Film times at The Picture House

[WC1]

The issue of the long time it takes to get new releases to The Picture House has been aired before. Part of the problem is the percentage the renters want for the hire of the film, but that was also a problem in the past when the average delay from release to local showing was between three and five weeks (people used to comment on how quickly films arrived here). Now it's closer to 10 - 12 weeks, which is pretty long especially when you consider that most films get their DVD release at 13 weeks. Some 'big' pictures don't make it here at all, and some of the stuff being shown sank without trace in the multiplexes after week 1.

Malky is right that the future of cinemas is digital. I was shown digital projection at Trafford Park in Manchester (screen 20 I think!) about five years ago and the only difference from the traditional celluloid was that there were no scratches! Not long ago the government put money into making digital projection equipment available to cinemas that couldn't otherwise afford it. There was a sizeable roll-out which HIE may have been involved in. I can't remember the precise details but I do remember being surprised at the time that The Picture House wasn't one of the cinemas included. If any cinema has a case for getting funding of this sort ours has. Will there be another tranche of this money, or could AIE not put their cash into re-equipping for digital rather than the dubious 'benefit' of glossy leaflets?

And I still think that the current show times and practice of having only one film per week and one showing per night isn't conducive to building the audience and keeping the cinema alive. Look at the film listings in the papers and compare Campbeltown with similar sized places and wonder why we can't be the same.

[A Horse called Juan Face]

does the fact that our cinema is an independent
not hinder it

whereas other areas have affiliations with big cinemas
or am i completely wrong

quite interested now

[WC1]

It doesn't seem to hinder the Dominion in Edinburgh or The Cinema in Newton Stewart.

[Malky]

most films get their DVD release at 13 weeks

Lets be honest, in Campbeltown the DVD release of most films is actually BEFORE the official cinema release if you know what I mean.

Will there be another tranche of this money

That would be nice but I don't know. Doesn't seem to be much spent on the arts (of any type) in Argyll and Bute.

or could AIE not put their cash into re-equipping for digital rather than the dubious 'benefit' of glossy leaflets?

The company that AIE imposed on the Picture House to do the glossy leaflets and "marketing" has now "left the building". The money allocated for this was used up remarkably quickly I thought

Malky

[petewick]

thanks everyone for your input, i will eventually catch the movie when i go to glasgow next week.
petewick

[Surfbored]

Lets be honest, in Campbeltown the DVD release of most films is actually BEFORE the official cinema release if you know what I mean.

Blaming piracy is too easy.

A lot of the films being made are sequels, remakes, bland, formulatic, ....

Most importantly, future generations of film-goers need to be SOLD the "cinema experience".

ie. this film or that film isn't important, the benefits of seeing a film in the enviroment it was intended for ENHANCE the experience.

[duncanh]

Piracy is not the only reason for drops in attendance. There are numerous people with home cinema setups, with dolby amplifiers, projectors/large screen tellys. I personally have not been at the cinema for 7 or 8 years, preferring to watch a DVD at home, in comfort, on my seven foot screen.

[Islander]

It doesn't seem to hinder the Dominion in Edinburgh or The Cinema in Newton Stewart.

Actually if you check out 'The Dominion' web site, it states they have 4 screens. So therefore; that is why they are able to have a number of newly realeased films alot faster than the wee pictures in c,town. Hence, they can recieve the movies faster and with a far less percentage...by the way if your local why are you critical of the Picture House instead of supporting it? Surely if locals like yourself support it we could become the same status as The Dominion in Edinburgh.

[Malky]

Actually if you check out 'The Dominion' web site, it states they have 4 screens. So therefore; that is why they are able to have a number of newly realeased films alot faster than the wee pictures in c,town.

Also, word is that The Cinema in Newton Stewart is having financial problems, which is a shame. And that is with the full support of their local council, something The Picture House does not have. AFAIK, Argyll & Bute council is the only Scottish council that does not support the arts in any way

Malky

[WC1]

Actually if you check out 'The Dominion' web site, it states they have 4 screens. So therefore; that is why they are able to have a number of newly realeased films alot faster than the wee pictures in c,town.

The original question was about how independent cinemas manage to survive. I cited the Dominion as an example of an independent that is more than just surviving. The fact that it's in an affluent area of an affluent city helps, of course.

if your local why are you critical of the Picture House instead of supporting it?

Are the two mutually exclusive? Have you ever encountered the concept of the "critical friend".

[Malky]

... in the past when the average delay from release to local showing was between three and five weeks (people used to comment on how quickly films arrived here). Now it's closer to 10 - 12 weeks, which is pretty long ...

You might be interested in the following .pdf file which has the delay in weeks of the films shown at the Picture House lately.

http://www.kintyreforum.com/files/film_delay.pdf

Average delay is 4 - 6 weeks. Seems films are released in batches, so if you get one or two good ones in a batch, the delay goes up as the picture house only shows one movie per week. Also the distributors will not allow a film out to the Picture House until 4 weeks - the multiplexes get them instead.

Malky

[jillibabes]

A little side step from how quickly we get films here and independent v's multiplex.

Could the Saturday Matinee be resurrected? I used to love being able to go to the pictures without my mum or dad on a Satruday afternoon - I felt so grown up!!! My kids have never experienced this. I know things have changed a lot since I was a girl, but is it a posibility - am I the only one who thinks it's a good idea?

[WC1]

Happy to stand corrected Malky; from these figures the delay is not as bad as it has sometimes seemed. What were the figures for the second half of last year for comparison? I still think five or six weeks is too long.

[herveybay]

[ I still think five or six weeks is too long.[/quote]

May I ask WC1 did the films come more quickly when you where involved in the Cinema? and if so how did you manage it ?could you not give the present person or people a helping hand in getting them ? Going by what Malky says it is the film companys that have the say as to when the films can be given to the Cinema. and would they not have to pay a higher percentage to the film companys for getting the films more quickly? From what I have read I think that I would rather have a Cinema that shows films later, and pay a lower percentage for them. Saving money on the cost of the films must help somewhat with the running of the Cinema. and after all if you miss the film or dont have the time to see it when it first comes out, then there is always the chance to see it when it comes to your town.
But this is just my view, I have only been to your Cinema a few times and feel it would be a great shame to lose such a wonderfull old building.

[Malky]

Could the Saturday Matinee be resurrected? I used to love being able to go to the pictures without my mum or dad on a Satruday afternoon - I felt so grown up!!! My kids have never experienced this. I know things have changed a lot since I was a girl, but is it a posibility - am I the only one who thinks it's a good idea?

This was raised at the AGM on Friday evening past. The last matinees shown had an average attendance of 14. The break even figure for the Picture House is 50 so I'm afraid it is doubtful

Malky