Picture House Present

Digital Stories

In this section, we explore the Paignton Picture House as it stands today, capturing the transformation of this iconic building through its current restoration and development efforts. With its rich history being carefully preserved, the Picture House is not only a symbol of the past but also a space for contemporary events and community gatherings. We delve into the ongoing works that are revitalising the venue and highlight the exciting events and cultural activities that breathe new life into this treasured landmark.

Inside Paignton Picture House - Photo Series

by Danielle Sargeant

South Devon College Alumni

Danielle Sargeant (b. 1998) is an interdisciplinary artist, writer and curator. She completed her Art Foundation at UAL in 2017, specialising in mixed-media painting, and later earned her BA (Hons) in History of Art with Material Studies from UCL in 2020. Following the pandemic, Danielle continued her studies at South Devon College, taking back-to-back short courses in ceramics and photography. Here, she was able to focus on honing her technical skills and discovered a new love for analogue photography.

In 2023, while pursuing the SDC Advanced Photography for Adults Certificate, Danielle had the chance to explore the dilapidated Paignton Picture House, helping to capture its unique character while learning about the site’s history and plans for restoration. With a documentary/fine art photography practice focused on materiality, mundanity and environmental decay, this project was a notably thrilling and meaningful opportunity to apply her passions in the local community. Over several visits, she developed an extensive archive detailing the impact of time and commemorating the coarse beauty of PPH before its imminent transformation.

Currently, Danielle is studying for her MFA in Fine Arts at Parsons: The New School, looking to develop immersive, experiential artwork across new media. She is a member of the 25East Gallery Curatorial Committee and has just been awarded a Mellon Initiative Joint Creative Fellowship for 2024-2025.

Website: photography-ds.com | Instagram: @dars.palette

Preserving History in 3D: LiDAR Scanning the Paignton Picture House

FdA Game and Interactive

In an effort to digitally preserve one of the UK’s oldest surviving cinemas, we conducted a comprehensive 3D LiDAR scan of the Paignton Picture House before its renovations. Using the cutting-edge Leica BLK360 LiDAR scanner, we captured intricate details of the historic structure, ensuring that its pre-renovation state was archived with precision.

Working alongside students and leveraging our academic partnership with Epic Games, we utilised RealityCapture software to process the scan data into high-resolution 3D mesh models. This meticulous process allowed us to generate an accurate digital representation of the space, which could then be imported into industry-standard 3D production tools for further development.

To bring the scan to life, we used Blender to animate a smooth flythrough of the digital model, providing an immersive virtual tour of the venue. To enhance realism, we applied Physically Based Rendering (PBR) techniques to accurately simulate the lighting conditions within the historic cinema, adding depth and atmosphere to the final visualisation.

This project not only served as a valuable educational opportunity for students but also ensured that the legacy of the Paignton Picture House remains accessible in digital form for future generations. As the building undergoes its transformation, our detailed 3D scans stand as a testament to its storied past, preserving its unique architectural features for historical reference and virtual exploration.