Rôle of the Wells Film Centre
What is the Wells Film Centre?
The Wells Film Centre is an independent, professionally run cinema in Princes Road, Wells - opposite the car park and bus station, immediately to the west of Tesco, or to the left of Tesco as you approach from the centre of Wells, down the High Street. It brings to Wells up-to-date films - mainstream, world cinema and arthouse - and very high quality projection.
It’s a business, so it must thrive through pleasing its customers.
Why is TWFS using the Wells Film Centre, rather than a village hall?
Four main reasons:
- We want to see our films on a big screen, in a proper auditorium. Given that Wells has a real cinema, offering all of these, WELCOMES us and is where we want it, why look elsewhere? [You forgot to mention it’s got a drinks bar. Ed.]
- Many film societies show up-to-the-minute films, mostly available on DVD. We, on the other hand, want to see excellent films from all ages, mostly NOT available on DVD — but they can sometimes be found on 35-mm reels. The Wells Film Centre’s projection facilities include, you’ve guessed, 35-mm, but they also offer digital projection through up-to-the-minute DSN (Digital Screen Network).
- TWFS may decide what it wants to see, and we DO. But none of our members has, so far as we know, day-in, day-out experience in (take a deep breath, here): finding out who distributes one particular 80-year-old (say) masterpiece, in what format (16-mm, 35-mm, etc.); agreeing and signing contracts for its supply if available and when needed; chasing delivery of the film when late; preparing the reels for exhibition (that means "projecting", and preparation can take 3-4 hours); setting up an auditorium, with projection and sound facilities; showing the film to TWFS (older films require far more experience and attention from the projectionist than modern ones - breakages, aspect ratios, sound levels, etc); repackaging the film for return (another 3-4 hours); paying the film distributor’s invoice. [You can’t be serious! Someone in TWFS must be absolutely DYING to do all this every four weeks. You just haven't looked or asked. Ed.]
- The cinema very much welcomed and helped the formation of this film society, and continues to support us hugely. [At least you got that right! Ed.]
- Lastly, we should support local businesses which support people in Wells, Somerset and surrounding areas, and the Wells Film Centre most certainly does. [That's FIVE! Wot bloke rote this? Ed (MA, University of Rockall).]
What’s the business relationship between TWFS and the Wells Film Centre?
We are separate organizations.
The Wells Film Centre is a professional business with expertise in running a cinema, which includes procuring films, exhibiting them and running a box office. For its services to TWFS, it invoices us.
When you are in the cinema you are subject to Wells Film Centre rules, which are backed by UK law. In this sense, TWFS has neither involvement nor say.
TWFS is, we like to think, a friendly bunch of intelligent and informed amateurs who happen to have formed a club to see great films. With the Film Centre we negotiate costs. We ask for the ideal programme, but agree on the possible. We pay the cinema’s invoices.
Is the Wells Film Centre represented on the TWFS Committee?
No. Both organizations agree that it should not be. That will not, of course, prevent us from asking any of the Wells Film Centre partners to a committee meeting, where we seek an opinion or information. But they wouldn’t take part in the votes or decisions.
The Film Centre and TWFS also meet fairly regularly to discuss issues, changes, the programme, etc.
In a nutshell?
We in TWFS want to see great films that we otherwise couldn’t. The cinema wants to show great films and grow its audience. Could there be symbiotic advantage here?
© The Wells Film Society 2004-8