University News // November 11 // Issue Thirteen

Page 1

Feature,

News,

Laverne Cox delivers 2013 Pride Lecture.

An evening of music and dance at the Kauffman Center, featuring UMKC’s Conservatory.

p. 6-7A

Crescendo, p. 4A

UNIVERSITY NEWS UMKC’s Independent Student Newspaper

Volume 81, Issue 13

Monday November 11, 2013

Tivoli at risk of closing, must meet digital demands

community should advocate for the Lindsay Nelson theater to be saved. Broadcast Assistant “It is no exaggeration to say that Tivoli Cinemas, located at 4050 thousands of UMKC undergrad Pennsylvania Ave., is at risk of students have had the unique going out of business. Pressure experience of taking film-related from film industry mandates classes where they watched films requiring theaters to use new the way they were intended—in digital equipment has caused the a real movie theater with expert Tivoli to act quickly in order to projection,” Poe said. “That is accommodate the new equipment. exceedingly rare at any university, The community theater is currently anywhere.” campaigning to raise funds for the The sudden demand to transition digital equipment. If the campaign to a completely digital projection is successful, the theater will be able system is due to movies no longer to acquire the required equipment, being made using 35mm film. and its doors will remain open. To screen digital film format,

Tivoli Cinemas, 4050 Pennsylvania Ave. The Tivoli has been around for more than 30 years. In that time, UMKC has formed a partnership with owner Jerry Harrington and the theater. Dr. Tom Poe of the UMKC Film and Media Arts department expressed why the

Photo // Ashley Lane

the Tivoli would need to remove its 35mm projection equipment and bring in newer compatible equipment. The cost to convert is more than $70 thousand per auditorium. Renovating all three screens at the

The Tivoli has been in business for more than 30 years.

Tivoli would cost a total of $210 thousand. The Tivoli is not eligible to receive industry loans because it is a community cinema, so acquiring funds has been an internal effort. “Because of the Tivoli’s blend of independent, foreign and documentary films—as well as our performing arts broadcasts, film classes and film festivals— we do not fit the industry norm, so we cannot participate in any Hollywood assisted loan programs,” Harrington said. Renovation of one auditorium is already complete, along with groundwork for renovations in the remaining two auditoriums, but further installations cannot continue unless the Tivoli’s Kickstarter campaign is successful. Kickstarter is an online fundraising tool that promotes goals of creative projects throughout the Arts. “We chose Kickstarter because the funds are only released if the target goal is achieved,” Harrington said, “which is the position the theater is in right now.” The goal of the campaign is to reach $130 thousand by midnight on Dec. 12. Harrington and the Tivoli staff are asking regular attendees of the theater, and anyone else who is willing, to pledge. Contributions can be as low as a $1 donation. Any contributed funds that exceed the goal amount will be used for additional improvements to the theater. “In return for your support, we are offering movie passes, concession packages and special rewards that will allow you to come back to enjoy the fully digital

The Tivoli has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for renovations. Photo // Ashley Lane experience and celebrate what we have accomplished together,” vital resource to not only UMKC students, faculty and staff, but to Harrington said. The Tivoli has served as a facility the ever-growing and important for multiple UMKC film classes over goal of making Kansas City a true the years, and has made it possible ‘Crossroad’ for the Visual and for UMKC to offer several ongoing Performing arts,” Poe said. For more information film series’ to students. Poe referred about the Tivoli’s campaign, visit to the Tivoli as an indispensable www.tivolikc.com. part of the growth of UMKC’s Film and Media program. “The Tivoli has been, and lnelson@unews.com hopefully can continue to be, a

Photo // Ashley Lane


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.