Even as flying and physical meetings are cancelled, the show must go on for cinema trade shows. How do you re-create the show reels, product announcements and ‘buzz’ of shows like CineAsia and Expocine when you can’t actually be in Bangkok or São Paulo? We talk to the organisers to see how they have adapted to Covid times.

A special thank you to Lucy Jones from Comscore, Marcelo Lima from Tonks, and Jonathan Wolf from AFM.

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This week’s vendor spotlight is Mark Collins, Senior Manager of Global Cinema, of JBL Professional by Harman. You may reach out to him at 214-985-3138 or via email at [email protected] with any questions you have for him.

1. Why is your product necessary for the movie theater industry?

We provide the sound.  Very important since the “Jazz Singer” 1927

2. What are the 5 most common mistakes people make when selecting your items?

Selecting the correct speakers and amps for the size of the theater
Placement of speakers in the theaters
Relying on low cost only when selecting equipment
Working with a true cinema installer, not jus an AV company
Not waiting until the last minute to install.  Leave time for setup and commissioning
Not enough SUBs

3. What should be the top 3 things one should consider when purchasing your items?

Company long term representation
Value
In house expertise

4. What  do you like best about the theater industry?

I have done this all my life.   I still get a thrill when you sit in a new theater showing to the first audience with perfect picture and sound.

5. What is one thing you have learned during COVID?

Do not take for granted that the theater will just come back, every exhibitor has to reinvent their business.

In addition to David Bell, Head of Global Leisure, Savills UK, Keith Pullinger Co-founder & Deputy Chairman, The Light Cinemas, and Eddy Duquenne, CEO, Kinepolis Group, Kathryn Jacob, CEO of Pearl&Dean will join us to discuss the global outlook as cinemas look beyond Hollywood to stay open.

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1. Why is your business unique? 
   1. We believe in solutions first.  Our specialization in the evolution in the cinema & entertainment spaces allows us to execute on design & construction projects more efficiently and effectively.
2. What are the 5 most common mistakes people make when building a theatre
   1. Exhibitors don’t know the market well enough to ‘right size’ their facility ie.
      1. too big- not enough attendance to justify the fixed costs- never able to get the desired ROI. Too big c/w competitors in the market to achieve desired ROI … or
      2. too small to service their market which creates an overly busy facility and poor guest experience… this opens opportunity for competitors to build against you ….
   2. Exhibitors don’t know the business well enough to size auditoriums appropriately for the business. Ie. 1-2 large aud’s for blockbusters c/w smaller auditoriums to ‘right-size’ auditoriums for lower budget and older film product in the system…
   3. OOH movie going is often an ‘impulse buy’. Cinemas need ample (free if possible), well located parking and drop off facilities, barrier free accessibility and convenient (vertical) transportation to make the perceived and actual movie going experience ‘easy’ and as enjoyable as possible. This increases ‘turns’ ( number of visits). Ie. a happy customer comes more often….
   4. Blockbuster films do not, unto themselves, make the OOH cinema venue profitable. This equation is worsening. “Other Revenue” opportunities MUST be considered in the ‘new normal’ OOH movie ‘experience….Films pay the rent. “Other revenues” pay share holder dividends. Food, beverage, international film, gaming, experiential activations, media revenue and other new concepts must be prioritized….
   5. The old ‘normal’ of opening for business, just cleaning restrooms and popping popcorn has changed forever. The OOH movie going experience is challenged by Covid, technological disruptions, fundamental changes in the ‘film window’ model and changing consumer behavior. This is not the same business we knew for 75 years…
3. What are 3 things a person building a theatre needs to take into consideration
   1. What priority will the ‘OOH theatrical release window’ play in the future of film making/distribution…..
   2. Does the world need more theaters or should the industry prioritize ‘right sizing’ & evolving the guest experience in existing facilities ?
   3.  Negotiate flexible leased terms to protect oneself against further fundamental changes in the industry. Ie. “Day in Date” release of film.
   4. Consider hiring “Fresh Design and Construction Strategies” to help them through this new and evolved industry.
4. What other industries do you work in besides movie theaters?
   1. Our focus is the cinema & entertainment industry, and so theatres aside, we love being involved in the repurposing of underutilized spaces and alternate revenue streams for all types of OOH entertainment venues.
5.  What do you like best about the theater industry?
   1. We believe in the desire for people to want to come together outside the home and enjoy experiences and the ever changing need to evolve and adapt keeps it exciting.
6. What is one thing you have learned during COVID?
   1. The need to be fluid and adapt to the changing market.  Just like everyone else in this industry, we are having to think where the industry will be in the next 6-12 months and longer and come up with new strategies.

Feel free to reach out to Jim with any questions you may have. He answers in an extremely timely manner (unless he is on top f the world). Photo below is from when Jim recently took on a mountaintop hike! He’s got skills:)

Always great to see the Summit OG’s in a publication. Albert is in TWO! Albert is with Smitty Cinemas. Enjoy the Read!

Article 1:

Article 2:

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This week our vendor spotlight is on Diana Frankowski, National Sales Director at Camatic Seating! Enjoy learning about Camatic Seating as well as Diana. Take the time to visit the Camatic website or contact her via email , or  phone .

Why is your product necessary to have in the theatres? Because standing to watch a movie in the theatre would not be very comfortable!  Which is where Camatic comes in. Providing comfort to the consumer during this premium movie going experience is important. The consumer has a choice in theatres to patronize. We help to contribute to this overall experience to keep them coming back time after time. Camatic believes that one of the main differentials  for viewers attending a cinema is the seating offer, and with over 55 years of seating experience, Camatic adds value and that experience to the overall offer.

What are your best-selling features?  Aesthetically, the Camatic recliners have a very clean and sophisticated look which is what draws patrons in, but what keeps them coming back is the comfort. Our inhouse formulated and moulded specialty foam, is high density and resilient, providing unparalleled comfort for patrons and long-lasting wear, which owners love. Removable features of the Camatic recliner (seat and back overlays, arm caps which cinema staff can change out) makes the chair less expensive to own and maintain over the life of the product.

Any new products coming out in the 2020/2021 year?  We certainly do! We just launched a manual recliner. A great VE option to theater owners that want to upgrade from a Rocker style to a recliner but be a bit more conservative with costs. We still have plenty of exciting cinema products that we will be unveiling before the end of the year. Stay tuned!

What other industries do you work in besides movie theaters?   We provide seating solutions to the sports industry globally- our largest segment – designing , manufacturing & installing seats in major stadiums and arenas all over the world. Recently completed installations are; SoFi Stadium (LA Rams and Chargers), Allegiant Stadium (LV Raiders) & Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers), totalling approx. 175,000 chairs ranging from GA to VIP suite fit outs. We are regarded as the number 1 seating supplier to both the NFL and MLS. We are also heavily involved in performing arts centres, education and auditorium seating.

What do you like best about the theater industry?  Going to see a movie in a theatre is still one of the greatest, low cost experiences in the entertainment industry. Not only is it incredibly enjoyable, widely available and affordable, but for two hours you are completed immersed within the theatrical experience. It is up to the consumer how much additional they want to spend to enhance their experience with inhouse dining options.

What is one thing you have learned during covid?  Take this pandemic seriously but think of ways to still enjoy life. Get out of your house,  support your local businesses and don’t be afraid. Be cautious but not afraid. Life is short – don’t miss a second of it!

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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