U K C A
V I E W
The business of prediction What makes for box office gold at a time when we have more viewing options than ever? Who can say for, but as the UK Cinema Association’s chief executive Phil Clapp writes, the auditorium doors are opening wide to welcome the movie-going public this year.
A
LREADY WE HAVE come to the end of
last year’s success — and will stand the sector in good stead
Q2 2019 and we’ve seen “Avengers: End
in 2019 and beyond (regardless of the vagaries of the slate)
Game” and, to a lesser extent, “Captain
— has been the enthusiastic public response to the levels of
Marvel”, leading a superheroic charge
investment in all aspects of the big screen experience.
at the box office — but, as most would
In the past five years, we have seen unprecedented
confirm, predicting what will chime with the cinema-going
diversification of the cinema business model at all levels in
public is largely a fool’s errand. For example, don’t believe
the UK. Larger operators are investing in new sites and/or
anyone who tells you that they predicted at the outset of
upscaling venues, the ‘neighbourhood’ and boutique sectors
last year that 2018 would see the highest level of admissions
are seeing new venues spring up, and key smaller players are
since 1970. It’s worth letting that sink in for a moment.
looking to expand their reach into communities which may
At a time of economic and political uncertainty, when
not have had a mainstream cinema for several decades.
the public has never had so many film-watching — let alone
Happily, there is every sign that much of this growth is
leisure — opportunities, and when we’re regularly told the
additive — there are numerous instances where the arrival of
big screen is yesterday’s news, UK cinemas welcomed more
a new site, offering something different to the local cinema
visitors than at any time in the past 50 years. Undoubtedly a
‘mix’, not only doesn’t detract from the audience at existing
strong slate played a major role — not in the guise of one or
sites, but seems to boost interest and — in turn — numbers
two titles which stood head-and-shoulders above all others,
there as well. So all good and positive.
but in respect of a large number of films which did well (in some cases very well), maintaining a steady drum-beat of
Keeping up with technological Joneses
interest and revenue across the full 12 months of the year.
As the UKCA conference in March made clear, staying ahead
If you look at the top 10 for the year, even among familiar
of the curve in terms of technology to deliver the best cinema
genres such as superheroes there was diversity — few could
offer is increasingly challenging. Whatever other benefits the
say that “Avengers: Infinity War”, “Deadpool 2” and “Black
arrival of digital cinema delivered — greater consistency and
Panther” shared much common DNA, a feature which
quality of image, more flexible programming, and increased
extended to others of the big hits of the year — “Bohemian
revenue from 3D and event cinema — it also put operators in
Rhapsody”, “The Greatest Showman”, “Mamma Mia: Here We
the UK (and elsewhere) on a more complex and demanding
Go Again!” and “Peter Rabbit”. Scratch beneath the surface,
trajectory when it comes to technological investment.
though and it won’t surpise you to discern a ‘feel good’ factor
Identifying what each new development — be it
in some of these titles, What has undoubtedly underpinned
immersive sound, laser illumination, high dynamic range or
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22/05/2019 14:19
