Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1930)

tay 10, 1930 Exhibitors Herald-World, 35 The Economical Equipment Budget The concluding article of a discussion in which the prospective exhibitor's question, "How Much for Equipment?" is again considered and (as in the April 12th issue of Better Theatres) authoritatively answered, with a schedule of equipment costs By WALTER E. GREEN A Skeleton List of Theatre Equipment for a 500-Seat House Estimated Projection Booth Average Cost Two projectors, latest type, not including sound equipment $ 2,500.00 Motor-generator set 550.00 Effect projector 875.00 Spot-flood projector 250.00 Rewind table and automatic rewinder 210.00 Film cabinets 40.00 Necessary accessories and supplies 250.00 Lobby Ticket booth 750.00 Change-maker 125.00 Lobby frames 450.00 Ticket chopper 85.00 Necessary accessories and supplies 500.00 Lighting fixtures and directional signs 400.00 Auditorium Upholstered chairs 3,750.00 Ventilating systems 600.00 * Lighting fixtures * Floor coverings * Draperies and hangings Miscellaneous equipment and accessories 1,000.00 Stage Motion picture screen for sound or silent pictures 300.00 Stage curtain and draperies 1,500.00 *Rigging • *Stage lighting equipment Theatre Exterior Marquise and electric sign 2,000.00 TOTAL AVERAGE INVESTMENT $16,135.00 [*Estimated prices are shoicn only on standard equipment units. Estimates on the equipment marked with an asterisk and listed with no prices , can only be made in direct relation to an individual theatre. Installation and transportation costs are not included in this estimate .J rHE person contemplating entrance into the motion picture heatre business on a small scale and without much irrevious experience in that ield, is likely to make nany mistakes in apDroaching this all-impor;ant matter of equipment. Economy being a paramount concern with him, it least at the start, he is constrained to “cut the Corners” sharply. The question then arises, “In Iwhat class of equipment is it most feasible to apply the strictest economy?” It jis in an effort to answer that question that the man without experience or authentic advice is likely to -make his greatest mistakes —bad errors of judgment which afterward will cost more to correct than he previously saved. In my previous article, I discussed at some length what would constitute true economy for the beginning exhibitor in the selection of equipment for a small theatre, taking up several specific types of equipment which represent considerations of particular significance because of the changes in values and standards which have come into the business of presenting the modern motion picture to the public. With this article I offer an itemized estimate of what an initial investment in equipment may amount to for a small theatre, insofar as such an estimate may be made. Before saying more about this hypothetical budget (if such it may be called), I should like to say a few words about classes of equipment not touched upon in my previous article on this subject. No theatre , is well equipped without provision for good ventilation. A ventilating system does not represent a heavy investment, but there is no unit in the list of theatre equipment that contributes more to patrons’ comfort. A house that offers cool fresh air during the summer, and relief from the stuffiness of crowded auditoriums in the winter, has a distinct advantage in holding steady patronage. As has been said, talking pictures have a decided bearing on the selection of this equipment. To avoid possible interference with sound distribution, a modern ventilating “blower” must be absolutely silent in operation. One other equipment group will suffice to complete a skeleton outline of the equipment necessary to open a small motion picture theatre. For the convenience of both the management and the patrons, a ticket booth should have modern equipment, with change-making and similar devices. Lobby space should be attractively utilized for the display of current and future features. Lobby frames are, to all practical purposes, the showcases in which an exhibitor displays his wares. It is important that they be made as attractive as possible. It should be understood that these articles, in outlining the major considerations involved in the “price question” of theatre equipping, relates to the smaller type of theatre, with a seating capacity of an approximate maximum of 500. It is for a house of this size that the accompanying list of equipment is suggested. Only those equipment units that may be reasonably considered as essential to the success of a modern theatre are used. The futility of attempting to estimate the cost of complete theatre equipment for an imaginary theatre is quite obvious when it is understood that several ( Continued on page 70)