Earlier this year as the COVID-19 pandemic was shutting down much of the world, this website was preparing to publish a new feature in our “For Industry” section—a guide to Southern California’s screening venues. The feature's still there, but by the time people can safely congregate in public again the landscape of theaters, auditoriums, and art spaces may look very different. One thing analysts seem to agree on is that this will lead to, in the words of B. Riley FBR’s Eric Wold, “a culling of the herd” for theaters.
With theaters closed, most major studios have pushed titles into next year, though a few titles went straight to streaming— and one may have started a war. (As of this writing, theaters in some states have the authority to open, though it is not clear they will. Those that do are expected to show classics and family favorites.) Some studios have held livestreaming events with celebrities. Large theater chains have loaded up on corporate debt to get by. Drive-ins had a brief moment (and may again).
Many arthouse theaters have gone online with the help of the Art House Convergence. Alamo Drafthouse rolled out Alamo at Home. Kino Lorber introduced Kino Marquee, a national partnership with independent theaters. Participating local theaters include Laemmle Theaters, Arena Cinelounge, American Cinematheque, Autry Museum, and Alamo. Film Movement and Magnolia Pictures have similar “virtual cinemas” in partnership with small and arthouse theaters.
Meanwhile, the Art House America campaign on Go Fund Me has exceeded its original $500,000 goal, and is making grants to theaters. (The campaign is still open.)
Reports indicate most theatergoers are streaming using established services like Netflix and Hulu. The Guardian put together a list of alternative streaming services — including Kanopy, which is free for anyone with an LAPL card.
Many programmers and artists have taken this moment to launch or expand creative initiatives. We haven’t had the pleasure of checking all of these out, but we’ve enjoyed what we’ve seen. In no particular order (and hoping to hear of others):
One new entrant gets the stinkeye, however. Quibi has denied plagiarism, but it sure looks like their show “Memory Hole” was ripped off from the collective Everything Is Terrible!
Whatever the theater-going experience looks like in a few months—thermometer guns, sneeze guards, and individual butter packets?—this website will report on it. We hope everyone is safe and secure.