OAKHURST – The effort to save the Met Cinemas rolls on as Met Heroes took to the streets again last week to help raise awareness.
Heroes gathered in the lobby at the Met last Friday afternoon to don costumes and take up signs, then headed out to the intersection at Highways 41 & 49.
The push to enroll 3,000 subscribers by Dec. 31 is not letting up, and in fact, organizers are happy to report that they are nearly halfway to their goal.Movie Heroes, Inc. has posted a thermometer on their website www.savethemet.com to show the progress of this huge effort, which can only be successful if area residents sign up to be part of the subscription theater model.
“People can’t wait to see if this is going to work,” says Matt Sconce, one of the three local entrepreneurs who have taken on this project. “We need everyone to sign up now, post it on Facebook, tell everyone you know. This needs to go viral if it’s going to work.”
Sconce says many people don’t realize that theaters get very little from ticket sales, sometimes as little as 5%, with the rest going back to the studio. They also have to pay upfront for many movies – for example, $5,000 for a Disney release. If they don’t make that cost back, they have to absorb the loss.
“Theaters must meet their costs from the concession stand, and it’s very hard to make rent, utilities and employee costs,” says Sconce. “The traditional ticket selling theater does this one box of candy at a time.”
Along with Sconce, James Nelson and Keith Walker have come up with a business plan that combines proven techniques from subscription based business models, and puts them to use in the traditional setting of a theater: selling memberships.
“By selling memberships, we create a steady stream of revenue to cover the overhead and upgrade costs, while moviegoers get to see films more often for less. It’s a win-win” said Sconce, who himself is familiar with the movie industry having produced four feature films and directed two. His most recent film, Firefall, comes out in California theaters in January.
“We’re so excited to see people joining us in saving the Met. We thought we had something exciting, and the town seems to agree,” Sconce said.
He cautioned, however, that they can’t get complacent by the early results. Time is of the essence and people interested in helping the effort need to join sooner rather than later.
“While we have had a positive response, it’s important that we prove this concept will work as soon as possible. We can’t assume someone else will buy in; if you want to save The Met, then sign up and tell everyone.”
The theater lobby is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to allow people to stop in, ask questions, and sign up. For $19.95 a month, members can see every movie that comes to the Met. There are also plans for couples and families.
The Met Heroes remind everyone that if the goal is not reached by Dec. 31, the theater will be gone. Visit the website for all the details.
To read the complete article on the project to save the Met, click here.
My husband and I often go to the afternoon movies, have been in the area part time since we were very young, we are in our 70 now. Yes we would like to help re-open the met.
Ralph and Sharon