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FAQ'S
- What is the rationale behind the concept – TimePass Digiplex?
More than 85% of India's population does not have access to big-screen first day first show entertainment.
Of the 12,000 single screen cinemas and about 900 multiplex screens, less than 5000 are functional. Most of the multiplex screens are in the tier 1 cities. The others are mostly in a poor condition. Even those cinemas that are able to show fresh content because they are digital, are mostly in poor condition. The seats are old and uncomfortable, the atmosphere is dingy, there are poor standards of hygiene etc.
The common man who lives in smalltown India or in its villages needs fresh bigscreen entertainment at reasonable prices and in a bright, cheerful, hygienic environment.
The TimePass Digiplex will put the common man on a plush reclining seat in an air-conditioned and hygienic environment and bring him first day first show entertainment at pocket-friendly prices.
Each Digiplex will have the world’s best standard in audiovisual experience with 5.1 surround sound and 2K play-out compatibility.
- Is the project funded? How much more investment would flow in?
The project has received commitments of close to USD135,000,000. This money will be progressively disbursed and made available as local partners are signed up for the TimePass Digiplex at various locations.
In addition, banks in India have expressed an interest in extending financial support to these Digiplex's.
Wherever local partners find themselves capable of providing between 40 to 50% of the required project investment, we will be able to invest the balance amount.
In case the local partners need financial assistance in the form of a loan, we will help them through Indian financial institutions and banks.
- What is the plan of action for the roll out?
We have a national roll-out plan.
In the first month or so, we shall roll this out in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Starting February, we will expand our campaign to cover the rest of India.
- What is the growth you have posted and what are your projections?
We expect to sign up and launch more than 2500 TimePass Digiplex's within 24 months. We will not accept proposals to launch more than one Digiplex in one locality. It is very important for us to protect our local partners and their business. There will be no more than one Digiplex depending upon its size, in an area of 3 km² to 15 km².
- How different is TimePass Digiplex from Fun cinemas, Sathyam, Wave cinemas etc?
The TimePass Digiplex is focused on small towns and rural India. The names you have mentioned are all focused on tier 1 and some tier 2 cities.
The ambience that these cinemas typically operate in, is that of a large mall. The emphasis being on varied shopping, brands, expensive real estate and food courts. TimePass Digiplex on the other hand is a cool, happening place for young people in small towns and rural India to get together and enjoy the latest entertainment at reasonable prices in a bright and cheerful environment.
The ambience of the TimePass Digiplex includes things that are very relevant for young people in those locations. For example, a vocational training centre, a cyber cafe and gaming zone, an entertainment retail store and retail banking counter with an ATM.
- Explain the categorization of the various screens according to the space and seating?
The TimePass Digiplex is available in 7 formats.
50 (rural), 50, 75, 125-150, 75*2, 125*2 and 250 *2 seaters. The first four are single screens.
Except for the first two, all the others include a vocational training centre, a cybercafe and gaming parlor, a bank counter and ATM as well as an entertainment retail store.
- Modus-operandi of the digital theaters in TimePass Digiplex (Like work on the principle of digitalized content being distributed to theatres through satellite fiber. They will be uploaded to a digital cinemas server)
The TimePass Digiplex cinemas are focused on delivering fresh content with maximum-security.
Our playout servers are 2K DCI compatible. Content is 128 bit encrypted and can be played only on that server.
Content is delivered to the digital cinema via a mechanism that has three fallbacks. It is delivered by satellite as well as a fallback digital VPN.
- Name the sites/locations acquired by Timespass Digiplex?
TimePass works on 100% local partner model. Sites and locations will be as acquired by our local partners at locations all over the country.
TimePass will not itself acquire real estate and build its own cinemas. Each cinema will be built for a local partner.
We expect to acquire 500+ properties, within the first three months.
- Information on vendors for the décor, lights etc (if any)
Due to the scale of the project, TimePass has had to create several special relationships to ensure timely and quality delivery, commissioning and durability.
TimePass is using the unique logistics and project commissioning methodology that has not been used in India so far.
- Explain the franchisee model in detail?
Please refer Financials Section.
- Eligibility
Local Partner is required to invest his share (either in cash or as collateral) based on the calculations.
Should be an adult Indian resident, preferrably from the same locality where he/she wants to setup the Infomedia Center/Digiplex.
Although having land and building/property is preferred, it is a not a pre-requisite for application. Local Partner can acquire the premises on long term lease from third parties.
- What credentials will be required for personal finance to the Local Partner?
Normal credentials required for secured/ unsecured loans along with the following collateral options.
- Land and Building/Property jo clear title ho.
- LIC policy, NSC, Kisan Vikas Patra, RBI or Government bonds, Mutual fund units, Shares, etc.
- Fixed Deposits
- Gold and Jewellery
- Existing Plant and Machinery
- Any other tangible security
All collateral are subject to approval from bank.
- Caveats
- TPMN’s Decision on Local Partner choice will be final and binding.
- Priority will be given to owners of real estate.
- Priority will be given to those not requiring financial assistance.
- How different is Timepass Digiplex from Fun cinemas, Sathyam, Wave cinemas etc?
- The concept of 3D is still relatively new and there are not many Indian films made in 3D. Why will all TimePass digiplexes be equipped with 3D capability/projectors?
- What is the estimated cost of each Digiplex and what will it contain apart from Cinema?
- What exactly does this entail and how do you propose to finance it?
- What credentials will be required for personal finance to the Local Partner?
- What does a local partner need to have before he can become one?
- How many business models are there to choose from? Can you elaborate on them please?
- How will the operational aspects of the daily running of the Digiplex be handled? What will be TPMPL’s role in the system chain?
- Who will be responsible for programming and content?
- How do you propose to implement the first-day-first-show experience? Will cinema reels be physically brought to all digiplexes?
- If it is a digital feed will there not be a loss of generation thus making the viewing experience less friendly? How is Digital Cinema different from a regular feature presentation?
- What is the expected price of a ticket? Do you believe this universally affordable across the towns and villages TimePass is targeting?
- What other sources of business/revenue exist under the Digiplex?
- What is the expected return for the Local Investor? Are there any timelines laid down?
- Do you propose to use existing infrastructure? What is expected of the Local Entrepreneur in terms of infrastructure?
- How will you ensure that too many Digiplexes do not come up in the same area?
- How transparent is the booking process?
- Will TimePass Digiplexes only screen Bollywood movies or will they promote regional and off beat cinema as well?
- Will TPMN provide insurance for the installed equipment? Who will bear the cost of the insurance?
- Are all movies available in digital cinema format?
- Does TPMPL guarantee the content?
- Does Digital Cinema require any change in the existing film making procedure?
- Who will be responsible for manpower training and maintenance of the digital cinema equipment?
- Is it very difficult to operate the Digital Cinema System?
- What will the agreement be between the Local Digiplex and TPMPL?
- Will I have the flexibility to adjust the show timings?
- Who will bear the cost of Digital conversion?
- How will the films be delivered to the theatres and who will be responsible for it?
- How will I ensure that the films are screened only for the number of runs for which the licenses have been issued?
- What is the security of the copyright? Since the film is already in video format will it not be easier for the pirates?
- The required space given is 1250-2000 sq ft for Rural area and pillar less area required is 600-800 sq ft.Is that space sufficient for 100 seats, waiting area, toilet, booking counter? How many entry and exit gates required? Who is responsible for safety issues etc at the Digiplex?
- How long will it take to commission the theatre? Regardless of the number of sign ups pending commissioning.
- Does the commissioned Digiplex include the dividing walls between the theatre and the rest of the establishment?
- What will be the corporate and financial structure of the JV companies?
- What are the royalties and charges payable to TPM by the JV co and their justifications?
- Does TPM guarantee first day first show releases?
- Is there any compulsion on the content shown on the screens?
- What are the exit options available?
- Will this proposal create more jobs for local people or will it be too much for them to understand and need the presence of outsiders? i.e will local talent be recruited at the Digiplexs?
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Business Information
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