Hi everyone, hope you are all well. I just wanted to put a quick post up regarding the possibility of screening the new film (Zeitgeist Moving Forward) at Cineworld Falkirk. I got in touch with them today and enquired about hiring a screen for which they were more than accommodating.
To get straight to the point, I looked into a screening on Monday 17th January. A screening on any other day apart from a Monday / Tuesday or Thursday resulted in the costs moving into the thousands rather than the hundreds. I picked Falkirk because it’s centrally located between Edinburgh and Glasgow and secondly, it’s within a cheaper price bracket than the two cities.
There are limitations with regards to seating capacity due to the fact that only certain screens can play DVD media. Falkirk thus offers a 206 capacity screen at the following times and prices;
10:30 – 12:30 : £383.60 (£1.87 per ticket)
13:30 – 15:30 : £383.60 (£1.87 per ticket)
15:30 – 17:30 : £575.40 (£2.80 per ticket)
18:30 – 20:00 : £767.20 (£3.73 per ticket)
20:30 – 22:30 : £1150.80 (£5.59 per ticket)
There is a cheaper 115 seating capacity option but it comes with a complication. This screen does not have the facilities to project DVD media, thus I would need to borrow a digital projector (I have a friend in mind) and the sound may or may not be an issue. Although in all fairness I would expect a discount due to these limitations. This aside, the cost for this screen are as follows;
10:30 – 12:30 : £264.38 (£2.30 per ticket)
13:30 – 15:30 : £264.38 (£2.30 per ticket)
15:30 – 17:30 : £359.62 (£3.13 per ticket)
18:30 – 20:00 : £479.51 (£4.17 per ticket)
20:30 – 22:30 : £719.25 (£6.26 per ticket)
The times are not set in stone and they are flexible so if need be we can run over the two hours if needed, but only within reason. (Does anyone know how long the film will be?) The other factor is that Cineworld will not sell tickets for the event as they class it as a private function, we also are not allowed to sell tickets for the event as others have done so in the past for profit. I did point out thought that we were not a profit organisation, but at least hoped to cover our costs. This being the case, the film would need to be advertised as free and the costs covered by myself. The only way I can think of recovering the costs would be by suggesting a donation at the end of the film. At this point I would only consider the 115 seat screen on the assumption I would not recover the costs. It’s at this point I ask if there are any members who would be prepared to share the costs of a screening? I think the most cost effective / practical viewing would be 18:30 – 20:00 assuming I can work around the technical aspects. Please get in touch if you have any suggestions of can help provide some funding.
Just for your information, the cost of the 157 seat capacity screen in both Glasgow / Edinburgh for the same days are as follows;
10:30 – 12:30 £409.61 (£2.61 per ticket)
13:30 – 15:30 £409.61 (£2.61 per ticket)
15:30 – 17:30 £614.40 (£3.92 per ticket)
18:30 – 20:00 £819.20 (£5.22 per ticket)
20:30 – 22:30 £1228.80 (£7.83 per ticket)
Regards Scott
Hi Scott.
You have gone to hell of a lot of trouble! I take my hat off to you. I was wondering if you'd get a reply to your post? This forum is not particularly well-used by many of those involved in local activism. I think they tend to communicate in their teams away from here. I guess? in some ways? this forum tends to get used to welcome new members? Or to advertise events.
At the TeamSpeak meeting, on Monday evening, I think there was some fantasy that your friend could screen the event quite cheaply. Thought it appears that a screening on a Monday evening is still quite expensive. It was the cost aspect that brought about the suggestion of independent cinemas. Didn't the others say they were paying about £200 - £300?
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4615479/Screening-Toolkit-For-ZMF.pdf
I know nothing of your financial situation, but I don't think anyone would wish you to, personally, shell out more than you were comfortable with. Most of us seem to be pretty skint. That's why we try to work in groups. That way we can all chip in what we can afford. And the task of promoting the event is, also, shared. And we feel supported. I don't want to sound negative, but I'd hate to see you burdened, on your own, with both the responsibility of organising, promoting and risking funds for the event. It wouldn't be good to risk a large outlay, which might cause you hardship, upset or resentment. I know we're all keen to contribute, but, maybe, it would be more realistic to join with one of the groups in the other cities and add your efforts to theirs.
This is only my personal opinion. It may be that you get inundated with offers of physical and financial contributions.
EDIT: I did hear PJ discussing the length of the film. I recall (though this might be unreliable) that he was struggling to condense it to 3 hours. Hopefully others might be more helpful .... on all points.
"Only after the last tree has been cut down. Only after the last river has been poisoned. Only after the last fish has been caught. Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten." Cree Prophecy.
Hi Feral and thanks for your reply. No one has been in touch yet but it is early days. I would say though that I do need to leave enough time to advertise the screening so can’t wait too long. If the film is around the three-hour mark then that puts the cinema out the question. As for independent cinema, I contacted the local town hall, which has a screen and told them I wanted to show an independent film. They informed me that they would not do that. I now realise why so I may have went about it the wrong way and should instead enquire about just hiring the function room and then set up the screening myself. I’m not sure if they would accept that but the fact they hire out data projectors and screens suggests I can pull it off. Admittedly, sitting on chairs for three hours as opposed to cinema seats may not be anywhere near as comfortable, but I would rather offer that as opposed to nothing at all.
If I can manage it I’m glad to say I can get more bang for my buck. From the costs given, it would cost anywhere between £77 & £308 for up to 8 hours (up to 22:30), with the hall seating 100 to 120 people. The rate depends on whether it’s commercial (i.e. to make a profit) or a community event (i.e. non profit). This being the case I would be more than happy to screen the film for free if I can get it for £77. A few quid extra (£11 or £22) and I could arrange an extra hour for Q&A after the film. At this price I may even put on an extra show, but again I would appeal to any other members to help with the costs. I need to take into account promoting the film as well so printing flyers would add further cost. As for charging to cover the costs, I’m reluctant to do so. I believe offering it for free will attract a greater audience and if it means being out of pocket within reason then I am prepared to put it down to doing my part for the movement and I believe as long as I can raise a bit of awareness then it will all be worth it. Again I would try and utilise as many members as I can to help with cost, leaflets, promoting, Q& A…etc, so once I find out I will let everyone know. Hopefully I will have some promising news for the Scottish Chapter Meeting on the 23rd. Thanks as well for the link to the PDF, I had been trying to find it since the last meeting but to no avail…that’s helped considerably.
Regards
Scott