Boxoffice Podcast

In today’s episode, Russ, Daniel, Rebecca, and Shawn discuss California’s safer economy blueprint at 25% capacity in select counties, successful films pre-COVID, international film festivals, and Paramount and Disney’s list of releases pushed back in 2021.

Listen in to find out how Tenet is driving the recovery efforts of exhibitors.  

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What to Listen For

• [00:01:31] Tenet opened internationally with a promising start. 
• [00:02:45] Tom Cruise helped promote Tenet by posting a video of himself watching the film in a theater on social media. 
• [00:04:07] Which movie star can convince you to watch a film.
• [00:06:11] California governor released a safer economy blueprint where in some counties can allow theaters to open at 25% capacity. 
• [00:09:17] 62% more or less of the domestic market is open.
• [00:10:20] Disney is still waiting on reopening plans of major circuits.
• [00:12:18] Can there be a new film that might have a 2nd and 3rd weekend better than its opening week?
• [00:15:09] Paramount mostly vacated their 2020 releases.
• [00:19:21] The Personal History of David Copperfield was released on 1,360 screens over the weekend.
• [00:22:14] In this recovery effort, the word of mouth promotes movie-going experience watching the film and going to the cinemas.  
• [00:23:12] Frank Rodriguez, head of distribution at Searchlight said they are completely committed to theatrical and didn't venture into the PVOD space.
• [00:25:06] Nomad Land which is well received on the critic circuit.
• [00:25:39] Venice and Toronto International Film Festival are actually having physical film festivals in September.
• [00:27:08] What does the festival season look like this year?  
• [00:30:42] What movies have broken through the cultural conversation in 2020?
• [00:31:21] Farewell to Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman.
• [00:33:34] Hamilton and The Host have made some noise in 2020.
• [00:36:43] Bad Boys For Life and Invisible Man were shown pre COVID and grossed well. 
• [00:37:28] Movies now have bigger opportunities to perform after release because there aren't many new films being released.   
• [00:39:16] It's all about the fact that films will have longer screens, gross figures can't be compared.
• [00:42:12] Tenet can screen for weeks. 
• [00:44:31] It makes sense to delay Kingsman's release in February.

In today’s episode, Russ, Daniel, and Rebecca discuss reopening progress in China and UK, guidelines and safety protocols being implemented, and stringent mask-wearing in auditoriums.    

Tune in for more local and global reopening updates.  

** The Boxoffice Podcast is moving to Thursdays starting September 1st, 2020 **

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What to Listen For

• [00:01:37] China experienced $100 million plus new title launch.
• [00:03:44] Unhinged has rolled out in the global box office.
• [00:05:48] Majority of screens in the UK have opened up on July 4.
• [00:06:58] UK's Cinema First launched the Love Cinema Campaign.
• [00:08:14] Cinema First is concerned about how safe moviegoers feel during the reopening. 
• [00:11:13] Wearing of masks or face covering is essential when moving around in common areas, hallways, and lobbies. 
• [00:14:09] Guidelines that either meet or exceed CDC provisions.
• [00:17:42] Potential risk factors in any activity: distance, dose of potential virus, and duration.
• [00:20:21] As we become comfortable with the safety protocols, we become less vigilant about the protective measures. 
• [00:22:30] How thorough theaters are with in-theater mask enforcement?
• [00:27:30] No published study yet that links an outbreak to cinemas.
• [00:30:36] Make sure standards and protocols are adhered to for the future of the industry.
• [00:32:13] A lot of air filtration systems in US theaters are at par with the most stringent retail systems.
• [00:34:11] Not everyone knows the difference between different exhibitor auditoriums. 

What to Listen For

• [00:01:17] Movie theaters are opening again.
• [00:02:49] Cineplex already has 80% of their theaters open.
• [00:03:12] AMC theaters open with special Centennial pricing.
• [00:03:33:] Big reopenings for big theater chains. 
• [00:04:25] Redding International: the ups and downs of reopening and closing their theaters.
• [00:06:17] Recent New Zealand COVID outbreak.
• [00:07:02] Cinema chains in the US are launching their own streaming VOD platforms.
• [00:08:37] Independent art house exhibitors banded together to show films with technology cinema. 
• [00:10:44] Cinemas in New York and New Jersey still aren't opening.
• [00:14:03] What are considered essential when it comes to businesses reopening?
• [00:16:16] The potential second shutdown of cinemas in any region.
• [00:17:36] Films showing in Canada: domestic film in Quebec, Russell Crowe's Unhinged, and Paramount's SpongeBob.
• [00:19:05] Harry Potter: The Sorcerer's Stone re-release opened with $13.6 million in China.
• [00:20:59] Re-release of Inception in 15 screens in Saudi Arabia (for a limited basis) grossed $186,000.
• [00:22:05] The unexpected well-received Greenland film in the international box office.
• [00:23:48] Gerard Butler might be our new Alfred Hitchcock. 
• [00:25:22] The roles domestic titles will have in the market.
• [00:27:34] Audience engagement campaigns pop up to save adversely affected cinemas. 
• [00:29:20] One interesting engagement campaign happened in Japan.

In today’s episode, Daniel, Rebecca, and Shawn discuss the multi-million dollar losses of theater chains, Q2 investor meetings, how international exhibitors are bouncing back, the PVOD shortened window deal, and new film releases.

Tune in to hear how cinemas are dealing with theatrical limitations.  

** The Boxoffice Podcast is moving to Thursdays starting September 1st, 2020 **

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What to Listen For

• [00:01:24] Reopening dates for Cinemark and Marcus. 
• [00:02:54] AMC theaters reported $561.2 million loss
• [00:04:04] AMC has new PVOD shortened window deal with Universal
• [00:05:31] With streaming, the streamers will advertise their own platforms. 
• [00:07:27] PVOD dates of films won't be released until 10 days or two weekends into the film's theatrical run.
• [00:08:30] Imax auditoriums are more favorable to social distancing
• [00:09:04] Peninsula earned Imax its first million since the pandemic began.   
• [00:11:15] South Korea, Japan, France, and China's older Hollywood release are doing well. 
• [00:12:43] The Paramount Decrees are done for. 
• [00:14:46] It's expensive and a little risky to own or buy a movie theater chain.
• [00:16:18] Multinational global circuits acquisitions are on pause due to the pandemic.
• [00:20:45] For the rest of the year, theaters might reopen in limited terms. 
• [00:22:55] Now, the opening weekend can't be a way to measure a film's success. 
• [00:23:57] Any film that does well in theaters won't be rushed to PVOD.
• [00:24:48] Universal Studios doesn't have a long list of films coming out any time soon. 

In today’s episode, we speak with Logan Crow, an avid and lifelong enthusiast of art house cinemas and founder of the Frida Cinema. Film streaming has gained a new height, theater Drive-Ins are now more family-oriented, and non-profit movie houses are more likely to survive than for-profit cinemas.  

Tune in and learn what has been keeping art houses open! 

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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