Welcome to BigScreenBiz.com

From a business standpoint... if you feel there is a segment of the market that is being underserved and you can serve that segment and they will respond, then by all means do so. It has been proven that movie theatres do not have to just appeal to the mass market. Take the cinemas that cater to Indian films or Hispanic films. They are very successful. Granted, they are more than likely located in larger metropolitan areas with diverse populations. However, being situated in proximity to a smaller, less diverse population with a particular influence, be it ethnic, religious, or otherwise, then perhaps the population will support the type of theatre you want to operate. I can sum it up as "appealing to your audience"

Mike wrote:
Since the forum "Rules" section is empty, could you please clarify what is acceptable here and what is not, Mike? Subjects such as pornography, dildos, sexual positions, sports, and politics are acceptable, but the Christian movie genre and theaters (very relevant for business-to-business) is not? We are confused- seriously.

Mike wrote:
Hi Mike:

I don't think were talking so much about our "religious" beliefs as we are about how we can run a theatre keeping our "religious" beliefs in mind. I really don't like the word "religious". I prefer "relationship" (and I'll leave it to you to figure that out). I don't believe anyone has posted anything here in an attempt to change anyone's "religious" beliefs.

Cinemateer wrote:
missionary and christian government work??? we are talking about christians in business right???

Striike- Keyword being "areas"- business and workforce being lumped together here, but is irrelevant.

Cinemateer wrote:
no actually its entirely relevant. my point is that it is difficult for a good christian to operate a cinema. (one of the toughest businesses for a good christian to work in)

you then responded with "areas" that are just as tough for christians. unfortunately this is not a forum for you to complain about how tough christians have it in this world.

the topic is business and making a profit. so a correct response from you would have included other businesses that are tough for good christians to operate based on their beliefs. No person has yet come up with a business that is more morally challenging for a good christian to operate than the theater business. If you actually read my posts you would see that i have been complimenting the christian owners on this site for their success in such a tough business.

its quite simple and relevant.

As a Christian man who owns a small chain of theatres, my faith makes my job much easier. I sometime play movies which I might regret but I always try to present my theatres in a positive way. In my job I do not wear my faith on my sleeve, however I always attempt to conduct myself in a way where people could figure it out if they are paying attention. Our theatres have been blessed with a steady growth in attendance and this month we were featured in Boxoffice as the "Marquee Award" winners. www.bestmoviedeal.com/Site/Marquee_Award.html. In this business it is easy to elevate ourselves to believe we are something special....big fish in small ponds...local celebrities etc. My faith keeps me humble enough to know that while I am blessed to do a job that I love, I better not start worshiping the job or He will do whatever is necessary to get my attention and help me alter my priorities.

Orpheum wrote:
I read the article "Orpheum". I felt a twinge of envy (sorry 'bout that). I'm only sorry there were no current photos of the Orpheum. Any chance you could post some? It was a good read.

striike wrote:
You have a point strile. But if I may take the liberty of speaking on Cinemateer's behalf I don't think he was complaining but stating a fact and because of that fact (what Christians have come to expect in most any field they enter) a Christian can find a way to operate a theatre without compromising his beliefs.

thanks to everyone to who participated in this thread. this is a topic i would have never thought of. i have to say that i was surprised how many theater owners operate their business based on their personal beliefs. thank you for exposing me to a side of the business i was not aware of.

Thanks for the nice words Revrobor. You can find pictures by going to www.bestmoviedeal.com. On the home page click to Orpheum and on that page go to gallery. There are tons of pictures from past promotions etc.

Since I got run over in the road like a well meaning chipmunk I'll weigh back in. Please do not foget that I am the sole decider and if you get too pushy and over the top I will ban you in a heartbeat. I've never had to do that one time but there's always a first.

Thank you first of all for toning down the rhetoric.

To Cinemeteer's question: this is a site for theatre owners, theatre operators, people who work in the theatre business in any capacity. We also get a lot of wannabe and they should always remember that there is no leadership position open here for people who do not work in the theatre business. In particular this is not a site to have anyone's 13 year old child to sit in and read along with Dad or Mom. More on this in a moment. I know many of my member's personal story and I know many who are not in this business though they want to be some day. Rather than lecturing us who are with their grand untested ideas, and ideals, I suggest they listen and learn.
More on this in a moment. I have to do some real work. M

and now for the final word....

In my humble experience we all deal with challenges in all our daily lives that make us evaluate how we do something, should we do something, and under what circumstances. I know someone, a cook, who will not take work in public school kitchens because she believes they're feding kids junk. I know religious people who either refused to go to Iraq becuase of religious convictions and others who see no conflict with shooting people. The US Supreme Court is hearing arguments right now are youa llowed to not provide a medical service or advice if you are opposed to the service or advice. Book sellers, teachers and educational outfits, entertainment (TV?), telivision, manufacturers (who build weapons or equipment that might/might not be used for war or to degrade the environment, the music industry, utilities companies, publishers, etc. etc. etc. Not to mention governemnt and politicians. And on an on. In the end to suggest that theatre owners have it harder than anyone else is myopic at best. Guess what: everyone has it tough. In the end: you do what you do and it's your business not mine. You run your business the way yous ee fit and I will do the same and I ask you the courtesy to not lecture and we will extend you the same courtesy.

In the end I find that the people who have the strongest views on these subjects rarely have the actual ethical or religious dilema of actually having to make a real choice. Specifically they are not in the position of choosing what ends up in their theatres and they do not have to live with the choices real world results. Whatever a persons personal beliefs, ethics, etc. we all make our own adjustments, decide what we'll do or won't do, make accomadations or draw a line we won't cross. That's life no matter who you are. I know people who think that working at Wal-Mart would be agin to serving soup in a concentration camp while most sane people never think about this stuff at all. We all have plenty to think about and work on.

My final thought was that had this question been about programming and not been about a Christian having to choose I would have no problem with the topic. Here; we're all things and we try to even the playing field to include all and exclude none.

Orpheum wrote:
Hi Jeff:

The site won't let me in. It's asking for a user ID and password but won't accept my BigScreenBiz info.

Same thing happened to me. Can't get in and I'd love to see the Orpheum.