This is topic Fully automated cinemas in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000510
Posted by Gordon Leslie (Member # 139) on 12-28-1999, 08:01 AM:
I remember a discussion back in the mid "80"s with regard to fully automated cinemas , apparently at the time there was or is a cinema in San Francisco I believe that is totally automated from the booth down to ticket sales and usher duties. I was told this cinemas ' computer system new where every person was sitting in the auditorium and a lighting system in the floor directed you to a vacant seat within the cinema when the feature was is progress. Anyone know if this cinema is still operating or know of other fully automated cinemas that have no staff in attendance except for close circuit tv.I would be interested to know how successful this concept has been.
Posted by Erika Hellgren (Member # 22) on 12-28-1999, 02:36 PM:
Ug! What a horrid idea! Back when I was an usher, I got into a discussion with my manager about that. His point was how easily it could be done. My point was, "but why would you do it?" How creepy is it to walk into a theatre and be served by machines (that would break down half the time anyway)? I am against any technology that eliminates human jobs.
Posted by George Roher (Member # 91) on 12-28-1999, 09:37 PM:
If the theatre is completely automated, how do the bathrooms get cleaned?
Posted by Tyler Skinner (Member # 229) on 12-28-1999, 11:22 PM:
sounds sorta like Radiant.
Posted by Kenn Fong (Member # 118) on 12-29-1999, 12:47 AM:
To the best of my knowledge, this theatre does not exist, and may never have existed. I've lived here in the Bay Area since 1969 and have never seen or heard of it.------------------
Kenn Fong
http://www.qwertyuiop.net
Screenwriter's Home Page
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-29-1999, 02:14 AM:
How would the computers kick the hoodlums out who start fights in your theatre?
Posted by Christopher Seo (Member # 7) on 12-29-1999, 02:16 AM:
I doubt that there was any affordable computer technology in the mid-80s to handle all those complex tasks. What film equipment would it have used, anyway? ELF platters? Would any self-respecting theater use those?And Erika, I would agree with you on that last sentiment, but... it seems that ALL technology generally eliminates human jobs... except of course for techie jobs....
Posted by Michael Cunningham (Member # 210) on 01-06-2000, 03:21 AM:
ELF's!?! Ewww! What a horrible concept. Although I would have to agree that all technology in some way eliminates human jobs, it also creates better work for those of us who can adapt to do it. Without technology all of us would still be making shadow puppets in front of a campfire to amuse our friends.-Mike
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-06-2000, 07:25 PM:
Why do people always seem to want technology just for technology's sake? Don't get me wrong, I want to get my hands on one of those new DLP digital movie projectors but why rip out your $50,000 movie projector just to install a $250,000 movie projector?That's like buying a $200 DeWalt cordless screw gun just to tighten a screw when a $1.99 Philips head would do the trick!
Even though I like new gadgets and stuff, I like to think I have enough common sense to know what's the right tool for the job.
Just because it's "digital" doesn't make it better.... I hear all these people clamoring about "digital" movies and saying, "That looks pretty good!"..... Well, when you get a "digital" projector that can show a 1/2 way decent 50 foot high picture from 100 yards away, give me a call.
(Flame-off!)
Posted by Stephen Jones (Member # 16) on 01-09-2000, 06:58 PM:
I heard rumors about this a few years ago but from what I remember nothing came of it thankfully.Anyway I dont like seeing good proffesional projectionist and other cinema staff end up on the dole,things are hard enough for cinema staff in the industry without the threat of loosing jobs.I worked at a cinema complex 12 months ago where the automation closed the doors when the feature commenced.------------------