This week, DCM Close Up puts the spotlight on Dorothy Smith, the Managing Director of Zeffirellis in Ambleside. Dorothy tells us all about how her cinema has transformed itself into a destination site in Cumbria, offering fine-dining and world-class jazz alongside an innovative alternative content programme and, of course, the best movie releases. To feature your cinema in a future issue, please email rebecca.rau@dcm.co.uk.
How did you end up working in cinema and what do you love about it? Read more
Anastasia Takis loves Ryan Gosling and was lucky enough to go to a preview of his latest film, Only God Forgives. Read on for her review.
Only God forgives…. As much as I love Ryan Gosling, not even my undying love for him could make me like this film the way I had wanted to. Read more
For the first time since 18 February 2011, the top seven films all grossed over £1m at the weekend’s box office, even when previews are removed.
Family animation The Smurfs 2 came out on top with £3.2m, £1.5m of that came from Wednesday and Thursday previews. That’s a bit lower than the first Smurfs film’s £3.8m opening in August 2011 (including £1.5m previews) and that film went on to a final total of £17.4m. Read more
Digital Cinema Media (DCM) is delighted to introduce its new Head of Exhibition, Steve Davis. The role has been created especially to work with exhibitors nationwide to identify and drive the dynamic new commercial opportunities for cinemas following DCM’s digital transformation last year. Steve joins DCM from out-of-home advertising specialist, Clear Channel, and will be bringing that experience to help us all maximise revenues. Over the next few months, Steve will be meeting many of you in person, but, in the meantime, DCM Close Up gets the lowdown from DCM's newest recruit.
What did you do before DCM? Read more
There’s never been a better time to be a geek. From Game of Thrones and The Big Bang Theory to Harry Potter and The Avengers, geek culture is everywhere attracting and connecting ever-expanding audiences. Today's obsession with all-things-geek has sparked a global community on YouTube, enabling fans around the world to express their love of superheroes, comics, gaming, science and sci-fi.
Interest in events such as San Diego ComicCon has peaked in recent years. Releases of superhero movies from major studios have brought the culture of comics and fandom to the mainstream. Read more
3D allows brands to add another layer of creativity and excitement to their ads.
Box office hits from this year include, Iron Man 3 (the highest grossing 3D film of the year to date), Star Trek Into Darkness 3D and The Great Gatsby 3D. Read more
Sam Sheppard is an international film consultant specialising in script to screen workflows, post production supervision and stereo 3D with a minor in film-making in general. Sam was originally trained in New Zealand where he worked in post at Peter Jackson’s Park Road Post Production and on set for such films as The Lovely Bones and Avatar. As well as working internationally as a technical specialist for SGO’s Mistika, training and advising in digital workflows for 2D and 3D production, Sam is also a founding partner of Silverscreen Pictures.
[caption id="attachment_5717" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Sam Sheppard, Mistika Product Application Specialist, SGO UK Ltd.[/caption] Read more
The Wolverine got his claws into the UK public this weekend, confirming the character’s popularity with audiences. A £4.7m start (including £939k from Thursday previews) may appear less than X-Men: First Class’ £5.6m opening, but that film had the benefit of one extra day and in terms of Friday to Sunday admissions, The Wolverine’s £3.8m comfortably beats First Class’ £3.4m. Over 45% of The Wolverine’s gross was from 3D presentations.
Monsters University fell one spot to second but actually improved on last weekend’s take by 11% to £3.1m. That improvement can be attributed to Friday being a school holiday but it’s still a very strong hold and bodes well for the rest of the summer break. The Pixar animation now has a cume of £15.5m with the promise of plenty more to come. Read more
Stars of the film industry worked the red carpet in Anglia Square, rather than Leicester Square, last week following a Facebook campaign for Norwich to host the world première of Alan Partridge – Alpha Papa.
Sporting a stylish blue safari suit, the silver-voice of the East Anglian airwaves, Alan Partridge, mingled with Norwich crowds outside The Hollywood independent cinema before jumping in a helicopter for a follow-up première in Leicester Square, ahead of the film’s release in cinemas nationwide on 7 August. Read more
Dear Exhibitors,
What a big turnaround in our weather and what a scorcher July has turned out to be. Read more
In a media first, Digital Cinema Media, the market leader in UK cinema advertising, and IGN, the UK’s most popular games and entertainment site, have joined forces to offer brands the opportunity to advertise around specially-created multi-platform branded content spanning cinema, online and mobile channels.
By formulating a partnership, DCM and IGN can offer advertisers the opportunity to reach an engaged male-oriented audience via multi-platform campaigns. DCM and IGN reach over 7.7m UK based 18-35 males a month, via cinema admissions, web, mobile and social platforms*. Upcoming cinema releases that will appeal to this audience include Elysium, Riddick, Runner Runner and Thor: The Dark World. Read more
Ilkeston’s famous Scala cinema is 100 years old this year – and to celebrate, there are some exciting plans underway.
Thought to be the UK’s second oldest working cinema, The Scala has had a full refurbishment and is now hoping to offer special screenings, including live feeds from venues like the Albert Hall and late night premières. Read more
