LET’S ‘SAVE OUR CINEMAS’
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanThe cinema provides us an escape from our daily routine if only for a few hours. We laugh, we cry, we are totally absorbed on the fashions, the plot, the characters. Technology has now pushed us so far into the future that we tend to forget those ‘Mom and Pop’ theaters that have been part of the local communities across the nation for decades now. Sadly enough, as we begin the year 2013, approximately 3,000 of these types of cinemas will be closing their doors for the very last time. So you ask what is the reason for this staggering figure? These types of theaters are unable to make this switch to digital equipment because of the extraordinary funding required.
In the past, all movie theaters had the option to show films with 35mm film. This year that is no longer a viable option. All movies will be shipped in digital format only. Showing the movies will require digital projectors, sound systems, servers and movie screens. For these small ‘Mom and Pop’ theaters, that adds up to a huge and unaffordable expense, close to $100,000 per cinema.
If the capital cannot be raised to support this changeout, the consequence is the loss of almost 50,000 jobs with no guarantee of finding new work right away. It also puts the livelihood of those vendors that service the cinemas in jeopardy.
There is still some promise of a brighter tomorrow. SAVE AMERICA’S CINEMAS is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit group fully dedicated to providing the financial assistance that is required to acquire the digital equipment for these types of theaters. The inspiration for the founding of the organization was filmmaker and producer, Walter T. Shaw (Genius on Hold) and former jewel thief for the mafia. The organization is represented by the very affluent TransMedia Group . There may be a glimmer of hope with a solution in sight but the word must be spread rapidly.
This coming Friday, January 11, 2013, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., a media conference will be held at the luxuriously exclusive Castle Hotel located at 5445 Collins Avenue in sun-drenched Miami Beach. There could be no better location to hold an event such as this one since the film industry is adapting easily to using the area for filming more frequently these days.
A special launch party that will take place will feature celebrities, struggling cinema owners and major companies that have partnered with SAVE AMERICA’S CINEMAS. Supporting this terrific cause will be Frank Vincent, Tony Sirico, Tony Danza, Chuck Zito, Vincent Pastore, Kris Jenner, Debi Mazar, Eddie Lynch and Mike Starr.
At the launch, a powerball type lottery will determine the first cinema to receive funding to upgrade to digital. They will be able to breathe one big sigh of relief knowing that there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel.
As Walter T. Shaw puts it, “We are keenly aware of the historical, emotional and cultural damage that will be caused by the massive closings of these well-established community icons that have brought joy and countless memories to generations of small-town families across the great nation. We can save these theaters. We’re excited that TransMedia is on board to help educate America that something needs to be done and can be done to save these cinema landmarks.”
This is a mission that affects millions of cultural and entertainment lovers across the nation. Let’s try to give back to those that have worked diligently to entertain us over the past years.
Visit their website at www.saveamericascinemas.org and like them on Facebook.
PHOTO CREDITS: PRNewswire, Save America’s Cinemas Facebook Page
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