- Due to the coronavirus pandemic, cinemas, theaters, concert halls and museums will remain closed until an unknown date.
- Professionals in the culture sector are looking for solutions to withstand during the health crisis.
- Natacha Campana, founder of L'Ecran Pop, sessions of a new kind combining cinema, karaoke and entertainment, tells 20 Minutes about the solutions she has put in place so as not to “sink”.
If the deconfinement begins on May 11, it is not the same for all "places gathering the public". Cinemas, theaters, concert halls and museums will remain closed until an unknown date. A disaster for the actors of the cultural sector, who take the blow, hoping that it is not fatal. While waiting to see the measures announced for the sector this Wednesday by the Minister of Culture, Franck Riester, many are putting in place solutions to withstand during the health crisis. Natacha Campana, founder of L'Ecran Pop, a cinema session mixing cult musicals, entertainment and especially karaoke, launches a “solidarity ticket”. That is to say, it offers those who wish to buy tickets today that will be usable as soon as the activity resumes. Explanations.
The Pop Screen is inspired by the British tradition of Sing Along . "It's about singing in front of a musical film in karaoke mode", explained Natacha Campana to 20 Minutes a little before the concept was launched in 2017. The session, led by a master of ceremonies, is punctuated by numbers provided by professionals in musicals, games, surprises, challenges. Spectators are invited to come in disguise.
Grease , Les Demoiselles de Rochefort or Bohemian Rhapsody … These festive cinema sessions, new shows, have become in two years a phenomenon of entertainment, bringing together some 25,000 spectators, mainly in Paris (at the Grand Rex), in Lyon (at Pathé Bellecour) and occasionally elsewhere in France.
"A sudden cessation of activity"
In March, L'Ecran Pop was to start a collaboration with Kinépolis-Lomme in Lille and Pathé-Atlantis, near Nantes. "We also had to launch a karaoke cabaret at the Mogador theater [in Paris] on May 15," added the founder. The health crisis has stopped this momentum. "As with all entertainment companies, and all companies hosting the public, there was a sudden cessation of activity," says Natacha Campana.
The entrepreneur does not hide her concern: “We do not know when the rooms will reopen and especially under what conditions. "And to underline:" With our karaoke cinema activity, we will be the last to be able to resume. Given our concept, we cannot imagine a room filled with one armchair out of two and spectators who sing with a mask. "
"Either sink or find solutions"
Faced with this unprecedented and uncertain situation, "it's either sinking or finding solutions," she explains. The head of the company first sought to "eliminate all expenses". “We left our offices. I also asked for all the help, ”she lists.
Even if L'Ecran Pop has already sold tickets for back-to-school events: “As long as the event has not taken place, we don't touch anything. The company therefore has zero cash. », She warns.
"This solidarity note allows us to generate cash"
In order to “pass the course”, Natacha Campana launched a solidarity ticket. "A classic idea, not very creative, but imagining new concepts in events does not currently make sense," she analyzes.
"This solidarity note allows us to generate cash, because it is not a dated note but a countermark," she explains. This “solidarity ticket” costs 18 euros, 4 euros less than a regular ticket and is available on the L'Ecran Pop website. Buyers of this countermark will be able to exchange it for a ticket at any time after the resumption of L'Ecran Pop sessions. "It can be used without time limit," says Natacha Campana.
“During the resumption, we will know that people will come back to theaters with us, because they will already have tickets. It's reassuring to know, ”she says. This solidarity ticket also allows L'Ecran Pop to "keep in touch" with its participants. "A real challenge in this period for all companies and brands," says Natacha Campana.
"Solidarity between different projects"
In order to preserve the link, Rachid Santaki, at the origin of the Giant Dictations on Facebook, proposed within the framework of this solidarity operation to thematize one of his famous dictations on the Pop Screen “in song and its benefits, in the cinema and the musical ". "It is good to see that there is solidarity between different projects", she rejoices.
Fans of the concept have already answered the call. "It's nice to see that there are people who support us, who say a few words to us and tell us that they are eager to resume the sessions with us, It puts a little balm in the heart!" “, Natacha Campana says. Goal ? "Hold until recovery" like the whole cultural sector.
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