The Demise of Free Films - Open debate

[dfletch08]

Over the last three years the amount of free films offered by the usual outlets have noticeably decreased. There has been a shift in direction as to the quality of the free movies offered. There is a higher percentage of free films on your Free Film Club list coming from promotions, loyalty schemes and competitions.

Discuss...

[McG]

Most of my free films have come from Sun or Times memberships. Sun tokens I get free from my brother but at present I'm p*ying for the lowest Times membership. Even these have not netted me a film every week which is a little disappointing. I had subscribed to the Early Alert System from SFF and think I've only had 2 films in the past 9 months so won't be renewing that membership. At present I have no free films to look forward to . . . I have definitely seen a change in the number of free films being offered for Glasgow over the past few years.

[baty]

I agree with McG. The amount of free films in Wales has dropped.
The Times 'ourscreen' has never had a cinema in Wales close to me, so I'm not considering the Times+ route. I have been looking at different events via lectures on sites like Evenbrite etc, Just to have an evening out - using the food/restaurant vouchers, for a low cost entertainment evening. I rarely get sent an email offering a film from sff, if it wasn't for my ticket fairy I would have a very poor film score.
As much as I dislike the content of the sun I have had more success in getting a film from them.

I have also pa*d for a film........

[McG]

I have also pa*d for a film........

Me too, baty! I have even considered b*ying either an Odeon Limitless card or a Cineworld Unlimited card as this way I could also go and see some "odd films" which I would not normally p*y to see.
This was one of the things I had appreciated about the free films as I have gone to see types of films I would not normally have considered seeing/p*ying for. I wouldn't like to go back to seeing only films which I am certain I will enjoy.

[Lp9658]

I agree. Seems like you need a subscription of some sort now if you want a chance of getting any free tickets to more popular film releases!

[philipand96]

SFF I assume provide a service to the Producers/ Distributors.

I guess that those who Producers/ Distributors want promotion are happy with the expense

It may be that SFF has noticed members are NOT providing feedback (mine is less than 50%)
So why should Producers/ Distributors p*y so some should get a freebie if they are not providing feedback

I notices that SFF THEATRE charge a £1.00 admin fee
This is a good thing as tose who book tickets and don't show lose nothing

Albeit £1.00 you are less inclined to book a ticket is you are unsure prior you are going to be a no show

Rather than lose it £1.00 ensure fewer non attendees

I agree that there are fewer fims
I joined late in 2011 SHAME [1 FILM]
2012 was better 6 FILMS
2013 was phenomenal WELL OVER 40! (and most are being premiered on FREEVIEW
.... and if it had continued in 2014 100 club? but sadly is falling and like polar ice large gaps in between and a small glut then checking every day

[D-Fens]

This can be blown away by anyone with genuine knowledge but is the lack of free films not indicative of the recent shape of the cinema year.

There were never many free tickets for Summer blockbusters outside of genuine perks from p*ying for something else. And that season is getting earlier and earlier as audiences have responded to big movies opening in April and now March.

That rolls into Oscar season and it's being billed as the time of year when you can actually see something of quality. The movies are just kind of grouped as award winners and must now need less of a push.

The remaining 2 or 3 months are seen as a dumping ground for movies not quite big enough for Summer or critically acclaimed enough for Winter. As that period is shorter there's just less movies around that they don't know what to do with and would have previously used that free preview push.

I also wonder if some of these screenings count towards box office totals or some kind of accounting? The Sun seems to screen a lot of movies that would otherwise have an embarrassing take/attendance and the amount of Eddie Eagle screenings would make sense if they want to start selling it as a smash British hit.

[maurice]

had to watch Eddie the Eagle from front row 2 seats from the wall even though arrived 10 mins before the start. Cinema was Edinburgh Centre vue. Many were turned away. All because they dont use the Bar code system.