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Topic: If you could open your own movie theater...

Matthew Bailey
Master Film Handler

Posts: 461
From: Port Arthur,TX
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 06-19-2003 06:11 PM

For me,I would have an entirely Native American Indian themed theatre. If I can,most of the staff I would find would be real Native Americans. Every employee would be in Native American or powwow regalia including the projectionists. I would have powwows held in the lobby & parking lot whenever possible.

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Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 06-19-2003 06:25 PM

Am I smelling the popcorn or the aroma from the sweat lodge?

Seeing how some "Native American" businesses are run up here in Lawton, I don't think your idea would be practical, Matthew. Having some Cherokee and Mescalero Apache relatives, I don't think I'm being racist with the comment either.

Casino gambling and tax free smoke shops have done little to cure the horrible problems of poverty for Native Americans. Basically all it amounts to is a tax dodge for white investors doing business on American Indian land. And then many of the tribal councils (at least here in Oklahoma) tend to be very corrupt and change leadership all the time. It is particularly weird how most of the employees at the Indian gaming places are white. And then it is even more wierd how most of the people I see with tribal license plates on their vehicles are white.

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

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

posted 06-19-2003 06:47 PM

It doesn't take much Indian blood to be a member of the tribe. Around here we have lots of "Northern Cheyennes" who are registered members of the tribe, yet are only 1/8 Cheyenne. "Color" can be misleading!

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William Hooper
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1879
From: Mobile, AL USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-20-2003 01:55 AM

quote:
For me,I would have an entirely Native American Indian themed theatre.

The Kimo!

http://www.cabq.gov/kimo/

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Per Hauberg
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 883
From: Malling, Denmark
Registered: Jul 2000

posted 06-20-2003 03:37 AM

quote:
Quote:

"FIRST MOVIE TO SHOW: Star Wars in 70mm. Mr. Lucas would make me a brand new 70mm print with 6 Track sound of the original 1977 version."

_________________________________________________________________

Just keep in in mind that the negative has faded on this film so you'd have to hire Bob Harris to do a total restoration of the film before the 70mm would ever look decent.

Mark

---------------------------------------------------------------

When You call Mr Lucas on this, be prepared, that he will tell You, it looks and sounds much better on his latest version [dlp]

p

----------------------------------------------------------------

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Lionel Fouillen
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 230
From: Belgium
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 06-20-2003 06:47 AM

Brad,

Why don't you like curved screens? Don't they provide better depth of field for Scope? I'm not talking about "Todd-AO curve", just a slight curve as you get in many modern 35mm theaters.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-20-2003 07:58 AM

Curved screens do improve flatness of focus to some extent, but the main advantage is to improve light distribution. This is especially true on high gain screens....of which we all know Mr. Miller to be a fan of.......... [Confused]

Matthew, Your "KIMO" would of course look like a huge TeePee wouldn't it....or many smaller TeePees connected through one common "Lobby" TeePee...... [Cool]

Mark @ CLACO

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Scott Jentsch
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: New Berlin, WI, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 06-20-2003 10:59 AM

Many years ago (1994?), I laid out my dream for what the Ultimate Theater would be. No idea where that got put, so I'll have to go with memory and updating for contemporary times.

The entire movie-going experience from beginning to end would convey that special feeling everyone should get when going out to the movies. From marketing, to architecture, to the presentation, to the attitude of the staff.

Located in a great area of town that is accessible by foot and convenient by car, near restaurants and other establishments to make a night out safe, easy, and convenient.

Digital Sound in all screens, all feasible formats. Proper digital sound trailer will be shown at the beginning of every film.

THX-certification in all screens (or at least auditoriums built and equipped to meet and exceed THX specs). THX trailer will be shown before every film.

Enough screens to show all current releases through a six week run, plus an IMAX screen (non-dome) and another screen for showing 70mm films, older films (classics), Packer games, or doing special events (private rentals, etc.). How many would that be? Probably 10-12 in total?

Curtains that would open at the beginning of each presentation to reveal the 50-65 foot wide screen. Any necessary pre-show entertainment would be followed by the screen closing and re-opening, with an intro "Welcome/policy" trailer first on the screen.

All screens equipped with the latest digital projection equipment, all inter-connected, allowing any feature to be shown in any screen.

Unconventional seating in some areas. Group seating around small tables for drinks and snacks.

Ceilings in all screens would prevent light reflections, but also be architecturally interesting. When I was growing up, the theater we attended had stars on a dark blue ceiling (I think it was a converted live theater). Very cool.

Professionals in the booth at all times, monitoring the equipment and presentations for quality.

Electronic displays outside each auditorium showing poster art and next showtime. Similar displays outside theater showing poster art and all of today's showtimes. Lobby displays would show coming attractions in static form, and then launch trailers when approached, with simple controls for patrons to choose other features to view.

Theater web site provides real-time electronic ticketing with reserved seating for new releases. Web site also displays all pertinent information (THX, DLP, Stadium Seating, DTS, etc.) regarding the presentation.

Concession stand would definitely serve french fries -- I've wanted this for a long time and I thought I was the only one!

Tickets would be sold with concessions to allow for maximum people flow and to maximize sale of concessions. Why more theaters don't do this, I just don't understand...

All employees would be banned from wearing pseudo-tuxedos or other fake formal wear. They can either wear a choice of theater-branded gear (logo'd polo shirts being the standard), or they can dress up themed to any of the movies currently playing.

In the lobby, the manager's office would be the customer service desk as well. No hiding in a back room behind a closed door!

Lastly, any major release gets the Hollywood spotlight treatment.

All movies on their opening weekend would be introduced to the audience by a member of the staff. This would be anyone from the manager to the popcorn servers, to keep them aware of who they are serving and why they are there (for the customers). This should also be fun for everyone - movies are entertainment, and there is no excuse for someone working at a movie theater to look bored out of their skulls!

Shall I go on?? [Smile]

Basically, do a perfect job of the presentation, and have some fun in the process!

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Peter Berrett
Jedi Master Film Handler

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

posted 06-24-2003 03:49 AM

My preferred option would be to re-open the Wantirna Drive-in Theatre in downtown Melbourne.

Being smack dab in the centre of Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs where lots of young couples live it would have a guaranteed clientele. Formerly a twin drive-in I would wish to expand it to 6 screens built around two separate projection rooms with one of those have digital projection remote controlled from the other projection room.

Unlike other drive-ins I would like to make some sessions available for ethnic and arthouse product. Melbourne has significant Vietnamese, Greek, Italian etc populations as well as an educated elite interested in foreign product. With proper marketing it should be possible to fill screenings of ethnic product.

It would be interesting to see how sub-titles show up on the drive-in theatre screen though.

I would also make a point of erecting a particularly large drive-in screen on one of the fields so that I could claim that I have the world's largest drive-in theatre screen.

http://www.drive-insdownunder.com.au/australian/vic_wantirna.htm

It's just a dream but hey - you asked!

cheers Peter

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

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

posted 06-24-2003 10:11 AM

Actually were not the original cinedomes basically freestanding theatres with no interconnecting walls but the lobby
I think Kinotpolis built a complex like that as well
\My theatre would be 9 screens with a stepped floor (^"risers) deep curved screens (all twin projector no platters here)
Cinemation MKIV automations Panastereo processors QSC DCA amps
JBL speakers all screen 35/70 equipped

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John Lasher
Master Film Handler

Posts: 493
From: Newark, DE
Registered: Aug 2001

posted 06-25-2003 12:44 AM

Single-Screener
1000+ seats with balcony
Reserved and Premium Seating
Screen 80' x 33.5 in Scope (constant height)
16/dlp/35/70 capable

Mono/A/SR/DTS-ES/SDDS-8

Family Restaurant in upper lobby
House in basement (I used to think I wanted a theater in my house, but what I really want is a house in my theater)

Theater Organ (mini-concerts nightly before the later shows)

And the Perfect Presentation Guarantee:
We guarantee that the picture and sound presented in our theater will be perfect to the extent that technology will allow. If you can find a theater with presentation quality that exeeds ours, we will pay you a reward of $500.00.

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Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-25-2003 03:04 PM

I'd make lots of compromises.

Id' live with old equipment, mold and mildew. I'd let the light leak through the exit doors. I live with the old seats and wall hangings. I pay through the nose for a landlord who owns the town. I'd work every day of the week. I put up with abuse from the customers. I'd be appreciated for what I brought to the community. And I would pay myself very little at first.

That's because I did open my own movie theatre.

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Thomas Procyk
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1842
From: Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 06-25-2003 03:47 PM

See, Ian? If you opened a THEATER instead of a THEATRE, none of those problems would exist. [Wink]

=TMP=

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Aaron Sisemore
Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day!

Posts: 3061
From: Rockwall TX USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 06-25-2003 05:53 PM

quote:
We guarantee that the picture and sound presented in our theater will be perfect to the extent that technology will allow. If you can find a theater with presentation quality that exeeds ours, we will pay you a reward of $500.00.

One bad print and you're outa business. [Frown]

Pretty ballsy idea, though.

-Aaron

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William Hooper
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1879
From: Mobile, AL USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-26-2003 01:40 AM

quote:
House in basement (I used to think I wanted a theater in my house, but what I really want is a house in my theater)

One neat example is the Beverly Drive-In
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/2156/New_Beverly.html

From the road, the back of the screen is made to look like a giant version of a mansion-like southern coastal architecture house - the style is a double gallery with excellent imposition of wrought-iron style elements. As successful & cool as it is decoratively, cooler still is that inside the screen IS a house! It was built incorporating a really nice home into the screen! Dr. Suzette Hargroder, a veterinarian & daughter of the original owners, grew up there & lives there now. When the DI closed, the goofy golf was removed, & suddenly it became a wonderful, large front yard with alleys of magnolias. It's a beautiful, cool home. Dr. Hargroder re-opens the Beverly in the summers to let the theatre run films as fundraisers for the Association of Retarded Citizens.

Nice lady, nice drive in, & a really remarkable & successful architectural feat. The pictures don't do it justice.

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