Movie Prints
Movie Prints
How much would it cost for a theater owner to buy old prints of movies to show?
If someone were to purchase an old movie theater and renovate it, how much would it cost to buy old prints of movies to show? Would there be any legal implecations to showing movies in this way?
You don't purchase the prints--you rent (license) them from the distributor or studio. (Even if you owned the prints, you'd still have to pay the licensing fee.)
The rental fee is based on several factors including the type of theater, expected attendance, age of the movie and how much of the box office receipts goes to the distributor.
I don't know they typical cost, but whatever it is, it will be overwhelmingly in favor of the distributor. You won't make a profit, or even cover your costs, with ticket sales. Any profit you make will come from concessions.
So the cost of the film is largely irrelevant. The real question is: can you sell enough popcorn and soda to cover your expenses and still make a profit?
And therein lies the problem with showing older movies. In this age of DVDs they are unlikely to generate the attendance you'd need.
I'm not saying it can't be done. Find a niche, an unserved market or unique gimmick--something that will draw people to your theater. Just showing movies isn't enough.
SIMHADWANI
