UPDATE* BOUGHT IT -So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

[Jet Beetle]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

I've already checked to see what i have to do to show it. one thing that helps is keeping my place a residence and not a theatre - also, not charging. My lawyer sent me a whole slew of rules and I'm in the clear. I will have to get certain written permission for special group showings (indy films (believe it or not) and schools) - but that's not even a big problem. As I've stated many times - I'm not charging anyone who wants to watch a movie at my place.

 

[slave1pilot]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

so...
you're saying that you aren't charging then?

 

[bubba fett]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

Love it! Always been a dream of mine to do exactly what you are.

Good luck with the project.

 

[lupus]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

Jet beetle,
I now understand the reasoning for the no charge for the movies, as it gets around the screening issue. However, doesn't food retailing still end up qualifying you as a business?

 

[Jet Beetle]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

Jet beetle,
I now understand the reasoning for the no charge for the movies, as it gets around the screening issue. However, doesn't food retailing still end up qualifying you as a business?

It depends. there are a few interesting loopholes in there my lawyer is looking into. And you have to remember - i have AT LEAST a year to work these issues out and i don't plan on doing any true public screenings until way after that. My first priority is finding true matches to the tile, marble and wood that the old girl needs - then making the place habitable - meaning, doing all of the nasty work before I let my family set foot in there - getting rid of bugs and rats and such. There's a ton of work that needs to be done before this place can screen movie one. The screen will be used to watch tv and play video games on before Citizen Kane graces her again.

 

[Amish Trooper]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

What is max capacity? Is it just 1 screen?

 

[Solo4114]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

It depends. there are a few interesting loopholes in there my lawyer is looking into. And you have to remember - i have AT LEAST a year to work these issues out and i don't plan on doing any true public screenings until way after that. My first priority is finding true matches to the tile, marble and wood that the old girl needs - then making the place habitable - meaning, doing all of the nasty work before I let my family set foot in there - getting rid of bugs and rats and such. There's a ton of work that needs to be done before this place can screen movie one. The screen will be used to watch tv and play video games on before Citizen Kane graces her again.

Two things.

1. On the original post re: it being haunted...

We're ready to believe you.


2. On the legal elements, good luck. (Said with all sincerity -- I LOVE the idea of this.) I'm sure your lawyer has explained or will explain this to you in greater detail, but saying "But I'm not charging!" is only one part of the puzzle for Fair Use. I'd still get permission. Or possibly do charity showings for the larger public gigs, with the cooperation of the rights holders and such.

Hmm...I don't know much about this type of law, but I wonder if you set up a 501(c)(3) as a film preservation society, then charged folks the dues necessary to secure viewing rights on limited occasions....

 

[DarkHelmet]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

Hey Paul,

I think you should contact HGTV, TLC, DIY, and most importantly, This Old House, and propose the idea of turning the renovation into a show...complete with corporate involvement (materials).

 

[Jet Beetle]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

Two things.

1. On the original post re: it being haunted...

We're ready to believe you.


2. On the legal elements, good luck. (Said with all sincerity -- I LOVE the idea of this.) I'm sure your lawyer has explained or will explain this to you in greater detail, but saying "But I'm not charging!" is only one part of the puzzle for Fair Use. I'd still get permission. Or possibly do charity showings for the larger public gigs, with the cooperation of the rights holders and such.

Ok, let me make this a bit more clear - this place is where I will LIVE. There will not be weekly showings of ANYTHING. The films i decide to show will be on a random basis at best not all will be open to the public - if they are, there will be no charge to walk in a take a peek. Any film I can get in trouble for - I simply won't show to the public. so many posts have crossed this with some sort of business venture and as i said in the beginning - What really interested me in this place was so i can live in it.

It's a place to party, that will also be open to those who need it. If a school wants to use the screen and bring in the kids - I will make sure it's ready for them. If any money needs to change hands for what they intend to show - that will be up to them. I fully intend on converting the balcony to my master bedroom with a jacuzzi positioned toward the screen. This will be the ultimate party place for me, family and friends. Waitaminute - those people all died in the BALCONY!!! I may put my bedroom in the men's bathroom.

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

Sounds great, Bro! Hope it works out for you.

 

[robn1]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

I can't imagine anything cooler than owning a haunted movie theater, except living in one! Not that I'm a big believer in the paranormal, but I do enjoy a good ghost story, the creepier the better :lol

I don't think I'd worry about the ghosts, even if I did believe in 'em. Of all the stories I've heard about hauntings, I don't think they've done any harm.

Good luck with it, I hope it's all you hope it will be :thumbsup

 

[Jet Beetle]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

I don't think I'd worry about the ghosts, even if I did believe in 'em. Of all the stories I've heard about hauntings, I don't think they've done any harm.

True - I've never read or heard a ghost story where a apparition picked up someone and tossed them out a window - but a blood curdling SCREAM at 3am would be enough to put my overweight ass in a pine box. Brushing my teeth in the morning then rising from the sink only to see a man standing behind me with no face would cause me to curl into a letter O with my head firmly up my butt, then roll out the front door and onto the freeway never to be seen again.

 

[DaddyfromNaboo]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

I know what will definitely haunt you, the creepiest horror of them all:

the heating costs...

 

[Solo4114]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

Ok, let me make this a bit more clear - this place is where I will LIVE. There will not be weekly showings of ANYTHING. The films i decide to show will be on a random basis at best not all will be open to the public - if they are, there will be no charge to walk in a take a peek. Any film I can get in trouble for - I simply won't show to the public. so many posts have crossed this with some sort of business venture and as i said in the beginning - What really interested me in this place was so i can live in it.

It's a place to party, that will also be open to those who need it. If a school wants to use the screen and bring in the kids - I will make sure it's ready for them. If any money needs to change hands for what they intend to show - that will be up to them. I fully intend on converting the balcony to my master bedroom with a jacuzzi positioned toward the screen. This will be the ultimate party place for me, family and friends. Waitaminute - those people all died in the BALCONY!!! I may put my bedroom in the men's bathroom.

I hear ya. I'm just saying there's more to the analysis than "Are you making money off of it." Many folks get hung up on the whole "commercial venture" aspect (which this isn't really), but copyright law would still apply to a free screening, even if you don't make a cent off of it. I'm just pointing out that "Fair Use" as a defense goes beyond simply "Did you make any money off it?"

 

[Jet Beetle]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

I know what will definitely haunt you, the creepiest horror of them all:

the heating costs...

You mean cooling - this is in Texas.

I hear ya. I'm just saying there's more to the analysis than "Are you making money off of it." Many folks get hung up on the whole "commercial venture" aspect (which this isn't really), but copyright law would still apply to a free screening, even if you don't make a cent off of it. I'm just pointing out that "Fair Use" as a defense goes beyond simply "Did you make any money off it?"

From what my lawyer has said, the guilds as well as the Motion Picture Preservation Society offer certain members screening privileges for certain films - believe it or not, most of the films on this list are the ones we'd all love to see on screen. I have really good standing at both the Directors and Writer's guild - not to mention being a member of the preservation society for 10 years now - this grants me access to certain things as long as I'm not profiting from it. Trust me, I pay my lawyer a lot of money to keep my tail out of the tar pit.

 

[Deric]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

+1 on this. That would be awesome. I would definitely tune-in not even knowing it was your place if this happened.

Hey Paul,

I think you should contact HGTV, TLC, DIY, and most importantly, This Old House, and propose the idea of turning the renovation into a show...complete with corporate involvement (materials).

 

[robn1]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

...a blood curdling SCREAM at 3am would be enough to put my overweight ass in a pine box. Brushing my teeth in the morning then rising from the sink only to see a man standing behind me with no face would cause me to curl into a letter O with my head firmly up my butt, then roll out the front door and onto the freeway never to be seen again.

You'll get used to it

 

[Darth Mawr]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

I can't think of a better place to watch "Frankenstein" and "Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy" double feature but a haunted theater. And then to see some guy falling out of a hot tub as the balcony collapses during the intermission would make for a perfect evening. Yah think an Alabama transplant from Odessa Texas could get an invite?:lol

 

[Sigma-LS]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

You mean cooling - this is in Texas.

In Texas, you get slammed with both unless you happen to be near the coast.

Sounds like a dream deal though. Just please tell me this is not the old theater off University by the museums in Ft Worth or I might come snag it out from under you.:lol

 

[Jet Beetle]

Re: So I've been offered an old movie theatre built in the late 30s

In Texas, you get slammed with both unless you happen to be near the coast.

Sounds like a dream deal though. Just please tell me this is not the old theater off University by the museums in Ft Worth or I might come snag it out from under you.:lol

Hey... how did you know?

Kidding. It's located in Houston near Rice.

Tomorrow's the big day. I'll be there all day with my guys seeing what's going on under the old girl's skirt.