Isobel and Sam

The Rex - Berkhamsted

• This cinema has one huge screen. As it comes from a small historic building, there is no room for more screens. However this one screen shows a maximum of 2 films per day and sells out almost every night.

• This cinema is an independent cinema and is specifically a privately owned art house cinema. This is because this cinema does not belong to a large chain of cinemas, it is locally and privately owned.

How many screens does it have?

How would you categorise the cinema?

The Rex

• The cinema has a bar that is open on entry. It offers the option of the ‘royal box’ seats, normal seats or ‘table’ seats. All chairs are comfortable and table seats receive a waitress service offering drinks and snacks.

• The cinema is located in Berkhamsted on the outsides of Hertfordshire, it is right off the main A road so it is easily accessible. However it is also quite hidden, there is very limited parking so this means it is not as convenient as a multiplex cinema.

What facilities does it have?Where is it located?

The Rex

What films is it showing over the next two weeks?

Film title Distributor Origin: Hollywood conglomerate or independent

Audience

Leviathan (15)

A range of independent + niche distributors

Indie Biblical interest, foreign film fanatics 15+ M/F

Ex Machina (15)

Universal pictures international

Hollywood Majority male, 15+

Ida A range of independent + niche distributors

Indie Foreign film interests 12+, equally M/F

The interview (15)

A range of larger companies, mostly Sony pictures

Hollywood Equally M/F, 15+Comedy

Approximately what percentage of the films shown at this cinema are independent/ conglomerate?

•I estimate that the amount of indie films compared to big blockbuster film is around 55%/45%, 55% being the indie films and 45%, the conglomerates.

• This cinema offers a very specific and unique cinema experience, this would appeal to a niche audience and would probably not be a regular trip for many people as there are limited tickets and prices are higher than other chain cinemas. The location is not very convenient as it is quite hidden and parking is limited. This is a good location for locals however not for a big multiplex cinema. They have to have high prices and good quality experience to ensure that customers return and keep making a profit to keep it open. They show old classic films, relatively new indie films and foreign language films, it does not pose great threat to any conglomerate as they still control the market, this is mostly for the one-off trips and the admiration of the creation of film itself.

Implications of the findings

Multiplex Independent

Facilities Car parks, 3/4d, range of snacks and beverages, loop system for the partially deaf. More comfortable seats. Multiple screens.

Casual viewing, fewer viewing facilities, diner cinemas. Less parking. Analogue films, (film)

Types of films shown

Large conglomerate films, blockbusters, films that are likely to earn lots of money and attract a huge audience.

More niche films, film that target smaller audiences and are shown for the appreciation of art.

Audience Large audience, umbrella interests.

Niche, with specific interests

Location Away from city/town centres, maximise size/ viewing capacity.

Area rich in culture and diverse in culture.

Issues Catering to a large audienceBeing able to keep a stable audienceMaking a name for your company and keeping a reputation.

Smaller audiences, paying for facilities is a lot harder, less profit from business.