Rip Screen 1 the savoy

sugarman wrote: »

Nail on the head.

They've really shot themselves in the foot here. How they think breaking it down into smaller screens will improve business is beyond me. Anyone that I know that went to the Savoy, went for Screen 1 and Screen 1 only!

Can see them shutting up shop and selling the building in the not too distant future.

They see as it more screens, more films, more money rather than one big screen showing 1 film 3/4 times a day and mostly empty.

What they may end up with though is having more screens, more films on small screens showing 1 film 3/4 times a day and mostly empty.
In other-words, I don't think what they are doing will increase numbers at the Savoy when it is operating as a small screen multiplex, especially when there are better alternatives in the city and the suburbs.
They could have optimized and enhanced screen 1 to make it a worth while alternative to the multiplexes. They chose not to invest in it to the point where it even lost more numbers through lack of renovation.
I would suppose their target audience now is the casual movie goer, mostly tourists who would not be familiar with the Savoy and will not know what to expect, but I think serious cinema goers will not consider the Savoy especially if they appreciate the experience of cinema.

NotHappyAtAll

I have been a loyal patron of the Savoy and screen 1 for years, have not stepped foot in there since they closed screen 1. They had a historic and much loved unique selling point, screen 1 was the reason many people went to the savoy. Some of the smaller auditoriums in there were terrible, screen 5 was at an angle with the seats and the projector, and screen 7 was a tiny preview room unsuitable for public viewings. The Wards have turned the Savoy into an inferior version of the soulless multiplexes of which we already have plenty.

If the Wards gave a damn about the Savoy, Dublin, or cinema in general they would of gone the opposite direction and promoted screen 1 as the unique experience it was. Now, instead of 20 customers in one screen in the afternoon they will have less than 20 customers in 5 screens in the afternoon, with the added cost of running an extra four screens. What's worse is they were already seeing an increase in profits before this decision. I always avoided cineworld but now, thanks to the Wards selfish greed and utter incompetence, I am paying cineworld a couple times a month even though the Savoy is cheaper.

I would be curious to know if they actually own the building itself or are just renting it, couldn't find that information stated clearly anywhere. If so wouldn't be surprised if the plan is to run it into the ground as an excuse to close the cinema and sell/rent out the building/location, it's got to be worth a fortune.

NotHappyAtAll wrote: »

I have been a loyal patron of the Savoy and screen 1 for years, have not stepped foot in there since they closed screen 1. They had a historic and much loved unique selling point, screen 1 was the reason many people went to the savoy. Some of the smaller auditoriums in there were terrible, screen 5 was at an angle with the seats and the projector, and screen 7 was a tiny preview room unsuitable for public viewings. The Wards have turned the Savoy into an inferior version of the soulless multiplexes of which we already have plenty.

If the Wards gave a damn about the Savoy, Dublin, or cinema in general they would of gone the opposite direction and promoted screen 1 as the unique experience it was. Now, instead of 20 customers in one screen in the afternoon they will have less than 20 customers in 5 screens in the afternoon, with the added cost of running an extra four screens. What's worse is they were already seeing an increase in profits before this decision. I always avoided cineworld but now, thanks to the Wards selfish greed and utter incompetence, I am paying cineworld a couple times a month even though the Savoy is cheaper.

I would be curious to know if they actually own the building itself or are just renting it, couldn't find that information stated clearly anywhere. If so wouldn't be surprised if the plan is to run it into the ground as an excuse to close the cinema and sell/rent out the building/location, it's got to be worth a fortune.

They do own it, at least thats what I was told when working there.

I think IMC's endgame is to milk the Savoy Cinema for what they can get before selling off the building.

I am very dissapointed with our governments arts department and An Board Pleanala for the necessary planning permission that was required.
Paul Ward is quoted in Journal.ie "patrons to the Savoy Cinema have been pleased with changes made to screen two and that they should be reassured that changes to screen one would be similarly successful" - Can anyone recall ever been surveyed by IMC management in this regard? I don't know of anyone who was happy about the changes made to Screen 2.
I think the only person "reassured" is him - a little more money in his pocket.

I would advocate a boycott of the Savoy Cinema when what is left of Screen 1 is reopened.
Non attendance of the new auditoriums would have a huge impact considering there was a finacial cost to sudivide. In reality this will not happen ofcourse, as O'Connell St is swamped with tourists etc but I think that former patrons, potential patrons and readers of this forum can make a huge difference through non attendance. Remember IMC will promote the new auditoriums on opening so that will be the public's time to say no.

Do not accept whatever IMC gives you in replacement of Screen 1. I, like others have now chosen an alternative non IMC cinema not just in protest but it's just that the rest of the screens in the Savoy Cinema are pathetic and even the staff there agree.

IMC murdered what was undoubtly the best cinema in the country.
Shame on Paul Ward, shame on IMC.

NotHappyAtAll

I'm done with Mr. Ward and his cinemas. Bought an unlimited card for cineworld (boo), normally not worth the cost but with the amount of Marvel and Star Wars films these days I plan to thoroughly abuse it. I won't set foot inside the Savoy until Screen 1 is restored to it's former glory. Wonder what they will do with those iconic red curtains, been watching them opening at the start of a film since I was a young child in the early 80s.

IMC have re-opened what appears to be Screen 1 at the Savoy cinema with construction work still remaining on what I would consider to be the last two "viewing rooms", no photos and no publicity - not good. Screen 1 must be tiny now, considering the original auditorium has been subdivided into 5 sections.

Do not want to go back there as I have such fond memories of Screen 1. If anyone has any information please share with this forum.

NotHappyAtAll

Since they already opened up the preview room as screen 7 and charge people as if it were a full size screen I would not be at all surprised to hear that 5 screens barely any bigger have replaced screen 1.

Could not help myself as no interior photos have been released to the media. I paid a visit to the new Savoy Screen 1 yesterday. Very dissapointed but not suprised, the original 70ft screen and red curtains have been dismantled.

A new screen has been installed but is considerably smaller than the original screen, although IMC are labelling it "with a huge curved screen (bigger than before)" - according to their facebook page. It does look big but that is because you are so close to it, as the new auditorium is so small. I got a rough count of the seating capacity (100 approx.) Does not appear to have Dolby Atmos sound installed either.
The location of the new Screen 1 is geographically somewhere in the centre of the original auditorium, hence the replacement screen. Last year Mr Paul Ward told Journal.ie that the screen would not be affected if the changes were to take place, unfortunately it is quite clear that this is not the case.

This is only my opinion, but it looks like a cheap construction job. The new Screen 1 is souless and has no character. I paid in to have a look but then left as I did not stay for the movie as I remembered how many times I went there as a teenager with friends and have such great memories of Savoy Screen 1. I will not be back.

Odeon Point village has my custom now

So I went to see a film there this week. After some confusion I found the screen. It was one of the new screens where the old screen 1 was. There is 3 screens there now. Yes it was sad to see screen 1 go but it was old and too big. It was very rarely full at best it would be half full most times. The new screens while lacking soul are nice and have very comfortable chairs probably some of the best in the business actually. So I enjoyed the film I went to see and will be going again.

Mr Crispy

Cleaner and better appointed than Cineworld's shithole screens, but still very disappointing - Savoy 1 seems smaller (both screen and auditorium) than the average screen in any humdrum multiplex.

Mebuntu

Darch Nemesis wrote: »

Cleaner and better appointed than Cineworld's shithole screens, but still very disappointing - Savoy 1 seems smaller (both screen and auditorium) than the average screen in any humdrum multiplex.

A very apt description of today's cinemas.

I see Vue have bought two more cinemas in Ireland which is great. They do a very clean and efficient operation and have an excellent webpage. The staff are friendly as well.

OU812

AMKC wrote: »

I see Vue have bought two more cinemas in Ireland which is great. They do a very clean and efficient operation and have an excellent webpage. The staff are friendly as well.

Where?

AMKC wrote: »

I see Vue have bought two more cinemas in Ireland which is great. They do a very clean and efficient operation and have an excellent webpage. The staff are friendly as well.

And charge a SIGNIFICANT premium. Not to mention 30 minutes of ads before a film!

Sad Professor

OU812 wrote: »

Where?

Vue have bought the Showtime group who have two cinemas - located in Ashbourne and Limerick, with 6 and 7 screens respectively.

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2018/0703/975955-vue-entertainment-showtime-deal/

givyjoe wrote: »

And charge a SIGNIFICANT premium. Not to mention 30 minutes of ads before a film!

Not if you go on there bargain day they don't. I do admit the adds before the films can be very long sometimes but if you don't like it then go elsewhere. I don't mind it as it gives me time to sort out my drink and snacks and it gets me in the mood for the film. It's worse if you just make a film and barely have time to sit down before it starts.

AMKC wrote: »

Not if you go on there bargain day they don't. I do admit the adds before the films can be very long sometimes but if you don't like it then go elsewhere. I don't mind it as it gives me time to sort out my drink and snacks and it gets me in the mood for the film. It's worse if you just make a film and barely have time to sit down before it starts.

I do go elsewhere that also offer discountee days. I don't think too many people would see 30 minutes of ad's as a plus.

SteM

givyjoe wrote: »

And charge a SIGNIFICANT premium. Not to mention 30 minutes of ads before a film!

They're the worst for ads. I've given up that place because of that carry on.

oceanclub

Was thinking of going to the Savoy, but: is the old Screen I still numbered 1?

P

oceanclub wrote: »

Was thinking of going to the Savoy, but: is the old Screen I still numbered 1?

P

The old screen 1 does not exist anymore. What was the old screen 1 is now 5 discreet auditoriums. 1 of the 5 auditoriums is called screen 1 but it is not the screen 1 that you are familiar with.
Does that answer your question ❓

oceanclub

alzer100 wrote: »

The old screen 1 does not exist anymore. What was the old screen 1 is now 5 discreet auditoriums. 1 of the 5 auditoriums is called screen 1 but it is not the screen 1 that you are familiar with.
Does that answer your question ❓

Yup it does! Ant Man & The Wasp is on in Screen 5 so that's cool, but still gutted the old screen is gone.

alzer100 wrote: »

The old screen 1 does not exist anymore. What was the old screen 1 is now 5 discreet auditoriums. 1 of the 5 auditoriums is called screen 1 but it is not the screen 1 that you are familiar with.
Does that answer your question ❓

They are not numbered like that do.Screen 5 is upstairs screens 1, 10 and 12 are downstairs. I know very strange way of doing it. The seats in the new screens are lovelty do.

oceanclub wrote: »

Yup it does! Ant Man & The Wasp is on in Screen 5 so that's cool, but still gutted the old screen is gone.

P.

So did you go see it after? I am nearly sure that screen 5 is upstairs and that its only 3 screens downstairs. Screen 1, screen 10 and screen 12. The reason I know is the last film I went to there was in screen 12 and well I spent some time trying to find it and just made the film. Nice seats in it too.

urbangoo

I wanted to see Deadpool 2 again and the Savoy was one of a few cinemas still showing it.
I don’t think I will ever return to the Savoy after my experience. It was in Screen 13, a tiny little room up some narrow stairs after you go up the main stairs. Going by this thread, this might have previously been Screen 7.
The sound was awful and the room and screen were tiny. It was in no way a cinema experience and they have a cheek to be charging full price for tickets.

AMKC wrote: »

They are not numbered like that do.Screen 5 is upstairs screens 1, 10 and 12 are downstairs. I know very strange way of doing it. The seats in the new screens are lovelty do.

So did you go see it after? I am nearly sure that screen 5 is upstairs and that its only 3 screens downstairs. Screen 1, screen 10 and screen 12. The reason I know is the last film I went to there was in screen 12 and well I spent some time trying to find it and just made the film. Nice seats in it too.

There are five cinemas in the area that used to occupy the old screen 1. From the entrance of the Savoy cinema it looks like it's just three, with the entrances to screen 9 and 10 now occupying the original doors to the old screen 1 (which at one stage I thought ... Well OK maybe it's not too bad) but when I bought a ticket for the new screen 1, walked along the new wide corridor and approached the entrance I found that it branched off where the new screen 1 door is located. As far as I am aware there is the new screen 1 in the middle and another two cinemas either side at that junction of which I am not sure what they are numbered. The entrances of which cannot be seen from the outside.

From reading some of the responses on this forum, I am quite surprised that people are happy with the changes made by IMC, personally I think they destoyed the unique experience that was the old screen 1 and replaced it with some nice seats (and when I say the old screen 1 I mean in it's glory days). Please remember IMC stopped investing in the old screen 1 long before it was subdivided because of their plans, hence it's condition towards it's end.

I cannot understand why on two occasions Paul Ward pledged to the media that the screen would not be touched, it was one of the biggest 2.35:1 scope screens in the country and yet it was removed. If anyone from IMC has any knowledge of why, please share with this forum as I am really curious.

Theboinkmaster

alzer100 wrote: »

I cannot understand why on two occasions Paul Ward pledged to the media that the screen would not be touched, it was one of the biggest 2.35:1 scope screens in the country and yet it was removed. If anyone from IMC has any knowledge of why, please share with this forum as I am really curious.

Sure that's simple enough to understand - more profit.

urbangoo wrote: »

I wanted to see Deadpool 2 again and the Savoy was one of a few cinemas still showing it.
I don’t think I will ever return to the Savoy after my experience. It was in Screen 13, a tiny little room up some narrow stairs after you go up the main stairs. Going by this thread, this might have previously been Screen 7.
The sound was awful and the room and screen were tiny. It was in no way a cinema experience and they have a cheek to be charging full price for tickets.

Well you should have went on Thursday then when they do not charge full price if you book online. You should have walked out complained and demanded your money back.

alzer100 wrote: »

There are five cinemas in the area that used to occupy the old screen 1. From the entrance of the Savoy cinema it looks like it's just three, with the entrances to screen 9 and 10 now occupying the original doors to the old screen 1 (which at one stage I thought ... Well OK maybe it's not too bad) but when I bought a ticket for the new screen 1, walked along the new wide corridor and approached the entrance I found that it branched off where the new screen 1 door is located. As far as I am aware there is the new screen 1 in the middle and another two cinemas either side at that junction of which I am not sure what they are numbered. The entrances of which cannot be seen from the outside.

From reading some of the responses on this forum, I am quite surprised that people are happy with the changes made by IMC, personally I think they destoyed the unique experience that was the old screen 1 and replaced it with some nice seats (and when I say the old screen 1 I mean in it's glory days). Please remember IMC stopped investing in the old screen 1 long before it was subdivided because of their plans, hence it's condition towards it's end.

I cannot understand why on two occasions Paul Ward pledged to the media that the screen would not be touched, it was one of the biggest 2.35:1 scope screens in the country and yet it was removed. If anyone from IMC has any knowledge of why, please share with this forum as I am really curious.

here are five cinemas in the area that used to occupy the old screen 1. From the entrance of the Savoy cinema it looks like it's just three, with the entrances to screen 9 and 10 now occupying the original doors to the old screen 1 (which at one stage I thought ... Well OK maybe it's not too bad) but when I bought a ticket for the new screen 1, walked along the new wide corridor and approached the entrance I found that it branched off where the new screen 1 door is located. As far as I am aware there is the new screen 1 in the middle and another two cinemas either side at that junction of which I am not sure what they are numbered

Awe ok I did not know that. I would say maybe number 14 and 15 or bigger again depending on how many screens there is now.

Hande hoche!

givyjoe wrote: »

And charge a SIGNIFICANT premium. Not to mention 30 minutes of ads before a film!

Went in recently, notably more expensive than when it was Showtime.

They did have a fancier selection of hotdogs, which would be appealing for some.

geecee

So which is their biggest screen at this stage?
As in what's their equivalent of the "main" screen?

When I try to make a test booking all the auditoriums have unreserved seating so its impossible to see the size or layout of the auditorium (Part of me wonders if that is deliberate!)