BEN ANDERSON – 2026 TASMANIAN CINEMA PIONEER OF THE YEAR
Ben writes about his Cinema career…
My first memories of the cinema industry are of a young boy around the age of eight, riding my BMX bike over the ramps at the East Devonport Starlite Drive-in. Parked beside the projection room in the front seat of Dad’s car, I can remember watching films like ET and Grease. My Father, Denis Anderson, was the chief projectionist there and together we would carry out “ramp tramps”, repairing the speakers. At that early age I was not much help, but when I found a speaker that was not working, I would place a rock on the junction box so Dad would know which ones needed repairs. This was the beginning of my interest in the cinema industry.
I was first employed at Village Cinema One Devonport at the age of 16 and my first duties were as a cleaner. Eventually my roles moved into front of house, candy bar and ushering, and then began my training, with Dad, in the projection room in 1992. I also worked relief work at Village Cinema One, Burnie. I started screening films during the school holidays and at late night movie marathons when Dad was on leave.
After finishing year 12, I moved straight to Victoria, training at the Jam Factory, before working for Village Cinemas Geelong. During this time, I was also asked to cover the occasional shift at Werribee Cinemas. From there I moved back to Tassie, working for Village Cinemas Launceston, full time for ten years. I also worked at Village Cinemas Eastlands for five years as Location Technical Supervisor. Towards the end of this time, I also carried out maintenance and projection shifts at Village Cinemas Glenorchy, running the projectors for one of the last 35mm films screened there before digital installation.
Although no longer working in the industry, I continue my interest of cinema by collecting 35mm projection equipment and screening films to friends and family at home with my purpose-built projection room and outdoor cinema screen.