TOGETHER FOR CINEMA

CONTINUED SUPPORT

In the next of our monthly rounds ups, EI brings the industry up to speed with what is happening with the Together For Cinema (TFC) initiative created to support and supply cinema and AV experiences for a whole range of organisations.

Intuitive Homes got involved in creating the Derian House project

This month the sponsorships have kept coming in with many new companies wanting to show their support. James Johnson-Flint, CEO Cambridge Audio, comments, “Having known Ian for some time (Ian Morrish, Founder of TFC), it was great to see him put his kind and helpful spirit into getting the initiative off the ground and I’m delighted to have supported it over the years and to be sponsoring the project in a more formal way now.

“The best thing about the scheme is how it brings our industry together, which just doesn’t happen enough. Collectively, we’re all able to achieve something amazing, creating these valuable spaces that otherwise wouldn’t exist, bringing ongoing joy to so many.”

Harriet Marsh, Marketing and Business Development, Future Automation says, “As a manufacturer we have previously been involved with TFC, supplying product when required. We are proud to now be able to become an official sponsor and support Ian and the board grow the profile and awareness.

“This scheme allows the AV industry to collaborate and utilise its skills, expertise, and resources to do something good for others. For TFC to succeed will require the whole industry to get behind the initiative, in whatever capacity. Do not underestimate how powerful your connections and networks are. No amount of help is too small, and as an industry we have a philanthropic responsibility to give back and be proud of how we can make a difference.”

Installers have also been keen to show their support. Stephen Nevison, director at Intuitive Homes, explains, “I first heard about TFC almost 10 years ago in a trade publication article. It was a write-up about one of the installations and I remember thinking what a fantastic cause and I would love to get involved once I wasn’t so busy. “A couple of years went by and I came to the realisation I would probably never be at a point where things were ‘quiet enough’! I reached out to Ian and said let me know if any opportunities to help come up in the North West and in 2018 we were lucky to get to work on the Derian House project.”

Stephen adds, “I think there are so many great aspects to this scheme but the most obvious is being able to provide these facilities to children and their families and making it possible for them to enjoy the cinema experience we all love so much. Of all the projects we have worked on over the years, supporting TFC has without a doubt been the most rewarding.

“In the past if you thought TFC was a great scheme and wanted to help, you were limited in how you could go about that. If you were unable to donate equipment or expertise (due to location or time constraints) then there wasn’t much you could do to contribute. Now with the sponsorship options anyone can be a part of this amazing initiative and as someone who has seen and heard the feedback from the families first-hand, I can’t recommend it enough.”

Gareth Lloyd, Group Marketing & Communications Manager at the Saville Group, relates another install company’s experience, “Our Group Technical Director Colin Etchells has known Ian for a number of years and saw his recent posts about the initiative on LinkedIn. As a result, Colin contacted Ian and after a couple of discussions, both agreed there were a number of areas where Saville Group and its operating brands Visavvi and Sparq could help and support the cause.

“Colins remembers the industry’s Vision Charity in the late 80’s/early 90’s and felt it was about time that the industry came together to give something back to the community. There is a significant quantity of AV kit that gets replaced and recycled every year and the opportunity for some of this to be donated to help support this cause is very appealing. However, working together as a wider group with other industry professionals, means the impact and reach can be much greater. “Children’s Hospices make an unbelievably valuable contribution to the community despite minimal state funding and it is fantastic that the scheme is able to provide the support to create these cinema rooms, something that for many hospices would be totally out of reach.

Gareth concludes, “We need the industry to rally together and get behind and support this scheme through sponsorship, kit provision and practical hands-on technical support. Working as a group across the industry we could make a huge positive impact, and after the year we have all had, it’s the very least we can do for those less fortunate than ourselves.”

If you feel there is anything you can add to TFC, either in helping with the work or with a Sponsorship, please get over to the website and do what you can.

Together For Cinema togetherforcinema.co.uk

100’’ MODEL SHOWN

FLIGHT CASE SOLD SEPARATELY