Considerations on Re-Opening the Crandell

A note for now, from Crandell Theatre Board President, Lydia Kukoff.

As a result of the pandemic, the Crandell has been closed since March. During that time, our staff and board have been so grateful for the support of our members and friends.

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Now Playing:

Some Kind of Heaven

Documentary Rated: NR 81 min
Streaming Online: Fri, Jan 15—Thu, Jan 21

Behind the gates of a palm tree-lined fantasyland, four residents of America’s largest retirement community, The Villages, FL, strive to find solace and meaning.

“This beautifully crafted documentary gives an honest, open, and deeply human look at getting older.” — Louisa Moore, Screen Zealots
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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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Farm Film Festival 12

posted on August 18, 2020

Farm Film Fest 12, the twelfth annual film festival devoted to farms and farming, was screened virtually on Sunday, September 13, beginning at 3pm. This year’s lineup of films focused on farms, farmers, and farming issues both local and national — all centered around this year’s theme: “Farming for the Future: Sustainability in a Time of Change.” Farm Film Festival 12 was a virtual event this year —  free and open to all. STREAM FFF12 Made possible by the generous sponsorship of Chatham’s MetzWood Insurance, the program features a mix of films made by professional and amateur filmmakers, each handpicked by representatives of the presenting organizations: the Crandell Theatre, Chatham Agricultural Partnership, and Columbia Land Conservancy. Sponsored by Post-film discussion is moderated by botanist Daniel Franck, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, currently Director of Science Curriculum at the Core…

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FilmColumbia named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World

posted on August 10, 2020

Chatham, NY Aug. 10, 2020 In a very strange year for film festivals, and everyone, FilmColumbia was named Monday to MovieMaker Magazine‘s annual list of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World. To compile the list, MovieMaker‘s panelists scanned the globe looking for events with forward-thinking programming, unique locations, and well-executed events. “Obviously a lot of New Yorkers are now discovering the beautiful small communities just a short drive from New York City, and we think they’ll be delighted to learn more about FilmColumbia, a fest that blends a gorgeous location, local color (both people and leaves) and Oscar-calibre films, lovingly programmed by a revered team with exquisite taste,” said Tim Molloy, editor-in-chief of MovieMaker. “These festivals made many sacrifices for the greater good this year because of COVID-19, from postponements to pivots online. But the stellar reputations they’ve built for being…

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Behind The Screen: So What Did You Do With The Candy?

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In the latest edition of Behind The Screen — a peek behind the Crandell’s velvet curtain — Sara McWilliams fills us in on some of the latest inner-workings of the Crandell Theatre’s Operations Committee. “So what did you do with the candy?” …asked a friend and avid Crandell Theatre-goer when we closed in response to the pandemic last March. This guy has several favorite seats at the Crandell and he loves the free Member popcorn; we suspect, however, that a real high point of his movie experience is choosing between Milk Duds and peanut M&Ms as he stops at the concession counter. We were delighted to tell him that any candy or snack inventory which could not be safely returned to the supplier was donated to Stratton VA Hospital in Albany. Thanks to our Theatre Manager’s creative solution, we can…

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