The Knowledge - Paul Dravet
CSB has been working for months on an exciting project with film journalist Andrew Urban of Urbancinefile. We’re interviewing film and television practitioners about their business experiences.
Our aim is to develop a deeper understanding about the history of business decision-making in film and television and to share with our audience the wisdom from the accumulated mistakes, experiments and achievements of the contributors.
Paul Dravet - biography
Paul Dravet is General Manager of the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Sydney. He joined the film industry at the age of 22, working with distributors Columbia and Roadshow before moving into cinema management and travelling overseas. 35 years ago he joined Mike Walsh’s Hayden Group. Since then he has seen the company’s cinema interests expand rapidly. This year will mark Paul’s 20-year anniversary at the Orpheum.
Audio download
Chapter 1 - The exhibition business, past and present - 14 minutes
- Starting as a cleaner at a cinema
- Joining Mike Walsh in programming the Regent Theatre, Richmond
- Expanding to Penrith, Avalon, Collaroy – and Cremorne Orpheum
- Sold all but the Orpheum – a cash cow (with lots of ghosts)
- Location offers challenge and unique programming
- Local area is well-off and demographically diverse, including filmmakers
- Expanded from one to 6 screens
- Programming process – mix of personal taste and commercial list
- Mainstream films shrinking in appeal for Orpheum audiences
- But we’ll take Spider-Man as part of the mix
Video downloads
Chapter 2 - Making deals, programming for audiences - 10 minutes
- Orpheum’s success gives us deal making strength
- Marketing & passion of distributor – occasional input
- Diversification of program beyond movies
- Using feedback from patrons
- Orpheum patrons like gutsy subjects - but not too confronting
- Even after 25 years experience, it’s hard to know what will work
Video downloads
Chapter 3 - Assessing films, looking to the future - 15 minutes
- Australian films assessed like any other
- Avoid horror and violence at Orpheum
- Candy bar & liquor contribute little to profit – older patrons
- Live events, started with 40-piece swing orchestra
- Attendances growing each year
- Maximum capacity 2,500 seats (bums on seats is the primary measure of success)
- Digital projection – not rushing at it
- Expansion/growth options: 2 more screens, more jazz, more special events
- But movies are the primary business
Video downloads
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