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(ATMoB:Discuss) [Fwd: Re: Solar Max]


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Solar Max
Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 16:24:46 -0400
From: David Ellis <dellis (a) mos daht org>
To: Meredith Warshaw <mwarshaw (a) alum.mit.edu>
References: <3B3B65AC.470A67FD (a) alum.mit.edu>

Thank you for your interest in Solar Max.

As you may or may not be aware, we test screen Omni films before we bring them
to
the Museum in order to determine the level of general audience interest in the
film.  We have tested over 22 films, shown several and have data on those
several to
compare test-screen and box office performance.

Based on Solar Max’s test performance, it appears to be a very solid educational
film but one with very limited general audience appeal.  Unfortunately, the
Museum
of Science receives less than 1% of is unrestricted operating funds from public
sources and therefore must count on attracting visitors to pay its bills.  Thus
the
Museum cannot economically afford to bring in films that do not have a broad
appeal.

Also unfortunately, the companies that produce and distribute large-format films
are
not very flexible in their rental agreements and do not structure agreements
that
would accommodate limited showings which would, of course, help us in our
ability to
show good films of limited interest.

One route that would be available to you and your friends who have sent us
similar
emails would be for you to “buy-out” the theater for a special showing of Solar
Max.  Should you wish to pursue that, you should contact Cherie Rivers for
prices
and schedule availability.




Meredith Warshaw wrote:

> I am very disappointed that the MoS is not planning to show the new IMAX film
> Solar Max, and has turned down other highly rated astronomy IMAX films in the
> past.  My son and his friends are all very interested in astronomy, and we would
> all have enjoyed seeing this very much.  Please reconsider this decision.
>
> Sincerely,
> Meredith
>
> --
> Meredith Warshaw
> mwarshaw (a) alum.mit.edu                       http://www.uniquelygifted daht org
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that
> reflects it. ~ Edith Wharton, novelist (1862-1937)