Winning Spirit Magazine January - February 2013 January - February 2013 | Page 16

PICKING THE RIGHT MOVIE
BY ARON SIMKINS
Going to the movies has been a world-wide
pastime since the first film was shown to an
audience. For Cal Gunderson, it’s more than an
activity to be shared with family and friends, it
is a career.
Cal started in the movie business in the 70’s
and was integral in helping Larry Miller’s
vision of the Megaplex Theatres at Jordan
Commons become a reality. Not long
after their completion, he was recruited to
manage the brand new complex.
Today, Cal is responsible for film buying and
placement for all the Megaplex Theatres
locations, and that means screening nearly
every movie before its release.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR WORKDAY/WEEK
DO YOU SPEND SCREENING MOVIES?
I make it to about 90% of the movies I’m
invited to screen, which is about 4 to 6 movies
a week. I also try to se we as many foreign,
independent or art films as I can, as well.
HAVE YOU EVER WAL
I don’t watch mov
perspective as the typ
I have to consider whe
how many screens, pr
market sensitivity, etc
be the sensor, but I ha
screenings, either bec
or because I knew it w
our markets.
HOW DO THE PURCHA
Films are classified
run or last run. First run
on success projections
However, the terms for
times and percentage
that go to the studio a
bigger blockbusters ar
and sometimes require
movies are re-negotiat
on performance and ot
movies first-run contra
On November 29, 201
Baseball (MBL) exhib
Saturday, March 30, 2
1PM MT, will be the fir
and marks the first ap
faced the Minnesota T
“It has been more tha
Lake City and we’re e
of Utah,” stated Greg
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