We have a theater in town sitting empty since the pandemic.
My wife and I talk often about what could be done to bring it alive again. Just feel like it has to be something other than a traditional movie theater but it is constrained by that very same design.
I'd love the figure out some viable indie repurposing for it.
There's even a larger one that has more of that old school character a couple of towns away that also recently closed.
Oh I love this idea!! Are you willing to share which town? Thats what happened with Blue Macaroon - it was a small theatre that someone was closing and a couple came in and repurposed it. We are so glad they did!
I love that you wrote this, and as tough as things can be, I always want to believe that you can build from where you are. I've dreamed of being elsewhere for most of my life, but now I have aging/ill family members, and with the costs of living, it can be discouraging to think about ever getting out. My biggest challenge is finding people locally who even want to talk to me about my ideas. People even gawk at the news crews like they have three heads when they're filming a segment. Of course there's a film community across the state, but NO ONE gets paid and everyone has to work jobs. That makes scheduling and collaborating almost impossible. Not to mention that we're all held back in some way by past wounds. That's an ongoing battle. I just try to pour everything into my scripts. The landscape here is beautiful, and there's a lot of potential for many niches to be filmed here, but crews would likely have to come from elsewhere. And I don't know who has money in this state, but we have a massive surplus and I just need to know whom to talk to so I can crack the code, I guess.
It's definitely worth seeing who is on the board for charity events, wealthy real estate investors, oil, etc! You never know where you will find money. Look at any local theatres and who is the investors or donors on them, and find creative ways to connect with them. Also the money doesn't have to come from SD, or the crews, but it's worth capturing the gorgeous landscape!
I’ve considered that. But I have to idea how to connect with the wealthy people here. Where do they hang out? We do have a lot of galas and charity events here, but they’re mostly to raise money for causes.
Yes! I went to a Big Ten School (first) and saw this firsthand with many bands that became popular and then when I transferred and graduated from a smaller school in a big city - saw some of those bands show up at neighborhood bars, usually those associated with the schools they played at (think, Ohio State or Michigan bars - where alumni hang out and are familiar with the band). I also used that model for my first business while in college - booking bands and bringing in emerging photographers to small neighborhood spots. It works!!!
I couldn't agree more about micro-culture and finding audiences in smaller markets. So much potential to create the 1000 true fans phenomenon. It's also making me think of Amanda Palmer and how she added her fans to her email list one by one from her live events.
IRL is high cost (if not in money, then in time/intention/confidence/organizational skills), but that's what makes it high value. Plus, people are more likely to become emotionally attached to high-touch experiences. You contrast that with "posting" and wow. Stark difference! IRL gives so many opportunities to surprise/delight, and build a loyal, excited fan base who will start to spread the word.
Thank you for breaking all of this down! Raising my hand to collaborate! Let's bring the indie arthouse scene back!!
Love the idea of this.
We have a theater in town sitting empty since the pandemic.
My wife and I talk often about what could be done to bring it alive again. Just feel like it has to be something other than a traditional movie theater but it is constrained by that very same design.
I'd love the figure out some viable indie repurposing for it.
There's even a larger one that has more of that old school character a couple of towns away that also recently closed.
Oh I love this idea!! Are you willing to share which town? Thats what happened with Blue Macaroon - it was a small theatre that someone was closing and a couple came in and repurposed it. We are so glad they did!
The two I know of are in Ramsey and Ridgewood, NJ.
If you end up reviving it, please let me know! One of my hopes is to make a list of cool indie theaters & towns with contacts.
I love that you wrote this, and as tough as things can be, I always want to believe that you can build from where you are. I've dreamed of being elsewhere for most of my life, but now I have aging/ill family members, and with the costs of living, it can be discouraging to think about ever getting out. My biggest challenge is finding people locally who even want to talk to me about my ideas. People even gawk at the news crews like they have three heads when they're filming a segment. Of course there's a film community across the state, but NO ONE gets paid and everyone has to work jobs. That makes scheduling and collaborating almost impossible. Not to mention that we're all held back in some way by past wounds. That's an ongoing battle. I just try to pour everything into my scripts. The landscape here is beautiful, and there's a lot of potential for many niches to be filmed here, but crews would likely have to come from elsewhere. And I don't know who has money in this state, but we have a massive surplus and I just need to know whom to talk to so I can crack the code, I guess.
It's definitely worth seeing who is on the board for charity events, wealthy real estate investors, oil, etc! You never know where you will find money. Look at any local theatres and who is the investors or donors on them, and find creative ways to connect with them. Also the money doesn't have to come from SD, or the crews, but it's worth capturing the gorgeous landscape!
I’ve considered that. But I have to idea how to connect with the wealthy people here. Where do they hang out? We do have a lot of galas and charity events here, but they’re mostly to raise money for causes.
Yes! I went to a Big Ten School (first) and saw this firsthand with many bands that became popular and then when I transferred and graduated from a smaller school in a big city - saw some of those bands show up at neighborhood bars, usually those associated with the schools they played at (think, Ohio State or Michigan bars - where alumni hang out and are familiar with the band). I also used that model for my first business while in college - booking bands and bringing in emerging photographers to small neighborhood spots. It works!!!
oh that is fascinating!!! I would absolutely love to hear more - how brilliant to choose places you know the alumni would be hanging out at!
This is such an exciting breakdown!
I couldn't agree more about micro-culture and finding audiences in smaller markets. So much potential to create the 1000 true fans phenomenon. It's also making me think of Amanda Palmer and how she added her fans to her email list one by one from her live events.
IRL is high cost (if not in money, then in time/intention/confidence/organizational skills), but that's what makes it high value. Plus, people are more likely to become emotionally attached to high-touch experiences. You contrast that with "posting" and wow. Stark difference! IRL gives so many opportunities to surprise/delight, and build a loyal, excited fan base who will start to spread the word.
Thank you for breaking all of this down! Raising my hand to collaborate! Let's bring the indie arthouse scene back!!