This is topic Anyone have any 8 Mile damage? in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 11-09-2002, 02:12 AM:
Broken beer bottles...Weed on the floor....
Vandalism on the walls.....
Damn - was all that worth it?
(not to mention a bruised shoulder)
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"Running through life at 24 frames per second"
Posted by Jason Whyte (Member # 1433) on 11-09-2002, 02:49 AM:
It was an absolute MADHOUSE at the main Victoria theater tonight for the film's late three shows (all sold out). I didn't see that particular film (I'm seeing it tomorrow), however by the crowds, I'm more than sure there was some trouble at some point. I'm also interested to hear any other theater stories.The funny thing is it appears to be a good film from a good director. But they're all seeing it for the wrong reason...
Jason
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"Monster Put In Pocket!"
Posted by Christopher Duvall (Member # 284) on 11-09-2002, 03:52 AM:
We threw out roughly 200+ kids tonight. They were the ones that could not get into 8 Mile. They instead bought tickets to The Ring and then tried to sneak in but could not when they ran into an usher standing at the entrance asking for ID's and stubs. The kids in turn go to their correct auditorium and then proceed to make as much noise as possible within the first few minutes of the feature.I get a call on my radio tonight from my projectionist and he is asking me to come down and check out a disturbance in one of the auditoriums and we ended chucking out 40 kids at once. Totally insane. The casino security was outstanding tonight. I love those guys. They have an FU attitude with kids in the building. Once we removed the kids from a house...the casino security told them to beat it.
At least we did not have any arrest or barf issues tonight...
Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 11-09-2002, 04:40 AM:
0 Problems with people in the theatres. 1 little scuffle outside with some kids too young to get in.
Posted by Mike Williams (Member # 1140) on 11-09-2002, 07:28 AM:
How did you get a bruised shoulder Dennis?
Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 11-09-2002, 02:11 PM:
All evening shows sold out. No problems per say, unless you count the usual too young to get in so they buy a PG13 ticket only to be todl by the uniformed officer that they have to go...
My question to everyone else on the forum.. wqhen you find this happening, do you give the kid a refund (trip, etc) pass, a cash refund, or nothing at all? After all, what they did amounts to attempted theft by deception, which is a crime if I recall correctly...My idea is that a kid trying to sneak into an R rated film with a PG13 ticket should be told to get into the appropriate house or they should be made to leave EMPTY HANDED. Once they loose their money a few times, maybe they'll get the hint that we won't put up with their underhandedness anymore...
Posted by Christopher Duvall (Member # 284) on 11-09-2002, 02:33 PM:
Our policy is to give refunds or passes to anyone that leaves. However, there have been times that has not happened after the casino security got involved. They have this attitude, "If you are causing problems and are under 21...you are out." Just like the game Monopoly, don't pass go, don't collect $200. They are very quick to trespass people off the property permanently.
Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 11-09-2002, 02:43 PM:
BUt should someone who is trying to "get one over on you" deserve that pass? I think not. Then again, I don't see anyone from any corporate offices trying to maintain order in theatres when films liek this are released. It's all Hollywood's fualt for marketing this stuff to a traget audience too young to actually be admitted. More money would be made and less troubles involved if they would tone some of this shit down and make for more "suitable" media for the TRUE target audience.. 
I'm just ill today. Long day yesterday and I had to replace the waterpump on the truck. And n a short while, I get to go back and deal with the fine young crowd turning out in droves for this film..
At least we're packing the houses... 
If I could only force them into buying ONE drink apiece.... Per caps would shoot thurough the roof...Oh well, we can all wish.. 
Posted by Aldo Baez (Member # 790) on 11-09-2002, 04:57 PM:
What we do is when it's obvious someone tried to get an R ticket then immediately buys a PG-13 ticket looking to sneak in we have the box cashier tell them if they are caught going into the wrong theatre they are out no refunds. I tell the box people to remember the faces so if I kick someone out and they go back, they do not get a refund. Works quite well since our box cashiers put up with alot of stuff with id'ing they have a wonderful time getting back at those who make it hard for them.
Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 11-09-2002, 06:48 PM:
Re: refunds:
This is a topic that comes up often on ownership boards as well. In my area, we find that the chain managers don't have a lot of lattitude. These are the companies that allowed people to buy a ticket (eliminating a seat from the boxoffice system count), then leave WITH a refund after seeing a particular trailer... which was the only reason they came in the first place.It seems to me that independents probably have more leeway here, considering we're closer to our operations and have a good handle on where the liabilities lie.
In our particular case, we do not allow unattended children in the theatre. This is easy to spot, as we have a child's price which covers everything under 13. If a couple of kids arrive and want two child's tickets, you know what you've got. We have this policy prominently posted at the entrance.
After refusing entrance to two youngsters, a man came in (with these two hiding behind him), bought tickets for all, then split off... the girls to their show... he and his kid to theirs.
After confronting the man about this, they elected to leave... with a refund, which I generally allow as long as they don't get too mouthy. No refunds are given when patrons have to be ejected past show time.
This one today felt a lot like kids asking an adult to buy beer for them.... and some "adults" will do that.
On the other hand, being an independent with a small screen count lets us be a little choosie about what we book.
We passed on 8-mile.... and Jackass.
No damage here, and good crowds with other shows.
Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 11-09-2002, 10:31 PM:
Bruised shoulder was from a drunk patron that decided I was in his way. He and his seven friends left without a refund, and Metro police on his tail........------------------
"Running through life at 24 frames per second"
Posted by Jennifer Osborne (Member # 1220) on 11-09-2002, 10:44 PM:
Last night was crazy with 8 mile. Once it sold out The Ring, Jackass, I Spy and Sweet Home Alabama all followed. No property damage though. But I think that this was due to the police officer hanging around, and the two state troopers that had escorted the IU football team to their movie.My theory: Lots of law enforcement = no damage, happy employees, and kids too scared to try anything.
Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 11-10-2002, 12:25 AM:
So far no real property damage to speak of except for some wall fabric pulled off. We had a drunken fight in the parking lot last night but other than that we have been pretty quiet. Our sister theater in the next town wasn't so lucky. They had a projector break down 10 minutes before the movie was suppose to end which caused a near riot (sold out show, some 400 something people). Some college kids (from a christan college no less) grabbed a metal sign from in front of the boxoffice and threw it into the parking lot. So they had a few issues going on there last night.
Posted by Gracia L. Babbidge (Member # 582) on 11-10-2002, 11:47 PM:
Hmm ... a handful of sold out shows, several upset little 'gangstas' (punk-ass wannabes ) too young to buy tickets & too sheepish to actually see a movie with their parents, and one incidence of 'tagging' in the men's restroom (initials in blue paint).whee!
Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 11-11-2002, 08:35 AM:
Both the 7:00 & 10:00 shows were sold out in our biggest auditorium when I arrived at about 5:30 on Friday, which is practically unheard of at our theater. Saturday, we had four movies sold out at once, and two more that were very close. Also unheard of here. The only problem besides turning away tons of kids was that some white guy had the brilliant idea to launch his soda across the theater at the end of the show. One of our projectionists was in the theater when it happened, and actually got hit, but a LOT of other people got wet. Coincidentally, the house lights cued a few seconds late, so for a short time it was very dark and all you heard were a bunch of pissed off black folks saying "Yo, what the f****!!" Luckilly for the white guy, he bolted away, and everyone else was just pissed, but it could have been pretty ugly.
Mark
Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 11-16-2002, 07:25 PM:
Here's a story from WDIV in Detroit. The Phoenix Theatre is the only movie theater still operating in the city limits of Detroit. Barely. 8-Mile Rd is the dividing line between the City of Detroit (313) and the Oakland- and Macomb-County (810) suburbs.
quote:
Fight Breaks Out Before Local '8 Mile' Showing
Gunshots Fired, Security Locks DoorsTwo local men going to see the movie "8 Mile" never made it in to the theater, after a fight broke out just a day after the film's widely-publicized local premiere.
The fight occurred Friday before the midnight screening of the film at the Phoenix Theater on 8 Mile Road on Detroit's east side, according to Local 4.
Harold McQuillea, who was injured in the fight, said the incident was initiated after someone snatched his friend's glasses, according to reports.
McQuillea suffered a broken finger, broken nose and a broken blood vessel in his eye during the fight, Local 4 reported.
McQuillea told Local 4 the fight stopped when gunshots were fired and the crowd outside scattered. McQuillea's friend wouldn't show his face on camera because his wallet with his identification and $400 was stolen during the fight, he told Local 4.
Both men claim that when a bystander tried to go back into the theater to get help, security locked the doors.
The manager of the theater told Local 4 he thinks security acted appropriately and it was necessary to lock the doors to prevent the fight from carrying into the building.
McQuillea's family is considering suing the theater.
Detroit police are investigating the case.
What are everyone's thoughts on how security reacted in this instance?
Posted by Alex Grasic (Member # 1371) on 11-17-2002, 01:59 AM:
8 Mile seemed to only sell out every evening show last weekend and still this weekend. I've just followed under age children into the theatre and let them out through the exit door of the theatre (nice little deception there). I mean, the movie is rated AA but if I didn't see them with parents, they'd leave empty handed for sure!! It's there fault for trying, they were warned at our box office that you had to be over 14 or with an adult so if they would go on to buy the ticket, not my problem 
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 11-20-2002, 11:26 AM:
Related to this topic: Century Theatres in Evanston IL (outside Chicago) allowed the police to check people going into 8 Mile. Details from the Daily Northwestern here.
What's next? Letting police dictate what movies can and cannot be shown?
Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 11-20-2002, 11:36 AM:
Century Theatres requested the police presence. That's not quite the same as allowed. Maybe they've had problems with rowdy customers or something. The article also mentions that the police were requested to be there to assist with traffic control for the large crowds attending Harry Potter.