How do theaters decide what movies to show?

By stereotyping their audiences. Though theoretically studios and theaters could attach any trailer to any movie, they usually decide which releases to promote by using the “quadrant” system, which divides potential audiences into four different categories: men under 25, women under 25, men over 25, and women over 25.

Who decides how long a movie stays in theaters?

It depends upon the producers and budget of the film. High budget film producers hire most of the theaters and run movie as long as they want. Above all, A popular film can last for a very long time in the theater. For example, Lawrence of Arabia one time, which played for almost a full year because of its popularity.

How are movies distributed to theaters?

Each theatre gets one copy of the movie and will copy it from the hard drive to the servers in each auditorium where the movie will be shown. The other distribution method that is growing in popularity is to download the movie from a communications satellite or to get it through a high speed internet connection.

Why do movies show trailers?

Trailers consist of a series of selected shots from the film being advertised. Since the purpose of the trailer is to attract an audience to the film, these excerpts are usually drawn from the most exciting, funny, or otherwise noteworthy parts of the film but in abbreviated form and usually without producing spoilers.

Do movies usually start on time?

No. The listed runtime is the duration of the feature film. The feature film does not start at the published showtime. There are approximately 20 minutes of preshow material, including trailers, between the published showtime and the start of the feature film.

What is a preview of a movie called?

A trailer (also known as a preview or coming attraction video) is a commercial advertisement, originally for a feature film that is going to be exhibited in the future at a movie theater/cinema.

How do movie theatres decide what movie goes on which screen?

What movie plays on a particular screen is up to the theatre owner and, since the 1950s, movie theatres can’t be owned by movie studios so each exhibitor gets to decide what movie goes on which screen. Like any business, a theatre owner (or chain) will keep up to date on all the new releases and plan to have new movies in accordingly.

How does a movie get distributed to theaters?

The distribution company shows the movie (screening) to prospective buyers representing the theaters. The buyers negotiate with the distribution company on which movies they wish to lease and the terms of the lease agreement. The prints are sent to the theaters a few days before the opening day.

How do movie theaters lease their movies?

The buyers negotiate with the distribution company on which movies they wish to lease and the terms of the lease agreement. The prints are sent to the theaters a few days before the opening day. The theater shows the movie for a specified number of weeks (engagement).

How much do movie theaters make from open bidding?

Bidding requires that the theater agree to pay a fixed amount for the right to show the movie. For example, a theater might bid $100,000 for a four-week engagement of a new movie. During that time, it could make $125,000 for a profit of $25,000. Or it might take in only $75,000, which means the theater has a loss of $25,000.