What a difference a year makes, or at the moment, even a day. Since the government announced drive in cinemas from 15th June and outdoor cinemas from 4th July in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, many people have been considering putting on either a drive-in cinema or outdoor cinema with social distancing measures in place. There are many aspects to consider if you are thinking about going down this route and here at Ellievision AV we are here to help having successfully run outdoor cinemas for some amazing clients.
If you have an incredible location, perhaps an outdoor cinema or drive-in cinema might be something you’re considering right now. Here in this practical guide we run through some of the licensing requirements you need to think about and also some of the aspects you need to consider.
Stately homes, football pitches, parks, roof tops, fields, sandy beaches, lakesides. The most fabulous and unexpected locations can become the perfect setting for an outdoor screening.
So, what’s the first element to consider for your social distanced outdoor cinema or drive-in cinema. In our experience it’s the location. Have you got a location already in mind? Perhaps you own or manage a venue? Selecting the perfect venue is key. You need to consider the space for your drive- in cinema or outdoor cinema and access and entry points. Some venues have limited access, would this work for a drive-in cinema or social distance outdoor cinema?
Top Tip:
It’s always good to keep up with the latest government advice which has been published on drive-in and outdoor cinemas. If you’d like a copy, just drop us a line at info@ellievisionav.co.uk or check out the UK Cinema Association. Remember to check regularly as they are updated on a frequent basis.
What’s next on the to do list? We would say understanding the licensing process. Before you can start to advertise or promote your big screen event you need to have the right licenses in place.
At Ellievision AV we work with Film Bank Media for all film licensing. They have over 13,000 film titles to choose from, but how do you decide? There are always some key titles that prove popular, but do consider your audience. Stuck for some ideas? We are always happy to provide suggestions if you need them.
At the moment, some films are embargoed or require a special license. This is changing month by month, so we always keep up to date with which films are on hold.
Top Tip:
We are currently recommending all our clients to have a reserve film, should their first choice not be available. This is speeding up the film licensing process which is taking up to 10 days currently due to higher than normal demand.
Understanding the licensing route, the first time can be rather daunting, but we are here to help you through this process and can organise the film license and RPS / PPL license if you need us to do so.
What licenses do you need?
Film License – essential for showing a film. Pricing starts from £139 plus VAT or a percentage of your box office takings. Film Bank Media charge 40% of the box office returns or £139 plus VAT, whichever is the greater. This is the same for a pop-up cinema in a marquee or temporary structure outside and for drive-in cinemas. The ticket price is set by you! Here at Ellievision AV we like to go the extra mile for our customers and we are happy to organise film licenses for our clients.
PRS and PPL licensing are a must if you’re having music before or after your film showing. Many venues already have these in place so do check with your venue provider or local council if it’s on their land as more often than not there is a license in place. We always find it’s a great build up to any pop-up cinema to have music setting the tone for the afternoon or evening movie.
Temporary Events Notification – depending on your venue you might need to apply for a temporary events notification from the local council. This can take up to 10 days to be approved so make sure you get your temporary events notification in early if required. If you’re thinking of having an age restricted film, one good idea might be to liaise with the local authorities before completing your TEN, get their buy in and ideas on the films, this could save you time in the long run.
Top Tip:
Always check with your venue to see what existing licenses are in place to save you time. You may be considering catering or a bar and would need a license. If in doubt, contact your local council.
Broadcast License
For drive-in cinemas some providers transmit the audio via the radio on a set frequency which requires a broadcast license. These licenses from OFCOM can take up to 60 days to come through. At Ellievision AV we prefer to use in car transmitters. This gives us a quicker turn-around time for our customers if the lead time to the event is less than 60 days. Do check with your drive-in cinema provider to see if this is required.
The final piece in the puzzle is marketing.
Top Tip:
Organise your outdoor cinema or drive-in cinema with as much time as you can, to market your event. Make use of the official film posters to advertise your film showing – these are available when you have your film license approval. On line and social media work well as does promoting via your venues website. Local press and flyers also help. Ask if the venue can promote your event on their social media too. Make sure you include this in your budget when you are planning your big screen experience as often you need a mix of different marketing initiatives to drive ticket sales and this is one element which can often be over looked.
Last but not least do you need any security or toilets? This is very much venue dependent, but again, it can all eat into your profit margin, so do make sure you include this in your budget.
What else can I do to drive sales and revenue?
Sponsorship might be an option, especially for a charity movie night. There are many organisations for whom funds this year have been blighted by COVID-19 activities. A drive-in or socially distanced outdoor cinema can still provide a revenue stream in a safe environment.
Catering is yet another way to boost your funds. Whether it’s selling pitches to vendors or managing the bar and BBQ in the summer yourselves, it’s still a great way to add additional revenue to your movie night.
Whatever type of film event you are considering, we are here to help. Drop us a line or pick up the phone!