THE FILM INDUSTRY: AUDIENCES

Audiences continue to be robust in the congested and competitive film market,
according to The FDA Handbook 2017 which we study today.

"An unprecedented 900 individual titles were launched in 2016."

The top 10 films in 2016 show that The Big Six megafranchize model of film properties tends to be sequels or action films, typical of the last 5 years. Mainstream audiences visiting multiplexes account for 80% of cinema going and this looks set to continue.

TRENDS

Audiences turn to a variety of platforms for different types of experience and the continued explosion of digital platforms affords both high quality home viewing experiences on laptops, handhelds like mobile phones and game machines as well as entertainment on the move.
However, cinematic exhibtion is growing and will continue to grow. 

"Digital technologies have already revolutionised the ways in which films are made, marketed and watched – and that will surely continue to be the case. Notwithstanding the exponential improvements in smart TVs (increasingly with 4K image resolution), and consumers’ increasing migration towards
‘on demand’ streaming services instead of discs, cinemagoing itself enjoyed a robust year.
To the reported surprise of many, 2016’s cinema box-office overall kept pace with that of 2015, which was the highest grossing year in UK cinema history. The year’s box-office receipts soared past the £1 billion mark, setting a new record a full three weeks earlier than in the previous year." David Puttnam

Most audiences patronise multiplexes:

"Around 80% of modern-day cinema visits are of course to multiplexes, principally concentrated in the hands of three large UK operators. A few points of additional market share are occupied by specially designed ‘boutique’ cinemas, catering for local communities with sophisticated food and drink options, luxury seating and a tailored mix of films and events."

However, audiences are turning to more personal experiences offered by independent cinema chains and boutique cinemas such as Everyman and Curzon which offer niche audiences special experiences such as Q&A sessions with directors, preview screenings, foreign langauge films, additional content such as NT Live, intimate settings with lounges and bars, Pullman seats and food service.
"A unique experience, Everyman Cinemas is an independent network of boutique cinemas. With a passion for quality, from service of food and drink to seating and films, every cinema also has a unique bar or foyer space. Present venues (21) range from the iconic 100 year old Screen on the Green, to brand new boutique spaces in Canary Wharf and Birmingham Mailbox."
Curzon has 20 cinemas with 42 screens. Curzon's Rob Kenny, Director of Cinema Development, talked at the BFI in 2016 of opening 50 more screens in the next 5 years and since then Oxford, Hoxton and Aldgate have opened. Curzon cinemas all differ and know their individual audiences. Each cinema has its own identity and is designed with respect to the heritage of the local area. Curzon's Artificial Eye is its distribution arm, ensuring cinematic release for the films that it distributes.
Its Curzon ‘Home’ Cinema digital channels in front of 6 million customers Curzon is well placed to take advantage of the rapid advances in technology, such as its innovation of releasing  its own (and others’) films on the same date both in Curzon ‘Public’ cinemas and on Curzon ‘Home’ cinema digital platforms.

IMAX, 3D

The impact of films such as Avatar (2009) drove the ‘new’ 3D and there are now 20 IMAX screens across the UK. It provides immersive experiences because of the steeply raked seats and vast screens. What have you chosen to see in 3D or IMAX?

POP-UP CINEMA, OPEN AIR CINEMA, SING-ALONGA EVENTS