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Topic: Cineplex Seating Surcharge

Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 05-26-2014 10:41 PM

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Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 05-26-2014 10:43 PM

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Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 05-26-2014 10:43 PM

Mike. There is no need to use immature words or call me screwball or dork or things like that, that is just plain stupid of you to be doing things like that.

The movie exhibition industry is not what it once was, I have always gotten the impression that you were stuck in a time warp and trying to run your theatre like a theatre from the 70s or even the 80s.

You give me the impression that you think that having lower prices will bring more "butts" or "eyeballs" to the theatre

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Jonathan Goeldner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1360
From: Washington, District of Columbia
Registered: Jun 2008

posted 05-26-2014 11:14 PM

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
Dolby is now in on it with there new Atmos format and Cineplex is charging a premium surcharge for it.

I thought originally Dolby's system wasn't supposed to factor in a higher premium pricing for this feature - [Confused]

the only aspects where I feel premium pricing is justified is reserved seating, 21 and over theaters (AMC Mazza Galleria does this on certain nights) (i.e, I find most teenagers are assholes and their behavior and phone use to be beyond obnoxious) ... and if theaters had phone/cell jammers, but then of course everyone would be up in arms, and feel like they have the god given right to have their phones for emergencies and other similar shitty situations.

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Marcel Birgelen
Film God

Posts: 3357
From: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2012

posted 05-27-2014 01:33 AM

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
I have been to some of the traditional one or two screen cinemas and I am sorry to say, these screens just don't cut it anymore. These screens really need to close up and head out for the pasture.

First of all, you may realize that Mike's theater is in a different market. There is no imminent competition from a big chain and it's probably unlikely there ever will be. Why couldn't small communities still be served by single screens or twins?

Actually, whenever I can choose between a shoebox with seats and something white in front called screen or a venue that actually feels like a cinema, I will choose the latter any given day. You know, that night out? It feels much more like an event when visiting a REAL movie theater, not some boring complex that feels more like an office building that was haphazardly converted into a venue to show movies.

Besides a few exceptions, were the architecture of the room doesn't allow for the necessary upgrades, there is absolutely no reason why a "traditional movie theater" can't provide an experience that's not on par with the best multiplex experience. There is no reason why the traditional theater can't install comfortable seats, a big screen and a modern day sound system. In some cases, even stadium seating might be possible, but I fail to see why this is absolutely necessary.

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
Last week we attended the VIP in Toronto, total cost was $85 and that was for two tickets, four alcoholic drinks, an appetizer and two main dishes. We had a great time out sitting in the ultra comfy leather chairs with foot rests, we were served at our seats, and it was adult only.

Yet again, I fail to see why a "traditional" single screen or twin can't provide the same service. Actually, some of those traditional cinemas around here have been converted to "full service" cinemas and they're doing fine in their niche. Also, I'm not entirely convinced all people want to see a movie that way.

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
Mike. There is no need to use immature words or call me screwball or dork or things like that, that is just plain stupid of you to be doing things like that.

It took you three posts to get there? And... What goes around comes around.

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
The movie exhibition industry is not what it once was, I have always gotten the impression that you were stuck in a time warp and trying to run your theatre like a theatre from the 70s or even the 80s.

Business consultant overlord Terry is giving out free advice again. All hail to the master.

Maybe you should start a show, something like Kitchen Nightmares, but then for theaters, where you visit a failing theater and unleash all your knowledge and experience to try to fix the business. Theater Nightmares ft. Terry Lynn-Stevens. Sounds like an international success formula...

quote:
I thought originally Dolby's system wasn't supposed to factor in a higher premium pricing for this feature -

The system is still prohibitively expensive to install so most chains are putting it into their "PLF" offerings exclusively. So, you do not pay a surcharge for "just" Dolby Atmos, but for the "premium package" as a whole, whatever is included.

quote: Jonathan Goeldner
and if theaters had phone/cell jammers, but then of course everyone would be up in arms, and feel like they have the god given right to have their phones for emergencies and other similar shitty situations.

In many jurisdictions, cellphone jammers are prohibited by law. Also, I do agree with those that say that cellphone coverage can be important for emergencies. Still, that doesn't give you the right to use the thing for anything but an emergency during a show. Maybe it helps if people are better educated and if policies are actually enforced.

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Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 05-27-2014 01:43 AM

quote:
I thought originally Dolby's system wasn't supposed to factor in a higher premium pricing for this feature - [Confused]

Jonathan, Cineplex rolled Atmos into all new AVX builds, so if you want to watch a move in Atmos, you must pay the AVX premium.

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Jonathan Goeldner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1360
From: Washington, District of Columbia
Registered: Jun 2008

posted 05-27-2014 08:38 AM

yeah makes sense, but what doesn't make sense regrading adding Atmos systems on chain's specialty screens is Regal's reluctance to installing them on 'brand new' RPX theaters. Regal Virginia Gateway Stadium 14 & RPX in Gainesville didn't get one, I'm not holding my breath for Regal Dulles Town Center - although they should have one considering there is stiff competition in that neck of the wood with Countryside 20, the Alamo, and the Cobb. Begging Regal to make notice of this fact is like barking up the wrong tree. Arclight would rival Tysons if they added Atmos on one of their screens - it's beyond annoying having to keep on going across the Potomac to the only two theaters in the DC area to hear a movie as such.

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

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

posted 05-27-2014 10:50 AM

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
You give me the impression that you think that having lower prices will bring more "butts" or "eyeballs" to the theatre

I have never said that either. My expertise is in the small town theater business. I have long said that the reason many small theaters fail is because their prices are TOO low. I have always said that you have to charge what the product is worth.

It's just like choosing a fancy restaurant or a more ordinary one. You pay more for fancy, but you can still get good food at a neighborhood diner.

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
For a movie that I really want to see, I wouldn't waste my time watching it in a traditional, non-reserved seat cinema.

Well thank God for that, it means I will never have to see you in my place.

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
I have been to some of the traditional one or two screen cinemas and I am sorry to say, these screens just don't cut it anymore. These screens really need to close up and head out for the pasture.

Well I would love to have some of the modern "amenities" but it's not really necessary in a small town. The biggest example is food. In a city it's sort of a pain to go to a restaurant and then have to get back to your car and journey again to a theater, having to find parking and etc. Here, you can go to the nicest restaurant in town and it's about a 300 foot "WALK" to the theater, and then after the movie you can walk to the bar next door to the theater for a drink.

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
I have always gotten the impression that you were stuck in a time warp and trying to run your theatre like a theatre from the 70s or even the 80s.

You can think what you want. I am the one who has a theater that's been in business for 84 years and is successful in a small town, against all odds, so I must be doing something right.

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
There is no need to use immature words or call me screwball or dork

I call 'em like I see 'em. You get the impression that I'm living in a time warp; and I get my own particular impressions about you.

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

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

posted 05-27-2014 11:01 AM

quote: Terry Lynn-StevensI have been to some of the traditional one or two screen cinemas and I am sorry to say, these screens just don't cut it anymore. These screens really need to close up and head out for the pasture.

There are many traditional single twins and triples that operate in many centres at a good profit
It comes down to if you dont want to watch it in a particular cinema then don't go there but the public shouldn't be forced to see a title only in the more expensive large corporate theatres

Cineplex Odeon may be the dominant player in Canada but they are not alone in Quebec Guzo Theatres are the dominant player and in other areas the Landmark/Empire has the market sq
In the world scheme of things many other players are involved and the Cineplex AVX is not the only way to go

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Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 05-27-2014 11:10 AM

quote: Jonathan Goeldner
but what doesn't make sense regrading adding Atmos systems on chain's specialty screens is Regal's reluctance to installing them on 'brand new' RPX theaters.

I am assuming that Regal is only putting them in the most successful RPX screens. Cineplex has 24 screens for Dolby Atmos which is a pretty good count, these screens have all been added in the last year or two. I highly doubt Cineplex will retrofit any of their existing AVX auditoriums for Atmos. There are some dual PLF Cineplex locations that have AVX with Atmos on one screen and then just AVX on the other screen.

quote: Gordon McLeod
Cineplex Odeon may be the dominant player in Canada but they are not alone in Quebec Guzo Theatres are the dominant player and in other areas the Landmark/Empire has the market sq
In the world scheme of things many other players are involved and the Cineplex AVX is not the only way to go

Gordon, yes there are some other players in Canada but Cinema Guzzo is a very small player and Landmark is not as prevalent as one might think. Landmark and Guzzo do not even have a Toronto based location. (although Square 1 is GTA based)

If people think surcharges are the wrong way to go, one needs to look at some of Cineplex locations to see that customers will pay:

Yonge Dundas 24+AVX+IMAX+VIP offered Godzilla on 6 screens: one was regular price admission at $12.992D, the other 5 screens were surcharged at $15.993D, 17.99AVX, 19.99IMAX and $24.99 VIP (2 screens) a whopping $375k was grossed in ticket sales in just 10 days at this location.

The next closest theater which was less than 1 mile away is a traditional smaller plex with traditional 90s style pricing, in the same time frame this theater has grossed $13k in total Godzilla ticket sales in 10 days.

The days of cheap volume pricing are coming to an end. People are willing to pay for premium priced tickets.

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

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

posted 05-27-2014 01:09 PM

People are willing to pay for luxury cars too. That doesn't mean nobody buys low-priced cars.

Having a variety of options is healthy for any industry.

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
Yonge Dundas 24+AVX+IMAX+VIP offered Godzilla on 6 screens: one was regular price admission at $12.992D, the other 5 screens were surcharged at $15.993D, 17.99AVX, 19.99IMAX and $24.99 VIP (2 screens) a whopping $375k was grossed in ticket sales in just 10 days at this location.

It'd be interesting to do an exit interview at that location and ask people if they thought the tickets were too high priced or not.

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

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

posted 05-27-2014 02:42 PM

And the GTA is only one small market in the larger scheme of things

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Marcel Birgelen
Film God

Posts: 3357
From: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2012

posted 05-28-2014 05:20 PM

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
The days of cheap volume pricing are coming to an end. People are willing to pay for premium priced tickets.

How many "premium screens" does an average multiplex have? One? Two? So, that's one, two and maybe three movies playing in those premium rooms.

So, if your theories are correct and if people just want to pay for premium tickets, they either need to convert all those other rooms into "premium rooms" (more or less negating the "premium aspect", because "premium" will become the new "standard") or they may better close them altogether...

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Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 05-28-2014 07:54 PM

Marcel, you are missing the point.

Cheap volume prices are the $8.50 and $9 tickets that Cineplex's only Toronto competitor is charging. The cheap pricing structure is done, all you have to look at is how poorly some of these theaters are doing.

Cineplex has up to 7 premium pricing auditoriums in the same complex and that is not including the 3D surcharges in the other auditoriums within these same complexes.

Godzilla had 27 possible showtimes on opening day at Cineplex Y+D, 4 of these showtimes were regular priced at $12.99 while the other 23 showtimes were surcharged. This theater grossed $375,000 in 10 days.

$12.99 is not cheap, and it should not be considered volume pricing and Cineplex is about to raise the price in the downtown Toronto core to $13.50 very soon.

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Dennis Benjamin
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1445
From: Denton, MD
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 08-21-2014 12:49 PM

I was searching for a "reserved seating" thread - and boy did I find one here!

We are about to open our first "premium" reserved recliner seat movie theatre. I was hoping to find out about theatre operator experiences with 1) The software 2) The dealings with customers.

While I will be handling the technical aspect of the situation, I was hoping to get a more in depth feeling of the reserved seating from an operational standpoint.

Anyone on here actually run a theatre that uses a successful software program that handles reserved seating?

Thank ahead of time.

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