I recently did some research on starting a Community Movie Theatre here in rural Saskatchewan, and I figured that I could get everything I needed to start up for around $20,000 Can$(excluding building).
I did talk to many projectionists here in Saskatchewan, and they all suggested getting Century Projection Heads. They tell me that they are easier to maintain and fix, but are of course, not top of the line anymore.
You do know that you if you break even on the theatre side of things, you are doing great? Most of the money made in the theatre is from the concession.
I was also told that you can do the booking of movies yourself, but it is very time consuming. It may be that your time will be better spent somewhere else, and that a booker can do that for you.
Good luck in your endeavor, and keep us posted on how things are going. If I can be of futher assitance, just ask.
I had the opportunity to go up to the “new” projection booth in the early ninties. The balcony had been converted into the larger projection booth for both auditoriums. Once up there, you could visualize the balcony (the steps were still there with some seats on them), as well as look into the first projection booth with some equipment still in it. You could also imagine the original design on the ceiling of the theatre, before they built the wall dividing the auditorium. A true gem on the prairies.
Kind of a neat article in the local Saskatoon website about the Roxy. Sounds like a place worth visiting.
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Hi Melissa;
I recently did some research on starting a Community Movie Theatre here in rural Saskatchewan, and I figured that I could get everything I needed to start up for around $20,000 Can$(excluding building).
I did talk to many projectionists here in Saskatchewan, and they all suggested getting Century Projection Heads. They tell me that they are easier to maintain and fix, but are of course, not top of the line anymore.
You do know that you if you break even on the theatre side of things, you are doing great? Most of the money made in the theatre is from the concession.
I was also told that you can do the booking of movies yourself, but it is very time consuming. It may be that your time will be better spent somewhere else, and that a booker can do that for you.
Good luck in your endeavor, and keep us posted on how things are going. If I can be of futher assitance, just ask.
Brenna
I had the opportunity to go up to the “new” projection booth in the early ninties. The balcony had been converted into the larger projection booth for both auditoriums. Once up there, you could visualize the balcony (the steps were still there with some seats on them), as well as look into the first projection booth with some equipment still in it. You could also imagine the original design on the ceiling of the theatre, before they built the wall dividing the auditorium. A true gem on the prairies.