This document discusses an independent art house cinema called The Rex in Berkhamsted. It has one screen in a small historic building, showing a maximum of 2 films per day that often sell out. It is not part of a large cinema chain and offers comfortable seating options, a bar, and waitress service for food/drinks. The cinema shows a mix of independent and niche films (55%) as well as some bigger studio films (45%). As an independent cinema, it caters to a niche audience interested in art films but has limited parking and screenings compared to larger multiplex cinemas.

1. Isobel and Sam
The Rex - Berkhamsted

2. • This cinema has one huge
screen. As it comes from a
small historic building, there
is no room for more screens.
However this one screen
shows a maximum of 2 films
per day and sells out almost
every night.
• This cinema is an independent
cinema and is specifically a
privately owned art house
cinema. This is because this
cinema does not belong to a
large chain of cinemas, it is
locally and privately owned.
• How many screens does it
have?
• How would you categorise the
cinema?
The Rex

3. • The cinema has a bar that
is open on entry. It offers
the option of the ‘royal
box’ seats, normal seats
or ‘table’ seats. All chairs
are comfortable and table
seats receive a waitress
service offering drinks
and snacks.
• The cinema is located in
Berkhamsted on the outsides
of Hertfordshire, it is right off
the main A road so it is easily
accessible. However it is also
quite hidden, there is very
limited parking so this means
it is not as convenient as a
multiplex cinema.
• What facilities does it have?
• Where is it located?
The Rex

4. What films is it showing over the next
two weeks?
Film title Distributor Origin: Hollywood
conglomerate or
independent
Audience
Leviathan (15) A range of
independent + niche
distributors
Indie Biblical interest,
foreign film
fanatics 15+ M/F
Ex Machina
(15)
Universal pictures
international
Hollywood Majority male,
15+
Ida A range of
independent + niche
distributors
Indie Foreign film
interests 12+,
equally M/F
The interview
(15)
A range of larger
companies, mostly
Sony pictures
Hollywood Equally M/F, 15+
Comedy

5. Approximately what percentage of the
films shown at this cinema are
independent/ conglomerate?
• I estimate that the amount of indie films
compared to big blockbuster film is around
55%/45%, 55% being the indie films and 45%,
the conglomerates.

6. • This cinema offers a very specific and unique cinema experience,
this would appeal to a niche audience and would probably not be a
regular trip for many people as there are limited tickets and prices
are higher than other chain cinemas. The location is not very
convenient as it is quite hidden and parking is limited. This is a
good location for locals however not for a big multiplex cinema.
They have to have high prices and good quality experience to ensure
that customers return and keep making a profit to keep it open.
They show old classic films, relatively new indie films and foreign
language films, it does not pose great threat to any conglomerate as
they still control the market, this is mostly for the one-off trips and
the admiration of the creation of film itself.
Implications of the findings

7. Multiplex Independent
Facilities Car parks, 3/4d, range of snacks and
beverages, loop system for the partially
deaf. More comfortable seats. Multiple
screens.
Casual viewing, fewer
viewing facilities, diner
cinemas. Less parking.
Analogue films, (film)
Types of films
shown
Large conglomerate films,
blockbusters, films that are likely to
earn lots of money and attract a huge
audience.
More niche films, film that
target smaller audiences
and are shown for the
appreciation of art.
Audience Large audience, umbrella interests. Niche, with specific
interests
Location Away from city/town centres,
maximise size/ viewing capacity.
Area rich in culture and
diverse in culture.
Issues Catering to a large audience
Being able to keep a stable audience
Making a name for your company and
keeping a reputation.
Smaller audiences, paying
for facilities is a lot harder,
less profit from business.