Screening movies for fun and/or profit

Figgy

First, I'm in Canada.

What is the law/process for screening films at a business. For the public to attend for free and/or for a charge. These would be already released films. I'm assuming it's just about contacting the copyright holder, paying a fee? Has anyone already looked into this for their own business that can provide some advice?

Everything I am seeing online deals with schools/libraries as the screener.

bowen

Is renting a theater out of the question? It'll probably similar fee wise. I assume the business wants to drive... business so they want it on location?

Figgy

bowen wrote: »

Is renting a theater out of the question? It'll probably similar fee wise. I assume the business wants to drive... business so they want it on location?

Yes, it's a pretty unique location so that's part of the business case. I'm assuming it's not feasible after paying fees/royalties/whatever is required, considering the charge would need to be competitive with regular theatres. Just wanted some actual proof or at least terminology to support that assumption.

bowen

Yeah get in touch with a distributor, maybe these guys:

http://entertainmentone.com/contact-us
http://ca.eonedistribution.com/contact-us?lang=en-GB

Figgy

This model is using A-list films mostly. Some that will be B-run by the time they want to show. Now I'm hearing they already did this research and it's $800 for a licence? This sounds wrong.

Enc

That honestly seems cheap for a license, at least in the US. $200 to $1000 is the usual license (per event) I've seen (again, FL USA) unless there is a specific classification for the organization (Church showings, for example, are often cheaper).

Figgy

Enc wrote: »

That honestly seems cheap for a license, at least in the US. $200 to $1000 is the usual license (per event) I've seen (again, FL USA) unless there is a specific classification for the organization (Church showings, for example, are often cheaper).

I found SWANK as a distributor, but they're in the US. There is a fee or 50% of ticket sales, whichever is greater. That's high if you're hoping to turn a profit. And you're not allowed to promote except in direct mail and on-site.

So it looks like Bowen's links are good starts, and I'll follow up with these guys to see what research they've done so far.

Thanks all.

bowen

Yeah worst case they'll direct you to the guys who can give you an answer.

DrZiplock

I work at a company that used to do this. The whole invite a bunch of fans/customers over to the office and watch a movie together. We did it free of charge to the customers and would provide pizza and soda, etc.

The last one (and I mean this in every sense of the word) one that we watched was Abrams' first Star Trek movie.

CBS, who owns Star Trek, was less than pleased and slapped us with a fine.

It should be noted that the company I work for actually HAS a license with CBS to make and sell Star Trek products....still...."here's your fine."

So, yea, I'd proceed with either 1) extreme caution or get ready to pay for approval.

And no, $800 isn't a lot.

bowen

DrZiplock wrote: »

I work at a company that used to do this. The whole invite a bunch of fans/customers over to the office and watch a movie together. We did it free of charge to the customers and would provide pizza and soda, etc.

The last one (and I mean this in every sense of the word) one that we watched was Abrams' first Star Trek movie.

CBS, who owns Star Trek, was less than pleased and slapped us with a fine.

It should be noted that the company I work for actually HAS a license with CBS to make and sell Star Trek products....still...."here's your fine."

So, yea, I'd proceed with either 1) extreme caution or get ready to pay for approval.

And no, $800 isn't a lot.

I'm expecting more like 5-10k, or 50-90% of ticket prices just for a single showing.

Figgy

Well:

Fee: $800
Staff: $200

Charge $7.50 per ticket. Let's say $7.25 after merchant processing fees.

You would need to sell 140 tickets every night to break even. This being a "family friendly" initiative, let's say 60% of your customers will be children at a reduced rate. Even worse.

Not being able to promote the event makes that a pretty tall order for a regular event. From what I'm hearing it will be more than $800, so not sure this is the most realistic concept for this location.

Enc

The university I work at does movie events like this and it is hella expensive and is always in the red. The only times of year they typically do this outside of SGA deciding to blow their non-carry forward accounts are when we have major attractions (like fairs or other big venues) that will make a ton of money with the extra attendance.

What you are talking about is essentially running a low-rent theater, which raises obvious problems to me in terms of potential fees and costs if you aren't getting a full time theater distribution license for each film.

bowen

Figgy wrote: »

Well:

Fee: $800
Staff: $200

Charge $7.50 per ticket. Let's say $7.25 after merchant processing fees.

You would need to sell 140 tickets every night to break even. This being a "family friendly" initiative, let's say 60% of your customers will be children at a reduced rate. Even worse.

Not being able to promote the event makes that a pretty tall order for a regular event. From what I'm hearing it will be more than $800, so not sure this is the most realistic concept for this location.

Or sell $5 popcorn and drinks to 85 people.

BouwsT

bowen wrote: »

Figgy wrote: »

Well:

Fee: $800
Staff: $200

Charge $7.50 per ticket. Let's say $7.25 after merchant processing fees.

You would need to sell 140 tickets every night to break even. This being a "family friendly" initiative, let's say 60% of your customers will be children at a reduced rate. Even worse.

Not being able to promote the event makes that a pretty tall order for a regular event. From what I'm hearing it will be more than $800, so not sure this is the most realistic concept for this location.

Or sell $5 popcorn and drinks to 85 people.

And $5 is still a steal, as compared to what a big-name theater charges for snacks.

Enc

At the same time, If I were going to a showing using a projector and a board room I would probably think that pretty expensive. Your miles may vary.

BouwsT

Enc wrote: »

At the same time, If I were going to a showing using a projector and a board room I would probably think that pretty expensive. Your miles may vary.

Yah, good point.

noir_blood

I'm not sure what exactly the business model/idea is here.

Most of the movie screenings I've gone to are either A)Free, Severely reduce in price or C) Offer an extra incentive for ticket prices (actor appearances, Q&A's, etc).

Figgy

Anyone have experience with Criterion? Yearly licence, unlimited viewings, can charge admission... what's the catch?

They even offer pre-release.

Dr. Frenchenstein

Most movie theaters make all their money off concessions, and little to none of ticket sales, due to all the licensing and restrictions.

ANTVGM64

Hey figgy, my name is Paul and I'm a former producer / editor / writer / media guy for Ebert Presents At The Movies on PBS - which was a movie review show and all that! So here's what I know:

EPK.TV to secure clips, contacts, and information on new and older movies.

Allied-THA for Major Films is who you're looking for.

Regarding Criterion, I'd contact they directly. Call Them. Call them again. Call them a Third Time.

Other then that - if you can figure out a way to do this for a charity or cause you believe in, you may have more luck. What specifically are you trying to do?