Delving deeper into British cinema history with Yorkshire trust's incredible collection
In the days before modern media it could take a whole team working behind the scenes to bring the silver screen to life.
Now a light is shone on a forgotten part of Britain’s cinema history.
The Projected Picture Trust (PPT) cares for the largest collection of vintage cinema projectors in the country. In a special event dubbed Lights, Camera, History, it will share old technologies, from original bits of equipment to the talent of the projectionists working each piece.
Chris Clay, a committee member for the trust, said this was a wonderful opportunity.
"We have the largest collection of cinema projectors and equipment in the country," he said. "We even have some hand-cranked projectors, that would have been in use well before the introduction of sound. This is keeping alive something that has been around from the very early days of film," he added. "There is still huge interest.”
The PPT collection, housed in Halifax, shares a rare piece of the nation's industrial and social history, stepping back through time.
It wasn't until the late 1920s that 'talkies' came along, explained Mr Clay, and the world of cinema entered its "golden age".
"These places became palaces of entertainment, they were very ornately decorated," he said. "To go to the cinema was an occasion. The equipment was always at the forefront for the time."
By the 1950s and 60s, many homes had their own TVs and cinema fell into decline, with many of these glorious buildings turned into bingo halls. Then in the early noughties, with digital projection, the use of film and projectionists seemed to vanish.
Until Christopher Nolan's recent hit The Odyssey, which cost $250m to make but was the first feature film ever to be entirely shot on IMAX 70mm cameras.
Barnsley's Parkway was one of the only places in the UK that was able to present it as it was meant to be shown, with projectionist Rob Younger opening up access.
The huge interest here, said Mr Clay, shows just how vital film is to audiences even today.
"We will never go back to 35mm but it's nice to know it's still there,” he said. “To be the custodians of that equipment.”
Since 1978, the PJT has been collecting pieces, with members helping with restoration work at heritage cinemas such as Leeds’ Hyde Park.
Now it opens its doors next Saturday, September 12, as part of Heritage Open Days, with free guided tours.
This is a chance, said Mr Clay, to explore the craftsmanship that brought British cinema to life, sharing the collection and watching historic short films.
Advance booking is essential, via eventbrite.com/e/projected-picture-trust.