In my lifetime, I can recall several cinemas that are no longer with us. I saw Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with my family at the old Forest Glade Cinemas. I remember the Lauzon Parkway Cinemas, the Palace downtown of course and the old Devonshire Mall, too. There was also one on Riverside Dr. at the old hotel across from the old art gallery. All of them operating at the same time. It all seems crushingly long ago.
Clearly, Windsor has a long standing movie going enthusiasm for it to support so many theatres all at once.
The modern era of movie going is crowded as more people herd to fewer locations. It is an overwhelming sensory experience that is distracting. Perhaps that’s why we didn’t notice or seem to care that the current concession pricing is deplorable. Even more sickening is the way larger sizes are pushed on you at a “value”, a trend that encourages modern excessive consumption. What a Capitalist thing to do, eh – open a big cineplex with a lot of screens, drawing all of the business to you shutting down local independent cinemas in the process, and then raise prices sky high once they’ve cornered the market.
What happened to the simple charm of lights around colourful movie posters. Or the chatter of excited movie goers squawking about their experience – now we’re too busy tweeting about it to engage in the conversation. Call me old fashioned or 20th century, but I prefer those settings that are intimate and more conducive to friends hanging out or couples on dates.
Although Windsor does not have a full-time independent movie cinema, there are still plenty of alternatives to Silvercity and Devonshire.
The Olde Walkerville Theatre sometimes shows movies. For instance, on Sat May 19 2018, they are showing Ashes of K – this should be of interest because it was filmed in the Windsor Detroit area. They also have a film fest coming in June.
Outside of WIFF, you can also see WIFF365, every second Thursday of each month at the Capitol Theatre. The Chrysler Theatre as well sometimes shows movies. I recall seeing The Only Living Boy In New York there as part of last years WIFF. Occasionally, you will see slightly older family favourites such as The Nut Job or movies with newly minted classic status such as Ghostbusters or Raiders of the Lost Ark at Devonshire – and kudos to Devonshire for screening them.
Apart from these, however, Windsor really does not have an old fashion movie cinema dedicated to showing older movies. Larger cities such as Toronto still have several to offer. Do you think Windsor needs a movie cinema? Post to comments to share your thoughts and experience.
The Ontario Film & Television Tax Credit is a key reason Hollywood shoots movies in Toronto as often as they do; and something that Windsor can capitalize on to draw new industry.
The OFTTC is a refundable tax credit for Ontario labour expenses from a qualifying production company with respect to an eligible Ontario based production.
The credit refunds 35% of eligible Ontario labour expenses.
The OFTTC has drawn several leading Hollywood productions to the GTA already: Pacific Rim and Suicide Squad to name but a small few.
The cities local economy gets a boost in several ways. Prop and wardrobe rental companies as well as other specialized equipment distributers pop up to meet the technical needs of a production -employing local workers. Restaurants, bars, boutique retailers, hotels, and every other up and coming retail all sustain a boost via outsider spending while productions’ cast and crew are in town. Film crews go out on location and local attractions can reap rental fees and high profile exposure. For a city coming into its own in the tourism industry drawing the film industry here could have cosmic possibilities.
Take a leap of faith and try your next production here in Windsor – first time producers are eligible for an even higher 40% of their first $240 000 qualifying labour expense. A nice incentive for the beginner risk taking filmmaker in any young entrepreneur.
Why come to Windsor instead of an established location like Toronto? An additional 10% is available to qualifying productions with at least 85% of the location days outside of Toronto. A first time producer can be eligible for 50% tax credit under this framework.
Windsor, the movies are calling us.
For more please see: http://www.omdc.on.ca/film_and_tv/tax_credits/ofttc.htm