Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Saving The Odeon Drive-In!

my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

»	Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE » Operations » Ground Level » Saving The Odeon Drive-In! (Page 2)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3

Author

Topic: Saving The Odeon Drive-In!

Brad Allen
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 688
From: Evansville, IN, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 03-27-2004 11:01 AM

I have a friend that's owned various drive-ins over the past 30 years, currently has a 5 screener, and his comment about septic systems is "I've experienced many many septic systems, and I've learned one thing from them, they don't work." [Big Grin]

| IP: Logged

Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 03-27-2004 07:45 PM

quote:
Ah yes, but porta-potties add the expense of pumping/etc.

'tis but a drop in the pot. Nothing is free, but it's sure a lot cheaper than mortgaging the place for a treatment plant. It means the difference between running and shutting.

Puns intended. [Roll Eyes]

| IP: Logged

Daryl C. W. O'Shea
Film God

Posts: 3977
From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from)
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 03-27-2004 07:50 PM

It may be cheaper, but the health board still wouldn't allow it.

It's all a lost cause anyway. Cineplex Galaxy LP isn't interested in running drive-ins, and rightly so. Drive-ins just don't fall inline with the margins expected of their other properties, especially with such a short season.

Liquidating properties isn't part of it though. The company isn't for sale. Onex only owns about 40% of it now that the company was spun via the Cineplex Galaxy Trust Fund.

| IP: Logged

Daniel Fuentz
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 230
From: Fresno, CA, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 03-27-2004 09:17 PM

quote:
It's all a lost cause anyway. Cineplex Galaxy LP isn't interested in running drive-ins, and rightly so. Drive-ins just don't fall inline with the margins expected of their other properties, especially with such a short season.

I tihnk the same is true of any major chain. How many chains even operate a drive-in anymore? I know Century has a couple, and I seem to recall Signature Theatres operating one D-I, but I don't know of any other chains that even bother with drive-ins anymore.

| IP: Logged

Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 03-27-2004 11:34 PM

quote:
the health board still wouldn't allow it.

Do you know that for a fact? They have no problem with it elsewhere, including places like racetracks and ballparks.

| IP: Logged

Daryl C. W. O'Shea
Film God

Posts: 3977
From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from)
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 03-27-2004 11:47 PM

You can't do it in Ontario and as far as I know Manitoba's health regulations are fairly similar.

It really depends on your menu and whether or not the local health board office decides that it goes beyond "just hotdogs" like at a ball park.

Actually, I haven't seen a ball park or race track here that serves food have only portable toilets in many years.

| IP: Logged

Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 03-28-2004 09:37 AM

Well hotdogs are prepared, the same as hamburgers or filet mignon, so I can't see where that would make a difference. I know of several racetracks and ballparks with porta-potties, and one drive-in theatre. All have full concessions (with regulation 3-bay sinks and wash basins in the food prep areas). My point was, if the theatre was "totalled" by the prospect of having to redo their septic treatment system, it is still possible to open the business and have cash flow, which could help finance the expenditure. Might be worth a try, if the interested individuals want to pursue it.

I understand corporations don't do drive-ins well, but the topic was how to save the drive-in. In a worst-case, they could open for a while without the concession. (Or without the restrooms - there's plenty of open field!!) [Wink]

| IP: Logged

Peter Berrett
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 602
From: Victoria, Australia
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 03-28-2004 05:23 PM

Drive-ins can be made to work with the proper marketing and some $$$.

Here in Victoria, Australia we have experienced a resurgence in Drive-ins since the early 1990's. The Peninsula Drive-in in Dromana has expanded from 1 to 2 and now 3 screens. The Coburg Drive-in closed then reopened with a retro theme and has added a second and then a third screen.

Also, in recent times the Kilderry Clan re-opened the old Dandenong Drive-in as a twin and have now added a third screen with planning permission for a fourth at a later stage. I am told that business is doing ok.

Finally there was talk of the Warragul Drive-in reopening at some point.

From what I have seen, the keys to operating a successful drive-in appear to be -

1. Show first-run family product
2. Push a retro theme (ie back to the fifties)
3. Have multiple screens to offer patrons more choice
4. Run weekend markets on site
5. Kids under 12 get in for free
6. Have a drive-in bumper sticker for cars giving regular patrons a small discount (helps promote the drive-in)

The idea is to recreate the atmosphere that our parents or grandparents enjoyed and make the drive-in once again family friendly. One must also remember that if you have young kids but no babysitter, the drive-in is an ideal way to see a movie.

It also helps if your drive-in is located on the edge of town or is built on land that can't be used for anything else for some reason.

cheers Peter

| IP: Logged

Andrew McCrea
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 645
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 03-29-2004 11:13 AM

Thanks for all the replies.

A petition has started, a community (Headingley) MLA is possibly going to begin taking action.

Many community members are offering to volunteer for free, just because they love movies, and they want to see it remain open. The idea here was that the saved payrol could be used towards the septic system.

| IP: Logged

Barry Floyd
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1079
From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 04-02-2004 03:03 AM

You could always do what the community in Virginia did. They formed a non-profit 501-C3 (?)status, temporarily leased the drive-in from it's owner, then had fund raisers to raise the money to buy it out right from the owner.

They did it... and it still operates to this day. Hulls Drive-In... I think Lexington, Virginia.

Come to think of it.... I own my Drive-In, and it's a NON PROFIT too. Hopefully that will change this Summer. [thumbsup]

| IP: Logged

John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 04-02-2004 07:29 AM

Rochester's five-screen Little Theatre (art and classic films) was reorganized as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation a few years ago. A variety of sponsorships are available:

http://www.little-theatre.com/membership.php

quote:
In 1929, the Little Theatre opened its doors. Its mission was to provide moviegoers with an alternative to the Hollywood-dominated programming that was standard fare at the downtown movie houses. For the better part of 70 years, the Little Theatre has stayed true to its mission. In the process, it has expanded from the landmark Art Deco theater on East Avenue to include four more screens, a cafe, art exhibits, live jazz, film festivals, visiting filmmakers and world theatrical premieres.

The recent addition of over 100 theater screens to the local market had a devastating effect on the locally owned Little. The possibility of closure or sale resulted in countless phone calls to Little owner Bill Coppard, urging him to maintain local ownership. Almost instantaneously, a group was formed to find a solution to the Little's short-term financial needs and long-term survival. Their input, business acumen, financial assistance and devotion to downtown are the reasons the Little remains open and its long-term survival looks like a reality.

A part of the solution, the Little (real estate and business) was sold to a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. In addition to tax savings, the Little will be able to apply for grants and accept tax-deductible contributions. Bill Coppard is now the Executive Director. The goal will be to stay true to the Little's mission of 1929 by providing our community with an alternative to the suburban multiplexes and fulfilling the need for a venue for film festivals, discussions and American independent and foreign films.

| IP: Logged

Joe Smith
Film Handler

Posts: 56
From: Dale City, Va. USA
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 04-02-2004 08:47 PM

quote:
They did it... and it still operates to this day. Hulls Drive-In... I think Lexington, Virginia.

Yes we did!!! Opened tonight for the 5th season under ownership of the Hull's Angels Organization....

Joe
http://www.hullsdrivein.com/

| IP: Logged

Andrew McCrea
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 645
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 05-09-2004 01:45 PM

Well, Cineplex wanted a petition of 1000 signatures to reconsider and 10,000 to keep it open. By the time the petition was pulled off to be sent it, it collected 11,333 signatures in 48 hours. THE DRIVE-IN REMAINS FOR THE 40TH SEASON ANNIVERSARY!

I had an interview last Wednesday and was hired on the spot! I start on the 14th (this Friday) for orientation. We open on the 21st (May Long Weekend in Canada).

| IP: Logged

Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-09-2004 01:54 PM

Congratulations are in order

| IP: Logged

Tom Petrov
Five Guys Lover

Posts: 1121
From: El Paso, TX
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 05-10-2004 12:13 AM

quote: Andrew McCrea
Well, Cineplex wanted a petition of 1000 signatures to reconsider and 10,000 to keep it open. By the time the petition was pulled off to be sent it, it collected 11,333 signatures in 48 hours. THE DRIVE-IN REMAINS FOR THE 40TH SEASON ANNIVERSARY!

I had an interview last Wednesday and was hired on the spot! I start on the 14th (this Friday) for orientation. We open on the 21st (May Long Weekend in Canada).

]

Holy shit.

I can't believe the petition worked.

| IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.