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This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
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Author
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Topic: NYC bans cell phones at movies
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Randy Stankey
Film God
Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 02-18-2003 04:27 PM
quote:
Chad Calpito: I think this Cell Phone Ban in theaters is a fantastic idea. ... I just wish that the Cell Phone Ban would come here to California.
I have to disagree. I don't think there should be a law. It makes as much sense as having a "No Cussing Zone". Yes, I have seen these... complete with the little graphic of a cartoon guy with a baloon over his head that contains, "@#$%!!!". It's a $50 fine to get caught cussing.
It's sensless and stupid! 30 years ago, folks would think nothing of saying, "Watch your mouth!" if somebody cussed in range of "sensitive ears". The same thing goes for smoking. If some guy was smoking near somebody who didn't like it (or who got sick from smoke) it was common to hear, "Hey buddy, Do you mind putting that out?" It would be unthinkable to smoke in proximity to somebody else eating dinner or around kids unless you were outdoors (or whatever) unless the smoker asked first.
Now, here's the incredible part... The typical response would be, "Excuse me.", and the offender would put the cigarette out (or stop the behavior). It's called "Social Responsibility"! I don't think social responsibiltiy can be legislated. It's something that has to be "grown".
Now, does this mean that I think people should be able to interrupt another's enjoyment of a movie without consequense? Absolutely not! On the other hand, I wouldn't be opposed to a person getting cited for "Disturbing the Peace" if he was ASKED to quit talking on the phone and refused. Even going so far as to making it a summary offense to refuse when asked. (When within the confines of a clearly defined area such as a movie theatre or a restaurant.)
The next time, you're in a theatre and some phone rings, of course, give the person a chance to shut it off or go outside. It's perfectly understandable that a well-meaning person could have forgot to turn the phone off (or to silent mode) BUT... If that person continues to talk, feel free to say, "Hey! Turn that phone off!" (Or whatever gesture or phrase is appropriate)
It would be even more gratifying to hear two or three people chime in:
"Turn the phone off, Please!"
"Here! Here!"
"Yeah! Cut it out!"
Once people start doing things like they used to I hope we won't NEED such silly laws. Otherwise, I'm afraid to think of what will happen next... "Laws against BREATHING LOUDLY?!"
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Chad Calpito
Film Handler
Posts: 23
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 02-18-2003 09:31 PM
Well, Randy, I just need to say, in a kind way of course, that cell phones should still be banned in theaters. It is getting way out of hand these days. People should know that it is dumb to even leave the cell phone on while in the movie theater in the first place. It's like the Ban on Cigarettes in public places here in California. Cell Phones should be banned in movie theaters. I personally don't mind if it is on silent mode and the person does not answer it until after the movie. I have not problem with that, but, I do have a problem with it on and people chat on the phone, even after I tell them to shut-up. So, I would have to kindly disagree with you Randy with a smile. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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Randy Stankey
Film God
Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 02-18-2003 11:05 PM
I would be a liar if I said that I never uttered the phrase, "There oughtta' be a law!" Things like this peeve me off to no end.
If you have told the person to shut up then it is clearly time to take the matter to the next highest authority... whomever that ma be. I can imagine that there IS some kind of law on the books right now that could be used to cover this situation. Disturbing the peace? Disorderly conduct? (I don't know, I'm just guessing here.) How about the fact that a movie ticket, legally speaking, is simply a license to occupy a seat. A license which is revocable if the licensee does not obey the rules of the establishment. I would think that we already have laws on the books to these effects.
Still, I believe that, no matter what kind of laws we write, there's no substitute for some kind of social responsibility. It's YOUR responsibiltiy to behave in a civilized, responsible way when you're out in public. Those who disobey should feel the wrath of disapproval from others around them.
Turn this around a bit... It's the responsibility of each person in a society to (politely) warn another person that their actions are not appreciated.
How many times do you sit still in a theater when people continue to talk during the movie? No, I think that most of us would "Shush!" them to the approval of the other patrons in the theater. Then if they didn't stop talking we'd go get an usher/manager and have them deal with it. I know I would.
All I'm saying is that we should do the same thing with cellular phone abusers instead of passing silly laws that are just going to get ignored anyway.
Did you know that, to this day, there is STILL a law on the books making it illegal to graze your livestock on the Boston Common? This is where the "Cell Phone Act of 2003" is going to end up... In that legal graveyard called "The Blue Laws". We've had Blue Laws for hundreds of years. They didn't work then and they don't work now.
Did you know that, in Connecticut, it is (was?) illegal to cross a river on Sunday without the consent of a clergyman? ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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Jack Ondracek
Film God
Posts: 2348
From: Port Orchard, WA, USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 02-20-2003 12:24 AM
Well, it still is an interesting point.
The FCC, by their ruling that active jammers are not allowed, have inferred a "right" on the part of your customers to be able to receive cell phone signals/calls within your building, even though you are legally free to use passive devices to prevent the very same thing.
That alone seems to me a pretty strange conflict.
My own opinions aside, as a private property owner, if I choose to exclude the invasion of cellular signals from within the confines of my domain (to which you've requested access by virtue of your payment of admission), isn't it interesting that a governmental authority can tell me that I can accomplish my goal one way but not another... assuming I could actually keep whatever methods were employed from "leaking" outside my perimeter? (Wow... that was one hell of a long sentence!) ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
... a pretty interesting debate, if nothing else.
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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.
Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 05-01-2003 11:25 AM
From the BBC News:
quote:
Cinema banned from blocking mobiles
Cinema owners in Dublin have come under fire for stopping customers from receiving calls on their mobiles in the middle of a movie.
Ireland's communications regulator told bosses at Mark Anderson, the company that owns the Savoy cinema, they were breaking the law after they installed a signal blocker.
Mark Anderson would have been penalised with a hefty fine - or seen employees facing a jail sentence - if they had not removed the blocking device immediately.
Ward Anderson, which owns 200 of Ireland's cinemas, installed the signal blocker after the disruption caused by people talking or receiving text messages became a "problem".
"(It was) an increasing, persistent problem," said Mark Anderson, the chain's operations manager.
Mr Anderson said the Savoy got a visit from two inspectors from Ireland's communications regulator, or ComReg, after a local paper published a story about the blocker.
"They told us to cease and desist," he said. "The possibility of a fine and jail time got us to decide to remove the unit."
'Injustice'
Mr Anderson was told it was illegal to have a blocker, let alone put one into operation.
The offence carries a fine of up to 25,000 euros (£17,400) or a maximum prison sentence of a year.
"It has been disposed of, essentially thrown in the bin," Mr Anderson said.
"I am disappointed. I think it is an injustice not only to the Savoy but to patrons of cinemas all around the country."
No one had lodged a complaint to ComReg.
Ward Anderson spent £499 to import the signal blocker from the US to the Savoy, its flagship cinema in Ireland.
The blocker works by emitting a low-power signal that occupies the broadcasting spectrum used by mobile phone operators.
It keeps out calls within a 30m (100 ft) range.
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Ray Bernardi
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 120
From: Antrim, NH, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 05-04-2003 10:44 AM
quote:
The trailer starts with a shot of a movie auditorium, from the perspective of looking from back to front toward the screen. The movie is in progress and you suddenly hear the annoying sound of a cell phone ringing. A guy in the front row answers his cell phone loudly, then launches into a chatty conversation. Suddenly he is catapulted out of his seat and slams into the screen before sliding down onto the floor below seat level. The on-screen audience then cheers as text copy appears saying something to the effect of, "Cell Phone Ejector Seats. Coming Soon To Theatres Everywhere!" The live audience in our auditorium also laughed and cheered!
I love it - I need a copy! Just last night I ejected someone from our theatre for cell phone abuse. We are showing Anger Management and we had a sold out house. About 10 minutes into the movie I see a blue glow in the audience. It's a girl using a cell phone. I went in and asked her to shut it off. It went away for only a few minutes. Within 15 minutes there was the glow again, she was on the phone talking! I went in again and told her to shut it off. Literally, not 5 minutes later she's on it again. She was escorted from the theatre and asked to leave. At that point she demanded her money back and I told her to stuff it basically. I told her if she wants her money back she'll need to hire a lawyer. It is clearly posted that no cell phones are allowed in the theatre. Some people......
On another note - the other thing I've had trouble with are laser pointers. During one show I had someone using one and basically they were ruining the movie for all. I could not pinpoint where it was coming from and I literally had to enter the auditorium and post myself in front of the crowd looking at them for the entire film to ensure it stopped. It did, but standing there for almost two hours was more than I wanted to do. I had other things to do as you can imagine but when you boil it down, the customers entertainment came first.
On a last note, does anyone here have trouble with booze during the flicks? We do not allow backpacks or containers into the theatre but people are sneaking in booze. In a recent show, I found over a 6 pack of beer cans in an area where there were underage kids seated. I have confronted them as they entered for a later show and I told them they were being watched. I told them I would not hesitate to call the police if I had any suspicion that they were in possesion of alchohol. I went so far as to search their jackets and purses. I was worried about the legality of that search but I did it anyway. The last thing I need is trouble like that in my little town.
Any tips or tricks you'd like to share with me?
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