I saw Jaws last year at Lafayette and I am sure it was DVD or Blu-Ray. Picture quality was ok but not great – more like watching a slightly faded 35 mm film.
I saw GhostBusters at Lowes when they re-released it for 1 week as part of its anniversary. I’m sure it was DCP but the picture quality was again faded. Studio must have taken the blu-ray and put it on DCP since it was a limited 1 week run. Sad.
Pete, digital presentation on DCP is different from showing the movie from a DVD or blu-ray, correct? I assume DCP is the digital equivalent of 35 mm film in terms of quality. Even though Blu-ray is high-definition, I don’t think it has enough picture quality/resolution to be shown on the big screen without losing picture quality.
Can someone confirm if “Jaws” shown at Lafayette theater in the summer was shown from a DVD or Blu-ray? I recall seeing the FBI warning/Main Menu on the theater screen before the movie started. Just want to make sure.
movieguy, if a theater goer would really like to have a classic film shown, do you think it is possible for him/her to rent the theater (or something of the kind) and have the theater obtain a 35MM or DCP and show it where the individual shares the cost of the showing and will get a percentage of the profits? Not sure if this is even possible or if the individual even has a remote chance to make any profit. LOL. Events like this can bring more revenue to the theater.
It is ok if they want to keep the free admission for seniors. But I recall when the Classic series had specials like the horror-thon where everyone had to pay. Perhaps the theater can run a set of special screenings outside of the Classic series this spring where everyone pays.
Here are my thoughts on reviving the classic series and making it profitable.
– Everyone pays admission (maybe offer discount like $7 for seniors)
– Movies need to be shown from either 35MM or DCP (no DVD/Blu ray).
– Choose classic movies that will have high attendance. Notice when they show unknown movies, the attendence is very low. But certain movies (like the James Bond films) had high attendance. Choose the classic movies in high demand.
– Classic series can also show movies from 80s, 90s, or 2000s that are classic and really require the big screen to enjoy it. I would think if Lafayette were to show the original Star Wars movies, it would be a full house. Lord of the Rings trilogy can also bring a lot of folks.
Movieguy, do you think when Lafayette shows a classic film, the studio requires a certain fee upfront (such as $500) in addition to 30% of the box office sales? I thought it was more like 50/50 – where for each movie, the studio gets 50% of the sales while the theater gets 50% with no fee upfront.
I agree with others – going to the movie theater to watch a movie shown from a DVD or Blu-ray is not worth the time or money. Sadly I also stopped going. I went to see Jaws last year and was stunned to see it being played from a Blu-ray disc.
Will the Classic series be continuing this year? I know the theater won’t be able to show 35 mm films anymore but any way they can obtain digital versions of classics(DCP)and show that?
I am wondering if there is anything we all can do to bring the classic movie magic back to Lafayette Theater and also make it profitable for the Theater. Maybe have a special set of classic series where everyone needs to pay. Thanks.
I saw Jaws last year at Lafayette and I am sure it was DVD or Blu-Ray. Picture quality was ok but not great – more like watching a slightly faded 35 mm film. I saw GhostBusters at Lowes when they re-released it for 1 week as part of its anniversary. I’m sure it was DCP but the picture quality was again faded. Studio must have taken the blu-ray and put it on DCP since it was a limited 1 week run. Sad.
Pete, digital presentation on DCP is different from showing the movie from a DVD or blu-ray, correct? I assume DCP is the digital equivalent of 35 mm film in terms of quality. Even though Blu-ray is high-definition, I don’t think it has enough picture quality/resolution to be shown on the big screen without losing picture quality.
Can someone confirm if “Jaws” shown at Lafayette theater in the summer was shown from a DVD or Blu-ray? I recall seeing the FBI warning/Main Menu on the theater screen before the movie started. Just want to make sure.
movieguy, if a theater goer would really like to have a classic film shown, do you think it is possible for him/her to rent the theater (or something of the kind) and have the theater obtain a 35MM or DCP and show it where the individual shares the cost of the showing and will get a percentage of the profits? Not sure if this is even possible or if the individual even has a remote chance to make any profit. LOL. Events like this can bring more revenue to the theater.
It is ok if they want to keep the free admission for seniors. But I recall when the Classic series had specials like the horror-thon where everyone had to pay. Perhaps the theater can run a set of special screenings outside of the Classic series this spring where everyone pays.
movieguy, do you work for Lafayette theater? Sorry if you already posted this before but I haven’t checked the board in a while. Thanks
Here are my thoughts on reviving the classic series and making it profitable. – Everyone pays admission (maybe offer discount like $7 for seniors) – Movies need to be shown from either 35MM or DCP (no DVD/Blu ray). – Choose classic movies that will have high attendance. Notice when they show unknown movies, the attendence is very low. But certain movies (like the James Bond films) had high attendance. Choose the classic movies in high demand. – Classic series can also show movies from 80s, 90s, or 2000s that are classic and really require the big screen to enjoy it. I would think if Lafayette were to show the original Star Wars movies, it would be a full house. Lord of the Rings trilogy can also bring a lot of folks.
Movieguy, do you think when Lafayette shows a classic film, the studio requires a certain fee upfront (such as $500) in addition to 30% of the box office sales? I thought it was more like 50/50 – where for each movie, the studio gets 50% of the sales while the theater gets 50% with no fee upfront.
Hello Pete,
I agree with others – going to the movie theater to watch a movie shown from a DVD or Blu-ray is not worth the time or money. Sadly I also stopped going. I went to see Jaws last year and was stunned to see it being played from a Blu-ray disc.
Will the Classic series be continuing this year? I know the theater won’t be able to show 35 mm films anymore but any way they can obtain digital versions of classics(DCP)and show that?
I am wondering if there is anything we all can do to bring the classic movie magic back to Lafayette Theater and also make it profitable for the Theater. Maybe have a special set of classic series where everyone needs to pay. Thanks.