Dome in ‘world’s top 10 coolest’

A 1920s SPEAKEASY: Dome Bar and Cinema bar man Gidi Avani in the photograph that has been seen by millions. This picture accompanied an article on Dome in Jetsetter, an online magazine associated with TripAdvisor and subscribed to by millions. Picture by Brennan Thomas Strike Photography

Five million people worldwide have just received the message that the Dome is one of the best dine-in cinemas in the world. International online travel magazine Jetsetter, associated with TripAdvisor, has included the Dome Bar and Cinema in their The World’s Coolest Dine-In Theatres feature this month.

The stroke of positive news comes at a time when the Dome is trying to source funds for an entire systems upgrade in order to comply with new film company standards.

“While we are working hard behind the scenes to get the Dome out of the technology ditch, the world of travel does not care about any of that and is about to put us on a pedestal going out to five million subscribers,” says owner Sally Shanks.

Magazine reviewer was undercoverA reviewer from the magazine came to the cinema undercover.

“They went to every country. The story was a bit disappointing. A bit of it was wrong and we were not allowed to see a proof, but it is still so good to be in there. I asked how we got chosen, as I was intrigued. They said it was because of all the attention to detail, the imagination of the Dome and exceptional service and, most important, because of how fun it is — and that we were really unique.”

The feature highlights the top 10 dine-in cinemas in the world, putting the Dome in a league with the likes of the Cinema Studio 28 in Paris and The Montpelier’s Backroom Cinema in London. They described the Dome as a funky ’20s speakeasy, the only cinema selected in Australasia.

“Everyone I have spoken to has said ‘why are you surprised?’ I am surprised because it just feels weird to be told we are really good, when we are still struggling,” says Ms Shanks. On the other hand, she says it is proof the Dome is a “shining jewel in Gisborne’s crown”.

“So much work and so much love has been put into this and it has just been validated really, it is great others can see that. I think Gisborne can be really proud.”

System upgrade neededThe afterglow of being recognised by Jetsetter is diminished slightly by the impending need for a costly upgrade. The cinema operates on E-Cinema format, with most film companies now demanding all cinemas upgrade to a digital cinema package, DCP systems, if they want to keep accessing their films. This means that 90 percent of the Dome’s film selection has been cut off.

Ms Shanks did consider sourcing a secondhand system through Australian company Hoyts, which would have brought the initial estimate of a $60,000 upgrade into the $20,000 to $30,000 range. That was until the directors of O’Neill Aotearoa Surf Film Festival decided to do some investigating of their own after hosting their Gisborne event at the Dome.

“They travel around little cinemas in New Zealand for their film festival. They found a cinema in Raglan that had purchased a licence to show DCP films on their own systems from NEO, a company in the UK, for $2000. I thought ‘this cannot be true — surely New Zealand distributors would have told us’.”

There's a catchIt was true but there is a catch. To successfully use the DCP licence on her projector screen and with her projector, Ms Shanks would need to buy a new computer to run it through, a new housing system for the computer and air conditioning to keep it cool. She would also need to employ a technician. All up, the cost still reaches $20,000.

“We have decided to apply for Eastland Community Trust funding at $10,000 and raise the rest ourselves.”

Having a DCP licence without a DCP system means the Dome will not be able to show Fox or Paramount films.

“We are not actually that interested in those films, they do not suit us. We will still get new releases from Rialto and our key distributors,” says Ms Shanks. “I am feeling good about being able to buy the licence. It is definitely the best option.”

The Dome will start its fundraising efforts in June after ECT funding is released. Then she will have an idea of how much money is needed.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support so far, it has been amazing.”