Moxie and more
Written by Dan
Part I - Moxie
After much conversation, debate, and pointless tickling, Nicole and I have decided to go with The Moxie. I apologize to all the Criterion Cinema fans out there, and, in condolence, offer you this brief explanation of our new choice.
1. Memorable - When it comes down to it, The Moxie is short and snappy enough that no one should have problems remembering it.
2. Marketable - As far as marketing goes, Nicole and I both agree that we can come up with more diverse and catchy ad campaigns with Moxie than we can with Criterion.
3. Marquee - Moxie has fewer letters than Criterion, thus making it more economical if we ever decide to put up a huge neon marquee... and Moxie (13 points) is worth more than Criterion (11 points) in Scrabble too.
4. Mini - Nicole wants a mini and she thinks "The Moxie Mini" sounds better than "The Criterion Mini."
5. Atmosphere - The name Criterion Cinema is almost too classy. Had we stuck with it, we would've been setting ourselves up for fall since it brings to mind an elegant, uptown theater, which is an image that we simply don't have the resources to maintain. The Moxie, on the other hand, is a bit more low key, more fun, more "hey, this place is pretty cool" and less "oh my God, could this theater be any smaller? Jeeves, go fetch the car. We're leaving."
6. Correlation - Criterion has too many movie-related connections: Criterion Collection DVDs, Criterion Non-Theatrical Film Distribution, and the Criterion Theater in Bar Harbor, Maine. As far I know, we'd be the only theater called The Moxie in all of Christendom and non-Christendom too.
7. Domain Names - www.CriterionCinema.com wasn't available, but www.MoxieCinema.com was, which, in reality, was the single most influential reason for going with Moxie. We had also considered the names Google and Craigslist, but just as with Criterion Cinema, those names were taken too.
It was a tough choice, but I think we've ended up with a name that better describes our business ethic and preternatural coolness. Of course, in the end, the name probably won't even matter. As long as we're able to povide unique concession items, excellent presentation, and a one-of-kind experience that can't be found anywhere else in Midwestburg, our name, no matter what it is, will become synonomous with having a great time while watching a great movie... and who could ask for anything more? I'd much rather have a great theater with a mediocre name than a mediocre theater with a great name, but now that we've choosen The Moxie, I think we're going to get the best of both worlds. Great name. Great theater. Yippee!
Part II - And More
Ever since this blog was named a "Blog a Note" a little over a month ago, I've felt a growing pressure to write a new post every day of the business week. In the beginning, finding stuff to write about wasn't a problem at all. I had lots of topics to share with my new found readership - everything from concession profitability to booth equipment - but if I continue writing at this rate, I have a sneaking suspicion that the blog will veer sharply off the path I had originally intended it to take. Last week's posts teetered dangerously on the edge of superfluity, so I'm taking a step back, for safety's sake.
"This blog is intended to chronicle the process of developing, financing, starting, and maintaining a small, independently-owned, art-house theater." Instead of cracking under a self-imposed posting quota, I'm going to pull my sleeves up and jump back into the midst of making The Moxie a reality. Instead of writing a post when I really don't have anything new to say, I'll write an e-mail to a vendor or help Nicole finish the newsletter templates. I'd like to think that this blog made it to the "Blogs of Note" for its insightful content not its flash movies and haikus... although, I must admit, they were pretty awesome, weren't they?
My number one priority is opening this theater, and as long as I can stay focused and productive, there will be nothing that can stop us... What's that? Ok, that's true. A lack of money will "deter" us, but NOTHING will stop us. What? Don't be ridiculous. Sasquatches doesn't exist.