Drafthouse Friends & Family,
A few more updates around movie programming and pricing, chair upgrades, and an update on the Kennedy Center problems.
Movie Programming
This week we have started with official "Art House" films. Please check them out when you get a chance. These are high quality films. Typically we will be bringing in one film per week + one family friendly film per week. So far it looks like we can get films 3 to 4 weeks off of first release, which is good for us. Increasingly, we will be able to book 2 to 3 weeks out - so for the first time in our history, we will have coming soon promotions.
Movie Price Increase Update (Good News!)
Many of the studios have agreed to adjusted pricing then first promised. Prime time Wed - Sunday will be $10. Matinees will be $8. The good news is most studios will allow us to discount Monday & Tuesdays to $6.50. And Children on the weekend matinee family friendly films will be $6.50 (same as the current price). Not every film will qualify for these prices as some will be special releases, but most should. We will include pricing on newsletters from here on out to make it easier to follow.
New Chairs
After some searching, we have found a large number of new chairs in our price range. We are testing three different models over the next 2 weeks. Once we pick one, we should be able to purchase 150 replacing all the remaining old chairs. This will take some time as we have to purchase, store, and build them over a number of weeks - but it looks like we will have all the chairs replaced sooner than expected. Yeah!
This Saturday at 4PM there is a SmartPhilm Fest playing at the Drafthouse. The SmartPhilm Fest is a unique film/tech festival that celebrates and showcases shorts shot exclusively with smartphones and other mobile devices. This is a good chance to support very independent film makers who are creating amazingly professional film shorts. Please give it a look. Click here for more information.
Kennedy Center Problems
One of our customers politely suggested that I keep these emails shorter. I agree. So I am linking to the more detailed blog related to these issues for those who want to follow. The Washington Post this afternoon released their coverage of the situation. Robert van Leer from the Kennedy Center is lying and Second City got caught lying. Check out our blog for the details.
I would like to thank all of those who have supported us during these tough times - and particularly those who are supporting us as we face up against bully tactics (read our blog) by the Kennedy Center. Sometimes it is a friendly word when my wife and I are walking through the neighborhood. For some it is sage advice on the legal responsibility of non-profits. Others referred us to reporters at the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. Some just simply respond, "keep up the fight". You all are awesome! It means a lot. Please share our blog with your friends.
Sincerely,
