How would you bring people back to theatres?

[mpompey]

There's been alot of talk about how the moviegovers are opting out of seeing films in theatres, versus waiting for them to come out to video and catching them at home.

Is this decline in movie going inevitable, or can the theatres reverse the trend? Do you think this is a side effect of people becoming more unsociable in our fast paced lifestyle?

What in your opinions would theatres need to do to bring folks back?

 

[ruadmaa]

How To Bring People Back To Theatres

There's been alot of talk about how the moviegovers are opting out of seeing films in theatres, versus waiting for them to come out to video and catching them at home.

Is this decline in movie going inevitable, or can the theatres reverse the trend? Do you think this is a side effect of people becoming more unsociable in our fast paced lifestyle?

What in your opinions would theatres need to do to bring folks back?

STOP SHOWING TV COMMERCIALS. Quite frankly, I refuse to pay more than $8.00/ticket to go see tv commercials in a theatre. Also, start the movie when it is supposed to be started, not after 30 minutes of tv commercials.

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

It's too expensive... $9.75 gets you in around here. I rent the movie for $1.49 at Hollywood for one night and watch it in my theater, which is better than any theater around here anyway. It's just not worth it!

~Chuck

 

[SilverMK3]

Make presentation as important as it used to be.

I worked as a projectionist at my local theater while I was going to college and was trained by one of the old-school (well-paid, union) theater techs. We used to have strict policies about keeping the booth spotless and maintaining the equipment; we'd change a $700 bulb if there was even the slightest flicker on the screen. (incidentally, those things blew up great in the dumpster )

Nowadays every minimum wage, popcorn shovelling monkey gets their turn in the projection booth. When you sit down to watch a movie it is expected that you'll see the picture jump out of frame a couple of times, that the projector will be out of focus, and that the print will be scratched and dirty as hell. Its not even worth getting up to complain anymore when you watch an entire 5-minute trailer in reverse and upside-down.

Five years ago we worked our assess off to make sure we had the best presentation in town. We had no problems getting 5 of our 8 screens THX certified on our first try. Now that the corporate head offices place no value on presentation, the THX techs would probably laugh their assess off before failing every screen unconditionally - that is, if the head office would even spend the money to get the screens looked at.

 

[hifiman]

It's too expensive! My family of 3 can go to a matinee to get the cheapest seats and still pay more than buying the DVD the first week it comes out. For the price of the DVD we get to avoid parking, waiting in line, sitting in broken and dirty seats, crappy sound and/or picture, people talking through the movie, and cell phones (why can't these idiots turn off the damn phones when they walk up to the ticket booth?). At home I have better picture and sound, comfy seats, cheap popcorn and drinks, and (drumroll.........)I don't have to sit through 8 commercials for upcoming movies, commercials for the snackbar, and last, but not least, the reminder to turn off your cell phone, which no one pays attention to anyway.

 

[gellor]

1. Fix the speakers. (I'll actually call ahead to find out which theater a movie's playing in before deciding whether or not to go out to the theater)
2. Switch to digital projectors...something better than my picture at home.
3. Better food. I'm not talking hot dogs or that sort of thing. I'm talking GOOD chicken wings, pizzas, sandwiches, etc. Make it so I can go out for dinner AND a movie if I so choose.
4. Advertise what time the movie starts. That way if I choose to show up 20 minutes early to get a good seat, I get to see previews/etc.
5. Frequent patron cards. (see 10 movies, get the 11th free)
6. Make going to the movies something special, not something frustrating. Something more akin to going to a pops concert...and less like to daycare.
7. When something breaks (projector, speakers, seats, etc.) FIX IT!


With the ready availability of high-quality home theater components, theaters need to move more towards a total experiance than just an oversized TV. Unlike other replies here, I would actually willingly pay a little bit more for an evening out at the movies...IF they could make it a bit more like going out to the theater.

 

[j_garcia]

Ban all cell phones...or something. The funny ads don't get the point across; people need to be asked to leave the theater if they get a call (which they should do anyway out of common courtesy).

Better food or at least drop the cost of the existing food. One local place did hot dog + drink for $1.50 for early showings on Sunday, that was a good deal. The sound systems in a few theaters around here are quite good, so those are the ones I tend to go to.

 

[W_Harding]

How would you bring people back to theatres? My wife and I started going to movies in the theatre again after several years watching DVD we would rent from the local DVD rental store. We have found that the theatre picture and sound are much improved over what we typically saw five years ago. The theatre we go to sells a discount card that allows one to see 10 movies for $50. At that price we feel that the "big screen" experience is worth it.

 

[nova]

What would get me back into the theaters??? How about a good movie! I mean something with substance not just that it looks pretty and sounds good.

My biggest pet peeve? Yanno the guy/gal who wrote a book and it was on the best seller list for months???? What makes these screen writers and producers think they can do a better job? If you are going to adapt a book into a film then do it! If you're going to bastardize it, write your own damn book and adapt that!!!

but, thats just me

 

[The Dukester]

Ohh, a lot of good points here already. Many of the theatres in my area are lacking in the sound and video presentation. We have a lot of multiplexes so many of the individual theatres have small screens which some view as more intiment but I find cramped and lacking the big screen experience.

The food is too high. Well, it's a know fact that this is where the theatres make their money. Many of the blockbuster films cost so much they actually lose money on them, but make it up in the 4-500% markup at the goodie counter.

Too me, the commercials are OK, as long as there are only two or three and they are adv upcoming films. I like to see the trailers as many times it's the only way I know of upcoming attractions. I don't get mags or surf the net to find out what's coming out.

The big things in addition to the above to get folks back is to cut out the cell phone use...there ought to be an employee at each showing to escort folks that get a call out, improve the quality of the equipment and maintain it to ensure an experience worth coming to and last but not least, make movies that are worth watching. Too many crappy films out there.

 

[Tom Andry]

My last two movie experiences (Episode III and Serenity) were horrible. Bad sound, bad picture, annoying kids/adults, cell phones going off, uncomfortable seats...the works. You couldn't drag me out of my home theatre for a movie any more. I don't care what it is. Well...on second thought...if you show the Rocky Horror Picture Show, I'd go to that. But that is less about the movie and sound than the experience. But that is about it.

 

[Gerald]

A pause button so people can go pee.

 

[jaxvon]

Does anyone else notice that while we are the people that invest far too much money into our own HT system so we can enjoy movies how we like, we're also the ones that when we do go out to the movies, are the people polite enough to turn off our cell phones and not talk. Interesting....

 

[Sheep]

I don't have this problem.

The Theaters I go to are THX certified and have amazing sound and picture, and its for the right price too, FREE!

Regularly its $10, but my home theater will never be this good. Ever. These places maintain 110dB's or so for the whole movie, and nothing breaks or screws up.

SheepStar

 

[WmAx]

IThese places maintain 110dB's or so for the whole movie, and nothing breaks or screws up.

SheepStar

Surely you can literally mean that the SPL is constant 110dB, or anywhere approaching that. If this is true, you are undergoing hearing damage.

-Chris

 

[ca_newbee]

STOP SHOWING TV COMMERCIALS. Quite frankly, I refuse to pay more than $8.00/ticket to go see tv commercials in a theatre. Also, start the movie when it is supposed to be started, not after 30 minutes of tv commercials.

I agree!... I enjoy going to the movies but the ads drive my wife insane so she won't go. As more and more of us take the HT route they need to come up with an improved product otherwise it becomes the domain of teenagers.... biggest concern is that is the studios see the box office as driving what movies they make so whoever goes to the movies decides what type of movies get made.

 

[Sheep]

Surely you can literally mean that the SPL is constant 110dB, or anywhere approaching that. If this is true, you are undergoing hearing damage.

-Chris

well, I used to play in a band and we practiced at 125dB's (Checked with SPL meter).

In king kong there was parts where I remembered that loudness. The movie itself isn't that loud, but the dynamic peaks are.

SheepStar

 

[ducker]

the prices are crazy.... I don't like going to a "standard" theater anymore due to the poor quality of sound,picture,screen that I might be subject to. it's a much safer bet to take my chances with seeing a movie at an IMAX theater then any other.

That being said... it's insane for 2 people to go to the movies paying full price... you're looking at around $20 for the tickets and another $10ish for a drink, popcorn and maybe some candy.
All in all $30 to see a movie.... it better be a DAMN good movie, in a great theater, with great sound and picture quality... most of the time something is lacking... else you have fools sitting around you that but the hell out of you...

Not to mention, if it _is_ a good movie, chances are you won't get an ideal seat unless you show up more then 30 minutes early... (or even earlier!!!)

So... why deal with all that crap when you can watch it at home in 6months for about half the cost?

again... it simply has to be a goooood movie (or if I'm using free passes)

 

[j_garcia]

I generally only venture to the theater for something I REALLY want to see these days; something like The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, or something that looks like it might be fun to see on the big screen like Kong. Other than that, we seek out the independent films in the small local theaters like Grizzly Man, Thirteen, Mean Creek, etc....

 

[shokhead]

And alot of you might be to young to remember when you went to the movies,it was always 2 movies and a cartoon.