Rescue the Big Picture Movie Theater

Waitsfield, Vermont - The Big Picture Theater needs to upgrade its projection systems in order to survive as a movie theater and community space. As reported by The New York Times, NPR, The Valley Reporter and other media outlets, 35mm film is being phased out and replaced with digital film projection by the end of this year. Many small town theaters are being forced to shut down due to the costly conversion. Waitsfield has had a movie theater in their community for 40 years and in order for The Big Picture Theater to continue to operate as a movie theater, and provide a wide range of entertainment and cultural programming, they need to raise $20,000 to offset the $60,000 per screen conversion.

 

A fundraising campaign using Kickstarter has been launched to meet the $20,000 goal. Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing method of contribution collection. If The Big Picture reaches their $20,000 goal by November 10^th, they get to keep the funds, otherwise all contributions will be given back to those who donated. The Big Picture would like to raise half of what is needed to convert one theater, and pledges to finance the remaining costs and continue to fundraise in order to upgrade BOTH theaters. Converting both theaters will allow the Big Picture community and patrons a much wider range of programming - such as; independent films, concerts and sporting events, while providing a quality experience to all patrons.

 

The Big Picture understands the economic hardship facing the population at large and it’s community, still struggling after Tropical Storm Irene, and has created incentives for donations starting at just $10 (which receives a voucher for three free Very Small maple-glazed Donuts). There are incentives for $50 and $100 donations as well, including free movie tickets, popcorn, your name/organization engraved on a theater chair and a BIG CARD, to be introduced to the public in November that will feature weekly deals in the café and theater.

 

The Big Picture is committed to remaining a movie theater and hopes the public will visit their Kickstarter page (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/972863974/rescue-the-big-picture-movie-theater) , share it with their friends and help maintain their movie theater operation and mission to be a “Local Gathering Place with a Global Dimension”.

 

For more information please contact Claudia Becker 802.279.0054, cbecker007@yahoo.com or visitwww.bigpicturetheater.info.