Testimonials
From The Star And Shadow Cinema Wiki
Nice things people have said about Star and Shadow - please add:
Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre - Feb 2009: Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre (TRCC) used the Star & Shadow Cinema 21st January 2009 to screen the film “Consent” and held a discussion in the bar afterwards. In the lead up to the event the staff and volunteers from TRCC felt supported by the volunteers of Star & Shadow with reference to all of the preparation and promotion of the event. Star & Shadow allowed TRCC to use the facilities free of charge, if there had been a charge attached to the use of the facilities TRCC may not have been able to go ahead with the screening. The Star & Shadow was a perfect venue for our event; the atmosphere was in keeping with our ethos. The volunteers at the Star & Shadow really contributed to the ambience of the evening. TRCC feel that this event gave the audience the chance to discuss the practicalities of prosecuting a sexually violent crime as well as look at the emotional implications for the survivor. The film also sheds some light on to how subjective juries can be in these cases. TRCC believe that without the space to discuss these issues after experiencing the film people are left with questions unanswered, the Star & Shadow provided the perfect space for this discussion to take place. What follows are some quotes from members of the public who attended the event: “I thought the evening was very well-organised and there was a very positive and supportive atmosphere.” “I thought the film was very effective and left me with a lot to reflect on.” “I thought having the option of staying behind to discuss Consent was an excellent idea.”
Kate E Deeming - Nov 2007:
I am just returned from my exhibit in Newcastle which was fantastic. It was a perfect environment to share 43(two). The Star and Shadow Cinema is a volunteer led and driven organization - how extraordinary to be among the company of such talented and impassioned artists and arts enthusiasts, whose only aim is creation and the sharing thereof. This is the soul of art. The multi-faceted space has many stories to be guessed, none to be known for certain it reminded me of an old Victorian Stable which had been converted into an industrial holding space before being commandeered by the S&S folk. The film projections 'brought a certain magic into the space' (as commented by one viewer). In addition the Super8 of Threadswas presented for the first time. The combination of all these elements resulting in a highly successful and well received event! <http://www.deeming.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6&Itemid=26>
John Smith - Oct 2007:
To : Arts Council of England, 28/10/07
Testimonial from John Smith in support of the Star and Shadow Cinema
Earlier this year I was approached by the organisers of the Star and Shadow Cinema and asked to present a programme of my film and video work at their venue. I don't normally travel 300 miles to do a single screening but I had heard good things about the organisation and was curious to see the cinema for myself, so I decided to accept. My visit to Newcastle confirmed that I had made the right decision.
On arriving at the cinema a few hours before my screening on June 20th I was immediately impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the people who run it. I was proudly shown around the excellent cinema space (where an enormous amount had been achieved with limited resources and second-hand and borrowed equipment) and told about their additional plans to create a film production workshop on site (again utilising mainly donated or discarded machinery). It was very apparent that the success of the operation was highly dependent on the resourcefulness and commitment of the volunteer staff and their friends.
My screening in the evening was attended by a large and attentive audience. The technical presentation of both the film and video work was excellent, and superior to that found in many high profile and well funded galleries and cinemas. I was very impressed by the diversity of the audience and the depth of the questions raised in my Q & A at the end of the screening (the audience diversity is no doubt largely due to the extremely eclectic programming and the admirable policy of low ticket prices, which extends to free entry to aslyum seekers). The post screening discussion went on for the best part of an hour and then continued on a less formal level in the friendly adjacent bar, making my visit to Newcastle worthwhile in itself.
To conclude, I cannot praise the Star and Shadow highly enough and can't think of anywhere more deserving of Arts Council support. I just wish that there was a similar venue screening artists' film and video in London.
John Smith Film and Video Artist and Professor of Fine Art, University of East London
Guy Sherwin - Oct 2007:
To whom it may concern. I am very happy to write a reference of support for Star and Shadow Cinema. I screened a programme of my films there in February 2007, and was hugely impressed by what had been achieved, largely on voluntary labour, and by the professionalism of the whole event, run apparently on a shoestring budget. There is an enthusiasm and spiritness in this bunch of people which is rare to see and extremely invigorating. I wish them the very best for the future.
Cory Arcangel - December 2007
hello all,
yeah, id like the thank everybody also. the whole thing (show, performance, screening) went off without a hitch, as smooth as possible, which is saying alot considering so many things needed to be plugged in along the way! :)
so yeah, thanks again to everyone for being so accommodating ( ps - and buying me a few whiskeys along the way).
Tor Alexander Bruce - November 2011
Star and Shadow, We wanted to say thank you for ensuring our film premiere was delivered according to plan and in particular many, many thanks to Dan who was the main man in terms of ensuring first class treatment throughout the process. We were also really grateful for the few props used on the evening, i.e. the lamp and the empty jars for the candles. EVERYBODY in attendance was really blown away by the space and there was discussion to look at hosting something along similar lines towards the back end of next year, perhaps with a musical-vibe and a shorter film of choice. Anyway, aside from that, just wanted to say all the best and we'll be in to see Dystopolis when it is suitable for Dan. On another note, it wouldn't harm to have a sheet printed and stuck up in the plastic/waterproof poster holder at the front door, so that folk are aware they can actually 'HIRE OUR SPACE', as there were are few enquiries to us on the evening that related to this. Once again, thank you and we are currently in the process of supplying Mind with national copies of the DVD for their 164 offices nationwide. We have also had the DVD accepted by Sunderland UCI to have a free showing in 2012 and both the National Trust and Community Channel are reviewing it for their own purpose. All the best and keep us posted if you ever want back up for speaking up on behalf of the importance of Star and Shadow as a regional outlet for independent cinema.
Tor Alexander Bruce Chief Executive Officer EYE OF THE FLY Postal office address: 65, Dartford Road South Shields Tyne and Wear NE333NL United Kingdom Tel: 07903550720 Web: www.eyeofthefly.co.nr
