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

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Ground Level   » Assigned Seating (Page 3)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3

Author Topic: Assigned Seating Andy Muirhead Master Film Handler Posts: 323 From: Galashiels, Scotland Registered: Dec 2000 posted 07-11-2008 07:21 PM                     Andy, that sounds like a logistical nightmare, though I'm sure (from reading your earlier post) that it works well for you! We only offer allocated seating for select events, usually the Met Opera performances. Initially we did use it for regular shows (and I'm talking years back when we opened this location) and it just didn't work. It's hard enough for the Met shows. I think allocated seating probably works ok in maybe a single screen with enough staff to sort out disputes and seat people (and they do need seated), but in a multi screen it just doesn't work in my experience. Far easier to work on a first come first served basis as far as seating goes, at least then you can educate customers that the earlier they come, the better the chance that they get a seat they like. The customers who turn up to a sold out show just as it's starting and expect to find seats together and say "but we booked our seats". I'd love to say "Well the 300 people in there also did that, but they had the common sense to arrive earlier"  |  IP: Logged Andy Frodsham Expert Film Handler Posts: 238 From: Stoke on Trent, Staffs, UK Registered: Nov 2006 posted 07-12-2008 10:21 AM                     Andy, it acutally works really well - but I suppose we have all grown-up with the system! There is a definite culture of only selling tickets via the seating plan - customers always know where they stand (or sit)! Even customers buying 'on the night' have to select tickets 'off the plan' - where it is really easy to see what seats have been sold and which ones are still available. It all quite civilised really when I compare it to what happens in some of our local multiplexes! Having written this, I am aware that we are a small theatre (as I said before)!  |  IP: Logged System Notices Forum Watchdog / Soup Nazi Posts: 215 Registered: Apr 2004 posted 08-31-2009 12:00 AM                 It has been 414 days since the last post.  |  IP: Logged Cassandra Palko Film Handler Posts: 30 From: Menomonee Falls, WI USA Registered: Jul 2009 posted 08-31-2009 12:00 AM                        I have worked at two theatres in Wisconsin, USA with a couple of reserved seating options. Theatre #1 was a 16-plex. Assigned reserved seating was available in the two auditoriums that had 70 foot wide screens and seated 470 people. The assigned reserved seating was in the upper balcony. The upper balcony consisted of one third of all the seats. It was the first time my company had tried such a thing and it proved to be very successful. Friday and Saturday nights were almost a guaranteed sell out. There were some kinks in the beginning getting the community to grasp the concept - but it's been over two years and we still have it. Something must be going right. Theatre #2 is an 11-plex. Assigned reserved seating is available in the one auditorium at that location that has a 70 foot wide screen and seats 400 people. The assigned reserved seating is in the upper balcony. The upper balcony is also home to a cocktail lounge. With the addition of the cocktail lounge we have to comply with city ordinances in regards to liquor sales. In order to reserve one of these seats the guest must be 21 years of age or older or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The reserved seats in this area take up 50% of the auditorium. Theatre #2 also offers reserved seating in 9 of the other auditoriums. Each auditorium offers the 3rd and 5th row up from ground level as reserved. That's only about 15% - all the rest are first come first serve. We have to staff additional ushers and our box office lines do take longer. It's a concept we are playing with. We have our believers and our naysayers. Our naysayers tend to be senior citizens.  |  IP: Logged Stu Jamieson Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 524 From: Buccan, Qld, Australia Registered: Jan 2008 posted 08-31-2009 05:44 AM                     I hate assigned seating. With the exception of sell outs I cannot see any point in it at all. I never go to the cinema at a peak time yet I'm still asked to select a seat in advance despite there being only me and 3 other people there. I universally ignore the allocation and sit wherever the hell I like after witnessing first hand the auditorium design and the location of potato crisp munchers, high haircuts and juvenile delinquents.  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3

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.