Julie Bravo
Member Profile
How has Cinema United membership been impactful to you and/or your business?My membership with Cinema United has been invaluable. I’ve made connections with others across the industry whom I otherwise would not have met. I’m kept updated on policies and laws that directly impact my business, and I’ve had access to training that continues to help me grow in this industry.
I’m a third-generation exhibitor, with my grandfather and father opening their first theater when I was just two years old. Growing up, I was fortunate to spend a great deal of time at the movies. I discovered very early on that there was nothing more magical than losing myself in a dark auditorium for a few hours, laughing and crying with complete strangers. It’s a sense of community that cannot be replicated anywhere else.
My favorite part of my job is meeting with members of the community. I’m a huge people person, and I absolutely love sharing my passion for the magic of movies. Every meeting I attend inevitably starts with someone asking me, “What good movies are out right now?” And then we end up discussing what looks good, the movies we’re looking forward to in the coming months, our favorite movies, and the movie memories we have. There is never a lack of conversation when talking about movies. Most meetings then end with someone commenting that I have the best job ever, and I agree!
One of my most memorable moments was early on in my career. Back in 2003, I was a new mom who didn’t want to stop my weekly movie outings, but also knew it was not acceptable to bring a baby to a film geared towards adults. We all know there is nothing worse than a baby disrupting a film! This was before baby-friendly showings existed, so I started “Parent Movie Morning” as an opportunity for new parents to see a movie they wanted to see, without worrying about their baby bothering other moviegoers. The first movie I remember seeing with my son was Love Actually, and being surrounded by other new moms and dads gave me such a sense of pride. I had found a gap in the industry that needed to be filled, and I was the first exhibitor to introduce this type of programming in San Diego. Those movie dates with my little one are times I’ll never forget.
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My favorite moviegoing experience of all time was watching E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It’s the first movie I remember seeing at the movie theater, and I watched it from a couch in the projection booth! Being surrounded by the 35 mm projectors is forever ingrained in my memory.
I see the future of exhibition continuing to be a wild roller coaster of a ride. We’ll have ups and downs: good months and bad months. I always say we are a product-driven industry, and when filmmakers make good movies —movies that touch audiences in one way or another —people will come out. We are a resilient industry.
A new generation has been raised watching content on their phones, but that will never replace the theatrical experience. When good movies are made, the people will come! A lot of the mediocre content will go straight to streaming services, and that is fine. Quality films, those with small and large budgets, will continue to have a home on the big screen.
Exhibitors should keep in mind that today’s audience is very diverse. Some seek a high-level experience with all the bells and whistles, and are willing to pay a premium for it. However, some moviegoers have a tighter budget and need an affordable option without all the extras. We need to continue to offer movie theater options for all types of moviegoers.
I grew up going to the movies regularly. I ensured that I brought my children to the movies regularly. I plan on one day being a grandparent who brings my grandchildren to the movies regularly, and that truly excites me. I will continue to share my passion with this industry with future generations.
