Tarvin Online Logo Link

Anatomy of a Film Night

1st February 2019 @ 6:06am – by Tarvin Community Centre
Back home  »  News  »  Anatomy of a Film Night
cinemaaudience2

As many of you may know, the Film Night on Friday (Jan 25th) was very successful. 78 tickets were sold for the 6.00pm film and a record 153 for the 8.00 pm show. This is how the success is generated.

Film nights at the Community Centre are the responsibility of Lyn and Pete Brunton and they deal with a charity called Reel on Wheels (ROW) that aims of to bring films on general release to the viewing public in rural areas and people who may have no easy access to a cinema.

An annual calendar of dates and times is agreed with ROW, avoiding, as far as possible, any school holidays or village events. About a month before the evening, Lyn designs and produces posters along with the tickets that go for sale in Tarvin Post Office. Lyn and Sue advertise the event widely. With the help of teachers, slips with film details go into every child's bag at the Primary School. Generally, more tickets are purchased in advance for the 8:00pm film than the 6:00pm one, perhaps because families make their minds up about coming nearer the time, dependant perhaps on tiredness, homework or health.

On 'Film Night' Friday at about 11:45am, Pete sets out children's mats along with junior and adult chairs taking care that every seat has an unobstructed view of the screen. At about 4:00pm ROW arrive, and Pete is there to assist the operator unload and set up all the equipment while Lyn collects the tickets from the Post Office, Other committee members arrive about 5:15pm to start selling tickets and Ted and Jane Lush turn up to prepare the bar. After careers in local government finance, who knew they would make such excellent bartenders!

With the children's film well under way, the Lounge opens from about 7.15pm to welcome those wishing to see the 8:00pm film. Tickets can be purchased at this time and a drink enjoyed. When the first film has finished, it's all hands to the deck to clear the Hall and get more large chairs out for the next audience. Some committee helpers, like Bob Howard and John Daines, come down at this time to lend a hand and make the turn-around as swift as possible.

At the end of the film, Committee members clear the room ready for Rugby Tots the next day. The Committee always appreciates the help the audience give in stacking chairs, clearing glasses and bottles and emptying bins. Jane and Ted wash up – commercial glass washer! – and separate the bottles and cans for recycling. Peter and Lyn help pack up the equipment, re-load the van and lock up when Reels on Wheels drive away.

After a successful film, it is always a pleasure talking to the audience and getting feedback from everyone. However, the Film Night is not just about giving the audience a good time, but is a positive income generator. The income and profits for the first film night of 2019 are as follows
Ticket takings for Ralph Wrecks the Internet – £263 Paid to Reels on Wheels – £ 183 (including poster)
Profit – £80
Ticket takings from Bohemian Rhapsody – £765 Paid to Reels on Wheels – £522 (including poster and travel for the two films)
Profit – £243
Committee costs (printing, promotion) £15
Bar profit – £150
Total profit to the Community Centre from this wonderful evening – £458

What can we say but "THANK YOU?" Evenings like this have paid for the improvements to the Hall, and film nights in the future will ensure that funds are available to maintain the Centre for your continued enjoyments in years to come.

PS – Want to join the Committee to make sure this happens?

Get In Touch

TarvinOnline is powered by our active community.

Please send us your news and views.

Village Map

© 2024 TarvinOnline