Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Film Booking

This is topic Film Booking in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=002141

Posted by Tim Massett (Member # 3512) on 11-22-2008, 04:43 PM:

Hi,
I was employed recently to put together a twin cinema that will solely screen "art" work which would include the work from specialty divisions for the meat and potatoes of the operation. The proposed location is less than a mile away from a Marcus 10 theatre where on occasion they screen work such as this. Right now, they are running FLOW a super tiny film. I am curious if my proximity to this location would prevent me from booking films from say Sony Pictures Classics such as Synechode,New York.
Thanks for your time,
Tim

Posted by Tyler Potts (Member # 4952) on 11-22-2008, 06:35 PM:

With any bookings, a city is seen as wide or an expansion market. If its not a big city a distributor needs to be cost efficient with prints. If you're only going to be showing limited art flicks, you might be better off than a larger plex with getting movies that aren't on a lot of screens.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 11-22-2008, 07:26 PM:

Short answer is no. Long answer is much more complicated.
SPC or any other distributor is going to put the films where they think they will do best, even if they are consistently proven wrong. As you are just starting out, you will have to develop a relationship with all of the distribs (or hire a booker who already has said relationships).
I've been doing this for 23 years, so if you'd like to talk about specifics and horror stories off list feel free to email or call