Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: boxoffice reports for free screenings?

This is topic boxoffice reports for free screenings? in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 06-17-2012, 09:18 PM:

Subject says it.

For those who have done free screenings where the film rental is a flat rate, do you issue tickets and prepare boxoffice reports, even though all tickets are $0.00? Do film distributors require or prefer that these be done? Or does no one care because the screening is free and the film rental is fixed?

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 06-20-2012, 11:04 AM:

Depends on the situation you're in. With our VPF deal we simply notate it on a screening report we send to the integrator so they know not to bill us for it.
If no admission is charged I don't think a BOR is necessary. The only way for that to work is a rental where you set a flat rate and you run the however many tickets against that $ amount.
In which case it's reporting as usual.

Posted by Melanie Loggins (Member # 6454) on 06-20-2012, 11:06 AM:

We do 6-8 free movies a year, and I've never been asked for a BOR.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 06-20-2012, 01:35 PM:

If a showing is free but the food at the concession stand is not and the theatre is making money from it, how does the the studio or the film rental people providing the print for the free showing feel about this?

-Claude

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 06-20-2012, 01:39 PM:

They don't care. Film rental is being paid, but it is a flat rate, rather than a portion of the boxoffice revenue. This only works for older/classic films, not first-run title.

Thanks for the responses.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 06-20-2012, 06:17 PM:

Sometimes the distribs don't get it in their systems that it is going to be a free showing. They will then ask for a BOR. I've had it happen several times over the years. OTOH, the kids shows have always been flat rate even though we charge $1 admission. No BOR requested.