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Author Topic: Does $1 million go far? Tyler Potts Expert Film Handler Posts: 159 From: Anderson, SC, USA Registered: Sep 2008 posted 04-15-2009 10:06 AM                       A friend called me yesterday letting me know her boyfriends brother will be opening his own movie theatre. Mainly, the call was to get me to move to Florida, but she told me he's got a backer who's putting up a million dollars to renovate an old building with new seats, concession, and projectors. But from seeing our own running expenses it makes me think $1 million won't go far when starting fresh. I asked my friend but she doesn't know how many screens he's planning on having. My question, if one's smart & frugal can you spread that money and have a decent theatre?  |  IP: Logged Joe Tommassello Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 547 From: Coatesville, PA, USA Registered: Jan 2008 posted 04-15-2009 10:16 AM                  How many screens? I think the last GCC I opened (12 screens) spent about $800,000 per screen for projection, sound, screen, etc...everything related to the presentation. No seats, no concession, etc. It was one projector and platter per screen.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-15-2009 10:45 AM                        Joe - you're probably meaning $80,000 per screen. $800,000 would be the biggest ripoff of the century. Or is that the cost of the building too? In that case 12 screens would be just under $10 million. If that doesn't include seats or concession, that must be one amazing building. Tyler - your friend could probably get used equipment these days for dirt cheap.  |  IP: Logged Joe Tommassello Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 547 From: Coatesville, PA, USA Registered: Jan 2008 posted 04-15-2009 11:17 AM                  Yes Mike - I put an extra zero in there.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 04-15-2009 11:55 AM                        $80K for GCC sounds about right, esp. with out-of-state crews. Louis  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-15-2009 11:58 AM                        My understanding is that new-construction multiplexes typically run $1-1.5MM/screen for construction costs, equipment, seats, screens, etc. I don't know if this includes the land or just the building and its contents. Obviously, you could spend less or more. Construction and equipment costs will be lower now than they were a few years ago. Remember, too, that there is more to the cost of opening a theatre than the building itself. There will be film guarantees to pay, as well as advertising and other up-front costs of operation, and it may take a while to build a customer base.  |  IP: Logged Tyler Potts Expert Film Handler Posts: 159 From: Anderson, SC, USA Registered: Sep 2008 posted 04-15-2009 12:29 PM                       I'm sorry, I'm not clear on what GCC means. :-(  |  IP: Logged Joe Tommassello Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 547 From: Coatesville, PA, USA Registered: Jan 2008 posted 04-15-2009 12:50 PM                  GCC = General Cinema Corporation.  |  IP: Logged Lyle Romer Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1400 From: Davie, FL, USA Registered: May 2002 posted 04-15-2009 01:17 PM                     What size complex is it and how many seats does it have? New seats (for decent seats) will be over $100 each installed. And why would they put in new projectors unless they're going digital? If digital that'll be $65,000+ per screen. Carpet will run in the 10's of thousands depending on square footage to be covered.  |  IP: Logged John Wilson Film God Posts: 5438 From: Sydney, Australia. Registered: Dec 1999 posted 04-15-2009 04:43 PM                     quote: Joe Tommassello think the last GCC I opened (12 screens) spent about $800,000 per screen for projection, sound, screen, etc...everything related to the presentation. Wow! If they need to build any more cinemas, I'd sure like to quote for the job. Please? quote: Joe Tommassello Yes Mike - I put an extra zero in there. Damn.  |  IP: Logged Cameron Glendinning Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 845 From: West Ryde, Sydney, NSW Australia Registered: Dec 2005 posted 04-18-2009 07:08 AM                     quote: Tyler Potts he's got a backer who's putting up a million dollars to renovate an old building with new seats, concession, and projectors. So its an existing building? Could you find out more about the real estate? Florida sounds like nice weather. I suspect $1 000 000 might be fine. Lets hope its got more than one screen.  |  IP: Logged

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