Findings From The Crandell Theatre Members and Friends Survey

A message from the Crandell Theatre co-chair Program Task Force, Viki Sand.

With the governor’s recent decision to open theaters at 25 percent capacity, the responses of Crandell members and friends to the recent survey [January 15-25] have provided helpful guidance as we consider an appropriate format and schedule for reopening in 2021.

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Now Playing:

2021 Oscar Nominated Short Films

130 min
Streaming Online: Fri, Apr 2—Fri, Apr 23

Live Action: The Present – Farah Nabulsi (Palestine) Feeling Through – Doug Roland and Susan Ruzenski (USA) Two Distant Strangers – Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe (USA) White Eye – Tomer Shushan and Shira Hochman (Israel) The Letter Room – Elvira Lind and Sofia Sondervan (USA) Animation: Burrow – Madeline Sharafian and Michael Capbarat (USA) Genius Loci – Adrien Mérigeau and Amaury Ovise (France) Opera – Erick Oh (USA/South Korea) If Anything Happens I Love You – Will McCormack and Michael Govier (USA) Yes-People – Gísli Darri Halldórsson and Arnar Gunnarsson (Iceland) BONUS FILMS: Kapaemahu (USA) The Snail and the Whale (UK/Germany) To Gerard (USA) Documentary: A Love Song for Latasha – Sophia Nahli Allison and Janice Duncan (USA, 18 min.) Do Not Split – Anders Hammer and Charlotte Cook (USA/Norway, 36 min.) Hunger Ward – Skye Fitzgerald and…

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Making History – Marking the 50th Anniversary of the 1971 May Day Protests as Recorded by Videofreex, “Mayday 1971 Raw”

posted on April 15, 2021

Crandell Theatre proudly presents Mayday 1971 Raw, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1971 May Day peace protests that made history, with record-setting civil disobedience arrests and leading to the end of the Vietnam War. The protestors’ slogan: “If the government won’t stop the war, we’ll stop the government.” The early video documentary was recorded by Mayday Video, an ad hoc group of pioneer video makers, including Videofreex, who lived and had a pirate TV station in the Catskills during the 1970s. This virtual community event features access to a 66-minute, 21st century edit of the original video compilation from the historic 1971 May Day protest. Participants are invited to view the film in advance of the event, and tune in to a panel discussion on May 1st at 5 p.m. To gain access to the film, please register for the event…

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In Loving Memory of Gary Leib

posted on March 23, 2021

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gary Leib, long-time member of the FilmColumbia family, and co-creator of FC favorite, “Animation for Grownups.” Gary was the animator for American Splendor, directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pucini, which was screened at FilmColumbia in 2003. A few years later, Gary took part in an animation panel at FilmColumbia. He was so taken with the Crandell Theatre and the vibe of the area that he and his wife Judy Glantzman first rented, then bought a second home nearby. After the panel that year, FilmColumbia Festival Director Calliope Nicholas proposed that Gary put together an animation program. He jumped on the opportunity enthusiastically, but with a warning – it wouldn’t be suitable for kids. His idea was to show the best and wildest of cutting edge animation shorts…

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Farm Film Festival 13: March 15 – March 21, 2021

posted on March 12, 2021

Crandell Theatre proudly presents the thirteenth annual Farm Film Festival. This year’s festival, presented in collaboration with the Chatham Agricultural Partnership and the Columbia Land Conservancy, will be held virtually via Zoom. Farm Film Festival XIII is presented with generous support from MetzWood Insurance and the Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation. As in the past, the program is a mix of films made by professional and amateur filmmakers who respond to the call for entries; the films are selected by a panel representing the collaborating organizations. The festival showcases films that focus on farms, farming, and farming issues from local and national filmmakers. Our theme this year is “Sustainability Around the Globe.” All nine short films will be available for viewing from March 15th-21st on our Youtube channel. Virtual screening is open to the public at no charge, but…

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Crandell Theatre Announces $3 Million Fundraising Plan for Renovation and Endowment

posted on February 26, 2021

The Crandell Theatre board of directors in Chatham, New York, announced today that it has raised $2 million of its $3 million Capital Campaign to renovate the theater and establish an endowment to sustain the theater well into the future. One million dollars has been raised towards the renovation cost of $2 million, and an initial pledge of $1 million has been received for the endowment. The theater renovation will include upgrading the audio system, expansion of the lobby and concession area, additional modernized restrooms, replacement of seats, and creation of functional staff workspace and storage. The Crandell is currently closed because of the pandemic. The board anticipates reopening the Crandell in summer 2021 (based upon state health guidelines and financial feasibility) and producing the FilmColumbia Festival in the fall. Depending upon the progress of the fundraising campaign, construction is…

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Findings From The Crandell Theatre Members and Friends Survey

posted on February 25, 2021

Dear Members and Friends: With the governor’s recent decision to open theaters at 25 percent capacity, the responses of Crandell members and friends to the recent survey [January 15-25] have provided helpful guidance as we consider an appropriate format and schedule for reopening in 2021. One-third of Crandell members responded to the questionnaire, with a return of all members and friends at 17 percent. There was not an appreciable difference in responses when members were isolated from the total. Based upon the information provided, we learned that Crandell viewers are overwhelmingly between 55-75 years old and live full time in Columbia County. They come to the Crandell to see movies between three and five times every three months. When people consider returning to the Crandell, they have the following priorities for health/safety: Most important: having had the COVID vaccine, limited/appropriately…

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In Our Backyard: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Thursday, February 18th at 4pm

posted on February 11, 2021

Join us for “In Our Backyard : Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” an interactive conversation focused on how our community has been responding to new challenges presented by the pandemic. The program is presented with generous support from MetzWood Insurance. Led by Mayor of Hudson Kamal Johnson and featuring prominent community members as panelists, this one-hour Zoom program will address three areas of particular local concern – mental health, physical health, and food vulnerability. The event will take place on Thursday, February 18th at 4 pm via Zoom. Admission to the one-hour program is free and open to all. The goals are to raise awareness for the positive work happening throughout Columbia County, highlight creative solutions, and inform community members about opportunities to serve. In order to create a more personal connection and promote dialogue, participants will pre-register for a break-out room…

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Helpful Streaming Assistance

posted on December 8, 2020

We understand  that streaming the films we present each week via Virtual Cinema can be challenging. Each film distributor has a different way of hosting its films and  how you stream depends on what kinds of TV and and electronic devices you have. If you’ve tried before and given up in frustration, we invite you to email Dawn Steward at  officemanager@crandelltheatre.org  to set  up a time for a one-on-one phone call  to help you sort things out. We really want you to be able to enjoy our Virtual Cinema films! Meanwhile, here are a few useful tips: 1)  Streaming is a two-step process involving an “electronic device” (could be a computer, laptop, tablet/ ipad, or Android/IOS mobile phone) which will “receive the content” and a TV (External Display) to which the content on the device is being “casted” or “mirrored.”…

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Behind the Screen: FilmColumbia

posted on October 20, 2020

In the latest Behind The Screen — a peek behind the Crandell’s velvet curtain — FilmColumbia managing director Calliope Nicholas discusses our signature annual event. FilmColumbia celebrated its 20th anniversary last fall with thousands of film lovers attending. How the world has changed since then! All of us involved with the Crandell Theatre & FilmColumbia have been grappling with next steps throughout the pandemic and closely following the film industry in its latest evolutions. FilmColumbia was created in 1999 to a humble start of a few films over a weekend. In 2000, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon gave our audiences an early screening before going on to win the Oscar for best foreign film. At that time the 35mm projector was the only format available, with large film canisters delivered daily to the theater. It was a fascinating process to watch…

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Behind the Screen: Understanding the Financials

posted on September 22, 2020

In the latest Behind The Screen — a peek behind the Crandell’s velvet curtain — the Crandell’s Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee Viki Sand follows the money. “I really don’t understand the numbers.” “I certainly wouldn’t want to be treasurer. I’m not good with numbers.” These remarks are often made by those associated with not-for-profit organizations. At the Crandell we have another view. We want everyone to understand the numbers and have confidence in the care with which their contributions are managed and how financial information is used to make decisions. Our goal is that information be accurate, timely, and readable. For the past several years the Crandell has shown a cash surplus at the end of each fiscal year. This has been possible through a combination of earned revenue from weekly box office receipts, concessions, and slide…

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