Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: I need ideas for making money at my rep cinema

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Posted by Georgia Fisher (Member # 3164) on 02-24-2006, 08:28 AM:

Hi, I've never posted on here before. This is a pretty broad question.

At the start of the year I got put in charge of a single screen independent cinema. I've worked at it for a long time and seen it go through a couple different managements, none of which have been successful at all. Has anyone ever seen an alternative movie theatre that has actually done good business? Does anyone have any cool ideas? We have a licensed cafe out front that I'm developing like a bar. I'm willing to try anything so long as we don't have to put up a lot of money. Any ideas???

Posted by Paul Gordon (Member # 3320) on 02-24-2006, 08:49 AM:

Its all about programming.. well good presentation also helps... mix up the programming.. stuff for the students and stuff for the locals.. Whats the size of your theatre?, how many shows do you run a day? do you do double bills? I work at a independent theatre in Ottawa and its managed to stay open since 1932 www.mayfair-movie.com, the bar idea is a good one, people can meet before the flick and have a drink or after, its just to bad you can't have a beer in the theatre...

Posted by Wayne Keyser (Member # 2420) on 02-25-2006, 01:40 AM:

You may have to go with numerous strategies. You might publicize (really MARKET) the availability of the building for large business meetings and church services (off-"show hours" additional uses). Turning the whole house into a table-service "pizzas & nachos & beer" venue would take major renovation but has proven popular in some areas.

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 02-25-2006, 07:46 AM:

Here is a site you might want to check out:

Studio 35

This is a very well run, totally independent house in the middle of a neighborhood with no off-street parking available. It is close to, but not on, the giant Ohio State University campus.

This theatre is run by a couple of neighborhood guys with little experience in the movie business. BUT, they are successfully running this place. They show films just off of first run before it goes to the dollar houses. They have a full bar and get pizzas/subs from the place down the street.

They have been running recent "classic" films at 11:00 and those have done OK. They are now branching out into family films on the weekends. They are showing SPIDERMAN this weekend afternoons.

This week they are running Academy Award short films at 6:30 and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN at 8:30.

They have also been VERY VERY successful showing Ohio State football games. Admission is free, but they make a killing on beer and food.

Posted by Georgia Fisher (Member # 3164) on 02-26-2006, 09:06 AM:

Thanks. Its a 100 seat theatre, pretty small, and we run three shows a day, four on weekends. I want to take out the tiered seating and renovate so I can have a liquor license in the theatre, but that might just be a pipe dream. www.cinema379.ca

Posted by Paul Gordon (Member # 3320) on 02-26-2006, 07:02 PM:

Is this a commerical theatre, or run as a non-profit/artist run theatre? Just curious because with only 100 seats it must be tough to break even? If I ever go through Peterborough i'll check it out.
Good schedule though... The squid and the whale is a personal favorite...

Cheers

Posted by Ryan Navaroli (Member # 3477) on 02-26-2006, 07:51 PM:

im struggling with ways to make more concession revenue right now also. We had a 3 screen downtown theatre that was renevated by Ohio University and we know run it. However outside of town we have our 11 screen stadium seating and there is also a 10 screen on the other side. Our little 3 screens get over looked in this new competetion and we have began running art fare, which works well but that crowd does not generate much concessions. Our percap is often under a dollar. We are also the 2nd biggest party school on campus and would love to go to alcohol sales but my boss is hesitant to do this because of everything that will come with that.

I have toyed around with notions of latte, capuccino, and espresso and the such. As well pastries and other treats that you would find in a coffee shop, but as of now this would cost too much to impliment.

Its strange to me that people seem to want to buy popcorn more at a megaplex when there are huge lines rather than when they can waltz into a small theatre like ours and get top notch service with out any wait. I guess it is the whole shared experience thing or just doing it because everyone else is. Blah to that.

Posted by Matt Fields (Member # 3211) on 02-26-2006, 08:06 PM:

The college kids don't want to dip into their beer and pot money...and the art house types think concessions are a waste of dough.

When I worked at the arthouse in Columbus, the concession sales sucked there too.

Posted by Ron Curran (Member # 3631) on 02-26-2006, 08:09 PM:

Filter coffee would be easier to start with - you can get a commercial machine for about a grand (and tea). Besure to have skim milk available for the coffee. They LOVE bottled water but they don't eat.

Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 02-26-2006, 10:56 PM:

Concessions and Art films normally don't mix well....as your finding out.

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 02-27-2006, 02:40 AM:

Birthday party rentals seem to be a common extra revenue stream for single screens.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 02-27-2006, 06:15 AM:

We beat our heads against the arthous wall 20 years ago before going with 2nd run.

The arthouse crowd are assholes, rude , mean and arrogant. The don't buy concessions and expect the admission to be $.50. and complain just to hear their own whiny voices. Besides the "classics" are all on video. In spite of constant requests for a particular film, when you play it, they will not come.