Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Booking questions

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Posted by Paul Looker (Member # 5420) on 04-16-2014, 04:50 PM:

I'm looking to do Midnight shows of classic titles on fridays and saturdays. I'm also looking to do children's films saturday and sunday at 10am. My first show of a mainstream hollywood feature is never earlier than 12pm and never later than 10:30pm. What's the story? Can I do those shows if I have to be running a hollywood title clean? Why won't my booker answer my questions when it comes to this either?

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 04-16-2014, 05:20 PM:

Yes, plenty of theatres do this. As long as you program so your times don't overlap. Hope you can get some sleep;>

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 04-16-2014, 05:24 PM:

Right, and as long as you reserve the "prime" showtimes for your main booking you should be fine.

In the event you wanted to run a classic during a prime time such as 9pm, you could probably still do it but it's best to have your booker get permission from the studio. As long as your main movie isn't a blockbuster in its first week (or a Disney movie) you should have no trouble getting the OK.

As to your booker "not answering your questions" -- that's a disturbing thing. Your booker is an employee of yours and if he won't answer your questions to your satisfaction, you should find another booker.

Posted by Paul Looker (Member # 5420) on 04-16-2014, 05:32 PM:

What about "running clean". The way I always heard it described was that it was a clause in the contract that says no other movie can show on the same screen as the main feature.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 04-16-2014, 05:49 PM:

That's usually "prime time". What they are usually concerned about is running a split show during first run (i.e.: on movie at 7:00, a different one at 9:00). Depending where you are in the life of the film, you can get permission to do so. What you asked about, kids shows and midnight shows aren't usually a problem.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 04-16-2014, 06:39 PM:

Paul - what kind of regular schedule do you run? Do you play on the break, and if not, how many weeks later (on average)?

If, for example you were playing Transformers 4 on the break, the studio might take a dim view if you decided to play some other movie on that Friday at midnight. But if you're 3 or 4 weeks after the break, you shouldn't ever have a problem.

Posted by Paul Looker (Member # 5420) on 04-16-2014, 07:00 PM:

We play on the break but we have 4 screens so we always have at least one movie three weeks out.

Posted by Mike Frese (Member # 4361) on 04-22-2014, 10:13 PM:

Time to let your booker go.

How long have you been operating your theater? If at least a year, you could reasonably book your own movies and have a lot more control over what you are getting.

Like the others have said, keep noon to 11 pm for the regular schedule and you will be fine.

Kids: I did well and I have seen plenty of others do 10 am or so shows for free or $1 admission. Do not expect to play Disney titles though.