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Topic: Independent theater owners

Jen Pelto
Film Handler

Posts: 30
From: Muskegon, MI, USA
Registered: Aug 2011

posted 09-23-2011 01:35 PM

Our megaplex competition is sporting some very low numbers this month as well. Definitely a slow month all around(as always!)

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 09-23-2011 06:00 PM

..like last fall until thxgiving time - terribly slow.

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Ron Funderburg
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 814
From: Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 09-23-2011 06:15 PM

It should peak up just a bit this weekend! Hollywood all ways releases dogs this time of year because of the back to school drop. October is always a bit better then November rolls around and usually (not all ways) we have a good three month run. March has been surprisingly better over the last decade than in he the past. When they release good movies that is. Maybe that is the key make better movies and they will come!

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Justin West
Master Film Handler

Posts: 271
From: Peoria, IL, USA
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 09-24-2011 04:48 PM

Say, is there someone on Film-Tech (or NATO, perhaps) who keeps a list of contact info on all the independent theatres (hardtops, small circuits, college cinemas, art houses) that may be missing the boat on digital projection? The Drive-In Theatre Alliance is holding a conference in Dallas on 11/4/11 with demos and Q&As to be held with operators currently using digital, companies selling, installing, and servicing digital, and, possibly, a studio rep or two, all in the hopes of getting the small operators on board or at least on a level playing field with the big boys...so an educated decision can be made. While drive-in owners/operators make up the primary membership, their (my) situation is so closely aligned with that affecting the small INDOOR operator that we felt their operators should be invited to attend as well. Share the wealth of knowledge, to as many as possible. Can anybody advise of a source of contact information (preferably email addresses) to which I can send announcements? Thanks.

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Justin West
Master Film Handler

Posts: 271
From: Peoria, IL, USA
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 09-25-2011 11:50 AM

The Drive-In Theatre Alliance (DITA) is holding a conference in Dallas, TX, on 11/4/11. Attendance is open to drive-in owners/ operators AND independent, small town, and art-house hardtop owners/operators as well! We are all in the same boat, struggling with the shrinking 35mm print supply while facing what appears to be a daunting (and costly) decision to convert to digital within a short time frame or have our screens left in the dark. While this conference will include demos on concessions, the bulk of the sessions will be on digital cinema. What equipment is needed to establish a digital booth? What basics can you get by with? Is USED equipment available...can it work for me....what are the risks? New equipment, package deals with some of the leading sales and installation companies will be presented (Film-Tech's Brad Miller and Jeremy Spracklen will be there, too). We want attendees to leave with a clear understanding of the choices available and how they work in a totally non-threatening/non-pressure-sales environment. We will also visit a drive-in theatre (Galaxy in Ennis, TX) that uses digital including 3D on two of their screens! See for yourself, see digital in operation, with the host and hostess (Martin and Marsha Murray) more than happy to answer your questions on equipment, logistics, booking, etc. Again, we are all in the same boat so that is why indoor operators have an open invitation to attend this meeting!

Hurry, though...conference deadline to register is approaching!
Details are in the registration form at the link below:

http://www.film-tech.com/ubbpics/DITA_0911dMeet.pdf

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Martin McCaffery
Film God

Posts: 2481
From: Montgomery, AL
Registered: Jun 99

posted 09-25-2011 08:30 PM

Mind if I post this to the Arthouse Convergence list?

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Michael Putlack
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 187
From: Fort Collins, Colorado
Registered: Sep 2011

posted 09-26-2011 12:49 PM

I finally registered after just browsing the forums for about three years now just so I could add my name to this list and get it back on track.

I work at a 2 screen independent theatre in Fort Collins, Co, called the Lyric Cinema Cafe. We've got an 80 seat auditorium and a 47 seat auditorium. We do have two "sister" theatres, the Ragtag and Moxie in Missouri who we share a booker with.

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Justin West
Master Film Handler

Posts: 271
From: Peoria, IL, USA
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 09-27-2011 08:17 PM

quote: Martin McCaffery
Mind if I post this to the Arthouse Convergence list?

No, I don't mind, Martin...please do. Hopefully it will encourage some indies to come and see for themselves what is going on and what kind of deals are out there. [Smile]

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Jen Pelto
Film Handler

Posts: 30
From: Muskegon, MI, USA
Registered: Aug 2011

posted 09-29-2011 07:09 PM

Moxie theater's (ex)owner was the first person to start this thread!

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 09-30-2011 10:03 AM

I've never owned or even managed a theater but I have primarily serviced independents for the last 32 years. At Claco I did some servicing of a couple of the majors... Doing work for them was way too routine for me. So I have stuck with just the indies and am glad I did. Indeed when I left Claco a number of them still demanded my services. That's a good feeling. The clients I service for range from single screens up to about a hundred screens in size. All of these people are interested in doing and trying new things related to almost all aspects of their buisness. There is never a dull moment on a service trip and I'd have to say that all my customers are with out a doubt the nicest people out there! If I were faced with having to do service work for any of the large chains in the next few years I'll confess that I'd rather drive a garbage truck or repair cement mixers instead.

Mark

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 09-30-2011 06:16 PM

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
If I were faced with having to do service work for any of the large chains in the next few years I'll confess that I'd rather drive a garbage truck or repair cement mixers instead

And that point is well-taken and agree totally .. and, also agree with doing service work for the indies: they're super glad to see you.

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Ron Funderburg
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 814
From: Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 10-30-2011 11:09 AM

Mark I have done service work on and off over the last 30 years I guess. Mostly for the employers I have, but have worked for other owners as tech many times. I haven't done much the last year or so and running out to take care of problem 70 or 80 miles from here and make it back before the night can be a challenge. Still I have always loved doing the service end!

I don't know with all the change over to digital, I need to get some training I guess but I am sure the company isn't going to send me (though they have said they would).

I have never liked doing service for big chains even when I worked for them. I like small independents or small chains. My favorite part of the job has always been the regular customers. You develop a kind of friendship with them. Then again you don't have to put up whit a lot of bull from them either like with your regular fiends!

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Josh Mitoska
Film Handler

Posts: 59
From: Brooklyn, MI, USA
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 11-03-2011 05:42 PM

I've been a independant onwer for 11+ years.. been out of business for the last 3+ years. I've been working on reopening a long shuttered theatre and have been buying 35mm equipment over the last few years since we could only afford a little at a time. We now found out today after talking to a theatre supply place that we might as well toss the 35mm stuff and go for digital.. It's just a small town 1 screen that would probably be split in two. I don't see how I could possibly come up with money for digital.

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

posted 11-03-2011 07:02 PM

quote:
you don't have to put up whit a lot of bull from them either like with your regular fiends!

I try not to associate with fiends. It's too dangerous.

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Robert E. Allen
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1078
From: Checotah, Oklahoma
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 11-03-2011 07:48 PM

quote: Josh Mitoska
I've been a independant onwer for 11+ years.. been out of business for the last 3+ years. I've been working on reopening a long shuttered theatre and have been buying 35mm equipment over the last few years since we could only afford a little at a time. We now found out today after talking to a theatre supply place that we might as well toss the 35mm stuff and go for digital.. It's just a small town 1 screen that would probably be split in two. I don't see how I could possibly come up with money for digital.

Don't become discouraged Josh. You still have a few years before film is no longer available. There is an exhibitor (Justin Hamaker) in Lakeport, CA giving away 10 sets of 35mm equipment. Check the "Equipment/Supplies" forum.

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