Boronia Metro Cinema, Belgrave Cameo Cinema, Hoyts hopeful of reopening
Moviegoers could be back enjoying popcorn and a choc top in front of the big screen in a matter of months, according to cinema owners. But a trip to the flicks will likely look very different.
Outer East
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Cinema owners are hopeful they may be able to reopen from as early as July, but say it’s crucial they have enough new films to screen.
Chief executive and president of The HOYTS Group Damian Keogh said it was anticipating a national approach to the reopening of its cinemas, subject to the required government approvals and availability of new release Hollywood content.
Mr Keogh said due to the limited guest capacity permitted in stage one and two of the Federal Government’s three step COVID-Safe plan, it was not viable for HOYTS to operate until stage three.
“We are advanced in preparations to ensure our guests and team members are in the safest possible environment,” he said.
“These measures will include additional staff training, temperature checks for staff, additional cleaning protocols, in cinema seat separation (chequerboard style), encouragement for online bookings and social distancing.”
Metro Cinemas Boronia owner Tom Schouten said it was “uncharted waters” for cinema operators.
Mr Schouten said he had heard cinemas may be able to reopen from July but he couldn’t see that happening and there was also talk about limiting numbers to 20 people per screening, which would not be viable.
Mr Schouten said it also depended on when studios would release films.
He said the shutdown period had been devastating financially, and he had been forced to let his entire staff of 17 go.
Mr Schouten said there was a chance the cinema might not reopen.
“But I don’t think that’s going to happen I think we should be OK, but it’s step by step,” he said.
He believed when cinemas did reopen –—which he predicted could be in September — operators would have to collect customers’ names and addresses in case of a coronavirus outbreak.
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Eddie Tamir, co-owner of Classic Cinemas Elsternwick, Lido Cinemas Hawthorn and
Cameo Cinemas Belgrave, said the question of when cinemas would reopen was complex.
“We may be able to open tomorrow but will there be new films to play?” he said.
“In order for it to be worthwhile opening we do need a new product to offer the public.
“If America is not open for business, if China is not open for business and if Europe is not open for business then the Hollywood studios are unlikely to start delivering their product to Australia alone.
“That being said the word is somewhere from early to mid July that the cinema industry and the distribution industry is gearing up for opening cinemas and supplying new product.”
Mr Tamir said the coronavirus had struck a “bullseye arrow” into the heart of what people love to do together, including going to movies, restaurants and bars.
He said the shutdown period had had a severe impact on his business.
“But we believe in what we do and are very thankful for our customer support and we think we will get back to where we were if not better over time.”
The teams at Classic, Lido and the Cameo have launched a new online platform — At Home — the first of its kind for Australian cinemas.
Accessible from each of the cinemas’ websites, it gives people the opportunity to support the cinemas by renting or buying titles to watch at home.
The cinemas have also been running an Isolation Film Festival, and have been selling popcorn and choc tops for people to enjoy at home.