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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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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Chatham Crandell Theatre Marquee

Considerations on Re-Opening the Crandell

posted on October 27, 2020

Dear Friends: 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. Although the Crandell screen may be dark, we have been busy all the while. We have developed schematic drawings toward the long-desired renovation of our beloved theater. We used our PPP grant to do a cleanup of the theater. Our newly-created Community Programming Committee has presented two well-attended, well-received programs thus far: one about the food chain, and our Farm Film Festival. Each week, we offer several films for home viewing on various streaming platforms. And, through our collaboration with local libraries and Kanopy, 30,000 films are available for free. This week, the Governor allowed movie theaters to re-open, at up to 25% capacity. As we…

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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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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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Small Business Administration’s PPP Loan Awarded

posted on June 22, 2020

On May 12, 2020, the Crandell Theatre received a loan as part of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The Paycheck Protection Program is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses and nonprofit organizations to keep their workers on the payroll. The Crandell anticipates that 100% of these funds will be federally forgiven, thus turning the loan into a grant.

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Chatham Crandell Theatre Marquee

The News For Now

posted on June 16, 2020

A note from Lydia Kukoff, President, Board of Directors Crandell Theatre

Dear members of our Crandell community,

Welcome to “Behind the Screen”, our way of keeping in touch with you.

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Introducing Virtual Screening Room

posted on April 8, 2020

The Crandell’s curtains will be drawn for the foreseeable future, but we’re still working to bring you some of the exciting programming that we’ve had on deck for you this spring. In partnership with some of our favorite distributors, we’re happy to announce the Crandell’s new Virtual Screening Room program. Purchase a ticket through one of the links offered on our website to watch world-class cinema in the comfort and safety of your own home — with 50% of the box office benefitting the continued operations of the Crandell Theatre. Your ticket allows you to screen the film for five days following your purchase, and you’ll be able to stream it on compatible streaming platforms, your mobile device or your web browser — please see our Virtual Screening Room FAQs for more full details. Our deepest thanks for your support during…

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