Copy & paste
Inquiry letters — ready to send
Keep them short and specific. Events managers and bookers answer emails that include venue, date, seats, and ticket price — and that show you know four-wall rules.
Venue: four-wall feasibility
To: Theater events / programming manager
Subject: Four-wall inquiry — all-day repertory marathon, [Month Year]
Hello [Name],
I'm organizing a single-day repertory film marathon in [City] and I'd like to ask whether [Theater Name] four-walls auditoriums for public, ticketed events.
The concept is a [five-film program], licensed directly from the rights holders, with tickets sold to the public. I'd be renting the room and handling film licensing myself rather than booking from a pre-cleared title list.
Specifically, I'd like to know:
1. Do you four-wall for ticketed public events, and will you exhibit an outside DCP under a license I hold?
2. What is the all-in day rate for a 12-to-14-hour block including projection and front-of-house staffing?
3. Is there a food-and-beverage minimum, and does it apply to a four-wall?
4. Is the auditorium DCI-compliant, and can your booth ingest a drive shipped to you in advance?
5. Seat count, and any restrictions on operating hours or overtime?
6. What insurance certificate and limits would you require from me?
Target dates are [Date A], [Date B], or [Date C] — I'm flexible and happy to take a weekday if that's easier on your schedule and your rate.
Happy to jump on a call. I've run [brief credential].
Thank you,
[Name] — [phone] — [email]
Why it works: Subject line routes you to the right person — you already know four-wall vs. private rental.
Licensor: availability & terms
To: Repertory bookings desk (e.g. Park Circus)
Subject: Repertory booking inquiry — [5 titles], [City], [Date]
Hello [Name / Bookings team],
I'm programming a one-day repertory marathon and would like to inquire about theatrical availability and terms for the following titles:
- [Title 1] ([Year])
- [Title 2] ([Year])
- [Title 3] ([Year])
- [Title 4] ([Year])
- [Title 5] ([Year])
Event details:
- Venue: [Theater Name], [City, State] — [X] seats, DCI-compliant
- Date: [Date], single day, one screening of each title
- Admission: $[X] all-day pass, $[X] single block — public ticketed event
- Estimated attendance: [X] ([X]% of house)
- Presented with: [co-presenter, if any]
I'd be grateful for:
1. Confirmation that these titles are available theatrically on that date in this territory
2. Your terms — percentage versus minimum guarantee, per title, and whether a multi-title or season rate applies
3. Whether a DCP exists for each title, the format and aspect ratio, and whether it is encrypted
4. Shipping and handling costs, and your lead time for delivery
I understand nothing is confirmed until a licence is signed, and I will not advertise any title before that point.
Thank you,
[Name] — [organization, if any] — [phone] — [email]
Why it works: You name venue, date, seats, and price — and you promise not to advertise before the license is signed.
Press & podcast
To: Reporter or podcast host
Subject: [X] hours of [Program] on the big screen — [City], [Date]
Hi [Name],
Short version: on [Date] at [Theater], we're showing [X] films back to back, from [time] to [time]. Licensed prints, real projection, one day only.
[One sentence on why it's a story.]
Tickets are [$X] and the crowdfunding campaign is live at [link] through [date]. Happy to send poster art, stills, and a full program, or to come on the show and talk about it.
[Name] — [phone] — [press kit link]
Why it works: One-sentence story hook + campaign link + offer to come on the show.