Contemporary Arts Centre
152 Nethergate
Information and interior photographs courtesy of Pete Naples
The architects were Richard
Murphy Associates of Edinburgh. Both
screens are equipped with 2 Century 35mm Projectors, which are slightly
unusual in that they have 3 blade flicker shutters and 3 lens turrets.
Dolby SR.D & DTS digital are present in Screen 1.
Both screens can show all 35mm film ratios, including silent and have
variable running speeds. There are also 16mm projectors for each
screen, both Fumeo, and Screen 2 has sep-mag facility from 16mm. Video
and slide projection is available, as is PA. Both screens are equipped
with 5 deck Strong platters.
Both screens have tabs and mobile side masking. Screen 2 also has
mobile bottom masking.
Cinema 1 has an interesting additional feature’ - below the screen is
a window, running the width of the picture. There is metal shutter to
the outside, and a matching set of tabs to the inside. The architects
idea was that the audience would see a sweeping panorama across the Tay.
The DCA opened as a replacement for the Steps, which ran successfully
in the library theatre for nearly 30 years. The staff transferred to
the new DCA.
