This is topic And You Thought NYC Was Expensive in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Jonathan M. Crist (Member # 413) on 03-14-2002, 10:20 PM:
On March 22 Pacific Theatres in LA will open its all reservation ArcLight luxury multiplex adjacent to the historic Cinerama Dome with a ticket price of $14.00 a ticket. A Pacific spokesman is quoted as saying " The ArcLight experience may not be for everyone".And to think I can still rent a new release VHS tape at my local mom- and-pop video store for $1.99.
Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 03-14-2002, 11:29 PM:
How many screens are they putting in this complex for no one to attend?
Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 03-15-2002, 12:46 AM:
Wow! And I thought National Amusements' The Bridge special Director's Theaters were bad at $10.00 a pop in the LA market. The higher price there is supposed to ensure a "film done right" presentation to go along with the leather-upholstered stadium seating.Now there's a business model--charge a premium for "film done right"!
I wonder what Pacific's promising for their premium? At least the machines will all be Kinotons... 
Cheers!
Paul
Greetings from the land of the thrice kissed ass
Unemployed 
mercenary film/video projectionist/engineer
"When the money runs out, so does I."
-6
Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 03-15-2002, 08:40 AM:
What make you think they are going to do film right? I get the impression they are charging for the comfortable seating and expanded consession options. It would not surprise me to find minimum wage booth ushers upstairs./Mitchell
Posted by Don Sneed (Member # 955) on 03-15-2002, 09:40 AM:
If you guys think that's bad, the movie ticket prices here in Japan is $18.00 for adult, $12.00 for kids....the ultra delux screens are $30.00 per person....& I was bitcing about paying $8.00 in the states...Whooooaaaa weeeeeeee & USA in the "Captialist Country"...I think not !!!
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-15-2002, 10:03 AM:
About 2-3 years ago I saw Face/Off at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, and the ticket price for the dress circle was UK£9, which I would guess works out at about US$13-14.If the presentation had justified it I wouldn't have been too bothered - central London is central London, after all. But it didn't. The adverts lasted nearly 20 minutes and then the print was seriously scratched throughout. Also, because that cinema is a single-screen house originally built for Academy, the 'scope screen is tiny because it is achieved by closing vertical masking. Towards the back of a 2,000 seat house the screen looked tiny.
That experience showed me that ticket prices are not always a useful guide to presentation quality.
Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 03-15-2002, 10:17 AM:
I saw "Lord of the Rings" yesterday in a mall 17-plex. Print has been playing 3 times a day since the movie opened (has to be >300 showings), and still looked like new. Excellent presentation, good DTS sound. Screen is 36 feet wide, with correct scope ratio. $3.75 bargain matinee price. EDIT: Someone questioned my statement that this is an original print with >300 shows on it (rightly so). So I emailed the theater GM. He says the print they are currently running is 1 of the original 3 they received when the movie first opened.
Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 03-16-2002, 12:07 PM:
THeir website does go into a lot more technical detail than most, so we'll see. One note: They mention having SDDS-8 in their largest auditoriums, yet also say their largest theatres feature 3 stage speakers.
http://www.arclightcinemas.com/sightnsound.jsp
Posted by Owen Shave (Member # 1156) on 03-17-2002, 06:20 AM:
our most expensive seats are our 'gallery' balconies on our 3 largest screens. 15 pounds Fri/Sat/Sun.. this is about £22.50. It is often very busy too. Included in your ticket price you get free unlimited nachos, popcorn and soft drinks. The Gallery balconies are also licenced and so patrons can drink alcoholic drinks during the film should they choose to buy them.Owen
Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 03-17-2002, 01:13 PM:
The El Capitan in Hollywood already charges up to $22 a ticket, but that includes a special little show next door after the movie... but still... perhaps they're going to have somethign similar?
Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 03-17-2002, 07:48 PM:
But the El Capitan's prices fall back to the "normal" rate for their non-packaged film and (either) stage show or next door attraction, even offering the "normal" bargain mat prices. The Arclight seems to think an ALL special megaplex can make it at all times. But, there ARE a lot of wealthy people in LA (have to be, to pay for housing). The theatre is definetely being aimed at the adult crowd. The New Chinese 6 theatres actually charge 20 bucks for sitting in leather chairs, but this is offered in only one auditorium and only in the last two rows (complete with seperate upstairs lobby and entrances. These theatres are pretty upscale too, but still charge the norm for LA first-runs.
Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 03-22-2002, 07:27 PM:
i tried to access their webpage to confirm my suspicion that "arclight" is a misrepresentation. (or is this a changeover multiplex with 12 projectionists?) the page was not available.carl
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 03-24-2002, 06:51 PM:
Carl Martin said: "i tried to access their webpage to confirm my suspicion that "arclight" is a misrepresentation."Both carbon and xenon are "arclights".
------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-24-2002, 07:28 PM:
Any light generated by Electron discharge is by definition a Arc Light
Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 04-03-2002, 07:29 PM:
The local CBS outlet just ran a canned story on Arclight. Certainly looks like an impressive place from the footage they showed. Among the factoids they talked about: All seats have double-wide armrests; Patrons are escorted to their ticketed/reserved seats by ushers; and it looks like an usher gives a brief spoken introduction to the movie before it starts (at least that's what they were doing for ET).
Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 04-03-2002, 08:32 PM:
Here's a little more detail about Pacific's pricing and amenities for Arclight, taken from their stack ad in Sunday's Los Angeles Times Calendar section:
quote:
Reserved seating environment allows you to linger at the cafe bar or explore exhibits [in the lobby*] before entering our "black box", commercial-free auditoriums.See below for programming information, including special screenings and events.
Admission is $11 Sunday evening through Friday afternoon and Saturday until 6 p.m. with free membership. Additional discounts available for seniors and children. Adult admission during peak demand is $14 (Friday & Saturday nights, Sunday until 6 p.m. and holiday periods). Tickets at the box office or in advance for no extra fee at arclightcinemas.com or (323)464-4226.
3 hours free on-site parking with ticket purchase.
* On Display Now
"BRAVE FILMS, WILD NIGHTS"
The Toronto International
Film Festival's Poster Tour
CINERAMA DOME HISTORICAL EXHIBIT
Posted by Aldo Baez (Member # 790) on 04-04-2002, 09:17 PM:
This is one of the two theatres in the L.A. area showing the re-release of Amadeus. I'm debating whether to go to this one just to check it out once paying $11 doesn't go well with me though.
Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 12-29-2003, 09:16 PM:
Loew's Theatres and Regal Theatres in Manhattan have just gone up the $10.25 for a regular adult admission and $6.50 for kids. At the Loew's 34th Street Theatre in Manhattan and Loew's Cherry Hill and Loew's Jersey Garden theatres in New Jersey. They now offer a new feature like the ArcLight in Hollywood and Bridge in Los Angeles.
No Waiting, No Lines
Avoid long lines at the box office and concession stand.
Reserved Seating Box Office: Dedicated box office where reseved seats can be purchased.
Guest Express Service: Our reserved seating staff will take your concession order at your seat and will serve you prior to the show.
Guaranteed one of the best seats in the house without having to arrive at the theatre early.
Those special seats go for $14-$15 dollars.
Posted by Liam Utley (Member # 1931) on 12-30-2003, 06:26 AM:
We have Gold Class cinemas here that cost about AU$33, and that gets you a recliner. Meals and drinks (licensed) cost extra. You give your order to the waiter before the movie, and they bring stuff out to you whenever you like.
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 12-30-2003, 08:14 AM:
Correcting Bill G: The UA Union Square and most Loews Theatres in Manhattan are now $10.25 adult/$6.75 child per Variety. The 3 other UA sites in Manhattan are not affected.
The Loews 34th Street is staying at $8.99 adult for now. That theater has not done well because it's one subway stop from Times Square -- home to the AMC Empire and Loews E-Walk.