Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Multiplex booking question ???

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 05-07-2005, 07:00 PM:

Hello everyone:

I saw a movie this afternoon at a multiplex and some questions entered my mind!

1. For a chain, does the corporate headquarters determine what movies will play at each location, how many prints it will get, etc.

2. Does the specific theatre make the showtimes for that film?

3. Is there some rule that Famous Players would have where there must be at least 30 minutes before the next showing, etc?

4. Is an auditroium is showing 2 movies (a= 1:00, 9:00 and b= 4:00, 7:00), do those movies have to be released by the same distributor?

Thanks in advance for the replies!

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 05-07-2005, 07:11 PM:

For us:

1. Yes
2. Yes, with exceptions. Corporate wants a certain number of shows gotten in. Episode III for example, its a long movie, but we have to get 4 shows a day in...maybe 5.
3. No idea. We have at least a 20 minute break in between our movies for cleaning, ad presentation and allowing for customers to get seated.
4. No

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 05-07-2005, 07:18 PM:

Thank-you Frank!

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 05-07-2005, 11:19 PM:

Regarding question #3, sometimes showtimes are made with other shows in mind. For example, a theater manager might not want several shows getting out at the same time. The lobby might be too smalll to hold them all and the ushers have to run to clean several auditoriums within a short time. So he may have long intermissions just to leave room.

Another example: If the theater has a big show like Star Wars which will sell out, that show scheduled is first, like at 7:00pm. When it sells out, patrons who couldn't get in will usually pick another show to see. If the big show is scheduled last, patrons who can't get in will go often go home rather then wait. The result is the start times of the other films may get pushed around and not seem to make sense.

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 05-07-2005, 11:48 PM:

Regarding number 4, although not a rule, I find that this is common practice. Anyone know why?

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 05-07-2005, 11:53 PM:

We have 2 films doubled up right now. None of them are from the same distributor. We do try to keep doubled films either both scope or both flat. It prevents needless lens and masking changes.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 05-08-2005, 12:35 AM:

#4 is because of an agreement with certain film companies in order to keep their films playing a bit longer. After so may weeks it is easier to get differant companies to agree to reduced shows and even easier if the companies are the same.

#2 We do our showtimes with a few rules to follow. Such as number of shows, how early you can open and how late you can close and so on. Peak times like summer and the holidays showtimes become expanded out to get as many as possable into the schedule. Off peak = crunch time.

#3 we like to allow at least 25 to 30 minutes for the popular movies and family oriented films. 20 mins. for less popular or fading films.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-08-2005, 04:54 PM:

On #4: Different film companies have different rules regarding the "sharing" of a screen (playing 2 movies on the same screen at different times). Some won't allow it at all (Disney being the hardest to deal with, I think); some allow it once their movie is old and dying; some allow it as soon as their movie is off the top of the charts; and some allow it if the movie is a kiddie flick (kidflick plays matinees, adultflick plays evenings).

[ 05-08-2005, 09:40 PM: Message edited by: Mike Blakesley ]

Posted by Chase Hanson (Member # 2779) on 05-08-2005, 05:27 PM:

in reguards to my market in my chain:

1. Yes
2. Yes, although corporate does layout guide lines reguarding seat allocation and number of showings per day.
3. If I understand your question correctly, the turn around on an auditorium is affected by the popularity of the film...but this is counter balanced by operational needs of the staff and lower management.
IE. We could turn over our large auditorium in 10 minutes, but the increase in man power required to clean the theater fast enough, thread the projector quick enough and dispense concessions rapidly enough to accomidate this would outscale the gain (profit) from the increased number of shows.
4. No, its generally because the two different movies have differing enough target demographics to accomidate the stack.
IE. Poohs Heffalump for the first two showings than The Grudge for the last two showings.

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 05-09-2005, 04:13 PM:

1. This is done by the booker (in the corporate office or outside source) and the film companies. It's a negotiation process.

2. Usually, following some guidelines from the booker, such as give Son Of The Mask matinee shows, with Boogeyman in the evening.

3. 30 minutes is a good rule of thumb - it's what I use.

4. They don't need to be ... usually they are older films ... the film companies won't allow films to "double" while they're still doing good business. Sometimes a film company really wants a print to hold for that additional week ... so they tell you to take a show from one of their newer movies (ex. give Million Dollar Baby one matinee show with Miss Congeniality 2.)