Harbor Theater comments

Pretty good response to earlier GordoM grumps!


Hmm I just noticed that I exceeded the allowed characters in my previous post.I was finishing by saying that Community Mental Health will be hosting the event and holding post-movie discussions led by not only mental health experts but individuals in the community living with the disease or disorder. We are always looking for new ways to utilize the building for public and private use, so if anyone has any suggestions or comments in this department, please feel free to contact me.Thanks, and hope to see you at the theater!-Jen Hahn NielsenJen Hahn Nielsen Homepage 04.14.08 - 12:22 am #

No, the board does not necessarily "pick" the showings, but occasionally offer suggestions including which direction they would like to see the theater focus. We (the executive directors) welcome all suggestions from not only the board but the community as a whole. If we like the idea, and fits in to our vision, we book the film!Jen Hahn Nielsen Homepage 04.14.08 - 12:18 am #

Hello! Just browsing through Harbor Theater information online and thought I would share a few comments (I am the co-executive director of the Harbor Theater).While doing some research (including talking to theater-goers that attended the Harbor Cinema and Lounge a few years ago), we discovered that one of the biggest complaints that theater patrons had was that they were unable to read the small print due to the smaller ad in the Muskegon Chronicle. This was verified by the man who sold us ad space, who said that people frequently called in to complain to the Chronicle and asked them to make the advertisement bigger (interesting that people think that the Chronicle is responsible for small advertisements). We are not sure what kind of "deal" the Chronicle gave the the old owners, but our advertisement price is very reasonable and we are very happy with the results. Not putting the website in the ad is something we have to notify them about, as we instructed (and, essentially, paid) them to do so.As far as effectiveness...well, I have no idea how you could judge that. We seem to have quite a positive response from the advertisement and many people have told us that the Muskegon Chronicle will be their primary source for getting our showtimes. The previous owners conducted a survey and 67% of people said that that is how they received Harbor Theater information and events, with the second runner up being Word of Mouth (at only 17%). I was very surprised to see that the internet wasn't a bigger factor. The times may have changed a little, though. We have a survey in the works to determine how and from what distance people are receiving their information.We are a new business, and as much as I would love to say "Well, it looks like people don't go to the movies as often (or as late) on Thursdays as on Fridays, so let's show one showing on Thursday at 7:00:", we can't. Last Thursday was our busiest day last week, and I would honestly say we had a decent turnout during the weekend. Finding what works in our community with the movies we are showing is something we are in the process of determining. We live a matter of blocks away from the theater in Lakeside and don't mind being there for extended periods of time. Spring Break was last week, so we did try some earlier matinees, and also showed E.T. free all week.We do anticipate renting the theater for both private and public events. It's a beautiful building, and we do stand by our statement as operating as a "community theater". Some of the events we have considered are special screenings, video game tournaments (even WalMart has picked up on the Halo tournament craze!), post-prom or school lock-ins, guest speakers (We will be booking Lloyd Kaufman in August for a two-day Q&A and special screening of his upcoming movie), and also host quarterly week-long mental health awareness "festivals" which will be absolutely free to the public. Community Mental Health will beJen Hahn Nielsen Homepage 04.14.08 - 12:13 am #

Does the board pick the showings?crack'd muskegon newz Homepage 04.13.08 - 9:12 pm #

NON PROFIT means we are incorporated as a NON PROFIT. Beyond our salaries, we can not profit. There is a board of directors. If you would like to come on down and have a cup of coffee, I can prove to you that we are a NON PROFIT and following all the rules a NON PROFIT needs to follow.Brendan Pelto 04.13.08 - 8:35 pm #