Boxoffice Podcast

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Can Community Cinemas Bounce Back from the Pandemic? Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

This week, Daniel and Rebecca talk to guests Brandon Jones and Luke Parker Bowles about their efforts to revive The Bradley Cinema through their ownership group, Cinema Lab. Originally a single-screen theater in Bradley Beach, New Jersey dating back to the earliest days of commercial exhibition, The Bradley is being converted to a three-screen cinema with a live performance space slated to re-open in Summer 2021. Brandon and Luke discuss The Bradley’s history, its recent transformation, and the important role independent cinemas play in their communities.

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Episode Resources:

The Bradley’s Kickstarter Campaign

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro.
00:46 Super Bowl trailer recap.
06:10 Cinema Lab’s The Bradley Cinema.
10:26 The struggles of community cinemas during the pandemic.
13:22 Considering financial viability while reviving community cinemas.
17:33 Gaining community support through a successful crowdfunding campaign.
21:47 Streaming won’t give you the moviegoing experience theaters can offer.
29:48 Challenges cinema marketers face during the pandemic
33:27 The Bradley to reopen as a three-screen theater in summer

Charlotte Film Society on Bringing an Art House Theater to North Carolina’s Largest City Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

This week, Russ and Rebecca talk with two executives from Charlotte Film Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing a dedicated art house space to the Charlotte, North Carolina, left without one after the closure of the decades-old Manor Theatre in spring 2020.

President Brad Ritter and Program Director Jay Morong of the Charlotte Film Society talk about the rich history of the Manor Theatre as well as building a new art house space from the ground up—including their planned changes to the traditional programming model.

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Episode Resources:

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
01:22 Latest news on AMC’s stock market price
04:00 What’s the end game for AMC’s latest stock price
07:13 The Little Things premiere week
08:58 We are joined today by Brad Ritter and Jay Morong of Charlotte Film Society
10:56 The lack of art houses in Charlotte
14:02 The Manor Theatre’s rich history
19:03 Efforts to bring back art houses in Charlotte
21:49 Finding the right space to revive an art house
24:12 Despite COVID, fundraising response has been positive
30:09 How theater programming has changed over time
36:05 Opening plans for the Manor Theatre
43:32 Programming plans for the opening
44:43 Consistency with what the audience would want to see
48:40 The target is to showcase as many unique films as possible
54:34 Theatrical window changes can reinvent film bookings

The 2021 Movie Calendar Shakeup Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

This week, Russ, Daniel, and Shawn discuss sweeping release date changes for big movies from major studios, beginning with the James Bond tentpole No Time to Die. They offer predictions on titles that will remain theatrical versus moving to PVOD or day-and-date release, and discuss the degree to which studios are banking on mass vaccination.

This week’s episode of The Boxoffice Podcast is brought to you by QSC. Visit QSC.com/podcast to find out more.

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What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
02:25 New, numerous changes to the 2021 release slate
03:58 MGM: No Time to Die and The Addams Family 2
07:03 Will No Time To Die remain a theatrical release?
09:14 Paramount and the power of Tom Cruise
14:39 Godzilla vs. Kong's move up to March
17:56 Ironically, Warner Bros. has the biggest theatrical releases in Q1
19:58 The Universal and Focus Features slate
22:02 Black Widow is still scheduled a for May 7 theatrical release
22:11 Changes to the 20th Century Studios and Searchlight slate
24:48 Sony’s Connected goes to Netflix
26:24 Update list of Sony's release dates
30:28 Studios are banking on the vaccine roll-out

CMX Cinemas CFO Luis Castelazo on His Call for Lower Film Rentals Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

This week, Daniel and Rebecca talk to Luis Castelazo, the Chief Financial Officer at CMX Cinemas. The North American division of Mexican operator Cinemex, CMX Cinemas became one of the ten largest theater chains in the U.S. shortly after opening in 2017. More recently, in April of this year it became the first top-ten chain to file for Chapter 11 following the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic; they emerged from bankruptcy in December.

In an open letter published in December, Castelazo advocated for lower film rentals in response to the trend towards shortened theatrical exclusivity windows, which he argues could have a serious effect on theater attendance. In this episode of the Boxoffice Podcast, he discusses the evolution of CMX Cinemas and the need for a hard look at the film rental status quo.

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Episode Resources:

CMX Cinemas Website
CMX Open Letter

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
02:05 Wonder Woman 1984 drops in its 4th weekend
05:51 Welcoming Luis Castelazo of CMX Cinemas
06:17 How CMX Cinemas became one of the top 10 circuits
10:45 Navigating the changing pandemic landscape
15:24 Viable solutions for exhibition on the road to recovery
17:36 New theatrical arrangements could save the industry
19:23 Did the day-and-date release affect WW84's box office?
21:01 Can the industry recover with shortened windows?
22:51 What causes drops in attendance?

Vidiots Foundation Evolves From Video Store to Movie Theatre Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

This week, Russ and Rebecca talk to Maggie Mackay, the Board Chair of the Vidiots Foundation, a non-profit community video store and movie theater. Vidiots is dedicated to inspiring interaction through film by providing access to a diverse collection of more than 50,000 DVD and Blu-ray discs and rare VHS tapes.

They talk about the history of Vidiots as a video store and the planned opening of a movie theatre space in Eagle Rock on the east side of Los Angeles, the status of Los Angeles art house theaters, and keeping the moviegoing community together despite the lure of streaming.

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Episode Resources:

Vidiots Foundation Website
Click here to donate
Vidiots is on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
00:59 Welcoming Maggie Mackay
04:20 What is Vidiots?
07:29 Plans to open and exhibition space details
11:30 What's the atmosphere like in LA for art house theaters?
16:31 Vidiots as a place to get movies that people aren't seeing anywhere else
19:23 People go to video stores when they have access
23:13 The challenges of fundraising
25:26 When can Videos open?
31:15 The rich experience of going to the video store

Have You Watched Wonder Woman 1984? Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

Happy New Year! In this week’s episode, Daniel, Rebecca, and Shawn take a look at the box office returns for Wonder Woman 1984 and the impact of its availability on HBO Max. Additionally, they discuss how Warner Bros. is releasing box office information, and offer an overview of the possible major film releases coming this spring.

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What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
00:59 What’s your New Year’s resolution?
02:46 Quick rundown of the first two weekends of Wonder Woman 1984 box office
08:21 Warner Bros. not releasing enough box office data
11:23 Theatrical run is almost serving as like a marketing push
13:15 The impact of Wonder Woman 1984 through HBO max, before movie theaters are even open
17:08 Can we expect No Time to Die to be released soon?

What Do You Want to See in Theaters in 2021? Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Russ, Daniel, Rebecca, and Shawn step away from news to discuss their few theatrical experiences in 2020, the culture of theater-going versus streaming at home, a slate of excellent films to watch wherever you can, and what to look forward to in 2021.

Happy New Year!

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What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
01:46 The best moviegoing moments in 2020.
11:59 Were you able to see new films before and during the pandemic?
18:55 Some of the early titles derailed by the Coronavirus.
20:46 A lot of viewing choices at home, and friend circles versus criticism.
23:00 Did you have any great at-home viewing experiences in 2020?
30:02 What movies do you look forward to watching in 2021?

Warner Bros. to Stream All 17 Movies in 2021, Disney’s Investor Day Presentation Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Russ, Daniel, Rebecca, and Shawn discuss Warner Bros. announcement to stream the entire 2021 film slate on HBO Max, what was covered in Disney’s Investor Day presentation, and the responses from different circuits on the recently announced streaming plans of the major studios.

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What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
01:03 How does everyone feel about year 2020 ending
04:22 Warner Bros. moved its entire slate day-and-date on theatrical and HBO Max in 2021
10:01 How circuits respond to Warner Brother’s announcement
14:25 Should film rental be reduced from the current 57%, if the window between a theatrical release and a streaming release is reduced?
18:51 Disney announced its pivot to streaming on Disney Investor Day
27:17 Update on Avatar 2
31:11 What upcoming project was announced in the Disney Investor Day
34:48 What titles in the first quarter can help in the recovery?

NATO’s John Fithian on COVID Relief Bill, Theatrical Exclusivity Window, and Timeframe for Recovery Dec 10, 2020

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Russ, Daniel, and Rebecca talk to John Fithian, CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO). They discuss the recent updates in the passing of the next stimulus package, shifts to the theatrical exclusivity window, and the communication strategy in promoting a safe return to cinemas.

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What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
01:48 What's at stake with the next stimulus package?
10:48 What is slowing down recovery efforts in the US?
14:19 Reactions to shifts in theatrical exclusivity
17:49 Different proposals during the pandemic to change how movies are released
21:55 Fallout from Warner Bros. HBO Max plans
24:06 Timeframe for recovery in the US
28:20 Campaigns to promote a return to cinemas

Wonder Woman 1984 Debuts Domestically in December Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Russ, Rebecca, and Shawn talk about the box office numbers of The Croods: A New Age on Thanksgiving weekend, updates on the release schedule of some upcoming movies, the possible outcome of Wonder Woman 1984 domestic theater release, and the upcoming Boxoffice Podcast anniversary.

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What to Listen For

00:00 Intro.
01:35 Boxoffice on Thanksgiving weekend
02:47 The Croods: A New Age in the box office
07:17 Universal moved The 355 to 2022
07:55 Can The Croods: A New Age play long enough in theaters?
09:35 Where is 2020 going to end in the box office?
10:48 Updates on Monster Hunter and News of the World
13:02 The impact of Wonder Woman 1984 release
17:54 Possible numbers for Wonder Woman 1984 opening weekend and domestic theater run
24:01 What classic movie you'll watch in a theater
27:25 Will there be more movie release schedule changes?
30:09 Domestic industry to possibly restart by April 2021 - John Fithian
31:10 We need to have an anniversary episode
32:42 Look forward to our guest next week!

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