Very strange story, MPol. You remind me of someone who lived in Wellesley and had a photo in her purse, of herself wearing shoes. But that was 20 years ago. Couldn’t be….
He was an expert, on every phase of theatre history and we’ll probably never find someone who could teach us so much. I remember the time I posted a photo of a GCC back bar, and he noticed the plastic grillwork and explained that it was Sculpta Grill, Persian Latticed Pattern. I doubt there was anyone else in the world who would have known that.
Somebody else on this board thought they could play DVDs on a big screen, in a bar or restaurant, and call it a dinner theatre. Anyone have any opinions on whether the film companies would care about film cost?
We’d like to read some followup success stories from the many requests for information on how to open a theatre, that are asked of this board on nearly a weekly basis. Surely one of the many folks must have had a serious interest, and followed through? Come on, tell us your result stories.
Did anyone get beyond the dreamer stage?
How much are the annual property tax bills on the building you have in mind? What part of the country is it located in, and is it a multi screen, or single? Are you considering buying a free standing building, or signing a lease?
Nothing new under the sun. We used to throw out kids for drinking beer in the theatre. That was in the late ‘70s or early '80s. I think Saturday Night Fever or Animal House was playing. The kids were quiet about it too, sneaking the cans into the auditorium under their coats. During the show, we’d prowl the aisle, flashing the floor under their seats with our flashlights, as they watched the picture. By the end of the shift, we’d have a couple of six packs confiscated, that we could drink ourselves out in the parking lot. No wonder everybody in town wanted to be an usher!
Try a series of films geared to senior citizens, if the neighborhood has a senior center, maybe you’ll get some interest. Or a tie in with local merchants to rent the theatre for a matinee, free tickets distributed throught their stores. They may want to set up tables in the lobby to hand out flyers for in-store sales. If you can come up with 20 merchants who would pay you $50 weekly for the rental….there seems to be some potential.
Glad you mentioned Bill Quarters as the Manager. I great guy who deserves his name to be remembered in association with running the theatre. What sort of things did the kids do to run him through the wringer? (probably sneaking in through an exit door, or horsing around in the lobby near the video games.)
Do you have a property in mind for the business? If so, what equipment is in there already? The operational cost is dependent on so many factors, it would be helpful if you could provide more information.
For example, are you planning a storefront renovation? Does the building have a screen and projection booth, or do you plan on adding it in? What sort of volume of business does the existing location generate? Is the primary project to be a restaurant, or is it a theatre?
The Post Office probably changed numbers on the street. Whenever the number of mail stops changes, the Postal Union requires it. Nothing mysterious about it, Ron.
CinemaTour Forum isn’t a fun spot for discussion. There is one guy who uses a handful of alias and talks to himself about theatres in Southern California. If you try to change the subject, he emails you with a reprimand for going off topic. A very strange place.
This debate is getting pretty spirited! I agree with Moviemanforever and Ron Newman.
Critiques on large chains where decisions have impacted negatively, the presentation quality, are key to improving same. Does the naming of those individual executives cause a problem?
It might be no different from someone saying that Samuel Goldwyn made a boo-boo when he didn’t sign Red Skelton to star in a feature version of the Howdy Doody Show.
I was thinking how my age is showing. Has it been thirty years since Taxi Driver, Outlaw Josey Wales, Marathon Man, or All the President’s Men? 1976 was certainly a great year. The late 1970s, and early 1980’s had some fine films too. John Travolta, Olivia Newton John, and Star Wars. Breakfast Club, Amadeus, Alien, Blue Lagoon, Network, and so many more. Wish I lived in Maryland.
You might want to consider Wagner Sign Company. Here’s a link to their site http://www.wagnersign.com/ The cost of dismantling an existing sign from another area, and transport, might be more than the cost of a professionally designed new one. (My guess, about $45,000, let me know if my guestimate is way off)
I guess I ask where you see “anger” in my posts. Suggesting someone follow the advice of doing the research via trade publications seems to be a valid point, as does the expectation that making recommendations doesn’t deserve the name-calling done by nbolmer. I guess the questions I’ve asked have struck a nerve there.
I think the inflated vocabulary (what’s a “proforma” anyway?) gives this one away. Anyone who has to ask about staffing to sell beer without detailing the size of the establishment, is a bit suspect. Especially when couching it with questions about how to book film. A person who is ready to run a business will already have the answers. I suspect the author to be the real “troll” here.
I question the RFP on concession business, as that may be the main revenue source. I also question the hiring of a separate person to book rentals, and a contractor for fundraising. Since this “vertical” is said to be located in a small market, (“rural Ohio” was stated in the beginning), it would seem the additional payroll expenditures may actually be detrimental to the bottom line.
Very strange story, MPol. You remind me of someone who lived in Wellesley and had a photo in her purse, of herself wearing shoes. But that was 20 years ago. Couldn’t be….
He was an expert, on every phase of theatre history and we’ll probably never find someone who could teach us so much. I remember the time I posted a photo of a GCC back bar, and he noticed the plastic grillwork and explained that it was Sculpta Grill, Persian Latticed Pattern. I doubt there was anyone else in the world who would have known that.
Somebody else on this board thought they could play DVDs on a big screen, in a bar or restaurant, and call it a dinner theatre. Anyone have any opinions on whether the film companies would care about film cost?
We’d like to read some followup success stories from the many requests for information on how to open a theatre, that are asked of this board on nearly a weekly basis. Surely one of the many folks must have had a serious interest, and followed through? Come on, tell us your result stories.
Did anyone get beyond the dreamer stage?
How much are the annual property tax bills on the building you have in mind? What part of the country is it located in, and is it a multi screen, or single? Are you considering buying a free standing building, or signing a lease?
I would talk to a real estate agent too.
I’d agree with Ken, check www.bigscreenbiz.com for all the answers you might need.
Nothing new under the sun. We used to throw out kids for drinking beer in the theatre. That was in the late ‘70s or early '80s. I think Saturday Night Fever or Animal House was playing. The kids were quiet about it too, sneaking the cans into the auditorium under their coats. During the show, we’d prowl the aisle, flashing the floor under their seats with our flashlights, as they watched the picture. By the end of the shift, we’d have a couple of six packs confiscated, that we could drink ourselves out in the parking lot. No wonder everybody in town wanted to be an usher!
Try a series of films geared to senior citizens, if the neighborhood has a senior center, maybe you’ll get some interest. Or a tie in with local merchants to rent the theatre for a matinee, free tickets distributed throught their stores. They may want to set up tables in the lobby to hand out flyers for in-store sales. If you can come up with 20 merchants who would pay you $50 weekly for the rental….there seems to be some potential.
Glad you mentioned Bill Quarters as the Manager. I great guy who deserves his name to be remembered in association with running the theatre. What sort of things did the kids do to run him through the wringer? (probably sneaking in through an exit door, or horsing around in the lobby near the video games.)
Do you have a property in mind for the business? If so, what equipment is in there already? The operational cost is dependent on so many factors, it would be helpful if you could provide more information.
For example, are you planning a storefront renovation? Does the building have a screen and projection booth, or do you plan on adding it in? What sort of volume of business does the existing location generate? Is the primary project to be a restaurant, or is it a theatre?
The Post Office probably changed numbers on the street. Whenever the number of mail stops changes, the Postal Union requires it. Nothing mysterious about it, Ron.
CinemaTour Forum isn’t a fun spot for discussion. There is one guy who uses a handful of alias and talks to himself about theatres in Southern California. If you try to change the subject, he emails you with a reprimand for going off topic. A very strange place.
This debate is getting pretty spirited! I agree with Moviemanforever and Ron Newman.
Critiques on large chains where decisions have impacted negatively, the presentation quality, are key to improving same. Does the naming of those individual executives cause a problem?
It might be no different from someone saying that Samuel Goldwyn made a boo-boo when he didn’t sign Red Skelton to star in a feature version of the Howdy Doody Show.
Thank you for the link to a fine photo of the theatre. I believe there was a palm tree decor inside the lobby.
Walgreens and CVS have become the new McDonalds Burger King one-two punch.
Were you on the Laurel Rans team-building survival camp expedition to Camp Chewonki in Maine?
I was thinking how my age is showing. Has it been thirty years since Taxi Driver, Outlaw Josey Wales, Marathon Man, or All the President’s Men? 1976 was certainly a great year. The late 1970s, and early 1980’s had some fine films too. John Travolta, Olivia Newton John, and Star Wars. Breakfast Club, Amadeus, Alien, Blue Lagoon, Network, and so many more. Wish I lived in Maryland.
You might want to consider Wagner Sign Company. Here’s a link to their site http://www.wagnersign.com/ The cost of dismantling an existing sign from another area, and transport, might be more than the cost of a professionally designed new one. (My guess, about $45,000, let me know if my guestimate is way off)
I’d love to see the photos too. Thank you.
I guess I ask where you see “anger” in my posts. Suggesting someone follow the advice of doing the research via trade publications seems to be a valid point, as does the expectation that making recommendations doesn’t deserve the name-calling done by nbolmer. I guess the questions I’ve asked have struck a nerve there.
There are lots of folks who remember fondly, the theatres they went to when they were kids. Do you still live in Waltham, and what has changed?
I think the inflated vocabulary (what’s a “proforma” anyway?) gives this one away. Anyone who has to ask about staffing to sell beer without detailing the size of the establishment, is a bit suspect. Especially when couching it with questions about how to book film. A person who is ready to run a business will already have the answers. I suspect the author to be the real “troll” here.
Too bad there’s no web site called “Restaurant Treasures” for these pseudo-theatres.
I question the RFP on concession business, as that may be the main revenue source. I also question the hiring of a separate person to book rentals, and a contractor for fundraising. Since this “vertical” is said to be located in a small market, (“rural Ohio” was stated in the beginning), it would seem the additional payroll expenditures may actually be detrimental to the bottom line.