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Movie Theater Owners: We Need a Bailout, Too Movie Theater Owners: We Need a Bailout, Too
(8 days later)
LOS ANGELES — With movie theaters across the country shutting their doors and furloughing the majority of their hourly workers, the National Association of Theater Owners asked Congress and the Trump administration on Wednesday for relief measures meant to help multiplexes stay solvent until business can resume.LOS ANGELES — With movie theaters across the country shutting their doors and furloughing the majority of their hourly workers, the National Association of Theater Owners asked Congress and the Trump administration on Wednesday for relief measures meant to help multiplexes stay solvent until business can resume.
In an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the top 10 theater chains in the United States have shut down or are in the process of closing. Once the planned shutdown is complete, 89 percent of screens across the country will be dark.In an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the top 10 theater chains in the United States have shut down or are in the process of closing. Once the planned shutdown is complete, 89 percent of screens across the country will be dark.
The National Association of Theater Owners, a trade group representing more than 33,000 screens in 50 states, asked the federal government for loan guarantees to help the industry through a time when strangers cannot gather in the dark to see the latest films. The association has also asked for tax benefits to help theater owners pay their workers and make up for their losses.The National Association of Theater Owners, a trade group representing more than 33,000 screens in 50 states, asked the federal government for loan guarantees to help the industry through a time when strangers cannot gather in the dark to see the latest films. The association has also asked for tax benefits to help theater owners pay their workers and make up for their losses.
“The Trump administration is considering loan guarantees and other benefits for the airline industry, which is composed of huge corporations and salaried workers,” said John Fithian, the organization’s chief executive. “We would ask that they also consider the movie theater industry, an important part of the cultural fabric for our country, and our 150,000 employees who are hourly workers.”“The Trump administration is considering loan guarantees and other benefits for the airline industry, which is composed of huge corporations and salaried workers,” said John Fithian, the organization’s chief executive. “We would ask that they also consider the movie theater industry, an important part of the cultural fabric for our country, and our 150,000 employees who are hourly workers.”
The National Association of Theater Owners also said it would draw $1 million from its reserves for movie theater employees put out of work because of the coronavirus-related shutdown. The movie studios are expected to contribute to the fund.The National Association of Theater Owners also said it would draw $1 million from its reserves for movie theater employees put out of work because of the coronavirus-related shutdown. The movie studios are expected to contribute to the fund.
Rolando Rodriguez, the chief executive of Marcus Theaters, a 91-theater chain based in Milwaukee, said federal aid was “critical.”Rolando Rodriguez, the chief executive of Marcus Theaters, a 91-theater chain based in Milwaukee, said federal aid was “critical.”
“We are doing everything we can to help our employees through this difficult period," he said, “but with zero revenue coming into our theaters, we need Congress to provide loan guarantees so our lenders will continue to extend credit to us, assistance for mortgage and rent payments, and to suspend collection of payroll tax so we can continue to pay salaries.”“We are doing everything we can to help our employees through this difficult period," he said, “but with zero revenue coming into our theaters, we need Congress to provide loan guarantees so our lenders will continue to extend credit to us, assistance for mortgage and rent payments, and to suspend collection of payroll tax so we can continue to pay salaries.”
The Walt Disney Company, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures and other Hollywood studios have postponed theatrical releases through May. “Black Widow,” a likely blockbuster starring Scarlett Johansson from Disney’s Marvel Entertainment, was the latest casualty. On Tuesday, Disney announced that it had pushed back the film’s May 1 release date indefinitely.The Walt Disney Company, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures and other Hollywood studios have postponed theatrical releases through May. “Black Widow,” a likely blockbuster starring Scarlett Johansson from Disney’s Marvel Entertainment, was the latest casualty. On Tuesday, Disney announced that it had pushed back the film’s May 1 release date indefinitely.
Other companies have decided to make current and recently released movies available for downloading or streaming well ahead of schedule. Sony said Wednesday that “Bloodshot,” an action movie starring Vin Diesel that opened in theaters on Friday, will be available for digital downloading on March 24 for $20. And Universal announced this week that it would allow three movies recently in theaters to become available for home viewing at $20 for a 48-hour rental period.Other companies have decided to make current and recently released movies available for downloading or streaming well ahead of schedule. Sony said Wednesday that “Bloodshot,” an action movie starring Vin Diesel that opened in theaters on Friday, will be available for digital downloading on March 24 for $20. And Universal announced this week that it would allow three movies recently in theaters to become available for home viewing at $20 for a 48-hour rental period.
Universal also changed its release plan for a family film, “Trolls World Tour,” announcing that it will be made available for in-home rental on April 10, the day it is scheduled to start playing in theaters that remained open.Universal also changed its release plan for a family film, “Trolls World Tour,” announcing that it will be made available for in-home rental on April 10, the day it is scheduled to start playing in theaters that remained open.
The moves left Hollywood wondering whether the traditional release model — which requires movies to play exclusively in theaters for close to 90 days — would ever return.The moves left Hollywood wondering whether the traditional release model — which requires movies to play exclusively in theaters for close to 90 days — would ever return.
Mr. Fithian, the head of the theater owners’ group, said he believed the traditional exclusivity period would survive the shutdown.Mr. Fithian, the head of the theater owners’ group, said he believed the traditional exclusivity period would survive the shutdown.
“In almost all of our conversations with our studio partners, it’s been about postponing the theatrical release because of a pandemic,” he said. “It has not been about changing the business model, with one exception: Universal and ‘Trolls.’”“In almost all of our conversations with our studio partners, it’s been about postponing the theatrical release because of a pandemic,” he said. “It has not been about changing the business model, with one exception: Universal and ‘Trolls.’”
Mr. Fithian added that the nationwide shutdown was likely to scuttle Universal’s plan of making “Trolls World Tour” available in theaters and living rooms simultaneously.Mr. Fithian added that the nationwide shutdown was likely to scuttle Universal’s plan of making “Trolls World Tour” available in theaters and living rooms simultaneously.
“It’s highly unlikely that any theaters in North America or Europe will be open on April 10,” he said, “so Universal is essentially going straight to the home with what was a theatrical movie.”“It’s highly unlikely that any theaters in North America or Europe will be open on April 10,” he said, “so Universal is essentially going straight to the home with what was a theatrical movie.”
Updated July 7, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
The theater business is separate from the filmmaking business. Generally speaking, theater owners and Hollywood studios split box office revenue 50-50 in the United States, although studios like Disney have been able to keep up to 65 percent of sales for behemoths like “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Theaters make most of their money on concessions, revenue they don’t share.The theater business is separate from the filmmaking business. Generally speaking, theater owners and Hollywood studios split box office revenue 50-50 in the United States, although studios like Disney have been able to keep up to 65 percent of sales for behemoths like “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Theaters make most of their money on concessions, revenue they don’t share.
As of July, there were roughly 5,548 indoor movie theaters in the United States, with a total of 40,616 screens, according to the National Association of Theater Owners.As of July, there were roughly 5,548 indoor movie theaters in the United States, with a total of 40,616 screens, according to the National Association of Theater Owners.
The three biggest companies have their headquarters far from Hollywood. AMC Entertainment, the largest, with 634 locations, is based in Leawood, Kan. Regal Theaters, the second-largest chain, operates out of Knoxville, Tenn. Cinemark is in Plano, Texas. Beyond the three majors are smaller “circuits,” like Marcus Theaters.The three biggest companies have their headquarters far from Hollywood. AMC Entertainment, the largest, with 634 locations, is based in Leawood, Kan. Regal Theaters, the second-largest chain, operates out of Knoxville, Tenn. Cinemark is in Plano, Texas. Beyond the three majors are smaller “circuits,” like Marcus Theaters.
Of the roughly 600 members of the association, about 400 operate fewer than 10 screens. Roughly 90 members run single-screen theaters, spots like the 74-year-old Roxy in Choteau, Mont.Of the roughly 600 members of the association, about 400 operate fewer than 10 screens. Roughly 90 members run single-screen theaters, spots like the 74-year-old Roxy in Choteau, Mont.
While some movie houses have sticky floors and tattered seats, the multiplex companies have spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the last decade to make moviegoing more attractive — and to stave off increasingly popular streaming services like Netflix, which offer the comfort of watching new films at home.While some movie houses have sticky floors and tattered seats, the multiplex companies have spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the last decade to make moviegoing more attractive — and to stave off increasingly popular streaming services like Netflix, which offer the comfort of watching new films at home.
AMC has installed advanced Dolby sound and projection systems, extra-wide screens and La-Z-Boy-style seats. The chain has also started serving alcohol and has offered expanded food menus in hundreds of its theaters.AMC has installed advanced Dolby sound and projection systems, extra-wide screens and La-Z-Boy-style seats. The chain has also started serving alcohol and has offered expanded food menus in hundreds of its theaters.
Starting in 2016, AMC acquired the Carmike chain in the United States and added Odeon in Britain and the Nordic Theater Group in Northern Europe. As a result, even before the spread of the coronavirus, the company had significant debt — roughly $4.8 billion, up from $1.8 billion in 2014.Starting in 2016, AMC acquired the Carmike chain in the United States and added Odeon in Britain and the Nordic Theater Group in Northern Europe. As a result, even before the spread of the coronavirus, the company had significant debt — roughly $4.8 billion, up from $1.8 billion in 2014.
Thomas E. Rothman, the chairman of Sony Pictures, predicted that the appetite for moviegoing would be stronger than ever, once the pandemic passed.Thomas E. Rothman, the chairman of Sony Pictures, predicted that the appetite for moviegoing would be stronger than ever, once the pandemic passed.
“People will want to get out and share communal experiences,” he said. “We will remember how much we love to be all together.”“People will want to get out and share communal experiences,” he said. “We will remember how much we love to be all together.”