A Startup Theatre?
Many entrepreneurs who are actively seeking a sort of novel idea for opening a business might love the idea of starting an indie cinema. Not only is it ‘artsy’ but with the right setting and well thought out plans, it could be quite a lucrative venture. If you are among those who are seriously considering the potential in opening a cinema in your town, there are some things you need to think about first.
Location, Location, Location
The first thing you need to consider is the old real estate rule of thumb, “Location, location, location.” Are you going to need to construct a building to house your theater or is there an empty building that would be suitable for this type of establishment? Not only will you need to ensure that there is ample parking for attendees, but you will also need to consider the acoustics in the building and whether or not there will be room for seating. Sometimes you can find vacant theaters that have closed down for one reason or another, but that is not often the case. Just make certain that the area in which you would like the cinema located is situated in an area that is easy to find and safe enough to be frequented by movie goers.
Remodeling to Accommodate a Cinema
As mentioned, you will need a floor plan that is large enough to seat a large audience. You can always get acoustic tiles and a good sound system, but adequate seating is an absolute must. It is also important to find a building with high ceilings if at all possible so that you can have a floor constructed that is raised towards the back to accommodate better viewing. Nothing is worse than trying to see over the heads of those in front of you. Also, you need to consider the type of seating you will install. Theaters should have comfortable chairs with a seat that lifts so that people moving in and out to the aisles can do so safely without tripping over items in their path. You can find fixed seating that is ideal for theaters at SeatingConcepts.com and it can be delivered right to your doorstep.
Licensing and Permits
Besides seeing to all the physical aspects of opening an indie cinema you will need to look at the zoning and licensing laws in your state and local government. If you are doing any kind of renovation on the building you will most often need permits, especially if electrical wiring is being done. The county building inspector will need to determine how many people your building can safely seat and then you will need all the necessary types of business insurance before opening your doors to the public.
Unlike network theaters like AMC, you will be showing lesser known movies with artists that are still unknown. An indie cinema has a whole different appeal than your typical movie theater so you will need to think about advertising as well. You can’t expect the networks to run commercials on your showings as they wouldn’t have a stake in doing so. Once you have your building set up, your licensing and insurance in place, it’s a matter of finding good films with a wide appeal. Owning and operating an Indie theater is an exciting venture and something that is not your run-of-the-mill investment. It comes from a true love of entertainment. So above all, have fun and enjoy the show.
