Blu

What Is Required To Show A DVD In Public

For profit?

Here is my concept that I'd like to do: I live in a smallish town that really lacks in quality entertainment.

Outside of the mall theater which only runs first run Hollywood CGI fests it is hard to see a foreign or classic movie here. I want to show Kurosawa movies, Hitchcock movies, Fellini movies, Capra movies, well you get the point!

There is a local live theatre which has a small theatre which isn't being used. It has tables and chairs, a big place for a screen and a place for a projector.

I would like to serve prepared finger foods and keep away from the normal theater foods. Perhaps dinner and dessert even!

So what is required in obtaining the proper permissions to show movies (likely on DVD) to a small audience, the theater holds about 30 people.

2QAYL
My Filmmaker\'s Blog

Dennis Nicholls

Re: What Is Required To Show A DVD In Public

You would need a public performance license. If this was playing music CDs, you would get in contact with ASCAP / BMI for the license. But I'm not sure what kind of central clearinghouse exists for pubic performance licenses for DVDs. You may have to contact the legal departments of all the rights holders of the particular DVDs you want to show. I'm sure this isn't what you wanted to hear.


EDIT Just look at this link: Motion Picture Association of America The magic words for Google were "video public performance license". I'd guess the MPAA would "front" the major studios and that Criterion would "front" most of the art films you describe. Both have toll-free numbers at that link.

EDIT EDIT I'll bet MPAA is going to be much easier to work with than your local health department in getting a license to serve hot food. Not to mention the local alcoholic beverage guys.

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