Small exhibitors that used to bet on discounting long-running films struggle to retool their businesses in the hope studios will deliver more product as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
As a result, there’s a diminishing need for a cottage industry that provides filmgoers a middle ground between paying full price for early weekends and waiting months to watch a film in the living room, exhibitors say.
Laemmle president Greg Laemmle says the company, which has eight locations, foresees more theater closures in 2022 but maintains that he hasn’t lost faith in the viability of exhibition. “Some of that is a function of how we were building our circuit, which is based on a model of owning our own dirt. So that gave us a lot of long-term control — except when you can’t pay rent or the mortgage,” he notes with a laugh.
Other pandemic-era pivots for smaller chains have responded to the need to skew younger and more commercial as older filmgoers are more reluctant to return to theaters, and have involved investing in digital marketing to reach at-home audiences, reducing screenings amid staffing shortages and offering more alternative programming, such as live UFC fights, to compensate for fewer film options.
Exhibitors have done their best to find positives during the turmoil. Alamo — which emerged from Chapter 11 in June, three months after the filing — is now feeling bullish; in February, it announced that seven new theaters are on the way, featuring the premium food and drink offerings and repertory film screenings that are core to the brand.
One factor on the minds of every chain, big and small, is the need for more product. Nearly every theatrical executive who spoke withSpider-Man: No Way HomeThe Batman
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Take: Celebrating indie achievements at the Spirit AwardsThe indie film community gathered, in person, at a Santa Monica beach to celebrate 2021's films and the joy of just being together.
Read more »
Blue Beetle: What We Do In Shadows Star Harvey Guillen Discussing Role in DC Comics MovieWhat We Do In Shadows star Harvey Guillen is currently in talks for a role in the upcoming Blue [...]
Read more »
'Compartment No. 6' is a gritty travel movie that takes an unexpected, satisfying journeyJuho Kuosmanen's film 'Compartment No. 6' is a travel movie with surprising twists. Seidi Haarla and Yuriy Borisov are outstanding as the travelers.
Read more »
What If Every Movie Was Named After a Beatles Song?An attempt to rename every movie I could think of with a new title drawn from the work of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
Read more »
Lexar Announces 256GB Pro SD Card For The Ultimate Photo Or Movie AssignmentsThis new high-speed SD card from Lexar is designed for the most punishing applications whether that's capturing hi-res images with a DSLR or recording 8K video using a commercial movie camera.
Read more »
Zoe Saldaña Wants To Make A Gamora MCU Prequel MovieZoe Saldaña is interested in making a Gamora MCU prequel movie 👀 'I feel like that taster [of Gamora's childhood in Avengers: Infinity War] made me incredibly curious to know what that planet was like, what her species was like...' 🤔
Read more »