I am a lover of cinema, although not to the extent of me attending the cinema myself to go see a new released film, but with friends or boyfriend. So the idea of going to see a new blockbuster or Rom-com sitting in a comfy couch, drink in hand, does sound appealing.

...I may also invest in an Orange sim card to benefit from the 2 for 1 on a Wednesday... £2 off with my student card doesn't seem quite enough now!

Advertising

I briefly talked about advertising in my previous post about Orange Wednesdays and how before any film is due to start there as a ten minute showing of different adverts or 'trailers' as they say in the movies =)

These trailers include adverts for products, new film releases and deals etc. A pretty good idea I must say considering when you're sat in the cinema hall at 8.30 because that's what time your movie's supposed to start your subject to these adverts being boomed at you from a gigantic screen and gigantic speakers whether or not you like it. There's no hiding from it...unless you hide in the toilets. So the messages are drilled into you regardless. Some people find this a real pleasure at the cinema, others not so much. I know people who deliberately don't go to their 7.30 showing until 7.45 to avoid these adverts. I personally don't mind, as long as I've got my bucket of popcorn...preferably sweet... and a bucket of juice (I say bucket of juice because paying that 'only 50p extra' give you a gigantic cup) I'm happy.



Glasgow Film Festival

       The Glasgow Film festival is the fastest growing film event in Glasgow and has been running for 7 years now. It is held in February over a period of ten days and screens all genres of film including Hollywood Blockbusters and classic Scottish films. The GFF launched in 2005 and is a non-profit organisation aimed at bringing people together thorough the 'culture value and collective experience of cinema'. The  GFF offers screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals within the festival, workshops and the chance to meet filmmakers from Scotland and around the world.

The Glasgow Film Festival combines a fascinating film selection with a collection of fashion, music and art based events bound to thrill visitors of all tastes.  A host of famous Scott's also made appearances, famous directors and actors. This year there were screenings across the city in 15 venues and 250 film showings, the festival attracted people from all over Scotland and even fans from other countries which boosted the number of attendees to over 30,000! Don't know about you, but I'd call that a success!

ORANGE WEDNESDAYS

Well for those lucky sods who have Orange network as their mobile phone network, each Wednesday they can take advantage of Oranges' two for one offer when they text a specific number that in return, sends them a code to be produced at time of ticket purchase which allows them to get one ticket free.

I'm guessing by the amount of people in the cinema on a Wednesday, Orange is a pretttty popular phone network (I'm an O2 girl myself unfortunately) but the queue to buy tickets in Cineworld was out the door and down the street! Must be good for business!

Most if not all cinema showings you see, there are always ten minutes or so worth of adverts, I don't think there's been one time recently when they did not show an Orange Mobile one.

Orange Wednesdays are a pretty big deal in Glasgow, and I'm considering opting for an Orange contract after my last trip involved me paying full price when everyone around me was whipping oot their Orange codes!!!

Grosvenor

The Grosvenor Cinema on Ashton Lane thrives on being the 'hub of the community'. It is an intimate venue holding only two screens but is more luxurious and comfortable than the big commercial cinemas like Cineworld.
The cinema was re-opened to the public on the 28th of November, 2003 after an 18 month closure and rebuilding program. A special 'film industry' launch night party was held on the 26th November to celebrate the re-birth of  Glasgow's only remaining suburban cinema. The complex is fully licensed which allows cinema goers to take their drinks into the showings with them, rather than sneaking a cheeky bottle of vino into their bags...not that that's something I would dream of doing...

The small cinema has comfier than normal cinema seats, it boasts to have luxurious leather seats and back row leather sofas which makes a cinema experience comfier and cosier than ever!
Family tickets are available with 2 for 1 deals being offered on meals in the complex's restaurant and bar them 'The Loft' and 'The Lane'. Themed nights also take place including Monday Madness and a kids club every Saturday and Sunday morning.

IMAX- 3D

SEE MORE, HEAR MORE, FEEL MORE. IMAX is the ultimate movie experience. With crystal clear images and wraparound digital surround sound, IMAX lets you feel like you're really there.
With a screen bigger than a 5-a-side football pitch and a digital 14,000 watt 6.1 surround sound system, the IMAX shows 2D and 3D films that will amaze viewers. The IMAX camera looks at the world – and the universe – in a different way.

 

Almost a billion people around the world have been spellbound by the force and beauty of The IMAX Experience. Technically advanced and visually stunning, The IMAX Experience is the world's most powerful movie experience. The IMAX cinema in Glasgow is located in the Glasgow Science Centre and is the first in Scotland as well as being one of only eight in Britain.

Originally it was only the IMAX cinema in Glasgow that showed 3D films but in 2009 it was widely introduced to normal cinemas showing the popular films like Avatar, Alice in Wonderland, Toy Story and loads more.      
                                                                                                                       

Cineworld

Cineworld is the most popular cinema in Glasgow City centre. It faces the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and is a fairly new addition to Glasgow's cinema scene. Towering above the surrounding townscape at 203 feet, over 12 stories and 18 cinema screens, it is the tallest cinema complex in Europe and had an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. With the ability to seat 43,000 people it is one of the most popular in Glasgow. Being located smack bang in the middle of the city centre, across the road from Buchanan Galleries and Buchanan bus station, it has easy access, 7 days a week.

Change in Glasgow Cinema

Having been around for 100 years, Glasgow cinema scene has seen change, although it is fair to say  most people attend the cinema for the same reasons as they once did in the 1930's. Taking a couple of hours out of a dreary working week to escape into the glamourous world of the movie stars and starlets allows us to free our minds of whats going on in our own lives.

Now a days going to the cinema seems to have its own routine. You purchase your (some may say overpriced) tickets, make your way to the confection stand, to spend normally about a tenner on popcorn and a fizzy drink (large because it was "only 50p extra"), another tenner if you want a pick and mix then find your seat in the cinema hall. Back in the day cinema tickets were no where near as pricey, and the eating routine at the cinema ventured further than a drink, popcorn and sweeties. There were cinema cafés serving mouthwatering fish teas and afternoon teas. In the case of Sauchiehall Street’s La Scala cinema, such 'culinary delights' were enjoyed in the cinema auditorium.

You now need to time your trip to the cinema carefully as there are only certain showings of films on at certain times, but in the early hype of cinema the films were run repeatedly. There were always continuous performances of each film so you never had to wait for hours for the next one to show!

More information about a day at the pictures in the 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

For most of us, our leisure time is golden. I'm sure I could go as far in saying it is what most of us work for, it's what we look forward to. If not our holidays then a drink at the end of a hard working week, a lunch or dinner date with your partner, family or friends or going to the cinema to see the latest blockbuster!

It wasn't until the late 1880's when Scottish people started to take more leisure time to go out and about more rather than working or staying at home. It's true to say men were more likely to participate in leisure activities such as football or going drinking with their pals etc. It was when theatre and dance halls were introduced when women started to venture out more.

The first purpose built cinema was opened in 1910 in Sauchiehall Street and was named the Electric Theatre. The people of Glasgow soon developed a love for the movies and there was a massive boom in 1930. It was during this period when more cinemas began to open such as the Vogue, Paramount, Regal, Bedford and the Lyceum. As time went on, more and more cinemas began to open in the city and by 1939 Glasgow's cinema had a seating capacity of over 175,000 officially having more cinema seats per head than any other city!

Glasgow Cinema - An introduction...

Glasgow city centre has always been busy and full of excitement. It offers a wide selection of entertainment and social events with hundreds of pubs, restaurants and clubs on near enough every street. It's physically impossible not to find something to do or somewhere to go on any day/night of the week.
The cinema has a big role to play in Glasgows entertainment industry, with it being a main source if entertainment for most people. I find it difficult to believe any able bodied individual has not been to a cinema hall in Glasgow, I know my friends and I go at least a couple of times a month, depending on whats on mind you...

There are 13 cinemas in Glasgow, including Cineworld, Odeon, Grosvenor, IMAX,  and the Glasgow Film Theatre.