is it possible
to get some serious reponses on b3ta/OT do you think? Lets find out.

So, lets imagine you had the chance to run a failing, yet charming traditional cinema. It seats 4-500, its in a nice middle class area, and you can run it how you like. Other than show the lastest films, what are some ideas other than "show the latest films" that might generate business.

Yes I am asking you for ideas for a business. I have loads myself, but wondering what else there is. Perhaps your local - non multiplex - flicks has some interesting ideas. Let me know
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:33, 52 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Is it an old theatre?
Burlesque evenings seems to be back in fashion and are suited to an nice old building, if that is indeed what it is...
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:36, Reply)

I watched Blade Runner the other night
On a pissy 21" Amstrad CRT on my XBox DVD player.

Great film, but I couldn't help but feel it would have been a zillion times better in the cinema. So I wondered perhaps setting up a tiny cinema, showing classic movies for a small audience, with (obviously) full big screen and cinema style audio.

Think it would be great but I also doubt there would be a regular market for it....

*edit* I'm not from the city so I don't really know if there are much of these around already...
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:37, Reply)

This.
The art-house cinemas here used to show old movies, cult movies, etc (I got to see 2001 on a big screen! And Blade Runner which is beyond amazing at the cinema, likewise A Fist Full Of Dollars), and a lot of things you'd just generally not see anywhere except on a TV screen. About ten years ago, they stopped most of that and started showing pretty much just Art-House movies. Don't get me wrong, I like arty stuff, but it was lovely to see old movies at the size they were meant to be shown at.

Alternatively (And to keep standards around here up): porn.
(Spleep Shit, or get off the internet., Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:46, Reply)

Surely if you could buy over an existing art-house cinema
And convert it into an old-school classics movie, that surely it wouldn't be THAT expensive? Just a case of getting the films in and the license to show them although I have NO idea how to set about doing that.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:29, Reply)

If it was a good size like that,
I guess you could have a stage at the front, and let local dramatics groups hire it. Or even for musical events.
( Cawl, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:41, Reply)

sofas and beer

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:46, Reply)

Hmmm....
- Getting an alchole lisance, using that income to supliment other failing ones.
- Trillogy Nights
- Letting local buisness rent it out for their employees.
- A freebie night that's covered by food'n'drink
- Using the big screen for some sort of video game tournament
- Using it with a live-feed from some other local, for example, "[your town]'s big-brother reaction".
- Combine with local education institutes to showcase their work.
- Aniversary Partys, with the married couple's life on the big screen.
- Something-or-other for the kids.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:48, Reply)

[insert actor] - night/week
[telivsion-show] on the big screen.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:51, Reply)

Karrioki nights.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:56, Reply)

good ideas there gonz
I'll come to your cinema
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:58, Reply)

Ace !
Maybe blue movie nights too. I wonder what the legality of showing off a bit of porn and getting your partner to nosh you off is.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:02, Reply)

Themed nights.
The Soho Curzon used to do theme nights, the ones I went to were based around directors - "John Carpenter Night", or "Peter Jackson Night", for example. They showed 4 films, from 11pm through to 7am or thereabouts, and handed out free cans of Redbull. I think it was 20 quid for the all-night ticket. That was in 2002/3 though.

They were fantastic fun, but seem to have stopped doing them (or at least publicising them). You could do genre nights (Sci-Fi, Torture porn, the "Oldboy" trilogy, Mel Brooks films, Star Wars Night), or ones based around actors, or a language. You could get sponsorship for free incentives (a la Redbull, or a coffee brand, or a local ice-cream parlour). The cinematic world is your oyster.

Where abouts is this cinema based? I'll come to it!
(The Empress it seems you CAN polish a turd!, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:53, Reply)

Ah yeah,
To get the Big Films costs a huge amount for the first week, then drops off massively after that.
A few weeks later though, it's dirt-cheap, comparatively.

A decent cafe will draw people in who might not otherwise visit, and once they're there, it might catch their interest.
Also, lectures by interesting people.
( Cawl, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:54, Reply)

Kaol, am I going to remain unvalidated ?
=(((
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:55, Reply)

Eh?
What for?

EDIT: "Karrioki"? Was that a desperate cry for attention?
( Cawl, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:58, Reply)

Unfortuantly not =/

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:01, Reply)

Awh dear :(
Well, I did like your ideas. We're gonna have to have a mini-bash sometime soon, before I move to Wales.

Anyway, lunch.
( Cawl, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:04, Reply)

Awesome, sort a playah out when you know.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:26, Reply)

you could try
film based quiz nights

video games tournaments would be a winner - with heats played on tv's, with the choicest played on the big screen

private parties to play videogames

psychedelic nights, show various trippy films such as Koyaanasqatsi, Head, 2001

anime nights - show some of the amazing animated flicks coming out of japan

saturday morning matinees - classic kids films

PORN
(Cancer Joy was short lived, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:58, Reply)

There's one of those at the top of my road.
It's fantastic, though I can't give you business ideas, seeing as it seems to be struggling. But I can't see that it's doing anything special- not like the ideas people are posting.

I like the idea of trilogies and themed nights. Depending on the area, Rocky Horror probably would be a good bet.
( Lampito rise with the moon, go to bed with the sun, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 12:59, Reply)

wow
all marvellous. I love the video game idea (and I'm a non gamer) but can see how that would be ace. I think a cinema is a nice warm romantic thing that most people have enjoyed at sometime, so its relatively easy to provoke a reaction and get good ideas.

The end of multiplexes must be dawning right? Well probably not. I think the best approach would be to not compete with the lowest common denominator shit, and show stuff people want to watch.

You could probably show Blade Runner once a month and get loads of people in. I think showing great films that have long since gone from cinemas is the future.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:08, Reply)

does anyone
have specific knowledge of running a cinema? How does one go about getting the films? Can an independant phone up a distributor and rent one?
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:10, Reply)

No idea
but I've sent you a PM which might be of use
( SpikeyPickle wishes he was mabazaritchie, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:21, Reply)

All of the above ideas are brilliant
I think I'd include a small video and sound production studio, in partnership with the local college, where the kids with the best productions get to showcase their talent.

And it's not just the production of the film, there's also the marketing, logistics, acting... everything that goes into making the film. Something for everyone, and everyone would be able to get involved. It would give the kids a great way of experiencing the other side of an industry that they only usually see the end product of. A sort of FilmTech, instead of RockTech (as run by Cpt Hoodbutter).

Not just having a place to show films, but where you can make them as well. And if you can score lottery funding, that would be another cash stream which would then feed into the local community as well, bringing them to the cinema, spending their cash... the list goes on.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:18, Reply)

Everythings about funding
As you've mentioned, the lottery which is a great one, but local arts councils, Royalty inspired/controlled initiatives, government funding, shit like that really has to be thoroughly researched - it makes a huge difference.

/voice of experience
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:27, Reply)

This is true, but I'm just spinning ideas here.
I've no experience whatsoever in running things like this. The closest I've got to any kind of creative industry is looking after Jennie Murray's kid one afternoon whilst she presented a radio show my Dad was producing.

Oh, and working backstage at festivals.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:29, Reply)

the video/college/recording
idea is fantastic.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:34, Reply)

The beauty is
you're dipping into education/civic improvement and therefore more eligible for grants then!
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:36, Reply)

Do you know...
If I knew anything about this kind of thing, it's a bloody good idea for a business up North where I am (Wakefield). Summer camps for kids with the end project being a film (which parents can pay for, if they can afford it... means tested for the rest).

Perhaps I should get myself on some business courses and of course audio and video editing courses!
( jim_bob can herd cats., Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:46, Reply)

ideas then...
Showing of events, e.g. sports, theatre & opera. some of the larger chains do these already, but you're looking at a much better ambiance in a more intimate place. Good example recently was a broadcast performance from the National Theatre. Might even be able to get Arts Council or similar funding for these types of thing.

Sing-alongs - Buffy musical episode, Dr Horrible, Sound of Music, Rocky Horror, Mamma Mia, and so on...

Memberships/Friends of the cinema type things (with discounted events, christmas parties, etc.) - perhaps multiple things for different genres?

Meetings and events have been suggested - if you have the space for meeting rooms (also available for parties, etc.), then don't just provide flip-charts, screen-projectors, etc. - make it themed! Provide popcorn on the tables, offer a later afternoon movie showing as part of the deal and so on.

Premium popcorn! Something like from these guys

Enthusiastic staff! And don't just have them sat behind the ticket desk - get them dressed up in costume, let them choose films for showing, etc.

Film clubs - local universities, schools, colleges all have film buffs. Offer the cinema for a nominal cost, help them out with film suggestions, speakers, AGMs, etc.

Loyalty cards - set-up a simple membership scheme that lets you mail-out to customers in exchange for some personal marketing data.

Also, some more practical ideas:

- This is a small business - you will need to manage costs ruthlessly, yet make is seem like you're not. An eye for good design and flair for presentation will be crucial.
- Grants - especially if you're reviving an old building, it might be possible to get some sort of grants for refurbishment.
- Sponsorship - carefully selected and sympathetic sponsorship may be possible. Is there a large company HQed nearby - offor sponsorship and throw the chance to have meetings and/or kick-off events there.
( Fireflier La la la la, not listening on, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:33, Reply)

Great advice!
Although I can't get my head around "premium" popcorn considering the outrageous price of the bog-standard stuff...
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:35, Reply)

i like the idea
But one of the ethos' would be, that no one gets fleeced on popcorn, good stuff or not. Its fucking disgusting what the chains charge.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:40, Reply)

Quite agree on the popcorn, but...
The way I see it, crappy normal cinema popcorn is shoveled into buckets and rarely finished below 1/3 of the container. It costs nothing to make and is more or less pure profit for the cinema. It's thrown all over the place and causes massive cleaning problems.

Sell good, tasty popcorn that costs slightly more to make, in much smaller packs (that can be sealed and taken away), then you have less waste, similar profit and customers value it more.
(EDIT: To me, if the customer values the product, and are willing to pay for it then that's not fleecing them - it's good honest business where everyone wins!)

Now, wouldn't you rather have a small pack of Grape, Hot Cinnamon or Caramel & Cheese flavour rather than bog standard Sweet or Salty?
( Fireflier La la la la, not listening on, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:43, Reply)

kids clubs
are meant to be quite good - think a lot of cinemas do them, but they are good in school holidays etc. Also, mother and baby screenings - again, I have seen them done at some cinemas, and they seem like a great idea to me! The idea being that they are during the day during the working week, women are encouraged to bring along their sprogs, breastfeeding is not discouraged, and all the adults will be understanding if one of the kids is screaming bloody murder. Think they normally show crappy rom-coms, i.e. the sort of thing no man will willingly sit through.

Oh, and our local cinema does senior showings - old films shown during the day for the aged to enjoy.

So, all appeal to minorities, but would get people in during the working day, rather than concentrating on evenings/weekends.
( ascorbate, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:40, Reply)

yes
exactly. Bollywood evenings as well. The ideas write themselves dont they, need to work on a plan and get this going.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:42, Reply)

For fans of "The Wire", "24" etc
How about a weekly showing of a quality t.v. series?


mmm?
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:45, Reply)

...or a three weekly catch-up so you've got cinema type timings
Issues here around the recency of the series though. I can see the TV companies wanting a lot of money for this type of thing (if they're willing to negotiate at all) and the admin is likely to be hideous.

I know that Fox cracked down on the BTVS musical sing-alongs in the US because they got popular and they weren't geting paid (or paid enough).
( Fireflier La la la la, not listening on, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:48, Reply)

They could show
"The Smallest Show on Earth" with Peter Sellers and Margaret Rutherford.

There was a cinema in Hull called Cecil, which finally closed as the big multiplexes moved in. Then it reopened showing older films as people suggested above. But then it closed again because no one was bothered. It's a bingo hall now.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 13:53, Reply)

Around the corner
from my house, there's a 1920s cinema which has been turned into an ``event space.'' hosts weddings, cocktail parties, etc. However, this means they've basically gutted the place, including the screen/projection room, and seats.
another suggestion, which is closer to the cinema's initial use, is to host college lectures, or other kinds of speaking engagements (poetry readings? political meetings? professional conventions?). If you think about the layout of a cinema, it's perfect for classroom use -- seats are already there, and it's got the mother of all projection screens right at the front. and because you'd be keeping the original equipment (or some facsimile thereof) intact, you could still also use it as a cinema. here in toronto, there's a university which did something similar with a multiplex cinema. gaz me and i can send you the link, if you're interested.
(tuqueboy has been in a medically -induced coma since, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 14:01, Reply)

The good old days
No not the retro TV show, though that might be fun.

The responses above all seem like the Scala cinema in Kings Cross in the '70s and '80s. All night Star Trek or Monty Python. Freaks was shown back to back with Eraserhead every month. Every art house film from the beginning of time. It was really really tatty. The stalls had been removed, and you could kip on the mouldy carpet with a lager can for a pillow. It was fan fucking tastic. Only problem was, it could not support itself, and now its just a shell. A tear wells up every time I pass it.

But, there is a travelling cinema that shows arthouse and just past their first release films that goes around the south of Hampshire and Dorset. Their shows are full, or just about, wherever they go. The clientele consists of senior type people, who would not dream of going to a multiplex. When we went to see Slumdog Millionaire the other month, I was the youngest (I'm ancient).
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 14:04, Reply)

When we were young...
we used to frequent the Phoenix in East Finchley. Virtually the only time we went was for the late-night double-bills. They'd start at (I think) around 11pm and there were loads of great combos: Fritz the Cat + Heavy Taffic; Aguirre Wrath of Gods + The Mission; Pink Flamigoes + another Divine film. Can't remember the others but I saw Apocolypse Now, Catch 22, Taxi Drive, Dirty Harry, Last Tango in Paris etc. etc. etc. there. I recommend emailing or phoning up for a chat with the management there (http://www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/) and getting some ideas from them.

The other thing you could do is try to join the 'City Screen' group of art-house cinemas - safety in numbers.

Let us all know if anything comes of this.
(Che Grimsdale Best before:, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 14:13, Reply)

I do believe that this could work as a business
And I'm sure that it's execatly the type of thing that all of us would love to do. However, what you shouldn't do is underestimate the amount of effort that would be required for this. Also, as sandettie light vessel automatic kind-of said, the majority of people in their drab, dreary lives won't be too interested (unless you can do something to turn that round), and so you're probably dealing with quite a limited audience and market.

So, what does this deally mean?

Making Money:
The cinema itself is probably not going to take huge amounts of money in. On the assumption that you can't charge too premium prices (or people won't come) and/or that you don't want to fleece the customers, this means that you have to have multiple revenue streams if this is going to survive. We've spoken about things like hosting meetings, food and drink, and other things. All of this will have to be modelled in detail to understand how it will work. What's the break even point, how many bums on seats do you need, what's the margin on every piece of food and drink, how much can you afford to pay people (and yourself).

Operations:
You are going to have to know how to RUN a cinema - acquiring and booking films, showing them, booking speakers, working with suppliers, fixing projectors, getting licenses...
If you've going to be doing things like hosting meetings, parties, etc., then the business is likely to be running 12-18 hours a day, potentially 7 days a week!

Marketing:
Who's the target market and how are you going to get to them - do you know who they are? How are you going to guage the level of interest so that you don't sink your savings into this on the assumption of a certain level of demand and having it close down 3 months later?
How will you promote the business - it's essentially local, so while a web presence will be needed, you don't need the world class type of site - something charmingly local might work well!
Can you get onto local televisions, build a relationship with the local paper so that whenever they have a slow news day/week, they can come to you for a good few stories?
How WILL you get the punters through the doors - leafleting will largely be ignored, but you put a stand in the local shopping centres, libraries, etc..

People:
You'll need quite a few people to run this. Who will they be? How will you recruit them, train them and pay them? Can you fire someone if you have to? What about uniforms?

These are just a very few thoughts on the practicality of this (I'd like to expand on it, but need to go do some real work!) - and I stress that I DO think it can work. But don't underestimate the amount of time and effort you will need to put into this.

Disclaimer - I am a management consultant, and I have an MBA. Please don't hold that or some of the consultanty language above against me!
( Fireflier La la la la, not listening on, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 14:16, Reply)

i agree
youre spot on. I wouldnt undersestimate this and it would probably take over my life. But at the moment that would be a good thing, need a good project.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 14:40, Reply)

For hiring people
is there a local film school (or does the local college/uni offer film studies), where you could get students from, to work as ushers/box office/popcorn distributors? You could offer them a free cinema pass (monthly, not for one show) in return for a certain number of volunteer shifts. For marketing - would there be students who'd be happy to work for free, in exchange for getting really good work experience and references?

EDIT - this was meant to be a reply to Coke, sorry!
(The Empress it seems you CAN polish a turd!, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 16:51, Reply)

Cake
Sell homemade cake and biscuits, much nicer than popcorn.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Tue 18 Aug 2009, 14:16, Reply)

def
will be sourcing locally.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 14:43, Reply)

Oooh, Ooh!
Popcorn biscuits! I know that you're the biscuiteer extraordinaire - would they work or is it likely to be a crunchy, burny, pointy injury prone disaster area?
( Fireflier La la la la, not listening on, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 14:44, Reply)

I would have thought that
the popcorn would go all melty.

That said, if it was the butterkist covered in toffee type then it might just work.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Tue 18 Aug 2009, 14:55, Reply)

Also
my local independent cinema is part of this collective:
www.hollywoodcinemas.net/

They show the more arthouse type films and some big block busters. They have a digital projector and screen.
The best thing is that the tickets are only £3.99 if you have a membership card which is yours at no cost.

We always go there over the chav filled multiplex.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Tue 18 Aug 2009, 14:19, Reply)

I just flicked through most of the answers so sorry if a duplicate
How about when people come to see a movie there is a box so they can request a film they would like to see.

Every month the film with the highest amount of votes gets aired as a special "Viewers Choice" type thing?
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 15:08, Reply)

Nice!

( Cawl, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 15:16, Reply)

As others have said
The cinema could be used as part of the attraction but not the main money spinner...
Near me there is a fantastic cinema/ Cafe/ veggie restuarant...

zeffirellis.com

Which does just about everything and I would assume also gets a level of funding from the head honchos.
(Bonzodog29 is an unemployed sponge of the worst kind, Tue 18 Aug 2009, 16:01, Reply)