Snitch on cell phone user -- get free popcorn!
11-30-06 | 05:41 PM
#1
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Snitch on cell phone user -- get free popcorn!
Found this at IMDB today:
They had me at free popcorn, the only question is, will they think I'm mature enough?
Theaters To Get Touch On Cell Phone Users
Regal Theaters, the nation's largest theater chain, has begun testing devices in 25 of its locations that allow patrons to summon ushers if audience members use cell phones or become unruly. Regal Chief Executive Michael Campbell told the Reuters Media Summit in New York Wednesday that a second button will notify management of faulty projection, a third about uncomfortable room temperature, and a fourth about any other problem. Campbell said that ordinarily customers won't say anything such problems while the film is running. "They just will complain on their way out or, in the worst case scenario, they don't come back." He said that he expects the device to be available nationwide next year and that it will be given to "mature" audience members, who will receive free popcorn for their efforts.
Regal Theaters, the nation's largest theater chain, has begun testing devices in 25 of its locations that allow patrons to summon ushers if audience members use cell phones or become unruly. Regal Chief Executive Michael Campbell told the Reuters Media Summit in New York Wednesday that a second button will notify management of faulty projection, a third about uncomfortable room temperature, and a fourth about any other problem. Campbell said that ordinarily customers won't say anything such problems while the film is running. "They just will complain on their way out or, in the worst case scenario, they don't come back." He said that he expects the device to be available nationwide next year and that it will be given to "mature" audience members, who will receive free popcorn for their efforts.
11-30-06 | 05:59 PM
#3
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Originally Posted by Matthew Chmiel
So if I dress up to the movies, will I be given one of these fancy devices and a bag of free popcorn?
11-30-06 | 06:09 PM
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From: maryland
i hope they start that at AMC. every other time i go, it seems like the projection is faulty at the beginning and those a--holes on the cell phone that always ring at the worst time to ring.
11-30-06 | 06:09 PM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Damfino
That's kind of how I read it. Or perhaps having some gray hair helps?
And considering I just beat the shit out of an usher, might as well go all out with the assault and take out a snack bar worker or two for the free popcorn.
11-30-06 | 06:22 PM
#7
DVD Talk Hero
I'm guessing this will last about a week. Once they see that they have about 5 million complaints from their "mature" audience members about the temperature in the theater.
11-30-06 | 07:18 PM
#8
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So you can get the free popcorn and then throw it at other people.
11-30-06 | 07:49 PM
#9
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i think its a step in the right direction, but they may want to bolt it to the wall or something and only inform certain patrons...seems like less hassle, but it would be nice to not have to leave the theater to rat out the guys smoking out two rows back
11-30-06 | 11:43 PM
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Sounds good to me as long as it doesn't effect the movie experience. I just fear that somebody would screw with it too much, ie. "the volumes too loud." If it's too loud then you're too old.
12-01-06 | 07:42 AM
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From: Out of the sandbox!
Here is another take on it from Engadget.com
Originally Posted by Engadget.com
As much as we love cellphones and movies around here, we usually remember to shut off our mobiles when we enter a movie theater. Apparently a lot of folks don't pick up on this common courtesy and regularly let their annoying ringtones go off right in the middle of the new blockbuster we just dropped a Hamilton to see in THX bliss. Regal Entertainment Group, the largest American movie theater company, is now issuing a small remote alerting device to "frequent customers" so they can rat on folks who are disrupting the show. About the size of a pager, the remote apparently comes with four buttons: one to alert managers about "a disruption in the audience," a second to point out faulty projection, a third to complain about the temperature, and a fourth for anything else. Apparently customers who get these special devices will receive a free bag of popcorn as payment for their "treachery" -- if you can call it that. We'd be the first to sign up in all reality since we've all but stopped going to movies because of the various annoyances and distraction. Oh, and you can't pause them or do an instant replay.
12-01-06 | 10:43 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by Charlie Goose
When they say "mature" I hope they don't mean old farts. They are the loudest yakkers, worse than teenagers.
12-01-06 | 12:10 PM
#16
Maybe theater owners are getting the idea that their environment is lousy for enjoying a film. Sadly I don't think this will make much of an impact. I am one of those who simply has not gone back, for three years now. And frankly I don't see myself returning.
12-01-06 | 02:01 PM
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From: California
I don't see why ushers can't perform this duty without being assisted by patrons. OTOH, I stopped attending movies at the 'plexes long ago partly because of the problems mentioned.
12-01-06 | 03:51 PM
#19
DVD Talk Legend
the problem is that the modern theater doesn't employ ushes for every screening. 30 screens, at two ushes a piece is 60 ushers at 6.00 an hour. for a two hour movie average. total cost 360.00 for one screening on ever screen.
that's the great thing about the old style with small theaters. You had a guy on each door with a flashlight. anyone gave reason whether it be, phones, talking, throwing food, baby crying, etc. you were out the door with a flashlight escort. its just not affordable with that many screens, so now you have to get up and complain.
that's the great thing about the old style with small theaters. You had a guy on each door with a flashlight. anyone gave reason whether it be, phones, talking, throwing food, baby crying, etc. you were out the door with a flashlight escort. its just not affordable with that many screens, so now you have to get up and complain.
12-01-06 | 07:06 PM
#20
DVD Talk God
The AZ chain here Harkins has done this for a while. But, they aren't devices. It's a button on the wall inside near the entrance.
12-01-06 | 09:17 PM
#21
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12-02-06 | 12:21 PM
#22
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Will they also have a gadget for screeching babies and yacking kids? I wouldn't expect it for G to PG-13 movies, but I think it should be there for the R films.
12-03-06 | 02:31 AM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
AMC has something similar, only with one button. That button simply calls someone to your theater to check on any problems. I haven't used it yet, but may in the future.
12-03-06 | 02:54 AM
#24
DVD Talk Limited Edition
"They just will complain on their way out or, in the worst case scenario, they don't come back."
I've already forced myself to boycott the crap one.That's a pretty sweet idea. Once word gets out, people my be "frightened" into being polite. Thinking there's a snitch in the audience, when there isn't one.
You'd think that from a customer service standpoint, theaters would offer folks free screenings to accomplish the same goal.
Last edited by MartinBlank; 12-03-06 at 10:20 PM.
12-03-06 | 02:55 AM
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seems like almost every movie i see has framing problems. either it goes too far off the sides or the top and bottom. or the opposite, there is too much space left that could be used on the sides. i'd always hit the projector button.