Cinema Boss Asks Filmmakers To Direct Shorter Movies

A theater chain executive recently spoke about the issues that both theaters and audiences face because of movies with relatively longer runtimes. Clare Binns, who serves as creative director of Picturehouse Cinemas, has urged directors to develop shorter movies.

What Clare Binns requested filmmakers

Binns said in a new interview with The Guardian that directors must make sure that movies are a comfortable viewing experience for audiences so that people will return to theaters. She revealed that she has discussed the subject with producers.

“I talk to producers about this and say: ‘Tell the director you’re making the film for an audience, not the directors,’” Binns elaborated. “There’s always exceptions, but I look at a lot of films and think: ‘You could take 20 minutes out of that.’ There’s no need for films to be that long.”

Movies with extended runtimes are not a new trend. However, general audiences’ methods of consuming entertainment have changed radically over the last few decades, with the advent of streaming services. Binns further elaborated that longer movies create distinct problems for both audiences and theaters. Chains like Picturehouse have intervals slotted into their programs, but long runtimes also restrict how many shows a movie theater can organize per day.

“It means you only get one evening show,” Binns explained. “I think it’s a wake-up call to directors. If they want their films in cinemas, people have to feel comfortable about what they’re committing to.”

In the same interview, Binns observed that theaters were “in a much better place” than how things used to be two years ago. She added, “It’s been very tough for cinemas. During COVID, everybody got used to sitting on couches and watching streaming services. But that’s changing. We’re working with the streamers to bring people in.”

Binns’ comment comes after BAFTA announced her as the recipient of the honorary award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema this year. Picturehouse is a boutique theater chain owned by Cineworld.

Source: Comingsoon.net