Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Does $1 million go far?

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Posted by Tyler Potts (Member # 4952) on 04-15-2009, 10:06 AM:

A friend called me yesterday letting me know her boyfriends brother will be opening his own movie theatre. Mainly, the call was to get me to move to Florida, but she told me he's got a backer who's putting up a million dollars to renovate an old building with new seats, concession, and projectors.

But from seeing our own running expenses it makes me think $1 million won't go far when starting fresh. I asked my friend but she doesn't know how many screens he's planning on having.

My question, if one's smart & frugal can you spread that money and have a decent theatre?

Posted by Joe Tommassello (Member # 4632) on 04-15-2009, 10:16 AM:

How many screens? I think the last GCC I opened (12 screens) spent about $800,000 per screen for projection, sound, screen, etc...everything related to the presentation. No seats, no concession, etc. It was one projector and platter per screen.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 04-15-2009, 10:45 AM:

Joe - you're probably meaning $80,000 per screen. $800,000 would be the biggest ripoff of the century.

Or is that the cost of the building too? In that case 12 screens would be just under $10 million. If that doesn't include seats or concession, that must be one amazing building.

Tyler - your friend could probably get used equipment these days for dirt cheap.

Posted by Joe Tommassello (Member # 4632) on 04-15-2009, 11:17 AM:

Yes Mike - I put an extra zero in there.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 04-15-2009, 11:55 AM:

$80K for GCC sounds about right, esp. with out-of-state crews. Louis

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 04-15-2009, 11:58 AM:

My understanding is that new-construction multiplexes typically run $1-1.5MM/screen for construction costs, equipment, seats, screens, etc. I don't know if this includes the land or just the building and its contents.

Obviously, you could spend less or more. Construction and equipment costs will be lower now than they were a few years ago.

Remember, too, that there is more to the cost of opening a theatre than the building itself. There will be film guarantees to pay, as well as advertising and other up-front costs of operation, and it may take a while to build a customer base.

Posted by Tyler Potts (Member # 4952) on 04-15-2009, 12:29 PM:

I'm sorry, I'm not clear on what GCC means. :-(

Posted by Joe Tommassello (Member # 4632) on 04-15-2009, 12:50 PM:

GCC = General Cinema Corporation.

Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 04-15-2009, 01:17 PM:

What size complex is it and how many seats does it have? New seats (for decent seats) will be over $100 each installed. And why would they put in new projectors unless they're going digital? If digital that'll be $65,000+ per screen. Carpet will run in the 10's of thousands depending on square footage to be covered.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 04-15-2009, 04:43 PM:

quote: Joe Tommassello
think the last GCC I opened (12 screens) spent about $800,000 per screen for projection, sound, screen, etc...everything related to the presentation.

Wow! If they need to build any more cinemas, I'd sure like to quote for the job. Please?

quote: Joe Tommassello
Yes Mike - I put an extra zero in there.

Damn.

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 04-18-2009, 07:08 AM:

quote: Tyler Potts
he's got a backer who's putting up a million dollars to renovate an old building with new seats, concession, and projectors.

So its an existing building? Could you find out more about the real estate? Florida sounds like nice weather. I suspect $1 000 000 might be fine. Lets hope its got more than one screen.