March 2017 | Business View Magazine

40 41 The Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas idea of going to a club, or going to see comedy, or going to a restaurant, then we’re fine.” Per- haps that’s yet another understatement. In fact, in terms of expansion, Alamo Drafthouse Cin- emas outpaced the growth of the general film exhibition industry by four percent, last year, and Leagues suggests it’s his intention to do that ev- ery year. “Our goal at the Alamo: no matter what the industry does, we want to outpace it.” But that doesn’t mean that he is ready to open more Drafthouse Cinemas, willy-nilly. “The goal is not to have an overabundance of franchise partners,” he avers. “It takes a pretty significant capital outlay and you have to believe in what we’re doing. So, we’re looking for people with big, multi-unit restaurant experience and a love of cinema, and a belief in what we’re trying to do with the brand.” Something that Alamo Drafthouse does do with its brand, and a lot better than its competitors, is staying in touch with its patrons. “We have upwards of 900,000 Facebook followers; about a million email addresses; and a big profile on all social channels,” says League. This large, virtual audience, he believes, has given the brand clout and has, in fact, propelled it to be- come a promotional partner with some of the big movie studios. “We’ll come up with promotional ideas that we’ll launch across our system and that we hope will generate national level PR.” Once a single-screen movie theater in a run-down warehouse district in Texas, today, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas has grown into a nationwide and nationally-acclaimed chain of film exhibition venues. But founder, Tim League, never forgets what prompted him and his wife, Karrie, to make that “whimsical decision”back in 1997.“I’m actually rather old fashioned when it comes to movies,”he reveals.“I want exceptional presentation, so there are always technological advancements in terms of sound and picture, and we’re mak- ing a significant investment into technology. But when the lights go off and the picture comes on, and the sound comes on, I want you to be lost in the movie experience. And I hope that doesn’t change too much.” Preferred vendors n Rydt Entertainment Systems www. movingimagetech.com/rydt Rydt Entertainment Systems is a division of Moving Image Technologies, a California-based manufacturer and high-level distributor of standard and custom-designed technology and equipment to the motion picture exhibition industry. Rydt Entertainment provides design, procurement, installation, and service to the creative and production communities for screen- ing, digital intermediate, and other critical viewing rooms. Rydt also provides full FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equip- ment) services to commercial cinema exhibitors, including the procurement of seats, lighting, acoustical treatments, screens, projection, and sound, as well as design consultation and installation services. n Sony Professional Solutions of America www.pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/home.do A business group within Sony Electronics, Sony Professional Solutions of America develops and manufactures video and au- dio technologies for a range of professional applications. These include high-definition broadcast television and motion picture production, event videography, ENG/EFP, digital cinematogra- phy, digital cinema, videoconferencing, medical, visual imaging, digital signage, and remote system diagnostics and monitoring, as well as IP surveillance and security. These technologies are also used by professionals in a range of market segments in- cluding houses of worship, government, healthcare, education, and hospitality, among others.