THIS IS VERY SHINY!!! EVERYONE MUST READ!!!

POSTED BY: Static
UPDATED: Monday, August 2, 2004 19:00
VIEWED: 14905
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SOUPCATCHER

Wednesday, July 28, 2004 7:25 PM

Static,
How exactly does the process work? You mentioned that your friend has a distributor. I'm trying to figure out all the middlemen (since the world is full of them ). I'm following this thread with interest because I think it's a great test case. It could serve as a template for other people around the country/world who are interested in organizing something similar. But I'm a little hazy on all the different people you would have to make a sales pitch to. Here's my haphazard attempt at a flow chart:

Universal Pictures -> Universal Pictures Distribution (Nikki Rocco, president) -> East coast distribution (Nick Carpou) -> ??? -> Theater Distributor (?) -> Theater Owner (Static's friend)

You've already got the Theater Owner nailed down. Nikki Rocco is probably too high up. Nick Carpou appears to be the right person on the Universal side unless there are people working under him in charge of sub-regions. But does your friend's distributor need to be in the loop and on board?

I'm just thinking out loud that sending e-mails through the Universal web site might not get results (although definitely worth a shot) but that calling up Universal and asking for the right person by name might be a better option.

Here's where I'm getting my Universal information from. This was current as of September of last year. [editted to add: from the way the article is worded it appears Nick Carpou is in charge of eastern US and Mark Gaines is in charge of western US but from the rest of the article it looks like Nick worked his way up on the west coast and Mark worked his way up on the east coast so I'm not entirely sure which one would be more appropriate to contact].

Quote:
Universal Pictures executive vps and general sales managers Nick Carpou and Mark Gaines have seen a great deal of change during their years in the industry. Gaines remembers selling films in gas stations and at exhibitors' homes over dinner, back when there were "mom-and-pop theaters in every town. I did business at a county fair once," he says, "where the theater owner was selling his bull."

Today, the pair of esteemed industry veterans operates in a much different world but with equal aplomb. Reporting to Universal Pictures Distribution president Nikki Rocco, they are responsible for overseeing all sales territories in the Eastern and Western half of the United States, respectively, with Carpou also handling Canada.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/interviews/article_display.jsp?vn
u_content_id=1991437

I shaved off my beard for you, devil woman!

THEGREYJEDI

Wednesday, July 28, 2004 8:16 PM

Bumpity!

--------------------------------------------------
ZOE: Now we have a boatful of citizens right on top of our... stolen cargo. That's a fun mix.
MAL: Ain't no way in the 'verse they could find that compartment, even--Even if they were lookin' for it.
ZOE: Why not?
MAL: 'Cause... ?
ZOE: Oh yeah, this is gonna go great.
MAL: If anyone gets nosy, just, you know...shoot 'em.
ZOE: Shoot 'em?
MAL: Politely.

FNORDCHAN

Wednesday, July 28, 2004 8:53 PM

Greetings from Chapel Hill!

I'm a fan of the Rialto and think it's one helluva theatre...but I'm having difficulty seeing Serenity playing there, as they're definately more of an arthouse theatre. Now, if the owner can get the distributor to send him a print, I'm all for it. However - and I realize this is rather less exciting than the Rialto - the owner already has a terrific theatre for more mainstream releases: The Lumina, a recently built, nicely maintained, four screen theatre. And I'm not just recommending it because it's right outside of Chapel Hill.

So, if Serenity can play at the Rialto, that's fantastic - but if not, the Lumina is a dandy place to go watch a movie, and is my theatre of choice for any mainstream films that come to the area.

Now, with all due respect to the Rialto, if you really want to show Serenity in a movie palace, you want to show it in Fletcher Hall at the Carolina Theatre. Take a gander:

http://www.carolinatheatre.org/venues/fletcherhall.html

In addition to having truly swank facilities, the Carolina Theatre has annual film festivals for horror films (Nevermore) and action/SF/whatnot (Escapism), as well as regular revival showings of genre flicks through their Retrofantasma Film Series. While Serenity is a touch outside their area (again, independent films and arthouse fare), they just might be interested in hosting a showing. After all, they managed to fill all 1000 seats in Fletcher Hall for a showing of Bubba Ho-Tep during the last Nevermore festival (including a transcendent moment where hundreds of people all shouted "THIS IS MY BOOM STICK!" simultaneously during a trailer for Army of Darkness), so I imagine they'd be receptive to the idea of showing a science-fiction film with a hardcore fanbase. Matt Pennachi organizes the Retrofantasma events, so drop him a line and see what he thinks of a Serenity screening; his contact information is available at the Carolina Theatre website:

http://www.carolinatheatre.org

FnordChan

"I do have a cause, though. It's obscenity. I'm for it." - Tom Lehrer

STATIC

Wednesday, July 28, 2004 9:01 PM

The reason I'm pursuing The Rialto (and as an alternate, Mission Valley) is because I'm friends with the owner of Ambassador Entertainment (who also owns the Lumina, I realize), and he's assured me that we would be able to make this an event, including costume contests and other such things. That's really my motivation for suggesting The Rialto.

Bill has also suggested the Lumina as a possible Venue, and there's not a bad chance it will run there in Chapel Hill anyhoo.

Just a reminder to all. . .I'm not looking for the Rialto to be the EXCLUSIVE venue for Raleigh, just to be INCLUDED, so's we have a 'friendly' place to host a major pre-movie shindig.

Do me a favor, if you would. . .in case 'Versal doesn't approve The Rialto as a Venue. . .could you track some info on what hotels and resturants are close to the Lumina, in the event of us moving the Official Raleigh-Durham area Big Damn Premiere Party there instead?

==================================================
"Wash. . .we got some local color happening. A grand entrance would not go amiss."

MAI

Wednesday, July 28, 2004 9:02 PM

THis sounds like a wonderful idea. I am way out here in the middle of the boondocks, but would absolutely love the chance to get to NC and meet some fellow browncoats. Oh yea and there's that movie too... Please keep us up to date on everything. Are there certain people and or companies to which we can address letters or email?

STATIC

Wednesday, July 28, 2004 9:04 PM

We're trying to track down exactly WHO in Universal we'd need to talk to about requesting the venue.

Updates as are available.

==================================================
"Wash. . .we got some local color happening. A grand entrance would not go amiss."

EBONEZER

Wednesday, July 28, 2004 11:17 PM

Wow! Soo cool!

Now, who knows the owner of a movie theater on the weastern US?
-----------------------------------

Ok, I have other thoughts...

Firstly, Accomadations. What are some nice-ish (but more importantly, cheep-ish) hotels to stay at in the general area? If we could get everybody to stay at one (or two) then that would just add to the fun. I heard mention of a van or seven to be rented...so that we could all carpool.

Secondy, If i happen to go (Im gonna start saving!) I'm gonna hafta fly in, so whats the most local airport?

Thridly, Somebody has to pick up some "Hello, my name is..." tags.
-----------------------------------

Four out of five dentists reccomend calling Ebo a girl.

STATIC

Thursday, July 29, 2004 12:47 AM

Okay. . .there are SEVERAL nice AND cheap-ish hotels in the general area. . .and I believe group rates would be available with the proper planning. . .also I get a Military rate that isn't too bad. (point of note: I am one of those neat 'club member' types with La Quinta, of which there is one nearby)

Also. . .the best airport for those of you to fly in to is Raleigh Durham. . .RDU.

==================================================
"Wash. . .we got some local color happening. A grand entrance would not go amiss."

THEGREYJEDI

Thursday, July 29, 2004 5:26 AM

Aaaand bump.

--------------------------------------------------
ZOE: Now we have a boatful of citizens right on top of our... stolen cargo. That's a fun mix.
MAL: Ain't no way in the 'verse they could find that compartment, even--Even if they were lookin' for it.
ZOE: Why not?
MAL: 'Cause... ?
ZOE: Oh yeah, this is gonna go great.
MAL: If anyone gets nosy, just, you know...shoot 'em.
ZOE: Shoot 'em?
MAL: Politely.

STATIC

Thursday, July 29, 2004 6:11 AM

And another bump

==================================================
"Wash. . .we got some local color happening. A grand entrance would not go amiss."

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