my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Ground Level   » Reasons Moviegoers choose theatres (Page 2)

This topic comprises 4 pages: 1  2  3  4

Author Topic: Reasons Moviegoers choose theatres Jeff Taylor Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 601 From: Chatham, NJ/East Hampton, NY Registered: Apr 2000 posted 06-03-2003 11:41 AM                     Touche, John. I didn't intend to criticize the inexperience of the projectionist...merely the fact that the average patron doesn't notice.  |  IP: Logged Joshua Tefay Film Handler Posts: 10 From: Sydney, NSW, Australia Registered: May 2003 posted 06-04-2003 03:17 AM                     quote: merely the fact that the average patron doesn't notice. Maybe the average patron doesn't notice specific technical issues, but i can assure you that the theatre i work in attracts many patrons who go out of their way to watch a superior presentation! I know many who live closer to other locations owned by the same company but they choose to visit ours because of the attention paid to pristine presentation standards. This is the main reason I wanted to become a projectionist - so that I could ensure these standards continue. There's nothing more disappointing than to see a sloppy presentation, especially as a result of problems that could easily be fixed. I've been lurking around these forums for some time now and i've learnt a great deal from you guys by just absorbing all the information you have to offer. This has aided my training immensely and taught me many things about being in the booth. Film-Tech is a great resource to have available - especially for a inexperienced projectionist such as myself! Now im really able to ensure our patrons actually see "film done right". Thanks again guys!  |  IP: Logged Kevin Baglow Expert Film Handler Posts: 135 From: Yeppoon Qld, Australia Registered: Dec 2000 posted 06-04-2003 05:57 AM                        My competition is the largest chain in OZ (20 miles my three plex.) The only way they can get people to travel there is to put cards in letterboxes of people living in my little town, that give them tickets for under half the normal price. It works well for me -- makes my theatre more Frendly without scroungers:) They do discounts to competing theatres residents every where, other independent owners in my situation say the same- accepting there discount cards brings you nothing but agro customers.  |  IP: Logged Sean McKinnon Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1712 From: Peabody Massachusetts Registered: Sep 2000 posted 06-04-2003 06:51 AM                        kevin, you should one up them and let anyone who presents thier card in for free see how soon they stop that  |  IP: Logged Paul Howard Film Handler Posts: 26 From: Huyton, Liverpool, UK Registered: May 2003 posted 06-04-2003 09:29 AM                     My magical curse followed me again to the matrix reloaded, aside from being an aweful film we were hurded from a Huge 500 seat house to a tiny 120 seater, technical difficulty they said. The film was in the worst analogue audio i can imagine with some sort of phasey electronic distortion on the soundtrack. Complaining solved nothing. Everytime I go to a theater something is wrong, (except Alien, Alien2,3 and ressurection @ Pictureville in Bradford, SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION.) I find it annoying that I have to travel at least 30miles to find a presentation that i can have some faith in. So my main reason for choosing a theater is FILM DONE RIGHT.  |  IP: Logged Pravin Ratnam Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 844 From: Atlanta, GA,USA Registered: Sep 2002 posted 06-08-2003 02:08 AM                     That survey is a load of crap. I will admit that presentation will seal the deal. But presentation alone is not only not a driving factor, in fact, it is a pretty insignificant factor for a lot of people. I think people check off what they would like to think they value. As others have said, neighborhood location is the overriding factor for most patrons(not me) when it comes to choosing a theater. However, poor presentation will be a driving factor for many people to choose to wait until they can watch the movie on DVD. Personally, I have stopped watching 4-6 movies a month in theaters(one month in the mid 90s , I watch 12 or 13 movies in theaters) because despite my preference to watch a movie on the big screen, I am fed up with your industry. For me personally, presentation is the dominant factor. However most theaters in Atlanta, and the rest of the country are crap when it comes to presentation. Sometimes, I wonder what happens at conferences like NATO. Are any of the theater owners even worried about home theaters continuing to steal customers from them because of their attitude towards presentation? While I am bitter at many customers not giving theater owners much incentive to improve their presentation, theater owners should realize that there are many people who are even more fed up that I am , and have mostly looked forward to watching even big budget action movies on DVD. It's like unemployment stats. The ones who have given up looking for work are not even counted. I wish some studios would have the guts to frame their titles so they would populate the entire width of the frame , or alternate them left of the frame and then right portion of the frame making it obvious to patrons that their theater is scamming them by not showing the image right. As far as brightness issues, it is time that the very few theaters who do project at a reasonable brightness level start touting this aspect of their superiority over the other chains. While patrons may not consciously choose a theater for the picture quality, brighter pictures do tend to make the patrons happier and more satisfied with the presentation. And when I ask many managers whether X men or matrix is playing on their big screens and which shows do, sometimes i get stupid answers like " all our screens are big or about the same size". I dont want to even confuse them and ask them about the sound formats of a specific auditorium. And some of them make it seem like they are being imposed upon by asking them this question.  |  IP: Logged Mathew Molloy Master Film Handler Posts: 357 From: The Santa Cruz Mountains Registered: Nov 2000 posted 06-08-2003 02:53 AM                     I am often asked how big the screen is or how big the theatre is. I really don't know what answer to give. I say it's a medium size theatre as it's corporate policy not to give out seat counts. There's several reasons for not doing so and one is a security issue. As far as the screen size - I say it's well proportioned to the theatre. Really, it all depends on which one of the four aspect ratios we happen to be using at the time. Besides, I've found that usually the people who ask how big the screen is don't know what an aspect ratio is. They're the same ones who ask if we have THX without a clue as to what that even means. (And no, we are not THX certified but our presentation is better than some of the THX certified auditoriums I've been to.) Sure some theatre's presentation sucks, but studios don't need the 'guts' to frame their titles as you suggest. If a particular theatre crops the image to fit their screen it's only the people who notice such things that will notice at all, cropped titles or not. But here's what I don't get. Why do you even bother to ask a theatre how big the screen is anyway when you're so content with a dvd? Even the smallest screen will give you a better picture than that overrated format .  |  IP: Logged Pravin Ratnam Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 844 From: Atlanta, GA,USA Registered: Sep 2002 posted 06-08-2003 12:48 PM                     Well, Matthew, when a theater shows X2 in 3 or 5 screens, I think patrons deserve an answer to the question as to which showings are in the best auditoriums (combinations of the biggest screen, most up to date bulbs, and the sound). I'll gladly take a SLIGHTLY smaller screen size for a certain showing if it has better sound than the another auditorium with a bigger screen. But now way would I want to be stuck watching X2 in the smallest of the 5 screens. And you would think managers would at least pay attention to picture and sound quality for movies that emphasize them. I don't expect managers to pay attention to each auditorium playing the latest Rob Schneider movie. As far as framing, it would be nice of the filmmakers to tweak theater owners by putting at least some of the strategic titles in corners if they can get away with it aesthetically. Or even do it just for their production logo at the start of the movie. They can always fix it for home video. I am referring to those screens when you watch a movie in the 3rd or 4th week, where it is clearly some 2:1 screen or slightly bigger screen for a 2.35:1 movie with no adjustable masking. As far as preferring DVD for some movies, I think you missed the point. I do realize DVD is less resolution than film. But when you see some of the graininess or bad quality film in some theaters due to scratches, dim projector bulbs, inconsistent film prints during opening week, I can enjoy the picture quality even on my lower resolution DVD at home better than the theater in a few cases. I think I have already mentioned that I used to be one of the biggest movie theater boosters versus homevideo of any kind. But I have to agree with some of the home video enthusiasts I used to argue with,that yes, sometimes home video can deliver a better picture than the average theater at certain times if size of the picture is not an issue for certain kinds of movies(small dramas or sitcomish comedies). Even Moulin Rouge, which should be a movie theater only type picture, looked better on a good home theater compared to the theater I saw it in(AMC Phipps Plaza, a decent multiplex) where all the colors were kind of washed out and the picture was a bit grainy and dim(OK, I realize Moulin Rouge didn't look as bad visually in every theater. but it had a home theater DLP projector type look). Once I saw that, I pretty much gave up on my belief that even an average theater will always give me a better viewing experience than home video. Having said that, I still prefer movie theaters to DVDs for the good movies and for big action movies where size is something that you can't get on home theater without going to some DLP or LCD projector which I don't like for the lack of enough black level. But there are only so many movies where I have the patience to call a multiplex and ask " which screen is this movie playing on " because I do know which screens are bad on many multiplexes in Atlanta. So a lot of the time, it has come down to that for me. If movie theaters can improve to the point where all I have to know is if the movie is in a big screen or not, and not worry about other problems like bulbs, sound, then I will watch all the movies I want to watch in the theater and leave the pure mediocre movies to video.  |  IP: Logged Paul Howard Film Handler Posts: 26 From: Huyton, Liverpool, UK Registered: May 2003 posted 06-09-2003 11:40 AM                     Matthew, DVD may suffer from compression, Edge halos, excess grain, whatever. But when you put one in your player you know, pretty much you will be able to watch the movie in focus and with Digital surround sound of some form. Some 90% of the Cinema showings of films i have been to would give the director (of that particular movie) a heart attack. Complaining about things does NOTHING. Its really simple, as a patron: ALL I WANT TO DO IS WHACH A FILM, THE WAY THE DIRECTOR INTENDED. but all i get is film done MEGA- WRONG. I think that perhaps the customers dont care about framing, digital sound, focus or screen size, BUT NEITHER DO THE STAFF.  |  IP: Logged Bobby Henderson "Ask me about Trajan." Posts: 10973 From: Lawton, OK, USA Registered: Apr 2001 posted 06-09-2003 05:55 PM                     I've been thinking about this situation more and more with the f**ked up problem in my town. Sure, incompetent staff filled with apathy and no joy for film is one problem. But I think much of the blame for declining presentation standards deserves to be placed at the feet of the moron customers. Sorry if that sounds rough, but it is true. 5.1 surround and DVD are both very commonplace items. So there is no excuse for customers to claim ignorance. They are being morons with their dollars and keeping the dumps in business. Those folks need a slap upside their heads or something. And this is true for many other industries and problems overall in our soceity. We have a penchant for blaming some other big entity for our problems when a lot of it is our fault. We don't accept responsibility. Get hooked on meth and can't quit? Blame it on mean parents or George Bush, but it's never your own fault. Install some cheap POS no-name disc drive in your PC or cheapie software and its toasts your OS? It's all Bill Gates fault. And it is always the staff's fault if a customer keeps visiting the same shitty theater over and over again getting the same result. But really the blame should go to the customer since he is the dumbass keeping the uncaring apes upstairs employed.  |  IP: Logged Tom Petrov Five Guys Lover Posts: 1121 From: El Paso, TX Registered: Jan 2003 posted 06-09-2003 07:04 PM                    I actually don't really enjoy watching movies in a huge auditorium with some giant a$$ screen and rediculous sound that is sometimes way too loud. I sometimes will go to one of the large multiplex cinemas and in there largest theater (about 500) you have rows of about 30-35 seats which are in one straight line. Unless you get there early, sitting near the sides of theatre makes the screen of center because you seat is point straight ahead to the left side of the screen. The theatre that I work at is about 200 seats and all seats are in curved rows that all directly point to the center of the screen. The theater is an SR equipped cinema and has a screen of about 20-30 feet which is not drowned out of color like the large screen at the cineplex that I go to sometimes. I really like DTS, SRD but sometimes they are way to loud in the theater. JMO  |  IP: Logged Thomas Procyk Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1842 From: Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 06-09-2003 07:19 PM                     I wonder if a "Film Done Wrong" protest would work. Go to a theater you *know* has a major problem or scratched print and stand outside with signs or flyers informing the customers of the problem. A big, "THIS THEATER'S COPY OF 2FAST 2FURIOUS IS SCRATCHED!" sign would make people seriously think about taking that extra drive to the next plex. =TMP=  |  IP: Logged Eric Hooper Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 532 From: Fort Worth, TX, USA Registered: May 2003 posted 06-11-2003 05:13 PM                     How I choose a theatre to visit: #1: Circuit - I'm somewhat loyal to United Artists/Regal, and will choose their theatre to visit from the newspaper or Internet listings first. #2: # of screens - I don't particularly care for these new 20 and 30 megaplexes and being herded like cattle. I will choose theatres with under 8 screens. #3: Atmosphere - The theatre must be comfortable and 'cozy'. I also am more particular to the older theatres that have been multi-plexed from an original auditorium. Don't know what it is, but I do kinda like the strange viewing angles and the old "ski-sloped balcony seating" facing the walls. #4: Movie Selection - this is #4 for me because I'll literally pass up seeing a movie if it's not showing at any of my favorite theatres. I'll basically see anything my local favorite cinema is showing (within reason of course). #5: Presentation - yes, this is #5 on my list. I'm not saying I wouldn't care if the digital sound goes in and out, or if the film is not masked properly, at that point I'd just ask for a refund and go eslewhere. But I guess I'm with the majority of the public and am not too nit-picky about the digital sound having to be exactly perfect or the picture shown exactly perfect on the screen. I do, however, like it when theatres advertise which auditoriums they are showing which films in, and also the sound format. I know if I want to see an action film, I like having the CHOICE to see it in a digital sound theatre or a small converted balcony. #6 - Customer service - My favorite local cinema lacks this sometimes, and then other times the staff has been great. I feel this is very hit or miss and you really can't judge a theatre by it's floor staff. I don't mind bad service ocasionally if I'm at my favorite comfortable theatre. Just start the movie on time and offer an acceptable presentation of it and a clean theatre I'm happy.  |  IP: Logged Paul Linfesty Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1383 From: Bakersfield, CA, USA Registered: Nov 1999 posted 06-11-2003 11:08 PM                     The Pacific 16 in Bakersfield makes available copies of their full schedule to the public at their customer relations desk. This gives seating capacities of every auditorium, shows film switching at which times, etc. In the past the schedule has also shown the screen dimensions of each auditorium (strangely, it works out to 1.77 when doing the math, verified for those hard matted fx and certain previews that appear with thin bands above AND below the image). Also, that info alternated with what digital format was in what auditorium. And this info is clearly posted in the windows of the outside boxoffice as well. Matthew, why would such information be secret? When Variety used to publish individual theatre grosses for their 20-25 city samplings, they always included seating capacity, including the Regent. And for NYC, they even included the NUTS of the Manhattan theatres (because those theatres got to subtract the nut from the boxoffice with no floors attached).  |  IP: Logged Carl Martin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1424 From: Oakland, CA, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 06-12-2003 03:11 AM                        eric: out of curiosity, why ua/regal? do you work for them or something? they're at the bottom of my list. sf has so much better to offer. carl  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 4 pages: 1  2  3  4

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.