AND THAT'S MY STORY: OSCAR TEBBUTT, MARKETING MANAGER
I have been intrigued to find out more about the creators behind projects that I have been fortunate enough to see and/ or hear for a long time now so I've decided to do something about it. And That's My Story is a series on this blog that shares with you a bit about the creators I've met along the way and their journey towards fulfilling their dreams; it will run for as long as I can find people who are willing to share their story. Today, let me introduce you to the generous Oscar Tebbutt from Picturehouse cinema!
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Most, if not all, of you know that I do spend a great deal of time at the cinema and thoroughly relish watching films up on the big screen with some popcorn. Well, not too long ago the stars aligned and an opportunity arose for me to quiz a staff member of Greenwich Picturehouse in order to gain an insight into what happens behind -the-scenes at cinemas that make it possible for the films we love (and the ones we don't) to be brought to their big screens. Oscar kindly agreed to answer a few of my questions (THANK YOU!) which can be found below. I hope you enjoy reading his answers!
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Source: Greenwich Picturehouse
HELLO OSCAR! TO START THIS INTERVIEW OFF CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PICTUREHOUSE?
Picturehouse is a chain of cinemas dotted all over the country. There are currently 23 cinemas, with more in the works! Picturehouse cinemas champion all film from art-house and independent film to mainstream films. Our programmes are always packed full of films new and old. But also alternative content- National Theatre/Bolshoi/Opera… the list could go on!
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WORKING FOR PICTUREHOUSE AND WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE ENTAIL?
My Picturehouse story started working as a part of the Front of House team at Greenwich Picturehouse. My new role is a job share as Marketing Manager for the Greenwich site. My main duties are to handle all the social media, in house displays and writing the weekly newsletter.
ARE YOU A FAN OF FILM; WHICH CATEGORY WOULD YOU SAY YOU FALL INTO - AUDIENCE OR FILMMAKER?
I'm a huge fan of film, but I certainly fall into the audience category. I haven’t yet dabbled in any filmmaking!
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE RELEVANCE OF CINEMAS IN MODERN SOCIETY WHERE FILMS & TV SHOWS ARE BECOMING EVEN MORE ACCESSIBLE ONLINE? WILL THE EXPERIENCE OF WATCHING A MOTION PICTURE ON THE SILVER SCREEN EVER BE REPLACE?
I think the growth of the streaming of TV shows doesn’t really hit cinemas that much as you can’t watch TV shows in the cinema anyway! However the streaming of movies I guess does diminish audiences slightly. However, for the new releases, the cinema still is the only place to watch film if you want anything close to a meaningful experience. The silver screen still offers the highest quality experience in terms of sound and vision, which for me have to be the main factors that matter. So in my view going to the cinema becomes a question of two things: cost and accessibility. For those who generally prefer staying in and so stream films, the cinema wouldn't have been a draw for them anyway.
In terms of cost, Picturehouse strives to keep these low by offering membership which gives free tickets and discounts but also for example £5 tickets are available with a free tea/coffee/biscuits to the retired audience on Tues and Thu for films starting before 5pm. A cheap and high quality movie experience is still very much here! Most people I have met do like to leave the house and enjoy the social element of going to the cinema, that’s why Picturehouse has to continue to work hard to make sure the cinema experience is as strong as possible. I personally without fail preferred going to see a film at a cinema I liked, rather than staying in. If people are choosing to a watch film at home, which is also on at the cinema, then I reckon that’s because they don’t like that particular cinema rather than favouring the streaming experience.
I CAN SEE THAT YOU GUYS HAVE HOPPED ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA TRAIN, AND HAVE A BLOG. CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEM AND THE ROLE THEY PLAY IN YOUR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY?
The Picturehouse blog is written by various members of the Picturehouse team, anyone from any Picturehouse and at any level can contribute. It covers all sorts, not just film. It’s just a simple way the public can find out a bit more about the film, from how it was made to just interesting stories surrounding the production. It’s mainly for engaging the public who really love film.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO RUN A CINEMA?
Blimey, that’s a broad one. Well a lot of things is the answer. Without addressing the obvious, I think nowadays a full spectrum needs to be offered in terms of programming. So that means playing mainstream AND art-house films in one place. But also getting as much ‘non-film’ showing as well as funny as that sounds. Live National Theatre for example has proved a massive success; making these exclusive events open to the public is a unique selling point I think. All aspects of the internal workings of the cinema have to be almost perfect to ensure that people keep choosing Picturehouse over other cinemas or streaming from home as I mentioned earlier.
HOW DO CINEMAS GAUGE THE MARKETABILITY OF A FILM?
There are again lots of ways. Certain films almost market themselves, the New Bond and Star Wars coming this winter for example hardly needs much pushing really! They only need a push in the sense of trying to get people to view them at Picturehouse rather than elsewhere as opposed to actually marketing the films themselves. All films I think are very marketable no matter the budget and size of the film. It’s matter of looking at the data of similar films but crucially trying to ascertain which type of audience member the film attracts and then marketing it accordingly. The nice thing about Picturehouse is that the programme always has small films on it, which don’t sell out for example, but are recognised as great works. Most mainstream cinemas don’t do this, just offering the box office hits. With the right marketing, any film can be successful.
DO YOU THINK SHORT FILMS WILL EVER HAVE THEIR DAY AND BE SCREENED AT CINEMAS ON A REGULAR BASIS?
That’s a tricky one. On a semi regular basis for our Kids’ Club show short animation films. I think with the programme so packed all of the time it’s hard to get much short film on the bill. Picturehouse always promotes things like the short film festival In London though for example. Picturehouse backs short film it’s just difficult to get them in the programme. ‘Wild Tales’ was essentially 6 short stories and that was massively popular!
Source: Greenwich Picturehouse
PICTUREHOUSE IS NO STRANGER TO SCREENING INDEPENDENT FILMS. DO YOU THINK THERE IS A SHIFT IN THE PUBLIC'S DESIRE TO WATCH THEM?
I don’t think the public’s desire is any lesser than before for independent film, it’s just the number of cinemas offering independent films has been getting smaller and smaller. Sadly, the pressure to maintain strong revenue to pay for rates etc. is getting larger and larger, so most cinemas have no option but to show and promote the more mainstream over the indy’s. So Independent film is still there but more hidden and less promoted! Come to Picturehouses I say if you want independent cinema. Institutes such as the BFI in London have never been stronger, so that in itself says a lot about the appeal of independent film nowadays.
WHAT ARE SOME SOON-TO-BE-RELASED FILMS THAT YOU ARE EAGER TO SEE?
Well Oscar season is around the corner so I reckon they’ll be, as always, a superb line up this winter. Last Oscar’s was particularly strong. The new Bond and Star Wars you just have to see! There are a few of the smaller films being released soon that appeal to me. ‘Cartel Land’ a Picturehouse documentary out at the moment, is a harrowing masterpiece!
AND LASTLY, WHAT ARE 5 FILMS THAT YOU'VE SEEN AT A CINEMA THAT LEFT YOU FEELING TRANSFORMED?
My favourite film of all time (so far in my life) is Paris, Texas so that I guess was the most transformed emotionally I have left the cinema from. Birdman last year is another, that will go down as modern classic surely! Frances Ha being another one, which left me feeling, transformed. Staff of Picturehouse get free tickets so that’s a huge bonus for those who love film, I don’t really have an excuse to see as much as possible. I do urge your followers/readers to check out your local Picturehouse. As for yourself Mo, do say hello if you ever come to Greenwich Picturehouse.
And that’s my story….
Picturehouse can be found here: blog || main website || Greenwich website ||
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And there we have it! Thanks Oscar (again) for kindly agreeing to take part in this series (read: be one of my test subjects ha!). I hope you found what he had to say interesting and now have a few new films to check out as well. Until next time!
Mo x