get a current permalink out of the loop for / slider

I have a nivo slider. It pulls images from a loop that calls the “slider_image” magic field from each post. these images are wrapped in anchor tags that href the permalink. so if you click on the current image – it’ll take you to that posts single page. (streaming video)

NOW – I also have a play button, ( a small circle in the corner ) but it is not in the loop.
It sits on top of the slider.

is there a way I can get the current permalink from that loop – and bring it outside to use in the href for this little button ? so that it links to the current permalink?

it seems like I should be able to make a variable or something… any ideas ?

<div class="slider-area round">

            <div class="slider-image">

                <div id="slider" class="nivoSlider">                        

                    <?php query_posts('post_type=film&category_name=film&showposts=0') ?>
                    <?php if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?>

                        <a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>"><img src="<?php echo get ('slider_image') ?>" title="<?php echo get ('project_title') ?>" alt="slider images" />
                        </a>

                    <?php endwhile; ?>

                    <?php else : ?>

                        <h2>Not Found</h2>

                    <?php endif; ?>
                    <?php wp_reset_query(); ?>

                </div><!--end slider-->

                <!--script-->
                <script type="text/javascript">
                    $(window).load(function() {
                    $('#slider').nivoSlider();
                    });
                </script>

            </div><!--end slider image-->

            <div class="slider-header">
                <h2 class="trans"><?php echo get ('slider_headline_line_one') ?><br>
                <span class="accent"><?php echo get ('slider_headline_line_two') ?></span></h2>
            </div>

            <a href="I WANT THAT PERMALINK FROM THAT LOOP ABOVE - HERE" class="circle trans">
                play
            </a>

        </div><!-- end slider-area-->