film screenings?

[splitxends.livejournal.com]

Hey everyone- 
I have a friend who wants to bring his documentary (about the history of Garage Rock in Detroit) to the East Coast and I agreed to help him find a venue for it.
Anyone have any ideas on how to set up screenings at movie theaters? From what I'm gathering from the websites of Somerville Theater, Coolidge, Reagent, etc.  it looks like I have to rent the theater (which seems expensive and I'm not sure he had to rent a venue back in Detroit)- is there anything else I should know/ routes I should pursue before I start contacting theaters to rent? Do colleges around here do anything like this?
I know this is completely random- but I think it would be great to bring this into Davis/Somerville (I mean, they don't say "Somerville Rocks!" on all those flags for nothin') and you guys always seem to have answers :)
Here is the trailer if anyone is interested.

Comments

[georgy.livejournal.com]

I would suggest checking with libraries, as they do a lot of film screenings, but I am not sure if they focus on local artists moreso than out of state ones.

josephineave posts about local film screenings weekly, so maybe you could look at those posts and see if any venues pop out that you might not have thought of. I would also check Arts at the Armory.

Also, I recommend looking into any local groups that have interests dovetailing with the subject of the documentary to see if they would be interested in co-sponsoring an event including a screening.

[splitxends.livejournal.com]

Excellent idea- i forgot about the armory... i know that there may be less interest given this is MA and not MI! Thank you- any idea on where I can find info on local groups?

[lonelyholiday.livejournal.com]

BU's film department definitely has screenings. I graduated too many years ago to know a direct contact for you, but you could try the department's general phone/email and see if they can point you to the right person... I'm not sure if it's "curated" by someone who makes up their own list of selections or if they take submissions.

They do lots of screenings with the filmmakers in attendance for discussions and Q&As, too, so if your friend would be coming along with the film, that might boost your chances.

[lonelyholiday.livejournal.com]

PS - Should have mentioned that obviously that's not Davis/Somerville. But worth a shot!

[pseudoboy.livejournal.com]

They should get ahold of Ned Hinkle at the Brattle Theater. They may screen it there.

[mjrocks98.livejournal.com]

I work at a college & colleges do host events like this, however, he would most likely have to wait till the fall to get a college to host it. He would increase his chances if he offered to do a lecture after or before the film for students (esp. if he was willing to go into a classroom & give a classroom lecture - it would have to relate to the course he was visiting)

I would still contact Somerville theatre. If they are interested they may waive the rental fee if an agreement on ticket sales can be reached between the producer & the theatre. I'd esp. contact them if this is something he wants to do over the summer instead of waiting till the fall when colleges gear back up.

[ron_newman]

And the person you want to talk to at Somerville Theatre is Ian Judge. He occasionally posts here as svilletheatre.

If what you are showing is a video, the Somerville recently opened a sixth screening room (the 'Micro Theatre') for such things. The Coolidge also has two such small video-only rooms.

[svilletheatre.livejournal.com]

If you are interested in our 31 seat digital screening room, I'd be happy to talk to you about it. We built it for parties, rentals, and also with smaller independent films in mind (and so our staff can play Rock Band). It has a great surround sound system (5.1) and throws a nice bright image from our digital projector. The other auditoriums at the theater are 35mm film only, unless outside equipment is rented.

My email is: ijudge@feitheatres.com if you want to drop me a line.

-Ian/Somerville Theatre

[overstim.livejournal.com]

The Landmark Kendall Square theater has more reasonably sized screening rooms for rent. If youre not expecting 500 people, you shouldnt pay for a 500 seat room, after all.

landmarktheatres.com

[bobobb.livejournal.com]

You could see about renting a room at Tufts or even hooking up with a Tufts organization (do they have a film club?) or the OxFam cafe to see if they'd be interested in showing it for free.

[magid.livejournal.com]

You could contact LSC at MIT about a screening. Or possibly the Coolidge.

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

There are lots of places that would be interested in hosting a screening, but you need a "hook" for most of them.

* You can get a club at the local schools to host you, but that won't happen until Fall and you need to find a club that is somewhat related to the topic (that may be difficult since there aren't many clubs for "garage rock").
* The same thing goes for the schools themselves...though film programs and maybe even music programs/classes are much more likely to be interested since they can either focus on the act of making a film or the content. BU, Emerson, Tufts, BU CDIA, AIB, Berklee all come to mind as possibilities.
* There are lots of other venues that do screenings, but you have to have a reason for them to get interested. You may want to check out http://www.newenglandfilm.com/ for info on the local film scene and ideas.

[jodi.livejournal.com]

if i were in your place, i would contact the paul green school of rock and inquire whether they would host an event, throw a joint fundraiser, or simply lend you a room. they are a demographic match, come with a built in potential audience and would have a communication system in place (email lists, mailing lists, etc) to help promote your event. perhaps you could suggest a free screen room and loan of equipment for a discounted ticket for their members/students/affiliates?

http://www.schoolofrock.com/index.php

[jodi.livejournal.com]

p.s. the school of rock is not just local to the boston area, they have locations all over the country so maybe you can talk to them about more than just here.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

You will have much better luck in terms of cost and availability if you approach libraries and college campuses. The way into a campus is to contact a professor teaching a course with similar material to the documentary. A good start in your case would be Berklee.

Renting a movie theater WILL be expensive. It frankly has to be. Their margins are close to the bone and they likely only make money on concession sales for most movies they screen.

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

The filmmaker can probably do a tour of college campuses across New England in the Fall to get better penetration and get better bang for his buck.

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

they make no money on concessions from me, thanks to the brown elementary school!

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Normally I wouldn't call you out on this, but the Somerville isn't exactly the AMC and they don't overcharge. Part with the two bucks for some candy, help keep them in business.

Excellent idea.

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

...

[modpixie.livejournal.com]

Chris Vuk at the Vuk School of Groove (http://www.schoolofgroove.com/) might also be a good resource for you.

Thank you!

[splitxends.livejournal.com]

Thanks everyone- this is all great advice. I'll keep you all posted on what pans out!
Viva la rock!