Has anyone ever set up a cinema club? (Like a book club)

[fossilgap]

And how did you work it

Yes. I set one up about 8 years ago.

We limited the numbers to five, as that's kind of the maximum that can all see the tv comfortably in an average house (unless you want to draft in dining chairs) and anyway it's hard enough finding a date that everyone can make with five. The only exception is if someone has a house guest who wants to join us, but that rarely happens, as we just arrange dates around things like that.

We take it in turns to host, and the host provides snacks. We don't advertise the film in advance, in case people don't fancy it and decide not to come.

An unspoken rule is that unless asked we don't say if we've already seen the film. We've been going for years, so have seen all the more obscure ones that people had on DVD, and are now looking at Netflix etc, so the chances are that at least one member has already seen the choice of the night. It is dispiriting if someone says 'Oh, I've seen it', so we don't, but if the host has a plan B and asks, that's up to her.

That's all I can think of, but ask anything you like if there's something in particular you want to know.

Oh a home one? Was thinking cinema

that’s interesting 🧐

We did with friends over a winter.

it's hard work. People really have to put it before other arrangements and not opt out.

We did it literally like book club, all watched the film before and met in a pub to discuss it. Was great fun.

We watch it ‘live’ and then discuss. No need to go to the cinema.

Hmm. I’d struggle to fit more than a couple of people comfortably on a sofa!
I’d hate to sit on a chair

my plan was regular date at the cinema. Then drinks

Yes, so it's important to choose members carefully. We have had issues with people not wanting to commit to a date when it's their turn to host, and taking better offers as the date approaches. Renegotiating dates every month is a pain in the arse, so I would advise making it clear at the start that if someone is repeatedly flaky their place will go to someone else, and stick to it. I think that if I were doing it again I would set the meetings at a fixed time - eg the first Friday of the month - to avoid the constant negotiations, but there are pros and cons there, too.

Basically, anything involving other people is always going to be tricky, but if you want to have a social life, they are a necessary evil 😀