High drama as massive projectors take to skies

An IMAX screen, which the projectors will be used with, is due to be opened at Sheffield Cineworld on Friday, March 9.

Crane driver Andrew Bryant, 50, was called on – along with a dozen other workmen – to get the new projection equipment in through the roof.

A scaffold platform was erected to take the weight of the projectors and their sound systems before it was unboxed and wheeled into position in the two-hour operation.

Mr Bryant said: “I’ve been doing this for years. Cinema-goers had nothing to worry about.

“I’ve never lifted cinema projectors before. These are huge and cost a fortune.”

While he was delivering the projectors to his colleagues 100ft up, other workmen were busy transforming the cinema’s biggest auditorium, which will take the 70ft by 39ft IMAX screen.

Karen Godfrey, Sheffield Cineworld general manager, said: “We didn’t have much choice in how we got the IMAX projectors and sound system into the building – it was all just too big, so we brought in the crane.

“People won’t believe their eyes or ears when they experience it.

“The screen is so big.”