I'm just trying to get to the bottom of why BAFTA are in the sh*t for refusing to nominate a movie nobody wants to go to see.

A much more reliable method for Onny would be to check with the UK Film Council:
http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/cinemagoing/boxoffice/?p=D4A1577818a8f1B26AJOv1911111&skip=

This shows that in the course of the weekend it took £2,940, which was not bad given that it was only in seven cinemas. And these figures do not include all the other “Screen Machine”, mobile cinema showings, and specials being done around the Highlands, nor the numbers to have been invited to preview screenings. So this is certainly comparable with many other films being shown around the country.

Given cinema design nowadays, with one ticket-checker for multiple screens, and more automated, multi-screen projectionist work, it is very much worthwhile for cinemas to show films like this. Even if only a handful of people attend, without another film to show it makes money that goes straight to the bottom line.

As for BAFTA – they would be first to say that viewer figures would never influence their decision about what to nominate … it is all ‘artistic merit, dah-ling’ ;-)

£2,940 isn't exactly a great ROI, is it? The site average of £420 is unlikely to cover the wage bill of the screens which did showed it.

I've seen quite a few minority interest films over the years - some of them marvellous - where the audiences have been on the 'small' side. I've always been glad that at least some cinemas have been prepared to give a few slots to this genre despite the fact that they are not obvious moneyspinners.

Isn't "not obvious moneyspinners." a delightful euphemism?

Onny, these are the figures for a weekend, and you need to look at what all films were doing before commenting on Seachd specifically. For what it is worth, we really enjoyed the film, and when we were there last weekend there were about 30 others in the cinema. I go to the pictures about once a month, and this is par for the course for me. I have been surprised to see how the modern cinema experience survives on this model. Often when we see a big name, blockbuster, it can be with only four others in that showing.

It seems to me that the economics of film-making and cinemas are pretty challenging for all – not just this film. Of all the those shown across the UK last weekend (circa 100?) only the top 11 got more than £1,000 per cinema, and they include big Hollywood blockbusters (eg Bourne Ultimatum) with massive marketing. So figures like £420 per cinema are par for the course for that 90% that are not packed with big name stars. You can see that clearly form the table.

The point about how modern cinemas are designed and staffed is that unless they can show films that are going to fill *every* screen, *all the time* (hardly likely) they are better showing the 90 or so films that do yield figures like this, than leaving the screens blank. Otherwise, it is all income lost. You can argue about ROI, but the investment is not exactly transferable, when you have 12 screens, and half are full, and the staffing is effectively a fixed cost to service the blockbusters. So it is economic to show all these other films, in the sense that they add to the total revenue, while not adding to costs

I was interested to see that the highest grossing *per cinema*, though only number 10 in terms of gross takings, was “Control”, about Ian Curtis of Joy Division. I have heard so many great things about this film that I must get along to see it.

I'm (still) just trying to get to the bottom of why BAFTA are in the sh*t for refusing to nominate a movie nobody wants to go to see.

At least it's guaranteed to be a sell-out in Ft William.

Lots of people do want to see the film, and are going to see it – in the seven cinemas where it is showing. By all reasonable measures – including the numbers who go to see *any* film – this one is attracting audiences. All filmmakers would always like to see larger audiences, and the makers of Seachd are probably no different. To say that “no-one wants to see it” is wrong, and misleading.

As for BAFTA – see my previous post. The last thing that they look at are box office figures when they make a nomination. You are wasting your time in looking for any link between the two: audience figures and nominations. They are getting into a pickle because there are not all that many British films, and in this category there were only two candidates. They chose to nominate neither.

So that is like moaning about not winning the lottery when you didn’t even buy a ticket. BAFTA allegedly want both *profile* and *prizes* for British films, but saw fit to eliminate themselves from getting any profile in this category. Whether or not they (BAFTA and/or Seachd) would have won a prize is of course debatable. But profile is certainly secured for both British cinema in general and this film in particular when it gets a nomination. That is why they are ‘in the what’s-it’.

Do you agree it'll be a sell-out in Ft William?

"I'm (still) just trying to get to the bottom of why BAFTA are in the sh*t for refusing to nominate a movie nobody wants to go to see."

Because It's A Good Film.

Can you say that? Good... film. Good... film.

Do you agree it'll be a sell-out in Ft William?

The Mod week showing? I'd be surprised if it wasn't....

I gather ScottishScreen had a very positive locations tour this past week -helicopter covering the fabulous Rannoch Moor ,Glencoe and other great areas.There is surely a lot of scope for filming in Scotland at such places with the fine musical score being composed by locally based musicians at realistic fee levels for their labours

Speaking for myself only - and I have seen it already - I would not go to see it in the Fort.

1. Mod week is once a year, and there are too many distractions, people to see, things to do ... and just that one week to do it. No idea when I would find the time to go to *any* film, given my other commitments and plans.
2. There are other opportunities to see the film, would be my logic, so I would not miss out if I didn't fit it in during this particular week.
3. Don’t know the cinema there … would rather go to my local flea-pit!

For others, this may be an ideal opportunity to see it, and I have no doubt that many will take up this chance. In fact, I would recommend it to those who can find the time.

And why does it matter to you anyway, how many folk see it in Fort William?

As my old Dad used to say, 'The best skipper's always standing on the quay'.

We would be more inclined to take you seriously, Onny, if you spoke from having experienced the film. Mind you, a full appreciation of the said work requires intelligence, sensitivity and understanding.
Even an ability to read subtitles would be a start.

D

Let's just be clear. The film is being shown in Ft William this week, isn't it?

Is there still a cinema in Fort William?

The Nevis Centre can be used as a cinema http://www.neviscentre.co.uk/films.htm>

Seachd has been nominated for a Scottish Bafta http://www.baftascotland.co.uk>

REJECTED SCOTS MOVIE HANDED OSCAR LIFELINE

Aberdeen Press & Journal
01 November 2007

The acclaimed Gaelic film, Seachd - The Inaccessible Pinnacle, may
still stand a chance of being nominated for a top film award, the
Press and Journal can reveal.

The picture, the first Gaelic feature film, was overlooked for an
Academy Award nomination for best foreign language film after the
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) refused to put it
forward.

The decision, on the basis that Bafta did not consider the
film "outstanding", provoked outrage among the Gaelic-speaking
community in Scotland.

Producer Christopher Young even resigned from Bafta in protest at the
snub.

But the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which hands out
Oscars, appear to have offered the filmmaker a lifeline.

It came after Matthew MacIver, chairman of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, wrote to
the academy's executive director, Bruce Davis, inquiring about
alternative routes to have the film considered for nomination.

In his reply, Mr Davis said the film could not be considered for the
best foreign language film but, if it achieved just a one-week run at
a Los Angeles cinema, it would be eligible for any other award
category.

Under the rules of the prestigious awards, the week-long run in a Los
Angeles county cinema must be between January 1 and December 31,
2007. Cinema-goers must pay admission.

Last night Mr MacIver urged the Gaelic community to use all their
contacts to win the film a showing in an LA cinema.

He said: "We were hugely encouraged that the academy's executive
director got back to us so quickly, that he values the contribution
of Scottish Gaelic in a cultural sense and has opened the door to
Seachd getting an Oscar in a different category.

"We appeal to the Gaelic world to use all their contacts to see if
it's possible to get the film shown in an LA cinema for a week. Rest
assured, someone will have a granny or a cousin who works in
California who can help."

Hamish Fraser, chairman of Highland Council's Gaelic committee,
said: "We would be happy to back anybody to get the recognition, or
the nomination, they deserve."

Producer Christopher Young is understood to be on holiday and could
not be contacted yesterday but a source close to him revealed fears
they will not be able to book the film into an LA cinema because they
do not have a distribution deal in the US.

She said: "The decision lies with Bafta UK in London and they made a
decision that we found terribly disappointing."

It came as the film was shortlisted for this year's Lloyd's TSB Bafta
Scotland awards.

Together with Hallam Foe and The Last King of Scotland, Seachd
dominates the film shortlist.

Jamie Bell, James McAvoy and Seachd's Aonghas Padraig Caimbeul are
competing for best actor, while Sophia Myles is nominated as best
actress.

TV award nominees include the Channel 4 black comedy Wedding Belles,
the BBC4 drama Consenting Adults, and Rebus for STV.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Glasgow's City Halls
on Sunday, November 18.

Seachd was a hit at the Edinburgh Film Festival in the summer and it
won plaudits when it went on general release across Scotland earlier
this month. It will be screened on Friday, November 16, as part of
the Inverness Film Festival at Eden Court.