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VICTORIA:

          BRUNSWICK EAST:  The 12-metre
          high, rear stage wall of the former
          Lygon Theatre collapsed into a side-
          street on September 13. High winds on
          the partly demolished auditorium are
          believed to have been the cause.  The
          site is being cleared for the construction
          of an apartment complex.

          DANDENONG:  Heritage Victoria
          has announced their decision to not
          recommend the  Lunar Drive-In
          Theatre (Ex Panoramic/Village) for
          inclusion in the Heritage Register.

          ESSENDON NORTH:  The former
          New Essendon Theatre, better known
          as Hoyts Circle is to be converted into
          an apartment building. This will entail   Festival management have commented   NEW ZEALAND:
          demolition of the auditorium, however   that some of the issues are related to   WELLINGTON: Lighthouse Cinema
          the distinctive façade is to be retained.   new digital formats as well as lack of   co-owner Simon Werry has announced
                                             experienced 35mm projectionists.   three new ground-floor cinemas for the
          MELBOURNE: A new list of buildings                                    CBD.  Total seating will be 150 (60;
          nominated for heritage protection has   NEW SOUTH WALES:              50 & 40). The boutique venue will be
          been hailed a victory by the National   DUNGOG: The  99-year-old  James   modelled on other Lighthouse Cinemas
          Trust, but dismissed by others as a   Theatre (1912) ceased commercial   with a foyer, ticket area and an upmarket
          disgrace and an insult to architects.  screenings  in  early  September.  drinks and snack bar.
          One contentious nominee is the former   Proprietor Brett Hopson cited the
          Hoyts Midcity Cinemas building on   frequent inability to obtain 35mm film   All cinemas will be digital- but not 3D.
          Bourke Street, deemed a “successful   prints and a prohibitive $70,000 needed   A new 9 metre-high building on a 405sq
          blend of traditional romantic cinema   for conversion to digital projection   site will have a mezzanine floor with
          design with modern functionalist   made the operation unviable.       two projection rooms, an office, and a
          requirements using an early example of                                small function space.  The complex is
          Brutalist architecture.” Whilst some say                              expected to be open by August 2012.
          it is deserving of heritage protection,
          the original complex has been severely                                CHRISTCHURCH: The  Regent on
          altered to house retail outlets and the                               Worcester was  finally demolished on
          (smaller) Chinatown Cinemas, causing                                  July 14 – and the Rialto will now not re-
          many more to argue that it deserves to                                open and all staff have been paid off.
          be demolished.
                                                                                PARAPARAUMU:  A new cinema
          MORWELL: The former Panoramic
          Drive-In Theatre was offered for sale   WOLLONGONG: Plans for a new   complex  opened   in  September.
          by auction on September 16. The site   8-screen cinema complex have been   Complete with 3D and digital, the
          has been rezoned for residential use   dropped, but Event Cinemas are   reduced seating cinemas will screen
          with a development concept plan for   spending $500,000 on upgrading   both art-house and mainstream product.
          96 new house lots. For many years, a   their Greater Union  Town Cinemas.   Newsreel Contributors:  Roderick Smith; Colin
          “Trash and Treasure” market has been   Improvements on the 35-year-old   Flint; Ross King; Crosley Carpenter; Brian Hunt;
          conducted on the site which still retains   complex will include new high-back   Steve Maggs: Kevin  Adams; David Kildrerry;
          the original café, bio and ticket box.   seats, Digital and 3D projection as well   Peter Ricketts; Steve Malone.
                                             as a barista-style café.
          MELBOURNE:      The    Melbourne                                           A SIGN OF THE TIMES?
          International Film Festival has copped   BIRMINGHAM GARDENS:
          some extensive criticism over the recent   Suburban Newcastle’s single-screen
          2011 season which was reportedly beset   Regal Cinema is moving closer to re-
          with a number of projection issues.   opening. Dark since October 2006, it is to
          Worst reports came from screenings at   be conducted as a community-run facility
          the Forum and Greater Union Russell   incorporating education and training
          Cinemas  citing problems with: focus,   programmes. The Friends of the Regal
          cropped subtitles, incorrect screening   recently concluded a sell out Regal by the
          ratios, house-light glitches and noise   Lake film series, with turn away crowds   Mass junking of 35mm Projection equipment
          levels from bio-box staff etc.     for three award winning foreign films.     in the USA as digital takes over.


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