Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Iron Man 2 for FOUR weeks?!

This is topic Iron Man 2 for FOUR weeks?! in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Alex Shultz (Member # 5027) on 04-29-2010, 10:06 AM:

Is Paramount requiring everyone to keep IM2 four weeks?

I got a call yesterday saying they needed me to keep it that long. I tried to get them let me split the screen for it starting on week three but that option is not available at this time.

Are they trying to keep some other studio's picture off the screen four weeks later? Is the picture a dog and they want to lock people in to it?

I can't keep something four weeks. It's like shutting down 1/3 of my theatre for those last two weeks.

Anyone have any ideas on how to get them to let me keep it a shorter time?

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 04-29-2010, 11:44 AM:

Are you a single screen? If so, did you tell them you wanted Shrek? Or did you just book IM2?

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 04-29-2010, 12:01 PM:

I've been told to expect this from more studios this year.

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 04-29-2010, 12:06 PM:

Supposedly it's a big piece of crap, so they're probably trying to end your run to coincide with the DVD release.

Posted by Alex Shultz (Member # 5027) on 04-29-2010, 12:28 PM:

Mike,

I'm three-screen. I've been down to two screens for about three months while we remodeled one of them. That third screen is FINALLY reopening this weekend.

I was kind of stunned when he asked for that much time for the show. I left him a message and will try contacting him again later to see if there's any way to work out a shorter run with extensions if my box passes a set amount on a weekend.

Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 04-29-2010, 01:36 PM:

I haven't heard it was a requirement, but I had planned on keeping it that long anyway. Being a drive-in with "double features", I had planned on having it paired behind Shrek Forverafter on Memorial Day weekend anyway.

Posted by Joe Elliott (Member # 4006) on 04-30-2010, 08:43 PM:

Anyone know if they have the 4 week requirement for second prints, and/or digital copies?

Posted by Mike Frese (Member # 4361) on 04-30-2010, 10:47 PM:

2nd copies are usually just 2 weeks. If you do not get this on the break, I would imagine you can get it at the beginning of week 3 without much trouble.

so far: IMDB 8.7, 76% Rotten Tomatoes. More than good enough for the mainstream.

Iron Man (the first one) IMDB 8.0, 93% RT

Posted by Alex Shultz (Member # 5027) on 04-30-2010, 11:16 PM:

I talked with my good friend who ran this theatre for about 25 years. I trust him completely when it comes to advice in this area. He told me I was being foolish NOT to book it. Some day I'll figure out how to tell when I'm being stubborn and when I should be justifiably upset about this kind of thing. Sigh.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 04-30-2010, 11:22 PM:

So you apparently don't use a booker? This is a time when a booker might have been able to cut a better deal for you maybe. Just a thought.

Posted by Alex Shultz (Member # 5027) on 05-01-2010, 12:34 AM:

I don't use a booker. There are some times when I wish I was using one (like now). Most of the time I enjoy doing it myself.

Posted by Mike Frese (Member # 4361) on 05-01-2010, 07:06 PM:

Good it a be a digital thing? Alex is digital vs film.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-01-2010, 08:42 PM:

For what it's worth, our booker told me that there's really no difference between film & digital when it comes to booking...they still make about the same number of copies of a film as normal (prints+drives=copies).

But he has noticed shortages of film prints already in this area on some titles...in fact if we don't play a Warner title on the break, it's very likely we won't play it at all because WB doesn't like to move prints, and by the time an area print is available to us the DVD date is looming.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-02-2010, 04:05 PM:

I find that people who are serous about this biz always employ the services of a booker. You are not going to get any kinda deal for yourself compared to someone booking 60 screens with the same title... just no way, no how. The only ones I've seen pull it off themselves at all successfully are sub run locations and lots of the time they just pay a flat rate anyway.

Mark

Posted by Matt Fields (Member # 3211) on 05-02-2010, 11:19 PM:

Biggest booking advantage I have enjoyed since I converted to digital is that the studios will commit to a playdate when I'm playing something off the break.

That way I know I am getting the movie and can promote.

Also, Summit gave me a copy of Remember Week one week off the break. Would have never happened with film.

Posted by Mike Frese (Member # 4361) on 05-03-2010, 10:57 AM:

This what I can see in this particular situation after talking to a few exhibitors. If you are prone to rotate movies after two weeks and you 3-4+ screens they are seeking 4 weeks. If smaller and playing Shrek 4, they are happy with 2. ever, if you normally play most movies 3-4 weeks except the absolute dogs, they are not demanding 4 weeks.

Booking: Anyone who is new as owners should use a booker for at least the first year. I have been self-booking for 2 years and feel very good about doing it. Only you will fight for stuff that you feel you deserve. A booker with 50 or more locations may not fight that much. Especially with limited release.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-03-2010, 12:11 PM:

quote: Mike Frese
Only you will fight for stuff that you feel you deserve. A booker with 50 or more locations may not fight that much.

I guess that may depend on the booker. With ours, I have always felt that we get a square deal given our size and grosses. But, he knows what we expect (plus, I do believe that the squeaky wheel gets the grease)! [Big Grin]

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 05-03-2010, 03:51 PM:

quote: Matt Fields

Also, Summit gave me a copy of Remember Week one week off the break. Would have never happened with film.

So you made .99c with it instead of .90c? Yay!

Posted by Matt Fields (Member # 3211) on 05-03-2010, 05:22 PM:

I'll take what I can get! [Smile]