Cinema to ED?

[pablogrande]

Given that so many people in the ?what does East Dulwich lack? thread mentions an arthouse cinema, I am thinking of opening one, well sort of?.

I own a company that designs and installs screening rooms in the homes of the rich and famous and the lease on my current premises is due to expire soon. The premises will be offices and workshops plus a demo facility.

One of the options I have is to relocate to ED or very close, and if I do there is a possibility of making the demo facility bigger and available for private rental. My idea would be that the screening room would sit somewhere between 20 and 40 people and could be rented on an hourly basis, this could be for films, sporting events, business presentations etc. I would not plan to get an alcohol licence therefore customers could bring their own booze but I was thinking of providing soft drinks, mixers, snacks etc at very reasonable prices and maybe getting local caterers or restaurants to provide a menu for an evening e.g. The Godfather followed by spaghetti and meatballs.

Due to licencing and the probable location/type of building it will not be a walk in cinema where you could buy a single ticket. It would require people getting together and booking out the room together.

What I would like to gauge is ?

Would this kind of facility be popular and would it be used often.

When would you be most likely to use it? Weekdays, daytime at weekends, evenings at weekends

How much per head would you think is reasonable to pay to watch a movie, bearing in mind you can bring your own alcoholic drinks and get cheap soft drinks and snacks!

How far would you be willing to travel for this, I have already looked at various premises and found suitable ones in Nunhead, Forest Hill and West Dulwich but ideally would like ED and have a few possibilities here but none perfect as yet.

Is there anything else you think would make this more popular?

I am not looking to make a lot of money out of this, just wanting the space required to pay for itself plus I thought it would make a great addition to the area. Your ideas and comments are very welcome and if you know of any non retail premises to let or for sale that would be suitable min 2000 sq ft ceiling height of 9ft min! please let me know.

Thanks

Paul

[James Barber]

Sounds a great idea - might be worthwhile speaking with Shortwave Cinema (10 Bermondsey Square) to see how they make it work for them.

[Al&Em]

Pablo -sounds like a great idea - I like it but I guess if I relied pricing wise in large groups only the I may struggle to line up 20 plus for a film. However, how about using edf to put films to a vote and get groups together - that could work... If you can byo and it's comfortable, good sound etc then I'd have thought ?5-8 would work ( would that pay for the setup?)- I've always found odeons etc criminally expensive. Al

[Cora]

Why don't you speak to the local cinema club Cinema Paridiso, they might be able to work with you or at least give you a few tips from their local experience....

[Norfolkvillas]

The Lexi cinema in Kensal Rise is run as a charity, and I think it's been very warmly recieved in that neck of the woods. http://thelexicinema.co.uk/lexi-community/. Your idea of group hire sounds fab for parties / special events etc

[Senor Chevalier]

A small local cinema would be a great addition to the area and I would definitely make use of it. I think exclusive use for groups of 20 would be difficult though and I can see myself only getting organised enough to sort that very, very occasionally.

[Curmudgeon]

Sounds wonderful

I agree on the 5 to 8 - you might want to consider children's parties too (if you're up and running by february I'd book it)

[rbrtdngl]

Sounds brilliant. I think it is something that I might like to use in an evening or at the weekend (as I work during the day). It could be great for birthdays (perhaps you could offer a reduced rate or some sort of deal?). I don't think I would want to pay more than the cost of a normal cinema (even if it does show arthouse films), could you choose what film you would like to watch? Almost like a lovefilm cinema or something like that. I would travel to Nunhead or West Dulwich.

[Ellie78]

Sounds great!

I'd use it for birthdays and get togethers depending on the rates involved of course.

Would there be an option for bringing your own catering?

If there was some film club scenario then I'd be up for that too.

[rbrtdngl]

BYO catering is a great idea. Would there be a film programme for the space?

[redjam]

Sorry to sound negative but I just don't really get it. On the rare occasions that I'd get 20+ people together for a night out (a birthday is about the only time this happens, realistically), I'd want to talk to them, not watch a film. I can see it working on a corporate basis if it was in central London, as a party venue which can do private screenings, but not for private individuals in a residential area, sorry...

IMO, what East Dulwich needs is a proper cinema showing the latest releases, but this doesn't sound like what you're proposing.

Whatever happens, I wish you well with it!

[Alec John Moore]

I've been thinking recently that I'd love there to be a film version of the forum's Green and Blue book club. I imagined that something like Paul's idea, perhaps run as a club itself, would be the only way to have a suitable venue. Paul mentioned the thread about what ED lacks but there has also been a discussion on the forum about an arts centre, That discussion fizzled out but there would seem to be an interest in an arts cinema of some kind in ED. There are some examples of successful film societies throughout the UK which have been reported on radio 4's film programme over the last few weeks. Paul, do you think you will follow up on the suggestions above regarding other cinema ventures in London? I'd be happy to support looking into how ED might have its own little cinema.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I think it's a wonderful idea.

I've been to a private party at Shortwave, it worked very well. It was a classic film that one could wander in and out of at will or stay and chat at the front bar.

I'd favour Friday/Saturday nights.

[Knomester]

Great idea, particularly if one person didn't need to book the 'cinema' but instead groups could form to fill the space (like the book club idea someone mentioned). At the moment what would suit me best would be weekday afternoon screenings if it would be possible to get a group of parents together who could bring their babies along (like the scream screenings at Brixton / Greenwich). If I didn't have Baby Knomester to look after I'd certainly consider it for a private party for Mr Knomester's birthday on a weekend afternoon or evening for example.

[pablogrande]

hi all, many thanks for the feedback it's very helpful it's all very early days yet but wanted to get a feeling for what people would like to see.

Some answers to questions so far

Shortwave - an excellent cinema which was part of the Bermondsy Square redevelopment which is as far as I am aware subsidised by the developers for the first so many years. James Barber you may be able to point me in the direction of other intiatives that could help us get up and running?

Pricing/booking - there are all sorts of different options of how you licence the showing of films and how much you have to pay the distribution companies(which I am still trying to get my head around) this it seems would make it impractical to run such a small venue as a walk in cinema, if only 10 people turned up it wouldn't even cover the distribution costs never mind the overheads, a film club is a good idea possibly even a subscription offering entry to so many films over a year?

Choice of films - this is up to whoever books the space, from what I can tell most studios output can be shown as long as it's available of DVD/Blu Ray I would hope people would organise their own mini programmes (I used to love the all nighters at the Scala)

Own catering - can't see why not.

Kid's parties - something I already thought of only problem would be this will be my demo cinema for potential clients so not sure about sticky lollys on seats etc.

As for full size cinema in ED, I would love it but can't see it happening any time soon, the chain that run the Picture house chain are pushing for one in Crystal Palace and I can't think of any site suitable here for an 'aspirational' cinema.

I would love to get as many people involved in this so please keep the ideas coming

[AdaDoom]

I'd love to see this locally, either in ED itself or Nunhead, Brockley, Camberwell, somewhere like that. I've tried to rent somewhere like this for an adult birthday party in the past but the only venue I found was in Balham which didn't suit us. I'd also use it for a kids party definitely and if there was a rule of no food/lollies etc on the cinema seats I think we'd be able to enforce it no prolem, as long as there was another small space to use for party food. Hope it works out for you.

[fifilala]

I have used something like this in the past... the Odeon in Beckenham ( bit of a trot i know but worth it) lets you hire the whole cinema for a private showing and you can bring your own refreshments... not sure if you can bring alchohol BUT i hired it for a kids party.. Had 40 children and it only cost GBP175... you can bring as many people as you like and you are given a choice of films.... as long as its over 6 weeks old ( ie not a brand new release) you can have what you like.

i would like to see something like this in ED i think it would go down well, but i agree with the previous poster... i think the main market would be children, rather than groups of adults who would rather socialise than sit together.

[Mandisa]

I think this is a great idea. I love my movies and having a relaxed setting to watch them with friends will be a great addition to ED. I agree with the other posts that 20 people may be too much to gather on a regular basis but if you can make it into a multiple purpose venue for kids parties or functions then it would be the best of both worlds. You say we can bring our own drink, would we have to bring food as well or would that be provided? If food is provided I think ?12-?15 per head is reasonable. If only snacks then ?5-?8.

[Jeremy]

This does sound perfect for a tie-in with Cinema Paridiso, especially as their own gear is a little rudimentary (or at least it was when I last attended one). But I would think that a capacity of 40 would be the minimum they'd be interested in.

Also, given that lots of people have decent gear in their homes these days, you'd need to ensure that the per-person cost was significantly less than buying the DVD.

[Alec John Moore]

I'd be prepared to pay for the experience of a "cinema ambience" particualry if there was the added opportunity to discuss the film and/or have film makers discuss their work etc. In our house HD quality is now available through our Blu ray player - including streamed movies - but that's not the same as the communal experience of watching a movie with a group of people, friends or srangers, of course. I'll make a point of checking out Paradiso film soc in the spring.

[Fabricio the Guido]

Brilliant films and they are in Brixton. I think this works very well.

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[Medley]

I'd love to see something like this in ED.

Have you looked at the film programme at Dulwich Picture Gallery?

Great e.g. of what can be done with a DVD projector and a function room. It's A Wonderful Life in colour just before Xmas with homemade food, all proceeds to the Gallery, was fantastic.

[expat]

What a fantastic idea!

And couldn't we use the forum to gather groups together for particular films? Any takers for Stand By Me, with some Southern soul food before or after (or both)? I'd love to see that again.

And and and.... anyone for Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid?

Mrs Expat

[longman]

I agree here. I love the spirit of what's being proposed, but I think what everyone wants is proper cinema. It doesn't have to be the iMax, a small one would be great. But a proper one all the same.

[Curmudgeon]

longman Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I agree here. I love the spirit of what's being

> proposed, but I think what everyone wants is

> proper cinema. It doesn't have to be the iMax, a

> small one would be great. But a proper one all the

> same.

No, I don't ... If I want a 'proper cinema' I will go to Peckham and Brixton which are within 10 minutes