The Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul will be leaving the Oak Street Cinema for good with an Open House and Sale on Aug. 25, 2011. According to the organization’s email announcement, the block on which the theater stands is slated for redevelopment.
The Rogers was converted to a night club and renamed the Fillmore. The original nightclub owners filed for bankruptcy. The Fillmore has recently reopened, still as a night club, under new ownership.
St. Peter, MN is only about 10,000 people. They are 25 minutes away from Mankato, MN a larger city with additional multiplexes. That make it hard to draw clientele from that direction.
I think it is a good idea because people and and need to get better at making dietary choices. But there needs to be fairly easy ways for theaters (or restaurants if it comes to that) to easily find that information and be able to communicate it to their customers. It shouldn’t be a big deal so long as it isn’t a lot of effort for the theater to provide that information. Years down the road, customers may ask theaters for healthier choices. If that improves the enjoyment of the theater customer, I’m all for it.
Best Buy? I can almost hear the pre-show announcement: “The use of cell phones and recording devices during the performance is expressly forbidden unless you purchase the device from the Best Buy electronics kiosk in the lobby."
Perhaps the house lighting and audio staff will be part of Best Buy’s Geek Squad.
I know that popcorn has a big markup. But I also know that the ticket price and distribution structure of films is very unfavorable to the exhibitor. And, I like to support independent exhibitors. So when I see a film at their theater, I always make sure my family is adequately supplied by the concession stand. I won’t bring in my own stuff, even at the drive in. I know I could see a film cheaper, but I also go to a movie theater for a different experience than my living room.
I disagree that the movie theater will go away. But their survival depends on offering an experience that people cannot get at home. Digital Projection is here to stay. But I think the public needs to be educated that projection from a 4K cinema projector is not the same quality as a home or commercial unit found in a living room or lecture hall. DVD video does not look very good when the screen is 40 feet wide. People need to be encouraged to get out of the house for their entertainment. I don’t know all the answers. Do theater operators resort to contests and giveaways? Can we mix music or live entertainment with a night at the movies? Has the distribution system from Hollywood gotten out of control? I’m most concerned abut the independent theater operators. Every effort must be made to make the consumer regularly choose the theater.
Ahh! Based on a quick Google search, your museum is apparently in Mason City, IA. You might want to include the street address of your museum and the address for the park where the summer showing occur (especially helpful to put this on your web site). There may be many readers of this forum who might like to make the trip to see your collection. Good luck!
JodarMovieFan, that is an excellent point! And I think theaters have much to do to improve their image. For too long, theaters have done just enough to get people in the door. Often, theaters allow their presentation to be flickering or blurry, the candy kids at the concessions act like they are doing you a favor, the architects feel a little bit of neon in the lobby defines a beautiful theater, and I could go on. Even with the latest gee whiz projection, theaters will lose their customers if all they care about is taking your money. It doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune but it comes down to the fact that the success of any business depends on the people running it to SHOW that they care about their customers.
I have a handful of favorite theaters. I signed up on their email lists and that is the primary way I know what they are showing. Another thing I like is that the independent theaters will occasionally as an opinion about a special event (“Should we show the Lord of the Rings trilogy on one weekend?” or “Is there interest in presenting opera theatercasts?”). As a consumer, I feel more connected to the theaters with email. And it cheap advertising for them!
This is such an important topic. I’m still trying to get my head around how the current business model favors the large chains and impairs the independent operator. I don’t think turning your back on digital projection is the answer because I’m quite convinced it is here to stay. It’s also important to understand that video projection is not the same a digital film projection. The costs are very high. However, I doubt that the equipment investment will be obsolete in 5 years. There is no reason, in the next decade at least, to have a new digital standard. The resolution is already similar to 35mm (70mm is up for debate), the sound is already at 7 channels, and there are options for 3-D or live event feeds. I’m concerned that equipment costs are not coming down fast enough that the small operators will miss the competitive opportunity. This is a little bit of history repeating itself. When sound was introduced in the late 1920’s, a number of screens went permanently dark because they could not afford the conversion to sound. Some independents can survive with alternative program material, but I’m very worried about those that cannot.
Is there any possibility of one of the larger local businesses being interested in support? Specifically, I’m wondering if Wenger, a manufacturer of performing arts equipment (music stands, acoustical shells,risers, etc.), would be interested in it, perhaps even as a way to show off their products as well as serve as a community event venue. Also, contact the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota to see if they know of anyone else who may also be working to save the theater.
In Minnesota, the drive-ins generally open for weekends in May, are open most nights between Memorial Day and Labor Day, then taper off to weekends only in September. Some drive-ins may be open only on weekends even in the summer. The DI’s in the Twin Cities are usually very busy in the summer. The Cottage View runs two films, and the Vali-Hi runs three. Very reasonable entertainment and an entirely different experience than an indoor venue.
Lisa, I have no objection to private collectors but you may also consider selling or donating these artifacts to a local museum. This theater did appear to be culturally significant to Long Beach for many years. The advantage in museum owndership is that more people can see these items and (presumably) they will be preserved in a controlled environment. Just a thought.
If your stage lighting wiring is 50 years old it likely has asbestos coated wires (especially older stage lights). Being most school districts take the health risks of asbestos seriously, this may work to your advantage to at least get money to rewire the lighting. Of course, it could also backfire and they could remove the lighting with no replacement. Be careful and best of luck on getting your theater back in shape.
It’s my understanding that both in cinema equipment and television that the volume settings are not actually adjusted on playback.
What happens when the trailer or ad is recorded, audio compression is used to reduce the dynamic level (loud and soft range) so that all of the audio for that ad stays at the high end of the dynamic range.
When listening to the playback the loud portions of the audio are no louder than the loudest part of the movie that follows, but unlike the main feature, there are no low volume portions of the audio. I can see from a marketing point of view that this audio treatment is to get the trailer noticed.
I don’t know this is always the case and please let me know if my assumptions are incorrect.
There is a web site related to an effort to restore the theater. http://www.hollywoodonjohnson.com/
The “news” on the site hasn’t been updated for several months. Does anyone have any updates?
There is a web site related to an effort to restore the theater. http://www.hollywoodonjohnson.com/
The “news” on the site hasn’t been updated for several months. Does anyone have any updates?
I understand how young children can be very disturbing to an audience. I have a 1-½ year old daughter and, because she does not yet have the patience for a movie, we do not take her to the theater until she is older. That said, prior to being parents, my wife and I went to as many as 4 films in a month. And I can’t recall any visit were we didn’t purchase at least one item at the concession stand. I know many theater operators at this forum may cringe at this, but it may be worth considering either an on-site child area (think hourly daycare) or the less expensive alternative of a “young family screenings” of age appropriate films where young children would be welcome. For now, an occasional visit to the drive-in (we are fortunate to have two in our area) is the best we can do.
As a THS member and CT user, I think this is a great fit! Thanks Michael for your hard work and congratulations Janine!
Sadly, the theater is now demolished. Here is a link showing several photos of the demolition. View link
The Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul will be leaving the Oak Street Cinema for good with an Open House and Sale on Aug. 25, 2011. According to the organization’s email announcement, the block on which the theater stands is slated for redevelopment.
The Rogers was converted to a night club and renamed the Fillmore. The original nightclub owners filed for bankruptcy. The Fillmore has recently reopened, still as a night club, under new ownership.
St. Peter, MN is only about 10,000 people. They are 25 minutes away from Mankato, MN a larger city with additional multiplexes. That make it hard to draw clientele from that direction.
I think it is a good idea because people and and need to get better at making dietary choices. But there needs to be fairly easy ways for theaters (or restaurants if it comes to that) to easily find that information and be able to communicate it to their customers. It shouldn’t be a big deal so long as it isn’t a lot of effort for the theater to provide that information. Years down the road, customers may ask theaters for healthier choices. If that improves the enjoyment of the theater customer, I’m all for it.
Best Buy? I can almost hear the pre-show announcement: “The use of cell phones and recording devices during the performance is expressly forbidden unless you purchase the device from the Best Buy electronics kiosk in the lobby."
Perhaps the house lighting and audio staff will be part of Best Buy’s Geek Squad.
I know that popcorn has a big markup. But I also know that the ticket price and distribution structure of films is very unfavorable to the exhibitor. And, I like to support independent exhibitors. So when I see a film at their theater, I always make sure my family is adequately supplied by the concession stand. I won’t bring in my own stuff, even at the drive in. I know I could see a film cheaper, but I also go to a movie theater for a different experience than my living room.
I disagree that the movie theater will go away. But their survival depends on offering an experience that people cannot get at home. Digital Projection is here to stay. But I think the public needs to be educated that projection from a 4K cinema projector is not the same quality as a home or commercial unit found in a living room or lecture hall. DVD video does not look very good when the screen is 40 feet wide. People need to be encouraged to get out of the house for their entertainment. I don’t know all the answers. Do theater operators resort to contests and giveaways? Can we mix music or live entertainment with a night at the movies? Has the distribution system from Hollywood gotten out of control? I’m most concerned abut the independent theater operators. Every effort must be made to make the consumer regularly choose the theater.
Ahh! Based on a quick Google search, your museum is apparently in Mason City, IA. You might want to include the street address of your museum and the address for the park where the summer showing occur (especially helpful to put this on your web site). There may be many readers of this forum who might like to make the trip to see your collection. Good luck!
JodarMovieFan, that is an excellent point! And I think theaters have much to do to improve their image. For too long, theaters have done just enough to get people in the door. Often, theaters allow their presentation to be flickering or blurry, the candy kids at the concessions act like they are doing you a favor, the architects feel a little bit of neon in the lobby defines a beautiful theater, and I could go on. Even with the latest gee whiz projection, theaters will lose their customers if all they care about is taking your money. It doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune but it comes down to the fact that the success of any business depends on the people running it to SHOW that they care about their customers.
I have a handful of favorite theaters. I signed up on their email lists and that is the primary way I know what they are showing. Another thing I like is that the independent theaters will occasionally as an opinion about a special event (“Should we show the Lord of the Rings trilogy on one weekend?” or “Is there interest in presenting opera theatercasts?”). As a consumer, I feel more connected to the theaters with email. And it cheap advertising for them!
This is such an important topic. I’m still trying to get my head around how the current business model favors the large chains and impairs the independent operator. I don’t think turning your back on digital projection is the answer because I’m quite convinced it is here to stay. It’s also important to understand that video projection is not the same a digital film projection. The costs are very high. However, I doubt that the equipment investment will be obsolete in 5 years. There is no reason, in the next decade at least, to have a new digital standard. The resolution is already similar to 35mm (70mm is up for debate), the sound is already at 7 channels, and there are options for 3-D or live event feeds. I’m concerned that equipment costs are not coming down fast enough that the small operators will miss the competitive opportunity. This is a little bit of history repeating itself. When sound was introduced in the late 1920’s, a number of screens went permanently dark because they could not afford the conversion to sound. Some independents can survive with alternative program material, but I’m very worried about those that cannot.
What region of the country are you interested in?
Is there any possibility of one of the larger local businesses being interested in support? Specifically, I’m wondering if Wenger, a manufacturer of performing arts equipment (music stands, acoustical shells,risers, etc.), would be interested in it, perhaps even as a way to show off their products as well as serve as a community event venue. Also, contact the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota to see if they know of anyone else who may also be working to save the theater.
In Minnesota, the drive-ins generally open for weekends in May, are open most nights between Memorial Day and Labor Day, then taper off to weekends only in September. Some drive-ins may be open only on weekends even in the summer. The DI’s in the Twin Cities are usually very busy in the summer. The Cottage View runs two films, and the Vali-Hi runs three. Very reasonable entertainment and an entirely different experience than an indoor venue.
Lisa, I have no objection to private collectors but you may also consider selling or donating these artifacts to a local museum. This theater did appear to be culturally significant to Long Beach for many years. The advantage in museum owndership is that more people can see these items and (presumably) they will be preserved in a controlled environment. Just a thought.
If your stage lighting wiring is 50 years old it likely has asbestos coated wires (especially older stage lights). Being most school districts take the health risks of asbestos seriously, this may work to your advantage to at least get money to rewire the lighting. Of course, it could also backfire and they could remove the lighting with no replacement. Be careful and best of luck on getting your theater back in shape.
I should have noted the grant above was specific to the Isle Theater.
This link View link
indicates the City of Cumberland was awarded $61,040 from the State of Wisconsin as part of an environmental assessment grant.
It’s my understanding that both in cinema equipment and television that the volume settings are not actually adjusted on playback.
What happens when the trailer or ad is recorded, audio compression is used to reduce the dynamic level (loud and soft range) so that all of the audio for that ad stays at the high end of the dynamic range.
When listening to the playback the loud portions of the audio are no louder than the loudest part of the movie that follows, but unlike the main feature, there are no low volume portions of the audio. I can see from a marketing point of view that this audio treatment is to get the trailer noticed.
I don’t know this is always the case and please let me know if my assumptions are incorrect.
There is a web site related to an effort to restore the theater.
http://www.hollywoodonjohnson.com/
The “news” on the site hasn’t been updated for several months. Does anyone have any updates?
There is a web site related to an effort to restore the theater.
http://www.hollywoodonjohnson.com/
The “news” on the site hasn’t been updated for several months. Does anyone have any updates?
I understand how young children can be very disturbing to an audience. I have a 1-½ year old daughter and, because she does not yet have the patience for a movie, we do not take her to the theater until she is older. That said, prior to being parents, my wife and I went to as many as 4 films in a month. And I can’t recall any visit were we didn’t purchase at least one item at the concession stand. I know many theater operators at this forum may cringe at this, but it may be worth considering either an on-site child area (think hourly daycare) or the less expensive alternative of a “young family screenings” of age appropriate films where young children would be welcome. For now, an occasional visit to the drive-in (we are fortunate to have two in our area) is the best we can do.