Photo: Peter Taylor (CC BY 2.0)
University of Brighton to research ‘Live Cinema’ in the UK
Events which bring together film and live action are becoming increasingly popular, prompting ACE to commission a national study into their impact.
‘Live cinema’ events, defined as “fully immersive experiences where costumed audiences interact with professional actors,” are becoming increasingly popular across the UK – prompting the first piece of national research into their economic impact.
The research project intends to identify the impact and economic value of the burgeoning industry and form the basis of an online database of live cinema projects, artists and exhibitors. It has been funded by Arts Council England’s (ACE) Grants for the arts programme, in partnership with Live Cinema UK, and will be conducted by Helen Kennedy and Dr Sarah Atkinson at the University of Brighton.
The researchers said: “Other than box-office figures from larger-scale events, there is no other reliable data from which to draw. This research is much needed, and crucial to informing the development, growth and understanding of this rapidly expanding form of cinema culture.”
Live Cinema UK’s Director, Lisa Brook, said ACE’s willingness to fund this “ground-breaking” research demonstrates “a commitment to supporting artists and producers who take the moving image as inspiration for the creation of art, thrilling audiences around the UK unlike any other country in the world”.
The university is to call on artists and exhibitors to participate in the study in August. A full report will be published in May 2016, to coincide with the first ever International Live Cinema Symposium.
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