A Living Reel

Ruin, Fragmentation & Order

‘A Living Reel’ is an establishment devoted to the purposes of documentation, preservation and exhibition, the Compendium will promote as well as reignite Glasgow’s Film Industry. And in part, present an opportunity for the documentation of Glasgow, by the community and for the people. As we progress into a somewhat digitally dominant age, where society as a whole is engrossed in all things virtual, ‘A Living Reel’ poses a place of engagement detracting from the seclusion of the digital realm. Reflecting Glasgow’s once thriving Film Industry, once home to hundred’s of picture houses situated across the vastness of Central and Greater Glasgow. The Film Theatre gifts the people the right to re-engage as a collective entity, the reintroduction of the theatre will act as a catalyst for change, representing a symbol of the city’s evolution and re-discovery of it’s beloved film culture. It posits a two part brief alleviating the means of film making, firstly, composed of a collective body of artists, designers and producers working harmoniously within the purposed studios relative to the five stages of film making; development; pre-production; production; post-production; and distribution - considered the process. Secondly, following from post-production into distribution, the product is transferred through a gallery - for public exhibition - and the archive - for documentation and preservation. The product is then distributed through the Film Theatre for exhibition and presentation to the public realm. The two specific and vital elements of the proposal are production - forming the process - and presentation - the product. ‘A Living Reel’ juxtaposes both the street and the court, the street - London Road - is aligned with the city, a formal arrival where the court is situated on the ‘The Barra’s Market’ encourages an informal arrival. A place to gather, socialise, discuss and immerse oneself in a creative environment for the benefit and greater good of film culture in Glasgow.