Let's talk about the current state of cinema, shall we?
It is in decline, yes? Yes. This decline stems from theaters having to compete with instant movie services like those offered by Netfilx and Blockbuster, state of the art home sound systems, HDTV's, 3D TV's, and elaborate home theaters. It is a place where you risk having to listen to someone talk through the film, text through the film, or just in general be rude and obnoxious. And lastly, it is just plain expensive. The average couple will spend $20-$25 on tickets and once you factor in concessions you are well of $50. Families, well let's just say that you are easily going over $100 or more.
It just ain't looking good for the theater industry.
Now I will be back very soon with a very well thought out and detailed blog about what I feel the theaters can do to level the playing field and bring people back to the cinema. But for now, let me highlight one thing that I stumbled upon today that I think is a definite step in the right direction.
That thing is Tugg. What the hell is Tugg, you ask? Well Tugg is a company that may just well change the way we go about seeing some movies on the big screen. Here is how it will work once fully functional ( it is in its pilot phase now): You will login to their site, using an account given to you by Tugg, and chose a film you would like to see screened at your local theater. It could be a new release, older classic film, obscure film, or independent one. Once selected, you decide what local theater you want to see it in. You then set ticket prices for your screening ( of course it will be within reason, no .99 movies for you!). Then you invite all of your social media friends on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc. Once you reach a set amount of people confirmed to attend, that theater closes one of their screens for the event. If you did not fill the theater, then they will make tickets available to your event to anyone until it is full.
Make sense? Here is the original article that alerted me to Tugg and what it all means. And here is a link to the Tugg website. It is not fully functional yet., but you can register and be alerted once it is.
Currently Tugg has a deal with several theater chains, including one of my favorites- Alamo Drafthouse. I would assume as it gains steam more theater chains would follow suit.
I think this is a great thing for theaters for so many reasons. For one, it allows people the ability to see older films they love back on the big screen. I have told my wife so many times that theaters need to get into the nostalgia game. What I mean by that is that they need to have screenings of classic movies from all eras, and make them more participatory events. People have their favorite movies on DVD and Blu Ray at home, but what they want is the atmosphere and the experience of seeing those films with people who love them just as much as they do. Tugg can provide them that ability. How great would it be to schedule a screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark at your local theater and allow all of your friends and their friends to go together?
Another reason this is a good thing for theaters is that it may draw more people out to the cinema and in turn to their concession stands. It has been long known that concessions is where theater chains make most of their money. If they can get you to venture into their theater, more often than not you are gonna buy something to eat or drink. People will come out in droves for the chance to see a favorite film on the big screen again. This could boost attendance and revenues at a time when the theaters need it the most.
It will also help independent filmmakers and small production houses very much as well. It will give them a chance to screen their film/s to an audience without the expense involved in securing a screen to show it/them. Instead of spending large sums of money to reserve a theater space, they can simply use social media to generate interest and persuade people to come see their film. Tugg could really be a great partner in promoting independent cinema and filmmakers with interesting and unique voices outside the big studio run Hollywood System.
In short, I think Tugg is a very, very good thing and I encourage you...no I implore you to check out Tuggs website and register there. Good ideas like this one need to be supported, so get on over there and make this idea grow and thrive. That friends is an order.
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