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Talk about Busman's Holiday... my wife and I were feted in Paris because we sent post cards to theatre owners there. They took us to dinner, gave free tickets, etc. Very kind and generous. And wherever I travel I end up in the local theatres... Grenada, Mexico, Chicago or New York makes no nevermind. The point is that if I'm not showing a movie I'll get in the car and go see it. I did it last with U-571. Even at Hoyts in Bangor... the picture is the thing. I notice that others routinely comment on pictures that I know they're not playing at their theatre. Do you travel to see movies at other theatres than your own?

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Mike Hurley
www.bigscreenbiz.com

Sure do, Mike. Many of the local theaters sometimes let me in for free (I'm guessing because they know they have a tech in the house -- so if that bulb which obviously has over 3000 hrs on it, goes boom they'll drag me up to the booth). I try to go to theater's owned by friends and combine catching up with catching a flick. Also, i play mostly art films, so i have to go out to see something different. It doesn't hurt to occasionally see a film that that doesn't make you think, speak to a higher good, or have subtitles.

Ditto here. We actually have an agreement with a few other theatre's in our immediate area. We will allow their managers/and or projectionists + one guest in to see any films we maybe playing. The same goes for our managers in their theatres. The only time we can not see a film for free, is if its a sellout, or no paying customers have showed up for the screening. it works out fairly well.

I like to see a couple new movies a week. I usually show movies 2-5 weeks after they open so I travel to one of the mulitplexes 55 miles away to preview what's new. Once in awhile they let me in, but I usually pay. They are really good about giving me trailers I need.

I never thought to ask them for trailers but considering how esy it is to get them when you work at a chain and how hard it is to get them as a indie I'll keep it in mind. We're talking about going to Boston because they have movies on the Boston Common outside... as they do in Bryant Park in NYC. I think we're just suckers for the silver screen. Have you seen Cinema Paradiso?

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Mike Hurley
www.bigscreenbiz.com