Selby Community Cinema - Help Wanted

[PeteYork]

Help Wanted:

Two of us (Peteyork and Allsinging) have decided to set up a community cinema in Selby: while we’re well on the way with promises of free premises, equipment and even a few grants, we’re now at the stage of deciding what films to show…

The first season will run from September 2009 and we need to decide which titles will appeal to residents of a fair-sized market town which has no cinema within about 16 miles. We can’t get hold of the latest releases as they come out (much less previews!), but most other films seem available.

Initially, we need to choose which four films to show to take us up to December - could you give us some ideas of what you think would fit the bill?

We need to move pretty quickly to be able to get our publicity sorted, so it’s quite urgent. We were thinking of kicking off with Slumdog Millionaire as our starter…

We’ve also been approached about running a ‘silver screen cinema’ for local residents of nursing homes or other sheltered accommodation as a sort of matinee to the community cinema – again, could we have suggestions for films suitable for a more mature audience?

All replies / suggestions gratefully received.




Peteyork and Allsinging


Of course, if anyone else is thinking of doing something similar and would like advice (now we’re experts of a sort!! ), just ask.

There's also a good chance we will be included in a regional initiative to bring high definition screenings and even live satellite broadcasts to local communities across North Yorkshire: we should find out for definite over the next few months and so it may get even more exciting in the New Year than it is now...

[Ms Thrifty]

What a brilliant idea! Maybe Tilda Swinton could give you some ideas, as she puts on her own local shows, albeit only for a brief season - a festival. Some major recent releases (depending how new they can be, as you say) would indeed be best, as it would help if people had already heard of them, and the broader the appeal, the greater the likely audience. How about 1 film from each of 4 categories, say action; animation; rom-com/young adult and historical/costume? Maybe you could offer a deal if people booked for all 4 at once, e.g. 4 for the price of 3 and other concessions such as family tickets.

[phunkygal]

I wondered when you were going to post about this..

why don't you look at other independent cinemas programmes?
London non new-release cinemas that id have a look at are
http://www.shortwavefilms.co.uk
http://www.roxybarandscreen.com
I use to help out here many years ago
http://www.electricpalacecinema.com

When your quite close to big chain cinemas your audience is always going to be quite independent so the best bets are the more mainstream side of independent films (Slumdog being a good example) with a sprinkling of old classics, but then I see you only seem to be having one screening a month so I guess you need more guaranteed sellers.

Why don't you open with an Oscar season as these are just coming out on DVD so easy to get hold of and most people haven't seen them yet? Films like Milk, Doubt, The Reader etc.

My suggestions
Anvil
The Class
Gran Torino
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Also Age of stupid - the licsensing for this is a bit complicated as they work it out depending on how many people you screen it to but its really good value and its really good film see http://www.indiescreenings.net/

old people like old films.. give them an ealing comedy

[Beate]

Easy Virtue!

[Allsinging]

Well plans are going well..

We managed to get funding for the cost of the Town Hall and ticket sales.,..amd secured a £200 Donation from BFFS. We just applied for the cost of Advertising and first aid training for me and that looks quite positive. So this week its CO-OP and Tesco grants for the screen licenses. Poor Peteyork is wading through Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity policy and Complainants...lol if your brave enough...i might just bite if anyone moans after all this work

The design of poster/flyers Banner etc are in progress but not needed until the first week of September..and the website is getting there


Now for the big issue as Pete said ...the films...its hard because we can't please everyone all the time.


thank you for your kind help which has made me feel less likely to hide somewhere dark and cool

with the OAP screening i thought silver screen but my Mum's 72 and loves modern stuff so maybe a mix...please tell us what you think, all help is greatly appreciated

Its funny really that this screening in Selby is even happening, its only due to all of you and the friendships formed that make you want to give something back...thanks guys you're brill

[Cortone]

Well, I feel a bit of a fraud posting here, as I have already had some discussions about this with you. However, maybe this will help stimulate a bit of discussion about some options.

I know your grants are in place, and that some screenings are being pa*d for, but the Yorkshire Film Societies block booking list has some of the films that have come through their first research process (from screening days, etc.) This is available at http://www.yrg-bffs.org/BlockBookingList-2009-10.html

Reviewing these could help guide your choices - or even those to remove from consideration. (Hmm. It is probably more specialist than you plan. But here goes anyway.) The September/October list has:
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
MAN ON WIRE
THE DUCHESS
SUMMER HOURS (subtitled)

Thinking about your mum's comments (which are very similar to those of my mum) about what older people want, this list, I suspect that the subtitles will put some people off, so might not be the best way to start your season, as you want people to think "this is something 'for me' and something I want to do". Man on Wire was on TV this week, and however good, I suspect in the first instance, most people will be going for the 'entertainment' aspect.

This leaves Slumdog, and The Duchess. Slumdog is more universal in its appeal, but will people have seen it? I suspect younger people, families, etc. may have seen it, but the older ones may not. Families on tight budgets or without transport also will not have seen it.

For October/November, the block booking has:
THE POPE’S TOILET*
IN BRUGES
THE READER
THE WAVE*

Again, two of these are subtitled, and while I have seen - and enjoyed - both (especially The Wave), they are not mass market. In Bruges is great for me, but the language may put people off (what classification is it?). And I'd be there if you show The Reader, but (on the 'mum' rule) - it may not be everyone's idea of entertainment.

My other idea was to look at the scores which were given to films on FMUK. I suspect that you may be limited to less recent ones, so you may have to go back to the old site archive.

Finally, I know you are wanting to ask people to indicate their interests, and IF people have internet access the easiest way of doing that is through an online survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/. You could ask about age, gender, whether they go to the cinema just now, would they go in a family group, as a couple, etc., and preferred days of the week, etc. But, again, this may not be practical for many people (if they do not have internet access) and it may be difficult to route them through if you are printing out a URL to direct people to the site.

[Allsinging]

Thanks guys, we will put all this information together and see which ones seem the most popular. Peteyork has already looked into what other societies are doing, so again collate that too.

With the silver screen would you suggest the same film or good old classics??

[lucky_charm]

Wow I just saw this, that's so cool! I haven't got any ideas yet, will think on it, but well done you guys!

[Beate]

Shawshank Redemption for the guys, Sex and the City for the girls. Or Shakespeare in Love! Such a great film.

[Allsinging]

Shawshank Redemption for the guys, Sex and the City for the girls. Or Shakespeare in Love! Such a great film.

Yes agree good films but so was your Easy Virtue. Just watched Black Narcissus what a lovely film!