FAQs
General Questions
Q: OMG WHEN ARE YOU OPENING?
A: Early 2023, we promise to share specifics VERY VERY SOON. We recommend turning on your notifications for our posts on Instagram and signing up for our newsletter HERE PS. Our Annual Members, donors, and friends will be the FIRST to know.
Q: What will your hours be?
A: We’re working on it! Check back soon!
Q: How much are our video rental prices?
A: $1.99 for members (renting up to five movies at a time depending on membership benefits) or $2.99 for non-members (limit 2 rentals at a time).
Q: What kinds of films will you program?
A: EVERYTHING, and not just film. Okay, we’ll try and get more specific – Vidiots will offer a full calendar of diverse and eclectic screenings and events, including repertory titles, under-screened gems, sneak-peeks and word-of-mouth screenings of new titles by emerging and underrepresented artists, and all the new, classic, and under-screened everything-you-can-imagine, including indie, international, and documentary titles that demand to be seen on the big screen.
Q: Can I rent out Vidiots for my birthday or my movie premiere?
A: You bet! Full details on our venue rental policies and rates coming soon!
Q: I’m obsessed with Vidiots and willing to sell my soul to work there! Will you hire me?
A: We are overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who wants to work with us! We will begin posting jobs soon, and will be hiring a number of roles including General Manager, Projectionists, Front of House Staff, and Programmers. Our newsletter continues to be the first and best source of information for all job and volunteer opportunities!
Membership Questions
Q: Why should I join as an Annual Member?
A: Fantastic benefits at all levels, a tax-deduction (as your accountant and current tax laws advise), AND the warm, fuzzy feeling of directly contributing to the rehabilitation of not one, but TWO landmark film hubs in the City of Angels.
Q: What’s the difference between a Founding Member and an Annual Member?
A: Founding Members are donors who support at $5k and above before our public opening. They will be recognized on our beautiful Founding Member wall in the lobby of The Eagle Theatre and will receive additional benefits depending on donation level. Click HERE for more info!
Q: Can I still join as a Founding Member?
A: YES YES YES! Please email our Executive Director Maggie Mackay for details (maggie@vidiotsfoundation.org), or head HERE for more info.
Q: When does my membership begin?
A: Your annual membership begins the day we open, and your benefits are solid for twelve months after that glorious moment! Please disregard the expiration date on your membership for now – we will update them when we announce our Opening Date!
Q: Can I gift a movie-loving friend or loved one an annual membership?
A: Absolutely, now that’s what we call a good friend. When buying a membership, choose “I’m purchasing this membership for: Someone Else”. Fill in your loved one’s info, write them a message (if you so desire), and you can even schedule delivery for a specific time!
Q: Can I upgrade my membership?
A: Yes, but we have to help you out a little, email us at info@vidiotsfoundation.org, subject line “Can you help me upgrade my Vidiots Membership?” and we will get back to you ASAP.
Q: Can I let my friend/family member use my membership?
A: Sorry dudes, Vidiots’ memberships are non-transferable, but you can definitely head HERE to learn about our dual-membership option!
Q: Does my kiddo need a membership?
A: We love our lil’ Vidiots! For the video store, all humans under 18 in your household are included in your membership plan. We will have limits on what they can check out based on their age and your permission. For the movie theater, your ticket discounts will be based on the membership type, i.e. an Individual membership gets you one discounted ticket, and a Dual membership gets you two discounted tickets. Have no fear, though, we will offer a special movie ticket rate for humans under 18 (+ college students), with more details coming soon.
Q: Do I have to have a membership to attend Vidiots events and screenings?
A: Not at all! The beauty of our video store is that you can come browse, talk, watch with us however and whenever you can. Membership includes some great benefits and lends much-needed support to our relaunch, but we want you to spend time with us however/whenever it works for you!
Q: Is my Vidiots video store “lifetime membership” valid at Vidiots Foundation?
A: For Old School Vidiots who remember the “lifetime membership,” we love you, we adore you, and we will definitely recognize your longtime commitment to Vidiots! Our new membership levels and benefits are designed to reflect the full scope of our new offerings at the Eagle, which are pretty different from what we could offer in our old digs. If you were a “lifetime member” at the original video store, please email info@vidiotsfoundation.org with a photo of your card and we will send you a special discount for our new membership program.
Q: Can I get a refund on my membership?
A: We do not offer refunds or exchanges for Memberships. Memberships are charitable contributions for the Vidiots Foundation 501(c)(3). They are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Q: What film formats will you be showing?
A: 35MM, state-of-the-art digital projection, and 16MM projection in the Eagle, and state-of-the-art digital projection in our flexible micro-cinema!
Q: Can I bring in outside food + beverages?
A: Our full food + beverage policy will be available closer to opening, but in short, we won’t make you hide your outside coffee + gummy worms deep inside your bag. We believe our popcorn will be so fresh, and our drinks so ice-cold, that you won’t be able to resist our concession stand 🙂
Video Store Questions
Q: What are your hours?
A: We’re working on it! Check back soon!
Q: How much are rentals?
A: $1.99 for members (renting up to five movies at a time depending on membership benefits) or $2.99 for non-members (limit 2 rentals at a time).
Q: What formats do you rent on?
A: Most of our 50,000 titles are on DVD and BluRay. We have an 11,000-tape VHS collection, including many rare, impossible-to-find-elswhere tapes. We’re working hard to protect, preserve, and grow our VHS collection, so we may not be able to rent certain tapes.
Q: Do you take physical media donations?
A: Hell-to-the-yeah. We’re tight on space, so we prefer your collections of BluRays, rare tapes, out-of-print DVDs, and hard-to-find gems, but please be sure to email us if you’re looking to rehome your physical media, and we can help figure it out: info@vidiotsfoundation.org!
Q: Do you have your physical media inventory listed online?
A: This is a long term project we’ll definitely be working on. In the meantime, once we open the video store, you’ll be able to call or email with your inventory questions, or come on in, and we can search the shelves! If we don’t have something, we’ll go to the ends of the physical media earth to find it for you – we love a treasure hunt.
Community + Accessibility
Q: Will your venue be accessible?
A: Our main theater and microcinema will have wheelchair accessible seating, with companion seats. Our first floor will have four accessible, single-person bathrooms. Closer to opening, we will have a full accessibility guide to our venue, including purchasing/reserving accessible seating, requesting assisted hearing and low viz devices, sensory-friendly and open caption screenings, dietary needs at the concession stand, and a map of the building, among other needed accommodations. For now, any questions should be directed to info@vidiotsfoundation.org. Once we open, we will have a dedicated email for accessibility.
Q: Will you offer free community events and education programs?
A: That’s at the heart of our mission! These are some of the programs and events we are most excited about. Plans are still cooking, but we will share more details closer to our opening.