Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Asking a patron to depart…

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Posted by Nate Lehrke (Member # 1460) on 02-25-2003, 12:24 AM:

When is it appropriate to ask patrons to leave an auditorium after a show?

Patrons frequently hang about in the auditorium after the film drops, chatting & socializing. We typically have very tight schedules, regularly less than 10 minutes between shows. The auditorium needs to be cleaned so we can seat for the next presentation.

Is it discourteous to ask the patrons to leave so we can start seating the next show? Or should we just start seating for the next show & hope they take the hint?

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 02-25-2003, 12:32 AM:

Place the garbage can so that they are between you and the can. Start throwing the garbage from across the auditorium into the can. They'll leave. Especially if you have bad aim.

Posted by Nate Lehrke (Member # 1460) on 02-25-2003, 12:34 AM:

I do find that if I enter the auditorium and continue to open my garbage bag, they will be agitated at least!

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 02-25-2003, 12:37 AM:

If they're not out by the time your done cleaning, just explain to them that the next show will be starting soon (and that they can't see another for free [Smile]

) and ask them kindly to move to the lobby.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-25-2003, 12:37 AM:

Just call the projectionist and request he check his Dolby level with the amps on. Works every time. [Big Grin]

Posted by Nate Lehrke (Member # 1460) on 02-25-2003, 12:46 AM:

Brad - That would certainly work, if we had Dolby. [thumbsdown]

Another question:

Is it rude to begin cleaning during the end credits?
I know some with argue that “I paid for the movie, credits included. You shouldn’t be bothering me during the time I paid for.” I observe a “three row” rule. I try not to be within three rows of a patron watching the end credits while cleaning.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 02-25-2003, 12:56 AM:

Yes.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 02-25-2003, 01:25 AM:

How about a Tesla coil? [Big Grin]

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 02-25-2003, 01:42 AM:

Oh Dear, I feel another Olpin Rant comming on:
-------------------------------------------------

I just wanted to point out something Madstone does that i don't like. They give VERY short turnarounds for their films. Sometimies i arive 15 mins early for a show, and i'm told that i have to wait because the previous show has not yet finished. So that leaves me, arms full of consesions (The Madstone Combo of course) Waiting at the door for the door person (who is also the usher by the way) to alow me in. As a CARD HOLDING MEMBER i think i will point this out to management next time i go there. Also the lack of digital sound sucks. Theese auditoriums were at one time THX certified, and i feel that i am not getting the full experience.

end of rant---------------------------------------------------

Don't get me wrong. I love Madstone. Often times i call it my "Movie Theatre away from the Movie Theatre." The atmosphere is great and the staff is freindly and helpfull. Usually the picture is in outstanding condition, unless they get a used print. They even have a cool membership program that can get you into advance screenings and stuff.

(This post aplies to the San Diego location. Pics are in the wherehouse under Mann Hazard Center 7, although Madstone has done a lot of remodling since thoose were taken.)

Posted by Mark Maxwell (Member # 1355) on 02-25-2003, 02:04 AM:

Iff you are off duty and just visiting wearing regular clothes, act drunk and start asking for dates, with guys, or whoever. I know that sounds bad, but I can guarentee that would clear aout an auditorium in just enough time for your' doorman to come in and clean. And if they mention anything to the people who are waiting for the next feature, they will become more patient until they know the theater is cleared. But seriously, If someone want's to watch the credits, let them. But after that, politely tell them the theater has to be cleared for the next showing.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-25-2003, 02:06 AM:

Nate - Your theater has Dolby in every auditorium. Dolby CP50s! It don't get no better than that! Your projectionist---the smart one--checks the Dolby level when he is bored.

Mike - Please do complain, in writing, to the manager of the theater you speak of. Especially about the digital sound. Make sure you mention that you really enjoy the moviegoing experience there but feel ripped off since they are the only theater in the known world that does not have digital sound. Also be sure to explain that 99% of all art and foreign films etc have Dolby Digital tracks on them. Ask them why your home sounds better than their theater. If they respond, you'll probably get the "Oh but we have a curtain in our big house" or "We just concentrate on bringing you movies you normally can't see elsewhere" or "Look at our fantastic lobby" or "You can play Hangman and Tic-Tac-Toe with our amazing slide presentation" lines. Hold your ground. Don't give up.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 02-25-2003, 05:41 AM:

If you happen to have a followspot in the booth, it can be a really useful tool for getting people to leave the auditorium. The actual procedure is left as an excercise for the interested reader.

Alternatively, a slide that says something like "hey, you--yes, you--get the hell out of the theatre" might work well.

Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 02-25-2003, 08:06 AM:

I would not like to be a patron in an autotorium where the ushers come running into the theatre when the credits are on the screen. I enjoy reading all of the credits as many of my friends are involved with production.

Wether I purchase a ticket or enter on a pass, it make no difference and I get annoyed when the movie is still running and people are trying to clean. The movie is not over until all the credits have been seen.

If your company is scheduling shows to tight for clean up, this should be discussed with management. I would not return to a theatre that did not respect the right of the patron.

I would then write a letter to managment and explain that they need to take a course in management and customer relations.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-25-2003, 10:23 AM:

It is rude to begin cleaning before the credits are done and the auditorium is cleared. Once the film is done and the house lights are turned up, staff may politely ask people to move their conversations to the lobby so the auditorium can be cleaned.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 02-25-2003, 11:14 AM:

The CP-45 has a useful facility that generates pink noise if you press A-type and SR simultaneously and hold them down for a few seconds. If your cinema is so equipped and the customers won't leave after the show, start the pink noise, then turn the volume up so loud you can hear it through the wall of the projection box, then watch the buggers jump! [Big Grin]

If anyone complains, explain innocently that this was a routine technical test which customers should not have heard because they should not have been in the auditorium when it was carried out...

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 02-25-2003, 01:29 PM:

Your being sarcastic, right Joe?

I guess what i'm trying to say is
- I spend money for an anual membership
- The turnaround is way to short
- The sound could be better
But this theatre still rocks.

Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 02-25-2003, 01:44 PM:

Considering how many people tend to leave when the first sign that the movie might be over (even before the credits start rolling), I've always been delighted when I see people still sitting after the film's done running. I've never understood people who will sit for 30 minutes before the show starts watching slides and crap, but bolt for the exits when the end credits, which are part of the movie, are running.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 02-25-2003, 01:52 PM:

As I have mentioned in my "GODS AND GENERALS" review and the thread about the movie and safety here, all of our theatres, Consolidated (pacific), Signature & Wallace have been cleaning the auditorium the minuet patrons start leaving during the credits. Some of the theatre turn up the lights slightly and some do not. When the old Pearlridge Four was still in operation before Consolidated closed it and moved into the main Peralridge shopping mall, there used to be these very rude Filipino emigrant Filipino staff members who would turn on the main after hours house lights and start cleaning during the credits. The lights were so brights it made reading the credits very difficult. As soon as they were done, they would turn off the lights and the auditorium is illuminated now with their regular lighting during intermission. I have complained many times but the company never did anything. It was no big deal because the theatres was not very good and I rarely went there.

-Claude

Posted by Justin McLeod (Member # 1329) on 02-25-2003, 08:16 PM:

At my theater, we wait till the credits are over before we clean our theaters. Now if there is no one in the theater before the credits are over , we will turn on the work lights and clean away. We usually have a good amount of time between our shows when they end, but on the other hand , alot get out at the same time aswell. It also helps to have plenty of help when busy shows let out.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 02-25-2003, 10:35 PM:

Unless you're running a film that packs the auditorium every show what's the difference whether they leave or not? Isn't your film rental based on total gross and not how many people see the film at each showing? It's nice that you clean the auditorium after every showing (something we did not do in the old days because the show ran continually except for intermissions) so just begin your cleaning and politely ask the to move out of the way.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-26-2003, 12:23 AM:

No Mike, I am not being sarcastic. Inform the manager and even write to the corporate office via the internet. Keep doing so until you get a response. Madstone doesn't like to respond to customers directly so that's why I urge you to stand your ground and keep trying.

Posted by Ray Bernardi (Member # 1615) on 02-28-2003, 05:27 PM:

We don't ever enter the theatre until after the credits have run. Once they have, we bring up the bright lights. If people are still standing about chatting, we begin the clean-up and ask if they could talk in the lobby. I've never had anybody say no or get agitated when asked to move. It really hasn't been an issue. What's harder on me is when there's a discussion in the lobby that's still going on 30 minutes after the last show. It's cold in Nh and the discussion group is usually heading for different locations when they leave. Asking them to leave is like saying conversations over folks. My way of dealing with it is to dim the lobby lights to night level and then just stand by patiently. They get the message pretty quick. I just keep telling myself that they bring me the money!

Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 02-28-2003, 07:29 PM:

Ray,

Excellent

Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 02-28-2003, 07:31 PM:

I think that JP is right on target!

"It is rude to begin cleaning before the credits are done and the auditorium is cleared. Once the film is done and the house lights are turned up, staff may politely ask people to move their conversations to the lobby so the auditorium can be cleaned."