Any screening of artists' film or video is a showing of an artists' work and as such it needs to be handled with the same respect and care as a painting or sculpture. Film prints especially have to be carefully handled as artists rarely have more than a few copies, if that. For any screening or exhibition preparation is the key issue, if you are aware and prepared for the work and have time to make sure it works in the space then you have nothing to worry about. Audiences and artists should not have to suffer bad projection so make sure not to learn at their expense.

How to Show Work

There are many choices to be made when showing work within the exhibition setup and the exhibition materials. When deciding how best to show work think about what its characteristics are and how they can best be served by the space. For instance; how long is the work? Will audiences need to sit down to watch it? Is it important for people to see the work from the beginning and if so how will you make this possible?

It is also important to think about the way different spaces and forms of presentation bring about a different engagement with the work. The central divide is between showing work in a cinematic framework or in an installation framework. Cinematic presentation creates a more involved and direct engagement with a spectator whose attention is captive. Installation creates a more free spectator and looser form of engagement with the work itself but a more involved engagement with its context and space.

These technical and logistical issues are discussed in more detail in Emily Richardson’s guide to showing artists' film and video.

Projecting a Mixed Programme

One of the most common ways artists' film and video are shown is in mixed programmes. These programmes, which often combine 90 minutes worth of work, ranging anywhere from two to twenty works, present various challenges for projection. The complexity of the running order and mixture of different formats and specifications of the work demand an attentive projectionist. To ensure smooth and precise projection the curator as well as the projectionist needs to be prepared and attentive to the characteristics of each work.

> Check the work
Before showing work, examine each film or video so you know what to expect. Take note of the following: Is the work loud, quiet or silent? What is the work’s aspect ration? How does the film begin or end? What can be focused on? Are there any areas of no image or sound that aren’t the end of the film?

> Make notes
Make notes on the important characteristics of each film so you know what to expect and how to project each one successfully. If you are not projecting the work yourself, accurate notes about the works will help the projectionist to show the work successfully.

> Take time between works
A key to accurate and professional projection is to take the time not only to prepare before projecting the work but during it. If you have complex projection make sure the audience knows this so they are prepared for gaps between the works. People would rather wait a minute and have the work shown in its correct fashion rather than seeing a work quickly that is badly projected.

> Focus
Artist film and video can often cause problems for a projectionist not used to the work. A key difficulty is focusing the image, especially with an abstract film. To get around this problem many artists and distributors recommend projecting the film's leader and focusing on this before the film starts.

If the programme is on a single tape, disc or film reel some of these issues are avoided. But projectionist still need to be aware of difference in sound levels between the works and the need to focus the film accurately right at the beginning.

Projection / exhibition equipment

There are a range of sources for exhibition equipment in the UK that can be hired. The rates of hire vary widely as a lot of companies are focused on commercial clients. Listed below are a range of companies with differing levels of experience in working with arts organisations. Some have specially subsidised rates for arts organisations so be clear about the nature of the project and most companies will be open to negotiating a deal.

Film and Video Umbrella
London, UK
www.fvumbrella.com
LCD Projectors, DVD players, plasma screens, touch screens

Film London Local Digital Network
http://www.filmlondon.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=864
Hosted by eight organisations in London this network offers a kit containing a digital projector, screen, sound system and DVD/VHS player. The kits are available to organisations in their local area on a reduced hire basis.
Local Digital Network partners include: The Video College Phoenix Cinema: www.phoenixcinema.co.uk
LUX: www.lux.org.uk/resources/equipment.htm
Four Corners Film: www.fourcornersfilm.co.uk
Film and Video Workshop: www.filmworkshop.com
Connections Communications Centre
The Albany: jake.strickland@thealbany.org.uk
Bromley Mytime: christophe.archer@bromleymytime.org.uk

Glasgow Media Access Centre
Glasgow, UK
www.g-mac.co.uk
Video, 16mm, Super 8 projectors and video decks

Halo Presentations
London, UK
www.haloco.co.uk
Video projectors, 16mm, 8mm, slide projectors, lighting, video decks and monitors.

Insight Lighting
London, UK
www.insightlighting.co.uk
Video projectors, 16mm, 8mm, slide projectors, lighting, video decks and monitors

Kino Club
London, UK
Email: d.leister@virgin.net
Run by film-maker/performance artist David Leister, Kino Club provides the best technical advice and projectionists for film exhibition, and hires exhibition equipment including 16mm, 8mm and slide projectors, screens and 16mm loop formers for longterm exhibition of gallery loops.

Lumen
Leeds
www.lumen.net
Video projectors, video decks, computers

MITES
Liverpool, UK
www.mites.org.uk
Hires a range of video projectors, monitors, and video decks at subsidised rates. MITES also provides a competitively priced DVD burning service. They also publish a useful guide to exhibition technologies, The Mites Manual available directly from them.

MJT Associates
London, UK
www.mjtdv.co.uk
Email: info@mjtdv.co.uk
Established in 1995 to support the production and presentation of moving images for the fine art, public entertainment and corporate sectors. Provide Projectors, Video Monitors, Plasma and TFT screens projectors as well as post-production equipment.

Picture This Moving Image
Bristol, UK
www.picturethismovingimage.co.uk
Video projectors, monitors and video decks.

SDNA
London, UK
www.sdna.tv
Video projectors, PA, and video decks.

XRay Hire
London, UK
www.xrayhire.co.uk
Video projectors, video and DVD decks, plasma screens, projection screens, amps and speakers.