Welcome to ACMI
This Visual Story describes a visit to ACMI’s centerpiece exhibition called The Story of the Moving Image. It is designed to help anyone who may find a step-by-step visual and written access guide useful when planning to visit the exhibition.
This Visual Story is in an easy-to-read format and uses pictures to show how to access the exhibition and what to expect once you’re inside.
An additional Visual Story focused on arriving at ACMI and other parts of the building can be found at here.
At ACMI we value diversity and are committed to providing a safe and welcoming space for all visitors.
If you have feedback for us on how we can improve your experience, please talk to a visitor experience guide or contact us.
The exhibition The Story of the Moving Image is located in Gallery 1. The exhibition is free and you don’t need a ticket to enter.
This is the arrival point for Gallery 1.
As you approach Gallery 1, you can find a panel of helpful information on the left side of the entrance. This panel includes a short introduction and some recommendations on what to expect inside. We use visual icons to help you easily identify key information.
We ask that you finish any food or drinks before entering.
This exhibition invites you to journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences, digital innovation and captivating stories.
You can explore five distinct sections within the exhibition which frame the major moments in moving image history. These include the origins and future of cinema, production design and the creative process, Australian culture and stories, the rise of videogames, and how screens inform, influence and empower us.
These moments can be collected with the Lens, a free tool that collects your favourite objects, artworks and creations in the exhibition, and allows you to access them online when you get home.
An ACMI team member will welcome you and invite you to take a Lens. They will show you how to use the Lens.
At the entrance of Gallery 1, look up to experience an artwork directly above you. This artwork is titled Yanmeeyarr and was made by artist Vicki Couzens, a Gunditjmara woman from the Western Districts of Victoria.
Vicki Couzens has also designed an icon to help you find First Peoples content in the exhibition.
Please note, the exhibition contains names, images and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have passed away.
Inside The Story of the Moving Image you will find many artworks, objects and displays to explore.
You can try interactive experiences that let you animate shadows, craft optical toys, put together film scenes and create soundscapes in a custom Foley studio.
Some sections of the gallery have lower light levels to help you view the illuminated and projected exhibition content.
Other areas are brightly lit so you can see display cases and objects clearly.
Some displays have headsets you can use to listen to audio content, while others have their sound playing in the space.
As you move through The Story of the Moving Image, you may notice the exhibition is divided into sections. Our curators have used sections to organise the displays and artworks you’ll experience. Each section has an information panel that includes the name of the section you’re in. Here’s the panel for our first section titled Light and Shadow.
Inside Gallery 1
Once you enter Gallery 1, you will see a bright artwork on your right. The artwork is by Taree Mackenzie and is titled Pepper’s Ghost. It creates a vivid optical effect through the use of coloured light, reflective glass and two black triangles that slowly spin.
At this artwork you’ll see a ‘Do not touch’ sign. Throughout the exhibition you may see the ‘Do not touch’ sign on other artworks and precious objects.
If you are unsure how to interact with a display, you can ask an ACMI team member. They will be happy to help you.
In the first section of The Story of the Moving Image, you will also discover a small viewing room with a curtain. Inside this room is a display titled Cuphead: Inspiration from the Inkwell zoetrope.
It is fun to look at, but it also has fast strobing lights. There is a warning sign outside the room. We use a ‘Strobing effects’ icon to help you easily identify displays that contain strobing effects. If you experience photophobia or sensitivity to strobing or flickering lights and would like more information about this display, please speak to an ACMI team member.
One interactive experience you may wish to try is recording your own flip book. You can save it to your Lens to re-watch and share at home later. You can also purchase a printed copy of your flip book in the ACMI Shop.
This is what a flipbook looks like.
You’ll see white and grey bench seating throughout the exhibition. You can use bench seats when you’ve viewing a display, playing a videogame, or taking a rest. Some benches have armrests for extra support. Here’s what our bench seats look like.
One of our popular interactive displays is called the Edit Line. Here, you can create your own video using clips from iconic movies and TV shows. Create your video by moving the blocks into a new sequence. If it’s busy, you might create your video with other visitors.
Here’s what the Edit Line looks like.
Around the corner in the Moving Worlds section of the gallery, you can watch a video explaining how storyboarding works. The storyboard artist is talking about the movie Shrek. This has fairly loud sound.
To the left of the storyboarding video is the Foley Room. In this room you can generate the sound effects for a short video clip. Before entering, look to see if there’s someone already inside. A bright neon sign will also tell you if a session is in progress.
This is what the inside of the Foley Room looks like.
The door to the Foley Room is automatic and opens outwards. Open the door by pressing the button to the left of the door. The door will close automatically once you’re inside.
Foley Room sessions are recorded. You can save your session by tapping the Lens, which will allow you to watch and share your recording at home.
Opposite the Foley Room is a section named Moving Australia. This area spotlights the history of the moving image in Australia.
Several works in Moving Australia include headphones and open captions. There is seating throughout Moving Australia.
The Games Lab section is in the middle of the gallery and is very popular with visitors. The games displayed are selected by our curators and change regularly. If it is busy when you visit you may have to wait to play a game. There are also old arcade games. These can be noisy.
There is bench seating at each videogame station. If you need assistance moving a bench seat, ask one of our friendly ACMI team members to help you.
This is the entrance to Moving Minds. This section of the exhibition is a more confined space, with lots of sound and bright images. You can look at objects on display, view content on screens with audio and read information about the displays. Some content in this section may be a bit confronting. You can follow the path to the left if you don’t want to enter.
This is what Moving Minds looks like inside.
This is the Memory Garden. It is a very quiet and relaxing space where you can hold and view home movies in your hands. To interact with this experience, place your hand under the pillars.
Please note that this area includes mirrored walls which may be disorienting for some visitors.
This is the Constellation area where you can use your Lens to explore what you have collected in the exhibition. At each Constellation table you can discover connections to other content in ACMI’s collection. This is also a popular space to sit, rest and regroup with others. It has some very comfortable seats, but the sound from the gallery next door can be very loud.
After the Constellation area, you will find three donation tap points. If you enjoyed the exhibition The Story of the Moving Image, please consider supporting ACMI. This is what a tap point looks like.
The passageway past our donation points leads to Gallery 2.
Gallery 2 is an exhibition space accessed within The Story of the Moving Image. Entry is free, check the ACMI website acmi.net.au for what’s on now. If you do not want to visit Gallery 2, continue down the passageway to the exit.
When you exit The Story of the Moving Image, you will be on the Ground Floor in the ACMI foyer.
Don’t forget to take your Lens home with you so that you can revisit your time at ACMI once you arrive home!
To your immediate right is the ACMI shop.
To your immediate left is the Flinders Street exit.
The exterior of the Flinders Street entrance is accessible via a wheelchair ramp.
There are also stairs with a handrail.
If you prefer to exit to Fed Square, there is a wooden staircase with handrails that leads up to the Fed Square level.
Lifts are also available. These are located past the Welcome Desk down and to the left.
If you’re looking for something to eat or drink, the ACMI Cafe + Bar serves snacks, light meals, coffee and drinks.
You can find the Cafe + Bar near the welcome desk on Level 1.
