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This topic comprises 6 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6
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Topic: Rules for Movie Goers
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Richard C. Wolfe
Master Film Handler
Posts: 250
From: Northampton, PA, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 08-26-2001 10:12 PM
Back in the spring when I was playing Billy Elliot, during the Saturday matinee the motor on the projector suddenly slowed down and then stopped. Everyone was treated with the rare experience of watching a single frame melt before their very eyes. I went downstairs and announced that it would be a few minutes until we would be up and running again, and was immediately asked by a patron if we would rewind the film so they wouldn't miss that scene. It was an important scene, I must admit. My answer was: "Of course we will, as you deserve nothing less for your patience during this time." I then went up stairs and removed the reel from the projector, put it on the rewinder, cut out the melted frame, and rewound it to about a minute prior to where the failure had occurred. I then put the reel on the other projector and restarted the show. Everyone was happy. I'm happy to say that projection failures are far and few here... several times a year possibly. Thanks to having two projectors with 6000 foot reels and automatic changeovers, I have NEVER during the past thirty one years EVER, not even once, had to give a refund or pass for a breakdown. This is the number one reason that there will never be a platter system in my theatre. Do we have breakdowns? Yes, of course we do, but on those rare occasions we get back on the screen in two or three minutes at the most.
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Steve Scott
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1300
From: Minneapolis, MN
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 08-29-2001 12:40 AM
On that subject:Rule 16b: If you get a refill on whatever (if the theater provides refills) either eat/drink most of it or take it home with you, don't leave it in the chair, aisle, floor, etc. I've picked up bags & cups that were damn near completely full. I'd have to assume that with the high number of refills we get at the stand, and based on the fact that people usually eat a good deal of food while waiting for the film to start (because they paid for it in the first place & probably wouldn't leave it sit on the floor thru the show), that customers are really wasting this stuff. Our large bags are 170 oz., and when people eat a little off of the top after a refill, they're wasting the supplies that could have gone to another paying customer! Hence, rule 16c: If you're not going to eat it all, don't ask for all of it, and don't throw the rest on the floor! ------------------
http://www.mullerfamilytheatres.com
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Richard C. Wolfe
Master Film Handler
Posts: 250
From: Northampton, PA, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 08-29-2001 09:27 AM
Bob, you really hit a sour note on that one. I couldn't agree with you more. I've been in this business over thirty five years now, and have never been able to get a satisfactory answer on how this leaving the trash on the floor busines got started, and why it's been accepted all these years. From all the inquires that I made even back in the sixties with the oldtimers that were still around then from the early days of the biz, it became apparent that it has been part of the business since its inception. Prior to the late thirties or early forties, most theatres didn't have refreshment stands, but some did sell peanuts or popcorn and chocolate bars from a vendor who went up and down the asiles just before the show. When the early nickleodeon theatres first appeared in large numbers between 1908-10 it didn't take aspiring entrepreneurs long to realize that the crowds entering those early theatres were ripe for picking as customers for various refreshments and they quickly either set up a portable stand outside the theatre, or rented a storefront nextdoor to sell various concessions to those moviegoers. As long as theatre owners were making good money from selling movie tickets they didn't seem to be interested in getting involved in concession sales, but during the depression when every extra penny counted, some exhibitors began to offer various concessions as a means of extra income. The small town and neighborhood houses were the first to offer the goodies. The large movie palaces held out longer then most as they were too proud to "stoop" that low to sell concessions. However, regardless of where the concessions came from, it seemed that it was always accepted as part of doing business to put up with the trash left behind. Theatres have for as long as I can remember run trailers asking people to please use the trash cans, but that has never been very effective. Back in the sixties after the TV scare, when new theatres began to be built again, it was a policy at many to prohibit drinks and ice cream to be taken into the auditoriums to prevent sticky floors, and limit the trash left behind. That was never popular with the patrons and died out by the early seventies for the most part.So how do we change it now? Good question. I don't have the answer, but I've have often wondered what would happen if we (theatre operators and or employees) went into, lets say, a doctors office and ate something in the waiting room, and left the trash on the floor. I'd like to hear suggestions on how we can get people to pick up after themselves.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-29-2001 10:12 AM
Richard, It will not be easy to get the people to change their ways. However, I do think that a few things have to happen to help the patron do the right thing. You may have to enlist the participation of NATO to help.1. Develop a 30 second or 60 second trailer done with humor showing people watching a movie up to their elbows in trash. Then show that same audience walking out and throwing the trash into: 2. Receptacles provided by management. There could be an usher standing by the receptacle thanking the patrons and handing the people using the receptacle, a discount on their next on concessions on their next visit. 3. You may want to make a personal appeal to the audience to carry the trash out and receive the coupon. Good Evening ladies and Gentleman, My name is Joe Redifer and I would like to welcome you to tonight's show. The film will begin in just a moment, I want to let you know we now have receptacles outside the entrance (or by the exit doors ) for the popcorn boxes and drink cups. All persons disposing of their trash at the receptacles will receive a coupon for a discount on your next visit. Thank you and enjoy the show.  You never know until you try.
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