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Posted by Chris Meacham (Member # 531) on 07-17-2000, 10:32 PM:
I am in the process of starting a movie theater in Central Connecticut.. Does anyone know how I can find a film booker in this area? Is film booker even the right term? Any assistance would be appreciated..cdm
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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-18-2000, 07:02 AM:
What's the format of your theatre? Most likely, you would choose a different booker for a first-run mainstream house than you would choose for an art or rep house.
Posted by Chris Meacham (Member # 531) on 07-18-2000, 09:02 AM:
I'm looking at first-run movies.. However, I may in the future look into classics.I was under the impression that a film booker would be able to handle all sorts of requests, but I may be wrong..
Thanks for your reply..
Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 07-18-2000, 12:36 PM:
I don't know much about bookings, but here is my 2 cents. We are a 12 plex in Eua Claire Wisconsin (bout an 1 and 1/2 east of the twin cities) run by Carmike. Our only competition is an independent, Grengs Theatres. Now you'd think we could easily kick their ass in bookings, being a big mega corp and all. WRONG. They're always getting the best movies (Gladiator, Dinosaur, Mission Impossible II, Chicken Run, X-Men, Nutty Proffessor II). They use Mann's Booking Service in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis or St. Paul, can't remember which). Supposedly Mann's books for over 400 independents across the country.I don't know what kind of rep they have elsewhere, but based on my experience I'd look into them.
Posted by Ky Boyd (Member # 23) on 07-18-2000, 05:05 PM:
You might give Doug Endicott and Mark Schulte at Exhibitor Support Partnership in LA a call. They are my bookers and are great. They book for over 150 screens across the country including first run - both competitive and non-competitive situations, art-houses, rep houses, move-over and discount. You can reach them at 323.654.2799. Beyond that plug, definitely choose someone you feel you can work with. Chemistry is important as bookings are vital to the success of your theatre. A well booked independent can beat out the chains. It happens in many places in the country. A big part of securing product in a competetitive situation is proving that to the distributors that your theatre can deliver a gross. After all, bottom line its about the $.
Posted by Mike VonderHaar (Member # 599) on 09-06-2000, 07:50 PM:
You don't really need a booking agent from the area that you are in. Nowdays with computers and such a good booker from any area who knows his stuff can do a good job for you.