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| Author | Zoe Aresti |
Adam Cunard celebrates 10 years in the cinema business in 2017 and to mark the milestone, the Picturedrome Cinemas Managing Director has offered insight into his life in the business.
Read about how he got into the exhibition world, what he loves about it a decade on, and what his all-time favourite film is. Cunard got into the industry after a stint in theatre management and in this piece, he also sheds light on what he loves most about his venues.
Tell us about your route into cinema and was it always something you wanted to do?
I was running the local theatre and one day the lady who was running the little independent cinema in Chichester popped in. I happened to be covering the box office (working on a Saturday, not good!) and she said that the owners had approached her about taking it over. It wasn’t for them but she thought I might be interested, and if not the cinema was likely to just close. But as they say, the rest is history, and I ended up taking over Bognor Picturedrome at the age 20.
What’s the best thing about working in the industry?
I love all the lovely Edwardian and Art Deco buildings we have. As a child I used to borrow the Cinemas of West Sussex book from the library, which is full of photos and info about all the old picture houses in Sussex. I get such a buzz from being able to restore and keep these lovely picture palaces in use for a new generation.
What’s the best thing about your cinemas?
That’s a hard one as I like lots of different parts of all my cinemas. I love the fact that they're all unique, from lovely scroll work and the feel of an old Victorian theatre in Picturedrome Bognor Regis, to the lovely feel of an Art Deco 20s cinema in Dorchester - they all have their unique feel and charm.
Are there any upcoming events or screenings you’d like to tell us about?
Not really, but one exciting event is in 2019, Picturedrome Bognor Regis celebrates 100 years as a venue.
What film are you most looking forward to in 2017?
That's always a hard question as there are lots of amazing films out again this year. But I think it is has to be Despicable Me 3.
What excites you most about the cinema industry at the moment?
I think it’s the fact that the product is so strong, and there is so much innovation and new ideas bringing a new generation to the cinema as well as getting lapsed cinemagoers back to the silver screen.
What’s your all-time favourite film?
The Ghost Writer (2010), directed by Roman Polanski.
What do you anticipate to be your biggest business challenge this year?
Well, I don’t know if it's so much of a challenge, but we are currently replacing all our first digital projectors with the new baby laser projectors, as well as installing 4k machines in all our screen 1s.
What do you think makes a great cinema ad?
Something different that grabs you. The big screen experience in an ad; also i'm a sucker for a cheesy tune that you can’t get out your head, works every time for me.
Tell us something interesting that people might not know about you?
As well as being in cinema, I’m editor and owner of two local newspapers, Bognor Regis Post and Chichester Post!