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I love Prytania for its classic and cult movies, but that's really the only time I go. And it is unfortunate, since it's also really close to where I live.
The IMAX at the Elmwood Palace is the best screen and sound around. It's always my first choice. Clearview does suck. Prytania has that more artsy feel to it, but there's usually no movie selection. It's unfortunate because I live about 5 minutes from it.
I love Prytania for its classic and cult movies, but that's really the only time I go. And it is unfortunate, since it's also really close to where I live.
I thought you had recently wrote that you no longer lived in NOLA when we were talking about bars a few months ago.... I must have misread that.
May have been something I wrote when I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to stay.
also, it seems like the drinks and candy are wayyyy more expensive that I can find at the store. Maybe lower them some.
Right, that must have been what I was thinking of.
What city are you thinking of doing this in?
I love massive huge theater screens and rooms, similar to the front theaters they had at AMC 24 Huebner Oaks. I hate going into a huge theater room but the screen doesn't match the size of the room. I just look at the screen and wonder why they didn't use the extra space for the screen.
I hate when the color, brightness, etc is all screwed up on the film. It's like they just don't care. When my films play in theaters I might just lose a gasket visiting theaters and watching how badly some places have this problem. I hate when sound is too low or popping. Yes I love loud, but quality of sound too, as Funt was saying.
I know they make money on concessions, but they need to work better deals. I HATE Santikos. You're like, "Will it be cheaper to get a combo meal?", and they're like, "No, it's all the same price" I have no problem spending some money, but I don't like feeling ROBBED.
And if they are going to charge outrageous prices for popcorn, then don't get upset when I want it fresh instead of that pre-packaged you have sitting there in bags.
CUSTOMER SERVICE sucks!!! Take care of the employees so that they will want to take care of the customer. If I say I want the popcorn layered don't roll your eyes at me, if I say I want my 7 dollar popcorn fresh, just frickin do it.
Talking about pre-packaged, I HATE pre-packaged nachos and mini cheese ready to go container. I know it makes it easier for the staff, labor etc, but I love the freshness in food better.
Don't charge for refills, or if you do, only a dollar. Cinemark charges 3 dollars for their soda refills. Other places are free.
I myself thought about opening a theater or two for many many years, since I was a child actually. I've seen some theaters try to do some things I've wanted to do but they just didn't get it as I imagined I would.
It's a rule of mine, I hate showing up to a theater late. I will not enjoy the film if I have to sit in the front row. Those seats are too damn close to the screen. I'd love to sit in the middle of the theater for the best seat, but because people are assholes, I avoid the idiots and just get there early and sit in the very top back row. I feel more at peace there, no moron kicking my seat behind me. Less inconsiderate people to deal with.
I HATE when I get to a theater early to pick my own seat, then some idiots get to the theater very late and management comes in trying to make everyone move so they can seat that late moron! I came early so I can pick my own seat dammit. I guess that's where assigned seating would help, but it's either first come first served or it's not. Show up early dammit.
I have some really really great ideas for a movie theater for the real movie lover/goer that I've had for some time now. I'd love to share but maybe just one day I'll do them lol.
But the experience is everything. Employees that care to be there, employees with real knowledge of movies.
If there was one thing I hated when walking into a Blockbuster Video store was an employee who had no clue about the new releases or past films.
When asking someone about a film at the box office, whether they know how a film is doing at their particular theater, or was it good or not from what they have heard or seen, and then the automatic response of theirs is to ignore my question and simply hand me their brochure with movie descriptions is a very bad sign to me.
If I ever own a movie theater you better believe my partners won't be pulling that crap. If they are handing you that brochure, they will be talking about it with actual knowledge as well, with a smile on their faces and a care in the world.
Goodluck!
Last edited by SA210; 08-06-2012 at 04:08 PM.
I don't understand this.
What happens when there is no reserved seating, people show up 45 minutes before to get in a line so they are first into the theater when they allow people to be seated. He means that if you do reserved seats, people won't show up and stand around as much and you would lose the opportunity to sell them beer/wine while they wait.
That's what happens at a lot of American theaters. You show up early and grab drinks with friends, especially if you know you will be there early because there are no assigned seats.
I myself wouldn't look at it like that. I would cut the crap out where it makes sense to make the experience the best I could.
@ SA210 - not sure, either SA or Austin, but this is really just something I have been thinking about - no set plans. I have some cool ideas as well (some of the ones mentioned here are good and I think the keys are two things - make it a culture where everyone loves to do their job and has fun & 2) focus on the little touches (quality, prices, environment, two arm rests...).
Good to see my ideas have some merit to it and is actually being put to use.
Too bad they dont have any like that here.
One idea I had was something similar to that diner from Pulp Fiction:
The struggle with the idea would be the quality of the movie screen, costs of getting started...But the idea would be almost like a fake drive in where the cars are inside of a cool building. All the staff dressed up like different movie characters and the cars (which look like the ones in the clip face the screens). This would be smaller theaters by volume (with the car seats it's a price per car or something) and they would seat up to 6 people. In the old fashioned cars (which you get to reserve which one you like) have seats like a long back seat with the front of the car looking like a normal car. Then you have a touch screen where you can see the full menu on the dash and punch in your order and someone brings it too you. That way you don't have anyone even in your way to take the orders, just runners.
Just kind of the basics of the idea, but haven't flushed it out yet.
But a more "traditional" theater that is just really awesome would be an option too.
If you ever did do it, I'll be there in support. Your ideas of cheaper prices and better experience shows that you care. So I'll be there. Austin is my home away from home, so I'll stop by there too if that's where you do it.
It will be interesting how much wiggle room there is as I do more research - mainly with regards to what you can charge for first run movies.
Whatever you charge you're giving at least 25% to the studios. Add labor cost to that and you're basically already operating at a loss.
It's way more than that from my understanding. More like they get 75%+ (meaning the studios) for the first two weeks of ticket sales and the theater gets only 25% OR LESS.
That is why I was saying I need to figure out what wiggle room there is. If my revenue is not going to come from tickets, but to the stuido's, I would much rather pass the savings to customers there for sure.
Sorry, I typed it backwards. Digital projectors are the norm now too, and are not cheap. Much cheaper for the studios to use hard drives than ship canisters.
Deep, I think that if every business could accomplish those two things then every business would be successful.I'm guessing it's harder than it looks.
If I get a good job coming out of the military, and I feel comfortable enough financially to open a business, I'm going to make sure it's something I'm geeked about and won't mind working there. (Which in my case would be a comic book store... with a coffee bar maybe.)
That's the thing about movie theaters... they might as well be faceless. The only interaction necessary is someone to check stubs, and someone to sell food, and any "interaction" there is very limited.
If you want to focus on having quality customer service, I'd make sure the service is worth having. If you're serving food and drinks, that's an obvious area for customer service. Maybe there's a little side store that sells movies and movie-related paraphernalia. (If you liked [insert current movie playing here], you should check out this movie!)
If you're catering to movie snobs, then maybe you could have headphone jacks in the seats and offer to sell headphones before the movie (like airlines). Make sure to hire people familiar with various aspects of cinematography who can ensure your movies are being played at a high quality. Play art-house and indy type movies (because let's face it, theater snobs tend to watch movies the normal consumer won't).
I just think it would be tough to cater to both types of consumers, as choosing one or the other tends to create a decision tree for other areas.
You should check out the 1950's-ish diner they have at DisneyWorld in Florida. The tables are set up like 1950's cars, and they play a loop of black and white ads/vignettes. (I thought they played shorts and movies... kinda bummed out they didn't.)
And re: waiters dressed up as characters, have you ever ate at the Magic Time Machine in San Antonio? That's a wacky themed restaurant that's fun.
If you go the "quirky" route, customers will give you leeway if you only show cheaper films and/or classics, as you're already going for a different experience than the normal movie-going experience.
Cool thread DPG
Definitely agree, but one thing I have learned is that not everyone thinks like this. Often times it's doing the simple things, or hiring the right people that make the difference yet in many, many companies (big, small and in between) culture is not placed on the forefront. It's something you cannot really fake usually - either you love what you do and are a good business man or you are not. That is not to say you cannot be successful without culture or by missing on the little things, it just means by focusing on that and executing gives you a good shot.Deep, I think that if every business could accomplish those two things then every business would be successful.
If I get a good job coming out of the military, and I feel comfortable enough financially to open a business, I'm going to make sure it's something I'm geeked about and won't mind working there. (Which in my case would be a comic book store... with a coffee bar maybe.)
That's the thing about movie theaters... they might as well be faceless. The only interaction necessary is someone to check stubs, and someone to sell food, and any "interaction" there is very limited.
If you want to focus on having quality customer service, I'd make sure the service is worth having. If you're serving food and drinks, that's an obvious area for customer service. Maybe there's a little side store that sells movies and movie-related paraphernalia. (If you liked [insert current movie playing here], you should check out this movie!)
If you're catering to movie snobs, then maybe you could have headphone jacks in the seats and offer to sell headphones before the movie (like airlines). Make sure to hire people familiar with various aspects of cinematography who can ensure your movies are being played at a high quality. Play art-house and indy type movies (because let's face it, theater snobs tend to watch movies the normal consumer won't).
I just think it would be tough to cater to both types of consumers, as choosing one or the other tends to create a decision tree for other areas.
I would agree to on not trying to be everything to everyone - but on a few things I don't think of it like that but more like have vegetarian options on your restaurant menu. It's not that you are catering to them, but you have options.
I really do believe that every interaction is a chance to make a positive impact. Even if it's minor you can still create a culture that is extraodinary. Then you have to be savvy and fair in the way you run your business.
Thanks - any ideas from you, I know you enjoy going to the movies.
For me, I would like to have a stand for my legs or more leg room. I want to feel as comfortable as possible and I usually want to stretch out my legs while I'm watching. I'm guilty of putting my feet on other peoples chair if no ones sitting in front of me.
Agreed, I'm not tall but I sometimes have problems with not enough leg room. Can't imagine how tall people cope
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