Sustainability seems scarce these days, how do circuits remain open without new products?

We spoke with the CEO of Classic Cinemas Chris Johnson, a veteran in running circuit chains and whose family is heavily involved in the cinema sector. They closed their theaters in June, clearly imperceptive that it may remain closed for a while longer. Even with their efforts to adhere to the health department’s safety protocols, staying open was a losing battle. 

Listen in to hear how the pandemic continuously changes the movie viewing experience.

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What to Listen For

• [00:02:00] Tenet's new release date: September 3rd 
• [00:04:15] Movie theaters across the world have reopened but are waiting for new releases from US studios. 
• [00:05:50] Chris Johnson's family involvement and history in the cinema sector.
• [00:08:06] For a big circuit, what challenges did the past months pose for Classic Cinemas?  
• [00:10:52] Reach out to everyone (Health Department, Authorities, etc) before you open to make sure that it fits safety protocols.  
• [00:13:01] Tivoli (in Illinois) negotiated 50% capacity but was only allowed 50 people max with one screen.   
• [00:14:28] You have tenants that rely on the traffic you provide them, without the traffic, nearby businesses close.
• [00:16:19] All experiencial destinations rely on each other. They like to cluster to create a one-stop entertainment area.
• [00:20:05] The future of this industry shouldn't rely on the release of one film. 
• [00:22:52] "I want to avoid opening and closing, opening and closing. I want to be able to sustain." - Chris Johnson
• [00:24:54] It's not about the movie going but about what you saw when you watched the movie. It's about the experience of watching in the cinema.
• [00:27:11] When the virus threat subsides, the industry will be different, but it will be strong.  
• [00:29:] Next week: Interview with Freda Cinema

Theaters closing again will hurt consumer confidence, so what are they doing to weather the storm?

We spoke with Byron Berkley, the president & treasurer of the Independent Cinema Alliance (ICA) and an independent exhibitor himself. The expectation was for small exhibitors to run on repertory content until big studios put down new releases, but the coronavirus has turned weeks of anticipation to months of struggle. 

Listen to hear how corporate decisions are affecting independent exhibitors!

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What to Listen For

• [00:00:51] Tenet release date is pushed back and removed from the release schedule
• [00:02:00] Independent Cinema Alliance and the independent theaters they represent and support in the country.
• [00:05:06] "We didn't anticipate the increase of virus infection that brought in changes and we've been bouncing back and forth between requirements and regulations." - Byron Berkley  
• [00:06:34] It's easier for independent cinemas to remain open for a time, and close again if they need to.
• [00:07:45] Most indoor theaters have only sold a few tickets, since most anticipated films aren't being released. 
• [00:09:30] It's not like in the US where independent cinemas have a large representation across the country.
• [00:10:38] Major circuits operations will survive, they are all highly leveraged financially. 
• [00:12:15] What can studios do to help independent cinemas? There's only so much the studios can do to help. 
• [00:13:08] Ways that the industry could change a few things in the coming months after cinemas open up to make it easier for independent cinemas to recover. 
• [00:15:04] Independent cinemas complaint on studio policies: They don't always want to make all pictures available at all times.
• [00:15:27] The National Association of Theater Owners released a campaign called Save Your Cinema, which is asking moviegoers to help independent cinemas.
• [00:16:21] The entire industry wants to make sure that the re-opening effort is done as safely as possible.
• [00:17:28] Daniel: "There isn't a big independent presence in the places I lived in until North Carolina where my parents frequented the carousel theater."
• [00:18:38] The Manner Twin (acquired by Regal) in Charlotte
• [00:20:30] Independent cinemas are essential for people to find a love for film.   
• [00:21:35] Cinemas are job generators and job creators for a lot of teenagers. It is a first time job for a lot of folks. 

Is shifting to a drive-in model the best thing theaters can do right now?

Today we’re talking to Doreen Sayegh, she’s been in the business for over 30 years, but the COVID crisis forced her to close the doors of her family operated Cranford Theater. Despite recent lawsuits between major theaters and New Jersey, she’s made a very successful pivot into starting (and selling out tickets) for her new theater, the Cranford Theater Drive-In.

Hear how she’s dealing with the changing movie-going market!

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What will the rest of the year look like for cinemas?

Today on the Boxoffice Podcast: Russ Fischer, Daniel Loria, and Rebecca Pahle review the last six months of 2020, the realistic possibilities of contactless theaters, and the transition to paid VOD for major films.

Listen in to hear the adaptive marketing initiatives of leading film exhibitors!  

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How are independent exhibitors holding up?

Today, on the Boxoffice Podcast, Russ Fischer, Daniel Loria, and Rebecca Pahle, with guest Anthony Fykes; discuss the history of Next Act Cinema, how the sense of community helped build the theater’s brand, and the programming that captivated movie-goers.

Listen in to hear how local art house cinemas are doing right now!  

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Episode Resources:

• Support Fundraising Campaign
• Next Act Cinema Website

Round & round the release carousel goes, but what are the effects of the ever-changing dates?

Today on the Boxoffice Podcast: Spongebob goes PVOD, release dates across the board continue to shift, and most importantly despite substantial losses in the first quarter of 2020 box office results are now trending upwards.

Listen in for the latest cinema news & numbers!

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If cinemas open as planned, would you feel comfortable enough to go?

On this week’s episode of the Boxoffice Podcast: Insights and implications of Tenet’s new release date, Cineworld dropped it’s planned acquisition of Cineplex, Little Women’s box office report, along with continued concerns around what the movie going experience will look like in the coming months.

And on a lighter note, the movies we couldn’t bear finishing and a few we walked out on.

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Theaters are reopening, what’s next?

Today on the Boxoffice Podcast, Russ Fischer, Daniel Loria, and Rebecca Pahle give us an update on recent news of theaters opening around the country, the strategies behind event cinemas in a world of social distancing, along with sound bytes from Bernadette McCabe (Fathom Events), Letha Steffey (EVP), and Marc Allenby (CEO, Trafalgar Releasing)

Listen in to hear how event cinema is dealing with current challenges!

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Are you curious about the progression of movie theaters reopening?

On this episode of the Boxoffice Podcast, Russ Fischer and Daniel Loria, with guests Rebecca Pahle discuss the current scope of reopenings, with statements from guests of Boxoffice Pro Live Sessions, Darek Heat, Marianne Abiaad, Rob Lehman, and Jason Ostrow.

Tune in to hear the details on current cinema reopening procedures.

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Episode Resources:

• Boxoffice PRO LIVE Sessions: Planning for Sanitation Around Reopening
• Star Cinema Grill Announces Reopening Plan for Remaining Locations
• Studio Movie Grill to Open First Theaters on June 19; Hires Former AMC Executive as Head of Revenue and Marketing
• Cinemark Announces Four-Phase Reopening for U.S. Movie Theaters, Starting June 19
• Kinepolis Group to Reopen Cinemas in Multiple Countries Throughout June
• Reading International Announces Phased Cinema Re-Openings in Australia, New Zealand
• 50% Capacity, Face Masks Optional: Guidelines for the Reopening of French Cinemas

Ready to head back to theaters, but concerned about the sanitary procedures at the concessions?

On this episode of the Boxoffice Podcast, Russ Fischer and Daniel Loria, with guests Rebecca Pahle and Senior Vice President of Malco Theatres, Larry Etter, discuss new food and beverage trends, pricing, and guidelines. 

Listen in to hear how concessions will change post-COVID.

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Episode Resources:

• Long Range Box Office Tracking 2020
• Malco to Reopen Memphis Summer Drive-In Theater on May 15