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by Billups Allen (Author)
If there is hope, it lies in the micro-cinemas. I first learned about
micro-cinema from a theater management class I took when getting my
minor in film at the University of Arizona. U of A is a party school, I
could not have gotten into a better school even if I knew how to party
better. They have a decent English department and they offer the option
of studying film as a minor. We're approaching a time in history where
we are debating the usefulness of a college education. If you do decide to
pursue a degree, look into ways to get the education you want. I feel like
U of A trained me for the things I wanted to do. No one has ever asked
to see the paper, or see my GPA.
I love the idea of having a small screen through which I can push
my own taste and agenda. Like a personal radio station. The romance
of micro-cinema was further instilled in me when I read the book A Year
at the Movies: One Man's Filmgoing Odyssey by Mystery Science Theater's
Kevin Murphy. Murphy talks about film exhibition in a lot of contexts.
This book really speaks to the experience of going to the movies. I'd love
to have a theater that doesn't have to produce much. One where I could
go wild with the programming. But the problem with that is alcohol.
Alcohol makes the world go 'round. You gotta sell alcohol to make that
business model work. Every single person I speak to eventually reminds
me of alcohol. I get it. But I have, nor have I ever, had any desire to run a
bar. Maybe that's why I chose The Lamplighter. They sell alcohol. I hope
alcohol will be a draw.
