Why do Fresnans love going to the movies so much?
For years now, there has been no doubt in my mind that people in Fresno love them some movies. Like more than other people in the country.
Such was confirmed when I was looking through Neilsen's report on popular trends in 2007. As you can see from the list to your right, we made the top 10 of avid-movie-going markets, tied with Las Vegas.
I'm not sure what exactly it is about Fresnans and going to the movies (do we love $5 sodas?), so I asked fellow Beehivers and movie experts Donald Munro and Rick Bentley for their hypotheses:
Rick: I think it is a combination of factors. Despite recent increases in ticket prices, movies are still affordable for the family compared to concert tickets or even college football tickets. Also, the weather makes it possible for people to be able to go in the winter and want to go in the summer.
Donald: I think the heat is a factor. When you consider that six months out of the year it can be very advantageous to bask in air conditioning, people see a movie ticket as a good way to escape the heat of the day. I also think that people like to feel like they're "going out." In other cities in which there are more expensive entertainment options -- more theater, fine arts, concerts every night of the week -- there's more competition for those leisure dollars. Here, going to the movies is a relatively affordable way to feel as if you're splurging.
As for me, I just think that going to the movies is an easy thing-to-do here in The 'No where, true or not, lots of people live with in the "there's nothing to do" mindset. The movies are always there -- and they don't take a tremendous amount of effort.
What do you think? Why do people here love the movies so much? While you're contemplating, check out FresnoBee.com's latest movie podcast.
Comments:
And actually, Edwards' Cinema is (was?) the 4th highest attended cineplex in the nation. Fourth highest, beating out NYC, LA, SF, etc etc.
Posted by: Stephen at December 13, 2007 6:31 PM
As Munro said,I think it's to do with the "there's nothing to do in Fresno" mindset and partly to do with long entrenched habit.
In some other cities, there are places to stroll.
You can walk with a date or your family in a very alive outside nightlife-ey area, stop for a snack or a drink, and your "night out" might not even include an 'event'like a concert or movie, etc.- just a nice walk out in 'town'.
The Tower District gives us a small taste of this, but for now, it's the typical 'movie or a restaraunt'[or the at-home version: pizza and a dvd] options for most of the folks here in Fresburg.
[p.s. props to the Bee for their "7" publication that points the way to the many more options that DO exist]
Posted by: blake at December 14, 2007 8:19 AM
It sometimes comes down to good fun entertainment. Also its something the families can do together.
Posted by: john at December 14, 2007 8:27 AM
Hmmm, how to say this without sounding critical,
('cause it's certainly not meant to be, -not even snarky,)
I think it has to do with 'escapism,' (which can be good or bad, actually, -I mean people read fiction, go to plays, go out and create, do sports, get stoned, (almost,) all for the same reason:
It's something else to do, and it's a quick way out of 'regular life.'
I've been hearing this about Fresno for quite some time, 'it's (only,) three to four hours to everything, and it's (like, totally,) three to four hours to ANYTHING,' (depending on your resources of time, fuel, etc.)
It's just a lot easier to go up the street to a movie and 'be wherever else,' for ten bucks, than go through all the hassle of driving elsewhere, (or actually 'doing something,' (in the heat, in the cold and deadly fog, etc...)
Basically, that means Fresno can be seen from some angles as '500,000 fish in a barrel,' (or beer can, depending on the post.) (okay, perhaps that part was a little sarcastic, but you understand what I'm saying.)
-I also think folks look at a book and think: 'too long, don't have the time,'
-but they'll look at two hours in a movie, NOT have to read, just sit there, and think: 'this is doable.'
Studios should take note of this, and put out a few more 'cutting edge,' and 'first and limited run,' films, (then bump them heavilly in the local media.)
I've been told that Fresno has longtime been a beta-tester market for a lot of other products (etc.) BEFORE they're cut loose 'nationally,' on other levels.
-It would be nice to see this with films, there is such a captive market here, and folks will turn out for 'the unknown,'
(I mean, Rogue is the largest fringe festival in the country,
-and the 'films,' division is usually packed, sells out nearly every performance, and yet they are ALL 'unknown,' works...)
(...money to be made here, people, money to be made.)
Posted by: wet towel at December 14, 2007 10:12 AM
More importantly, if Fresnans love their movies so much... why the hell don't we have an independent or art theater! I know Filmworks shows their stuff at Tower once a month, but damn, we need a dedicated theater!!!
Posted by: Bryan Harley at December 14, 2007 4:40 PM
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