3 April 2015 East Kilbride Post
ARTS
film
www.eastkilbridepost.co.uk/film Autism Friendly Film FOR SOMEONE on the Autistic spectrum a cinema outing can be a stressful one.
People with autism have varying levels of sensitivity. The loud noises or flashing lights of the big screen can be distressing for many people with sensory issues.
Dionne Kennedy
editorial@eastkilbridepost.co.uk
llAt least one Sunday each month ODEON East Kilbride plays host to their own speci- al performances of top films, new releases and old clas- sics, all in a more relaxing at- mosphere. These special per- formances have very subtle changes to the cinema envi- ronment that mean that peo- ple who have sensory difficul- ties have a more positive ex- perience.
During an autism friendly screening lights are left on at a low level and the sound is much quieter. There are no trailers or advertisements before the film, cutting down time viewers are waiting for the film. Trailers and added time can make people with autism more restless.
You are usually allowed to sit where you please, this al- so means extra allowance for movement and noise during the screenings, as many au- tistic people have issues with fidgeting or sitting still for long periods of time. You can also bring in your own snacks, which is hugely important for those with au- tism as many have dietary re- quirements or only eat speci- fic foods.
Amanda, 38 regularly takes her son, Jacob, who is on the autistic spectrum to the frien- dlier showings.
“The autism-friendly show- ings are a lot more relaxed than regular showings. Jacob is free to move seat if he wants as he often has trouble sitting still for long periods of time. The fact there are no trailers really helps as well, usually we would have to try and time it so we missed those without missing the start of the film, but by that point the lights are usually dim and it’s harder to find your seats. “As well as being more fun for the kids it makes the expe- rience a lot more positive for us parents too as we know our children are having a gre- at time and doing the same as other kids their age would do.” The ultimate goal is that by introducing these screenings at a young age and becoming
accustomed to the environ- ment, children on the autistic spectrum could begin to at- tend regular screenings after a while.
Lisa Hopkins, Executive Di- rector of Practice Development at Dimensions, a charity aiming to increase accessibility for tho- se with disabilities, helped la- unch Autism Friendly Scree- nings with ODEON in 2011. “We are really pleased to
be partnering with ODEON, as well as other cinemas, to help make the cinema acces- sible for even more people with autism. The fact that the screenings have been so well received and continue to gain support shows that there was a need to introduce such en- vironments.
“People who can so- metimes be excluded from the traditional ci- nema experience, be- cause they may find the sensory experience too difficult to manage, are now able to watch a wider va- riety of films, more frequently, in an environment conducive with their needs. These oppor- tunities are important stepping stones towards full inclusion in mainstream cinemas.”
AUTISTIC CINEMA SCREENINGS
Taking in a film at the local cinema makes for a really great evening out or weekend treat for the kids.
ll The CEA Disabil i ty Working Group brings to- gether the big com- panies along with their advisors, industry ex- perts and the inde- pendent cinema cha- ins. The group dis- cusses areas of disa- bility and access and seeks to identify ways of moving forward in this area to the benefit of all.
The CEA runs a card scheme to ena- ble disabled peo- ple to take their ca- rer with them into film showings wi- thout having to pay ‘twice’. The simple photo-card costs just £5.50 for an entire year and can be used in cinemas run by Ci- neworld, Odeon, Showca- se and Vue (as well as others).
As well as
There are around 700,000 people in the UK with autism - that's more than 1 in 100. If you include their families, autism touches the lives of 2.7 million people every day.
2.7m What's On
ll ODEON's next au- tism friendly film screening is The SpongeBob Mo- vie: A Sponge Out Of Wa- ter on Sunday 19th April at 11:30am. ll ODEON's next Autism Friendly Screening for ol- der audiences is Fast and Furious 7 on Monday 20th April at 6:00pm. This film has an age rating (tbc).
this the CEA, through its own Disability Working group (and working with autism charity, Dimensions) has de- veloped other disability frien- dly schemes including a trai- ning initiative aimed at raising the level of understanding of and provision for disabled people. Their ‘autism frien- dly’ film showings have al- so become very popular. The autism friendly film showings take pla- ce once a month at ci- nemas and provide an environment conduci- ve to people with autis- tic spectrum disorders. Most impressive is that the four cinema groups under the CEA umbrella have chosen to present their au- tistic screenings on different Sundays from each other, gi- ving customers a place to go on any given weekend. (Cineworld show them on the first weekend, Showcase on the second, Odeon on the third and Vue on the fourth.)
www.ceacard.com
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LOCAL ARTIST Sian Moir
ll Sian Moir is an emerging local young artist with a pas- sion for murals. Having stu- died at the City of Glasgow College, Sian has extended her working practice as an assistant to other professio- nals in the field and, in doing so, gained valuable experi- ence which allowed her to evolve her own self-direc- ted endeavours. East Kil- bride Arts Centre is deligh- ted to support Sian throu- gh this free, café gallery exhi- bition and also to create the opportunity for her to design and implement an external wall mural, within the garden, which marks the 20th anni- versary of the opening of Arts Centre itself. 2 Apr - 3 May
10:00am - 8:00pm KID CRAFTS
Whitelee WInd Farm Crafts Easter Events
ll From the 3rd to the 26th April, Whitelee Wind Farm (one of the largest in Euro- pe) is running a series of kids workshops ranging from des- signing your own Pinwheel Windmill to making a Buggy Windsock. Events are free and are usually suitable for 3+ although check their website for details of the in- dividual classes. www.white-
leewindfarm.co.uk
LET US KNOW We Want Creativity
ll If you think you can take great photos, write sparkling copy, throw some light on an under-represented group or just want to help out at the Post... Get in touch!
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