Between the end of June and the second week in August this year, Falkirk's Cineworld saw 105,000 film fans flock into its screens, more than double the number of people who visited between April and June.

That's because when the schools are out, the movies are most definitely in.

With films like 'Wall-e', 'The Incredible Hulk', another Indiana Jones movie, and more Chronicles of Narnia, it's been quite a summer of fun for youngsters who have been savouring swapping school for the silver screen.

But, as one of three operations managers at Cineworld, Graeme Murray knows it's not just the children who are lapping up the movies.

"We now have a digital screen which we can use to show old films which have been digitally remastered,'' he said.

"At Christmas we showed 'It's a Wonderful Life', which was really popular with all age groups.

"There's a company which specialises in re-making old movies and they look great on the big screen."

Behind the scenes at Falkirk's Cineworld, the summer means extra work for the 45 staff and there's more of a need to organise resources to keep the whole thing running like clockwork.

The cinema's managers oversee everything – from what's going on in the foyer and the projection hall to what film is showing where and when.
Graeme said: "It's our job to decide what time a certain film is going to be shown.

"When you're working out what to show during the week, we look at how successful that film has been over the past weekend.

"You can't show all the most popular films at once because it would just get too busy and the queues would get too long."

On the floor above the foyer, the projection gallery is hard at work dishing out the goods too.

Huge discs of film reels are smoothly run through the projectors, beaming the entertainment onto the cinema's 12 screens.

But, from their open boxes in the back wall of every screen, projectionists also play another role.

Graeme said: "The projectionists are in a great place to spot anyone trying to record a film illegally on their phones or video cameras.

"There are telltale signs like a light or a seat being left empty for a camera in between two people."

And the projectionists also have the best seat in the house to see some
strange audience behaviour.

Graeme said: "During 'Mamma Mia', we've had people dancing and singing in the aisles, and you can even get people clapping after a film. It is a very American thing to do but it does happen here too.''

But different types of movies trigger different audience reactions.

During one of the first screenings of 'Casino Royale' in Falkirk last year, one youth thought it might be fun to pull on a mask and run to the front of the auditorium with a fake gun.

An entire cinema evacuation and a stern talking-to from the police later, all was well and 007 played on.

Graeme added: "Something like that when we have to evacuate the building is a big thing for us, but what it showed was that the staff knew exactly what to do."

Movie trends are changing, but it hasn't halted our love affair with them.

Graeme said: "Less films are being made and instead the focus is on producing high-quality blockbusters that will pull in the crowds.

"The cinema is still very popular.

"Nothing really compares to watching films on the big screen and having the big experience.

"The movies are so good just now, high on quality and sound.

"You also get the audience reaction at the cinema, something you can't get in your living room."

But the Falkirk film house sees itself as not just a service provider but also as part of the community.

It runs one of the country's most popular Saturday morning cinema Kids' Clubs, which costs £1 per head for adults and children.

Cineworld also offers tickets as prizes for charity raffles and will accommodate business meetings so staff can see their presentations on the big screen.

You can even hire your own cinema screen to watch your favourite flick with your friends.

So whether it's a big night, a first date, or simply just a way to pass a rainy afternoon for bored children, cinema is a force that is still very much with us.