Discussing science at the cinema

At the British Science Association we are looking at developing a series of events to roll out across the UK that explore science in film. This would constitute a film that has an underlying science/medical (not just sci-fi), followed by a speaker, with the aim of stimulating debate. This has currently worked well in Edinburgh and our branches in Reading and London are now setting up this event too.

Does anyone have any experience of this type of event? We are having difficulty sourcing appropriate venues with licenses, in fact this has become abit of a stumbling block - particularily in London. I'd be interested in hearing other people's perspectives on the idea...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Claire Ainsworth on May 18, 2009 at 15:58

Hi Dan,
Have you tried contacting @pulseproject on Twitter? He mainly does online videos etc, but may well know someone who could help you. I've tweeted your post here as well.
C

Permalink Reply by Dan Richards on May 18, 2009 at 16:02

Hi Claire,
Yes we're working with pulse project in Oxford as Colin is recording some of the branch events. Although I havn't actually spoken to him about this one yet... worth a try! thanks!
Dan

Permalink Reply by Claire Ainsworth on May 18, 2009 at 16:19

Hi Dan,

OK--I'll get my thinking cap on! Some folk have retweeted my request, so with any luck, someone will come on here with some bright ideas :)

C

Dan Richards said:

Hi Claire,
Yes we're working with pulse project in Oxford as Colin is recording some of the branch events. Although I havn't actually spoken to him about this one yet... worth a try! thanks!
Dan

Permalink Reply by Mia Kukathasan on May 20, 2009 at 9:46

Hi Dan, I am currently working on something very similar for Guerilla Science and so have very recently done some research into the legal issues!

There are a number of licences, if you don't plan on charging people for entry, you can get a Public Video Screening Licence (PVSL) which is venue specific. The venue can easily and cheaply get a licence which covers themselves. The cheapest (for up to 249people) is £81 per year (the year always starts May1st). This entitles a named venue to screen films from a long list of distributors. All the info inc terms & conditions are here:
http://www.filmbank.co.uk/default.asp?page=article&id=45173&...

There are a few catches
-showing films must not be your organisation's primary purpose- which it's not.
-you may NOT advertise the film outside of the venue. But- I think that if you have a mailing list/facebook group, and 'invite' people- I think you can get around this.

We (guerillascience) maybe doing this in a bar down brick lane soon, - so no competition please! ;) good luck

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