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Author Topic: First hint at end of 35mm film distribution for Disney Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-02-2011 03:10 PM                        I guess the real strange thing about this letter is, why is it being posted to Facebook? You would think if Disney wanted to put out a letter like that, they would print it up on nice Mickey Mouse stationery and mail it. It just seems off for the way they normally do things.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 07-02-2011 04:11 PM                     quote: Tony Ratcliff I received this e-mail letter directly from Disney today. Here's another way to validate any emails: go to the properties of this email and see where it originated from, for it would show a delivery path of sorts. If it doesn't say anything related to Disney or from the sender, chances are it was a bogus send ... and why it got in Mark's FB page.  |  IP: Logged Mike Spaeth Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1129 From: Marietta, GA Registered: Jul 2000 posted 07-02-2011 04:16 PM                        The letter is legit. It came from the normal Disney distribution channels, the same one I receive trade screening notices from.  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 07-02-2011 05:45 PM                        quote: Aaron Mehocic He may want to go back to school after 40 years to re-up on what constitutes a "majority". We are nowhere near a majority of digital houses. That statement is true for the number that counts the most: box office gross. For the KC area, I calculate approximately 70% of the box office gross comes from digital screens on very wide releases. For releases less than 2800 or so, that number is even higher. If all of the announced digital installations go through by Sept 2012 (for VPF purposes which all significant chains have announced), you will be at 90% of box office gross (not including art-house movies). Can't blame the studios for not wanting to chase after less than 10% of revenue from 30%+screens.  |  IP: Logged Justin Hamaker Film God Posts: 2253 From: Lakeport, CA USA Registered: Jan 2004 posted 07-02-2011 06:05 PM                        quote: Aaron Mehocic He may want to go back to school after 40 years to re-up on what constitutes a "majority". We are nowhere near a majority of digital houses. My understanding is US screens have reached, or are on the verge of reaching, 50% digital.  |  IP: Logged Donald Brown Expert Film Handler Posts: 131 From: Lincoln, DE Registered: Sep 2009 posted 07-02-2011 06:11 PM                     This discussion provides a rather interesting lens under which one might view a number of the issues involved with digital projection and independent exhibition. At least at the present time, there is no viable advocate for independent exhibitors in the U.S. While there are trade and industry associations that include independent, limited market, and seasonal operators, it is evident that among those affiliations, the supposed advocates for independent operators appear to have either broadly endorsed the digital roll-out or to have taken a position of advocating for their own interests in securing affordable terms. It is apparent, in the middle of a prolonged period of economic instability, that many independent, seasonal, and limited market exhibitors will not be able to survive a forced transition. In many cases, the overall cost of a digital transition represents between 50%-100% of the market value of many of these locations. No one is advocationg for the interests of these exhibitors! What is most unfortunate is that the loss of these theatres will change the nature of movie going patterns that were established in small towns and rural areas across America decades ago. Independent exhibitors need an advocate similar to the late E.M. Lowe and the role he played in the industry in the late 1940s. Film has a place in this industry. It is time for independent, limited market, and seasonal exhibitors to advance their interests, preserve their vocations, and maintain their communities' cultural landscape. Without this advocacy, we will all be at a loss. As a class of businesses, our interests can be preserved! Don Brown  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 07-02-2011 06:48 PM                        Maybe the "little guys" can just play the Blu-ray!( Day & Date are almost here.) Louis  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 07-02-2011 07:09 PM                     At best, the numbers I've see are no more than 50% conversion by the end of 2012. And if the VPF deals stop there, as they are set to do (and reduce by the fall of this year), you will likely see conversion slow or halt until the deals are extended. What the industry does not want is a 50/50 conversion or (anything near that). -Steve  |  IP: Logged Aaron Mehocic Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 804 From: New Castle, PA, USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-02-2011 07:17 PM                     Exactly.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-02-2011 07:19 PM                     quote: Mike Frese That statement is true for the number that counts the most: box office gross. I believe the nail has been hit on the head here and that this is the real reason. However the letter is still fair warning to individual theater owners to get converted or be left in the dust. Most out there in the US and Canada can qualify for VPFs. The writing is now on the wall so to speak. Mark  |  IP: Logged Mark J. Marshall Film God Posts: 3188 From: New Castle, DE, USA Registered: Aug 2002 posted 07-02-2011 09:20 PM                    So what happens to all of those theaters overseas that haven't converted and are nowhere near converting? No more film for them either? I'm hoping maybe they can slow down those high speed printers at some point and give us all some better prints.  |  IP: Logged Victor Liorentas Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: london ontario canada Registered: May 2009 posted 07-02-2011 10:31 PM                     Yeah better prints and a 70s era print count for quality booths!  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 07-03-2011 12:21 AM                     I liked Guttag's writeup that he posted on his Face Book page on this issue - quite informative.  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 07-03-2011 12:31 AM                        quote: Mark Gulbrandsen Most out there in the US and Canada can qualify for VPFs. Mark, To qualify you have two options: 1) If you play 85% on the break, you can strike a deal with any of approx. 5 integrators. I believe most in this camp is on that track. Keep in mind that only includes approx. 2800 locations. Cars 2 and Transformers 3 are playing at over 4000 locations. Plus how many art house locations are there? Discount? (VPFs are only for the first 4 weeks). Which leads me to option 2) NATO/CBG: you have to have been a member by their deadline. Which originally was end of 2007 but was extended much later without much fan fair I recently found out. CBG numbers are very minimal in the scheme of things. I am aware of only a couple of people who are using this plan. Probably as much due to the top-secret agreements that are so important to have in place. Add to that the overcomplicated process that an exhibitor must go through to even hear what your VPFs might be. You have to pick your equipment and get financing in place BEFORE you can hear how the hell you are going to pay for the financing. That is the equivalent of going out and putting a offer on a house without being pre-qualified. And god forbid share your VPF details with others in order to see if they make sense. So I disagree with your statement. Would you like to define a bit what "most" means?  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 07-03-2011 04:12 PM                     quote: Mike Frese VPFs are only for the first 4 weeks Question: is this VPF thing a one time thing per movie and you have to play the movie the 4 week minimum, or are the VPF's paid per week up to the 4 weeks per movie?  |  IP: Logged

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