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Author Topic: VPF's or NOT? Paul Brown Film Handler Posts: 12 From: Charleston SC, USA Registered: Feb 2011 posted 12-20-2011 02:34 PM                     All this is amazing. In our case, we have 3 of 4 converted with NEC series two.. (the fourth in the next month or so) ... We outgross our nearest carmike (all series one NEC) and now get all the product we want (which is good and bad) our city is not it the top 100 tier, so we don't get ,say , the Artist for Christmas, but we get Marilyn and Descendants in the first 300 - 400 prints. (cuz of our grosses) . My main concern is we seem to now be getting EVERYTHING we want from every studio (our fight is for exclusive, etc.. on the smaller stuff), and I don't want to hinder this ability. It's a snowball.. if VPF prevents us (non spoken .. not getting a print) from say, 2 or 3 good movies a year.. then, this is money lost now, vs. gained back on VPF. Without VPF, we sorta stand out --- but I also don't want to give up , essentially this automatic pay back. I'm a bit dizzied by it all ... I tried to speak to GDC about it (they are sending me a draft contract) .. but, then goal is to sign up as many, so I really couldn't get a straight answer. .. and it's easier for the film buyer if there is not VPF. Thanks all.. for all the comments... any more thoughts?  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-23-2011 02:29 PM                     It doesn't matter your ranking at all. That just says which program you'll end up in and how much you'll end up getting back. GDC also has their VPF program up and running, I have three customers going with it and it is far far easier to deal with than Cinedigm or any of the rest of em... Mark  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 12-24-2011 08:25 PM                        Mark, We are talking about post VPF contract signing on the booking side of things after all paperwork is signed and equipment is installed. A smaller theater grossing in the 3100 range or so may not get a movie on the break if they are receiving a VPF. This would be for the marginal movies released Jan-April and Sept-October. Not the 3500-4200 location movies. This was told to me by 2 studio reps (top 6 mainstream movie studio grossers). And I know of a theater who is digital has been told "no" when asking for a movie but then told "yes" when he reminds the studio rep that he is not getting a VPF. That has happened a handful of times for him. I could qualify for full 1st run status and full VPFs. I have NOT signed a deal because of what I said in the previous paragraph. I am in a competitive market and there is very little scraps left on a movie after 3-4 weeks so for me I need to get the movies on the break. In Paul's situation: Sony Pictures Classics and Fox Searchlight are under their parent studio I have been told. It is a tough call for an arthouse.  |  IP: Logged Paul Brown Film Handler Posts: 12 From: Charleston SC, USA Registered: Feb 2011 posted 12-27-2011 10:20 AM                     Mark.. thanks for your advice.. and thoughts.. It is exactly what I am facing. I tend to get prints in the 2000 - 2400 nation wide releases , if we request... but that all could be because we put ourselves in such an advantageous situation with respect to the studios. (it's all about money in and money out for them) . . .  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-27-2011 01:44 PM                     All VPF have issues and in my humble opinion are a method of control and in all cases do restrain free trade  |  IP: Logged

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