How To Be A Better Movie Theater Custy

From Projectionista:

Hey, RHU! New girl here, been lurking a while. Call me Projectionista. I work at a small movie theatre. I wanted to share some advice on how to be a better moviegoer:

1. Don't complain to us about concession prices! Firstly, we don't decide them and we can't change them, so I don't know what you hope to accomplish by whining about it to the guys scooping your popcorn. Second, we understand how you feel. $4.50 for a large popcorn is a lot (never mind the fact that it costs $8+ at the nearest Regal). But there's a reason we have to charge $3 for a Twix bar--movie theatres make next to NOTHING off of ticket sales. The studios take a giant percentage out of it that we barely even get to see in our till before it's gone. The only way we can stay in business and pay our staff is to charge more for the things that studios can't take a cut from.

2. Don't get upset when you realize 3D movies cost more. I don't know if this is just because we're in a small town, but it amazes me how many people are surprised when they find out that tickets for a 3D movie are $9 instead of $7 (which, again, is SO MUCH CHEAPER than any other theatre in our area, but I digress). The equipment and the glasses cost money, and we are REQUIRED BY THE STUDIOS to charge a MINIMUM of $2 extra per ticket for 3D films--money that, once again, we see for a second and then it's gone. We are literally charging you as little as we are able.

3. Don't stay for the entire credits (at least for movies that obviously won't have something at the end--this doesn't apply to Iron Man, Avengers, etc). We want to do our job and clean. On Fridays and Saturdays, we have people waiting in our lobby to be let in for the late show. You're holding everyone up. What is there to see? Your brother's friend's aunt's cousin was a gaffer for Something's Gotta Give? Stop pretending to care. Once the main cast credits are through, there's really nothing more to see. And if you really need to know something--that's what Google is for. Do us a favor and leave so we can clean up the popcorn that somehow managed to fall in a 3 foot square space around your seat.

4. If you must sneak food in, please have the decency to throw out the evidence. I have picked up Burger King droppings, juice boxes, Heineken bottles, full-size Oreo packages, you name it. I understand why you sneak stuff in--I get it, I probably couldn't afford to buy a popcorn, soda and candy, either. But at least throw your stuff out. You don't need to rub it in our faces that you got away with it, and that you're hurting our business. If this were a Regal, it may be a different story--they can afford to lose a few hundred customers and they would be fine. But we can't. So if you're going to do it, please find your common courtesy and throw your junk in the 3 different garbage cans you pass on your way out.

I'm sure I could come up with a bunch more of these. I love my job, but damn am I losing my patience for people fast lately. Next time you go to see a movie, please think of the minimum wage workers that depend on your business and courtesy for their paychecks--and know that even though it's their job to clean up after you, that doesn't mean they're doing it with smiles and rainbows all the time.

All the best, and may your film stay in focus,

--Projectionista

 

Comments

[The Last Archimedean]

Good tips.

I try not to sneak food in. On the occassions I succumb to the temptation I never leave behind evidence, more out of a feeling of guilt than a desire for cleanliness but the motivation doesn't matter as long as the trash goes into the can.

[Wmdkitty]

As an admitted food smuggler, I'm doing it because, a: it's cheaper; and b) movie theater concession snacks don't meet my dietary needs and WILL make me sick (too much fat/grease).

[March]

Well, if people can't even sit out the credits (there is nothing "obvious" about the possibility of an after-credits bonus scene, and maybe they're just playing name games), then your theatre needs a policy change. What business lets people in during the credits of the previous film? That's just stupid.

[perky]

I honestly did not know that waiting till the end of credits was annoying to the theater workers. I never know which type of movies would have something at the end of the credits so I almost always stay till the end. I'm sorry for that. :(

[maskedmustelid]

Well, if people have left rather than stay through the credits, that gives the theatre staff that bit more time to clean before the next session gets let in. Of course, that may or may not be a problem depending on how the screening schedules are laid out.

It's kinda strange with the whole not allowing outside food in - over here in Australia, all the theatres I've gone to wouldn't bat an eye at what you bring in with you, as long as it's not hot/greasy food. I mean, I get the whys for not allowing outside food, I'm just surprised they don't bother with it over here. Just one of those local things, like how tipping is non-existent or the like, I guess.

[Chicajojobe]

I agree with all of those. I do smuggle food because of cost and the fact that concession food is all sugar and fat filled junk, but I don't make the employee clean it up.
So much with you on the 3d movies too. Its irritating even being in line and listening to people complain. Especially since some I can't go to unless I feel like puking and getting a headache because they have no non-3d option.

[BPFH]

Ah, yes, I can relate to this one--I'm a former movie theater slave myself. How about this:

5. If you want to see the entire movie, be in your seat at the listed time. You know, the time that we put on the website, and publish in the newspaper? That time. Don't assume that every theater starts the previews at the listed time, because some of them don't. Some of them start the *movie* then.

(Yes, I worked at such a theater. Fortunately I almost always worked in concessions, instead of box office or ushers, so I didn't have to deal with this too often. I did get #1 all the time, though.)

[Jami]

And let's not forget - TURN OFF YOUR RAZZIN-FRAZZEN CELL PHONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and please, I know how badly you might want to see certain movies, but if you can't get a babysitter for your three year old, stay home. Movies like Lord Of The Rings are not for little kids.

[Projectionista]

@March: We don't make people leave. But it gets our late show audience in with more time to spare between seating and the start of the show if the people from the early show don't stay the entire time. But that was more just me whining; everyone has a right to stay through the credits, it's just kind of annoying when like two people stay and we have to wait for them instead of shutting down the film and letting the next set of people in.

[Projectionista]

And we definitely -don't- let the next set of people in until the curtain is closed. I don't know of any theatre that lets people in while the credits from the previous show are still running. But we can get the theatre cleaned up and the film shut down with more time to spare when everyone leaves sooner, ya know?

[Framed]

I think #1 applies to almost any retail situation. I always got whines, complaints, and general pissiness from people about how much custom framing costs, because if it's in a craft store with regular frames, it shouldn't be as expensive in their mind. So enter the usual retail slave spiel about why it costs what it does, why our stuff is better and how we really have no say in pricing or what discounts are provided. If I did, would I really be sitting here talking to your annoying ass?

[Diane]

Most of these sound reasonable, and I do follow them (complaining to the people selling something about a price they have nothing to do with? please), but I also stay through the credits on just about every movie, much to my boyfriend's irritation. In most of the theaters we go to, they just start cleaning around us, and I'm fine with that. As long as you don't stand directly in front of me, go for it. I'm sure not going to complain about you doing your job.

[Rapscalliot]

I agree with everything but 3. You can't assume that every single person there stays till the end just to piss you off and prevent you from cleaning. A lot of people stay for the end credits because they hope there is a special scene at the end. I also like to do that to kind of pay my respects to those people who are in the credits, even if they are not the main credits. Sometimes, I end up being the sole person there. It's impossible for one to know if there will be something at he end or not. Maybe you've seen the end credits to that movie a thousand times, but not the people who watch it. I think the people who attend theaters should definitely respect the work you put in, but you should also respect their right to watch a movie to the end.

[Fortune Cookie]

I disagree with "3" as well. I usually sit through the entire credits because it's how you pay respect to all the little people who work on a movie but don't get the credit they deserve. "Woohoo, you are the person who voiced a cartoon character and because your name is big you get all the credit." But the main people who make animated movies come to life are not the actors.

Anyway, last movie I sat through the credits was "Brave". All the kids and their families were already out and the cleaners were cleaning (I don't even mind that). And then boom! A new scene after the FULL credits, not just after the big names...And nobody knew. I am not sure how it is, but we weren't disturbing them doing their work and our movie theater is required to let the whole movie run through, even if nobody was there to watch, so I always stay :)

[lamer]

Yeah, ditto. I'm cool with all but number three. I actually care about the gaffers and stuff like that.

[The Last Archimedean]

Yeep... #3 is a bit off to me, too. I took my then 8-year-old brother to see James and the Giant Peach in the theater when it came out back in the late '90's and lo and behold, at the very end of the credits there was a surprise. So I always stay to the very end now.

Plus, I find it easier to exit after the lights come fully on... it's tricky to maneuver in the near-darkness when the only light is from the screen itself.

[JAH]

I usually don't sit through the credits but I took enough film appreciation type classes in college to know that you SHOULD sit through them out of respect for the film makers. In reality though, I think that should only apply to areas of the country where the film makers/producers/gaffer/assistant to Mr. X might possibly be in the theater.

If the theater clean-up crew really get annoyed, then I'm more than happy to bug out quickly. Sad to say though, they want me out so they can clean up after me... but here's a hint... moviegoers have the responsibility to clean up after themselves (except for soda spills or something). Which makes me a little annoyed that the local theaters don't have a garbage bin on the outside exits because that's usually where I want to take myself and my candy wrapper and empty Coke.

[inTexas]

As long as I don't have to pee, I like to stay later as well. Ya never know when/if a bonus scene will pop up. Plus I like to wait out the traffic congestion in the parking lot.

[Mollywobbles]

I'll admit to sneaking food in, but mostly it's just candy and occasionally a bottle of pop. I love movie theater popcorn and will gladly pay the $5-$8 bucks for an extra large, I just hate the $3 for a flippin' candy bar. Now that I have a smaller purse, I probably won't be bringing sodas in anymore, but that's what those semi-discounted "combo deals" are for - you know, something like a dollar off for a large popcorn and soda or something like that. And I ALWAYS throw my stuff away, unless I drop a piece of popcorn that rolls under the seat in front of me or something to that effect. As much as I hate Piggy Custys, I refuse to be one.

[JAH]

One thing I'd like to know from a real life theater worker... I worked retail ages ago at a mall that had a kind of over-run/second run three screen theater semi-attached. The manager would come into the store and shoot the breeze and one thing he said has always made me wonder...

Is it true that if the movie starts and the projection is off slightly, the audio is dim or out, or other issues of the sort arise, you should immediately get up and complain (let someone know) because no one at all is paying attention to your screen... that the projectors are set on timers and, to the extent that there is a projectionist, he or she really just loads the film, sets the time, and then either leaves or stops paying attention.

Goes against my policy to complain so I hate rushing out to say something, but I've always taken that for some level of truth so that's the only time I make an issue.

Sadly, last time I complained, the audio coming out of Dark Knight Returns was in mono and when I did say something (on opening night), they told me the sound was broken in that screening. I had to get a refund on that one. I was rather amused/amazed they let that theatre play a first run major film given that everything sounded like it was coming through a tin can (including Bane who already sounded like he was coming through a tin can).

Anyhow, just wanted to know if anyone knows if this is generally true (projectionsists not really paying attention) or if that was just a crappy second run theater...

[JAH]

Mollywobbles, I'm with you on that... though for me it's the fountain Cokes that taste blissfull enough that it makes it part of the experience to overpay for them. Popcorn less so - though I did have a friend that, many many years ago when "They" were making a big deal out of the calories and other bad stuff in the oil they popped the corn in, made sure he always asked for the super-bad-for-you popcorn out of spite for the Nannies and the Worriers. Me? didn't both me as long as I could take a few Olympic laps in the giant cup of Coke.

[NC Tony]

Regarding #3: For those of you who want to stay through the entire ending credits in hopes of an Easter Egg ending (like with the Marvel movies), a piece of advice from my wife (an ex-theater slave), you can still watch the credits from near the exit, so the clean up crew can get in and start cleaning the theater without having to work around you.

[Jami]

Every movie I've been in lately the clean up crew has started cleaning even as people leave. Soon as the credits roll they're in there cleaning.

Some places do have trashcans near the exits but I've also been to theatres where they don't want you to clean up after yourself and actually get upset with you. Don't ask me why, maybe they just don't like others doing their jobs.

I normally go to the movies by myself anymore. Therefore I don't take or buy any snacks. I don't have anyone to watch my seat if I have to go to the bathroom.

[Gadebalran]

JAH, as I am also a former movie theater worker, I can answer your question. Yes, feel free to go ahead and let someone know if anything is wrong with the picture or sound on a movie you are watching. The projectors aren't usually set on timers and have to be setup and started manually for each show.

These things also produce a lot of noise, heat and vibration, so in smaller chains and local theaters projectionists don't sit up with the machines for the entire time and do other jobs while the show is running and may not notice a problem.

The vibration of the machine itself can sometimes cause stuff to jostle out of position and throw off the framing, focus or sound, depending on what sound system is being used. The splices between sections of the film and the trailers could also do this sometimes, especially if they are using a trailer that is a bit older and worn out, the quality of it may change from one splice to the next. Could also be just a plain printing error on the film itself. I have had to call the film companies and get new reels send when one was bad before.

Most of the time, it isn't the projectionists fault or inattention, but just a simple mechanical problem that can be quickly fixed so just let them know about the issue.

And about tip #3. Not all places and just stop a film like that and have to let it run all the way through anyway. It is just how some of the projection systems work. If it doesn't run all the way through, then it won't be ready to go for the next show. First theater I worked at we had an older system and could stop the movie at the end and rewind it to get it ready for the next one, but the newer systems wouldn't let you do that. There wasn't any way at all to rewind the film if you had to stop it part way

[Projection Peon]

@ JAH -- At my theatre, there are no more projectionists, everything is automated through a computer. So yes, I would let somebody know if there is an issue when you first notice it. But personally, I would wait for the trailers to actually start and not come out during the pre-show ads. We used to have really crappy pre-show projectors that looked horrible on screen and there was nothing we could do to fix it.

I would like to add another number to the OP. Please don't come out tapping your watch, telling us the movie is starting late. We have our official time which is used on all the registers, computers, and projectors. Its 7:00 when our system says its 7:00. Just because your watch says its 7:02 doesn't mean we are running late.

[Queer Geek]

I completely understand what you're saying about movie studios taking a big chunk of out ticket sales and so movie theaters have to sell expensive concessions. That's just the nature of the business.

[Humor_Me]

The few times in these last few years that I have gone to the theater with my Service Dogs, I wait until I'm the last person out. The reason for this is all of the people who insist on crowding and molesting my dog. Generally, that's the end of the credits. I hate going into any crowded situations with my dog, but sometimes it simply can't be avoided. I've learned to just take my time and give people as much space as I possibly can.

In the case of food, personally, I'd rather buy the theater stuff. I know that's how they make their money. When my ex and I were first married, we used to go to the theater all the time and get theater food. Then he got tight-fisted when cable and satellite came out and all we ever did was wait for it to come on PPV. Kinda took the fun out of it. Until we moved near the drive-in, we didn't watch movies for years, and then we were at least allowed to bring food in.

[Crazy Cashier]

Yeah we rarely go to the movies but it seems like ever since my dad and I left early in the credits for Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets and missed the extra bit at the end my dad has wanted to watch everything till the credits completely finish just in case. Never mind the fact that they only did a special bit at the end for only that Harry Potter.

[JAH]

Gadebalran - the projectionist having alternate duties (cleaning up, etc.) was what the manager of that small theatre said basically would happen. They don't have a big enough to staff to pay three projectionists (three screen theater) to sit up there all day long. Thanks for replying!

Projection Peon - Yeah, I always wait for the pre-show "entertainment" to end and the movie to start before reporting anything. It seems like those might be on a different projector/system as there's often a jump in image/audio when the film starts. But as soon as the movie proper starts and, for instance, the sound is turned off, I have words.

Before that manager mentioned this to me (this was 20 years ago at this point!), I just sat there like everyone else, wondering if the guy in the booth would fix things. And it seems to me, most people do just sit there and wait - even if the film is clearly positioned wrong, in the wrong aspect ratio, or even split between with the next frame at the bottom of the screen. I wonder if they are just too worried about being complainers or if they just don't care.

[Projectionista]

I didn't mean to imply that people shouldn't be allowed to stay for the credits or anything. I just meant that if everyone leaves, it helps us clean faster. But I realize that isn't always realistic; I was just suggesting it...

JAH, I know a couple other people responded to your question, but this is my take on it (keep in mind our theatre just switched from film to digital less than 2 months ago, and we haven't got all of our automation stuff set up yet):

Basically, yes, it is always a good idea to come and tell us if something is wrong. Our theatre is a small one, so in my specific situation (when we had film), we always were in the booth to start and make sure everything was in frame and focus. But if a splice goes bad in the middle of the movie, or we miss a switchover and it suddenly goes out of focus, letting us know might be the quickest way for it to be fixed. But we tried to keep a constant eye on things so that rarely happened for us.

As far as digital goes, the focus and stuff is automatic so there shouldn't be nearly as many issues like that at a theatre with digital projection. Like I said, we don't have our automation set up yet, so at our theatre if anything is wrong we'll notice it because we're manually starting the movies. But again, it never hurts to let us know if you notice something is off and it isn't fixed right away.

[JAH]

Projectionista, it's weird but the theater always knows the film breaks or something else goes wrong between reels (when such things exist), but never seems aware of the problems at the beginning of the movie.

But thanks for replying - I've never had a bad experience reporting a problem but that paranoid part of me thinks that they are going into the break area and complaining about me... but I do it as nice as possible and don't pop a gasket. :-)

[Gadebalran]

JAH, most theaters that still use film have a switch on a drop down roller that will trigger an alarm or notice of some sort if the film breaks or the tension on the film goes to slack.

At the theater I worked at I wasn't just the projectionist, I was also the assistant manager and was helping in concessions during the rushes and helping to train new hires and such. I was only really upstairs in the projection booths at the start or end of a show unless there was a problem, but I frequently went into the auditoriums to check the picture and sound.

Generally, the individual reels before they are spliced together into one long one are about 20 minutes long, so I would time my screen checks around that as closely as possible so I could be on top of and issues that arose. Digital projectors were just starting to come out when I last worked in a theater so I have no experience with how they work.

And just for some interesting side notes, back when Titanic first came out, I remember my boss telling me that the studio charged us 90% of our ticket sales for the first few weeks that we had it, and slowly dropped it lower after that. We had that movie for 4 months and I think we were still paying around 75% when we go rid of it.

[JAH]

Gadebalran, I think the studios have pulled that trick at random times (for big ticket films) over the past 15 years... making movie theater owners very sad (and possibly a little outraged). The reasoning from the studios "because we can"... though maybe the practice has ended as I haven't heard about it in a few years.

At least, that's what they've reported in Entertainment Weekly.

[Dave-ros]

Regarding staying to the end of the credits: the second time I saw Beavis and Butt-head Do America at the cinema back in 1997, I was the only person there (the benefit of being at university, and thus going during the day), and not only stayed to the end of the credits, but put my feet up on the seat in front, Travis Bickle style! So not only did I make them show the film just for me, I made them show the entire thing...