Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Can those of us with private screening rooms rent movies from studios.

This is topic Can those of us with private screening rooms rent movies from studios. in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 06-21-2005, 02:54 PM:

I dont know what forum to post this to, thought this would be a good place.

For those of us who enjoy watching movies in our private screening rooms what does it take to rent a current block buster. Do you have to have a license of some sort like the commercial theater and will they not work with us because they are expecting huge returns from ticket sales which we cant supply. I would not mind renting a blockbuster once n awhile for a private screening. That would be nice.
How does this work?

Thanks!

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-21-2005, 03:08 PM:

Probabaly calling up the film companies and doing a "lease" with them since they usually take a percentage of the gross for public usage. But for home use that isn't taking any ticket income (are you wealthy enough??) your "rent" for movies for one or two days will be in the thousands, if that.

Also, as for the public release of movies, they aren't licensed for private usage due to the tremendous threat of piracy and the protection due to copyright laws.

If you went to FOX to rent EP-III, they'd probably laugh at you, then put you on a list of being a potiental pirate to copy from their copyrighted product since you want to "rent" a movie that hasn't been licensed out for personal use.

Film Studios can get pretty ugly in this area. Better stick with films that you can buy, or set up your screening room for digital projection to play back DVD's, or videotape.

good luck -monte

-Monte

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 06-21-2005, 03:21 PM:

Actually, Swank Motion Pictures will rent recent films in 35mm private individuals, but they are not cheap. They get access to films around the time the video comes out.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 06-21-2005, 03:26 PM:

Except that if you want Star Wars, you should know that 20th Century Fox pictures are handled by Criterion Pictures (not Swank) for nontheatrical exhibition. I don't know if Criterion will deal with private individuals directly, but you could always form a "film society" of your friends and book films as the "Whatever Film Society."

With most nontheatrical rentals, you pay a high guarantee (usually in the $200-700 range) and may charge admission (usually vs. 50% above the guarantee) to your screenings.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 06-21-2005, 04:02 PM:

You could also become a famous film star, director, or producer and join the "Bel Aire" circuit. (I don't know of any members in Rochester). [Wink]

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 06-21-2005, 04:15 PM:

Yes, as John posted if you are a "A List" Film star or Director, Producer or entertainment studio executive. Then you can get placed on the Bel-Air circuit. The higher on the entertainment feeding ladder you are, the easier it is to get films. It's just like a library book. Depending on who you are, you can get any new release film (day and date with the release date) It is mainly in the Hollywood and New York areas.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 06-23-2005, 03:19 PM:

I know of at least one Bel-Air circuit mansion on Palm Beach. A friend of mine is the projectionist there.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 06-24-2005, 12:48 AM:

Bill Gates and Paul Allen up here in the Pacific Northwest have no trouble getting current release 35mm prints for their screening rooms.

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 06-24-2005, 09:07 AM:

They own major companies and have all the money. The studios treat them special. That is only a small fraction in the Bel-Air circuit. I was part of the Bel-Air projectionist pool.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 06-24-2005, 11:24 AM:

Any carbon still floating around in those booths, Bill?

I could come out of retirement for a gig like that... [Wink]

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 06-24-2005, 03:24 PM:

Yes, Robert Evans (ex-Head of Paramount) was still using carbons up until a few years ago. A pair of Peerless on 1965 vintage XL's that the studio put in for him. [thumbsup]

That picture was real pretty [Cool]

Posted by Ed Inman (Member # 2583) on 06-28-2005, 04:10 PM:

In addition to Swank and Criterion don't forget New Yorker Films:

http://www.newyorkerfilms.com

Not too many "blockbusters" but they have many critically acclaimed foreign and independent features available in 35mm that in most places are not likely to show up in any cinema.

There is also a pretty good list of independent distributors available at the Film Forum site:

http://www.filmforum.org/distributor.html

Some of the smaller indy companies are willing to rent prints directly to individuals, film societies, etc. for private or non-theatrical screenings. Check out their websites--there is really a lot of interesting stuff out there not coming to any theater near you.

Ed

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 06-29-2005, 11:05 AM:

Thanks for the follow up everyone. Some good stuff here. Thanks for the links Ed.