Advertising in movie theatres. A RANT. - Page 5

Searyx · 08-15-2002, 06:17 PM

I'm sorry, but your convenience is not important unless you stop going to the movies, and is therefore NOT a good reason.

If the theater bean counter figured out that they were making LESS money with the commercials, you would see them disappear. Obviously, this is not the case.

Muuru · 08-15-2002, 09:56 PM

"It reminds me of chimps being amused with crayons."

You're a sad, sad little man.

olegai · 08-16-2002, 01:43 AM

Welp, I do work as a manager in the century theatre and I can say that we in century theatres do not show any motion picture commercials (unless it's some kind of let's collect money for this or that (American Heart Association, Hungry Kids, so on so fourth), and even that happens rarely and the preview rarely lasts more then 50 seconds. Policy on trailers is that we can put only 5 trailers prior to the movie (around 10minutes) so if a movie starts at 10:20pm (for example) you can safely come at 10:30 and catch the begining of the show (unless show is sold out and you will end up looking up for seats).
IF you have been looking for a seat and / or do not like the seat you're getting (very close to the screen, in far dark corner where you can't see a thing) due to amount of people you can and will get a readmittion ticket.

a quote:
It costs the theatre like, 50 cents (maybe less!) to get a large popcorn and a large drink, and then they charge you $8.50 for it! (that's what the prices are here) It costs probably 10 cents tops for RAW material (unpopped corn, bag of uncarbonised condenced syrup of soda), but when you factor in the theatre overhead expences, salary of employees who not only serve you that large dring and popcorn, but clean up after you the theatre you just trashed (not picking on everyone here but i have not yet seen a movie theatre even remotely looking like clean after a full show). People never throw stuff away with which they came to the theatre, yet they expect to see the theatre clean. The money you pay for the ticket (especially if it's a brand new show) does not go to the theatre at all, this is what Studios in Hollywood collect. So if you prefer not to care about the movie theatre you go to you can buy all your popcorn (or any other food) anywhere else and come with it i dont think any movie theatre would stop you if you walk in with your own soda n snack. I'd guess if that will become a trend then movie ticket prices will double pretty fast.
What movie theatre companies are running 'commercials' (aka advertisement of crap) write them down dont go to their franchise theatres go to ones that dont waste your time and dont show you any commercials.

As far as negative experience with the people who are watching the movie I'd suggest visiting the show you like seing quiet at 10am on Saturday morning, there is virtually noone around the theatre, but then again it's much more boring vs watching it with people (I'm so used to watching movies alone that every time i hear/see people reaction (of any kind) it makes me smile, stuff like ahhhs and screams in 'the signs' (couple of moments), shouts and claps when you start the movie .
Anyhow lots of options available: if you prefer total quietness wait till MONDAY morning and watch it A L O N E hehe i kid you not.

Thanks for your attention

olegai · 08-16-2002, 01:55 AM

Didn't see millie's replys here's a little bit of insight on the movie ticket sales distribution: Depending on the film and on contract signed between the movie studio and theatre representative the movie theatre does get soem kind of money (usually 1-2%) in the first 2 weeks and if the show is still popular among the viewers then theatre gets increasing amount of the profit from selling the ticket to such movie (can go up to 90% of sale price of the ticket), that's also a sliding scale depending on the predicted amount of viewers that the movie will generate. (Noone expected to see Lord of the Rings in the movie theatres 4+months after it's release last year), so movie theatres who were showing it were getting around 100% of the profit after those 4 months or so, but thing like Lilo and Stich or Ice Age being in theatres for 1-2-3 months do not generate nearly any profit for the theatre since they were expected to be in high demand and movie theatres made different agreement in terms of profit distribution.

Aside for all that in reality soft drinks, popcorn, hot dogs, Slideshow adds (the stuff that runs in the theatre without any sound just slide projector show adds about some local businesses/events), premovie adds (not seen in Bay Area and I hope I wont see that

are the major ways of making money for the Theatre, rest is just pocket change.

Actovus · 08-16-2002, 11:16 AM

Quote:

I'm sorry, but your convenience is not important unless you stop going to the movies, and is therefore NOT a good reason.

If the theater bean counter figured out that they were making LESS money with the commercials, you would see them disappear. Obviously, this is not the case.

Yes, my convenience is good enough for me. That is all I need heh. I've stated many other reasons which you ignored. I'll state it one more time.

Ads were not always a factor when you went to the movies. Can you please at least recognize this? Slowly but surely, they have become more and more intrusive at the movies. The explanation I have been told is that they NEED the money. They didn't need the money for 20 years while ticket prices have continues to RISE. From what you Searyx have stated, we should of seen a decrease in the ticket prices with that added revenue. Yes? But instead, ads are getting worse and worse and I see NO POLICY to limit them in the theatre to a certain time. Is that too much to ask? You want me to explain why their should be such a policy at the very LEAST? Why should I even have to GO THERE? My convenience has everything to do with it. I'm a paying customer. That's why you should stfu when the gravity of a scene demands it. Especially when the ticket prices are rising with no end in sight.

It's really funny how people actually argue in favor of commercials at the theatre. I can understand Millie's point, but my argument against that was just stated above. There are slideshow ads before the curtain goes up. But when the curtain goes up, the show should start. It's the way it has ALWAYS been until recently. And to the poster before me, yes that is where it first started. Ads to donate to causes and the like. But now, it's Coke commercials, M@M commercials and so forth. I need to seriously ask, other than the fact you just HAVE to disgree with me for petty reasons, why are you so rabid in favor of sitting through 15 minutes of commercials at the theatre Searyx? Give ME one good reason.

And Muuru, it's not my problem you look goofy yucking it up to commercials. That is what is truly sad.

Searyx · 08-16-2002, 11:54 AM

Quote:

My convenience has everything to do with it. I'm a paying customer.

Unless you stop going to the theater because of the commercials, your arguement is useless. The only thing that matters to theaters is dollar signs.

I have no problem with commercials in theaters because I know why they do it. To make MONEY. The commercials themselves don't bother me enough that I would stop going to the theater because of them.

The only good reason to stop or shrink the commericals is if they start losing money. Your personal happiness is of no particular importance.

ShamusChad · 08-16-2002, 12:54 PM

Then you're going to the wrong theatres Searyx :P Here in Santa Cruz either you you go to some big cineplex that shits on your face or you go to any number of other theatres that treat you right.

To succeed in business doesn't mean treating your customers like shit. Some people believe you can make money and deliver quality service/products with the customer in mind.

Money does become an issue sometimes, but from what we discussed it's more a matter of the theatres demanding more from ticket sales, not from increasing prices of tickets but from demanding a greater percentage of benefits from the companies themselves per ticket sold.

There is no reason why theatres, who have thousands of patrons per day, should be having to put up commercials to make money. We talked about 'trickle down' and the major companies owning the theatres as well....it seems they still do... apparently all theatres are are glorified candy stores.

08-15-2002, 06:17 PM	#61 (permalink)
Searyx I'm still the master of Mistmoore, dammit! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 2,072 +1 Internets	I'm sorry, but your convenience is not important unless you stop going to the movies, and is therefore NOT a good reason. If the theater bean counter figured out that they were making LESS money with the commercials, you would see them disappear. Obviously, this is not the case. __________________ "“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” --Socrates--

08-16-2002, 01:43 AM	#63 (permalink)
olegai Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Jose/CA Posts: 49 -2 Internets	From inside the movie theatre look: Welp, I do work as a manager in the century theatre and I can say that we in century theatres do not show any motion picture commercials (unless it's some kind of let's collect money for this or that (American Heart Association, Hungry Kids, so on so fourth), and even that happens rarely and the preview rarely lasts more then 50 seconds. Policy on trailers is that we can put only 5 trailers prior to the movie (around 10minutes) so if a movie starts at 10:20pm (for example) you can safely come at 10:30 and catch the begining of the show (unless show is sold out and you will end up looking up for seats). IF you have been looking for a seat and / or do not like the seat you're getting (very close to the screen, in far dark corner where you can't see a thing) due to amount of people you can and will get a readmittion ticket. a quote: It costs the theatre like, 50 cents (maybe less!) to get a large popcorn and a large drink, and then they charge you $8.50 for it! (that's what the prices are here) It costs probably 10 cents tops for RAW material (unpopped corn, bag of uncarbonised condenced syrup of soda), but when you factor in the theatre overhead expences, salary of employees who not only serve you that large dring and popcorn, but clean up after you the theatre you just trashed (not picking on everyone here but i have not yet seen a movie theatre even remotely looking like clean after a full show). People never throw stuff away with which they came to the theatre, yet they expect to see the theatre clean. The money you pay for the ticket (especially if it's a brand new show) does not go to the theatre at all, this is what Studios in Hollywood collect. So if you prefer not to care about the movie theatre you go to you can buy all your popcorn (or any other food) anywhere else and come with it i dont think any movie theatre would stop you if you walk in with your own soda n snack. I'd guess if that will become a trend then movie ticket prices will double pretty fast. What movie theatre companies are running 'commercials' (aka advertisement of crap) write them down dont go to their franchise theatres go to ones that dont waste your time and dont show you any commercials. As far as negative experience with the people who are watching the movie I'd suggest visiting the show you like seing quiet at 10am on Saturday morning, there is virtually noone around the theatre, but then again it's much more boring vs watching it with people (I'm so used to watching movies alone that every time i hear/see people reaction (of any kind) it makes me smile, stuff like ahhhs and screams in 'the signs' (couple of moments), shouts and claps when you start the movie . Anyhow lots of options available: if you prefer total quietness wait till MONDAY morning and watch it A L O N E hehe i kid you not. Thanks for your attention __________________ Sensei monk -63 AA and counting-

08-16-2002, 01:55 AM	#64 (permalink)
olegai Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Jose/CA Posts: 49 -2 Internets	Millie Didn't see millie's replys here's a little bit of insight on the movie ticket sales distribution: Depending on the film and on contract signed between the movie studio and theatre representative the movie theatre does get soem kind of money (usually 1-2%) in the first 2 weeks and if the show is still popular among the viewers then theatre gets increasing amount of the profit from selling the ticket to such movie (can go up to 90% of sale price of the ticket), that's also a sliding scale depending on the predicted amount of viewers that the movie will generate. (Noone expected to see Lord of the Rings in the movie theatres 4+months after it's release last year), so movie theatres who were showing it were getting around 100% of the profit after those 4 months or so, but thing like Lilo and Stich or Ice Age being in theatres for 1-2-3 months do not generate nearly any profit for the theatre since they were expected to be in high demand and movie theatres made different agreement in terms of profit distribution. Aside for all that in reality soft drinks, popcorn, hot dogs, Slideshow adds (the stuff that runs in the theatre without any sound just slide projector show adds about some local businesses/events), premovie adds (not seen in Bay Area and I hope I wont see that are the major ways of making money for the Theatre, rest is just pocket change. __________________ Sensei monk -63 AA and counting-

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08-15-2002, 09:56 PM	#62 (permalink)
Muuru Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 134 -1 Internets	"It reminds me of chimps being amused with crayons." You're a sad, sad little man.

08-16-2002, 12:54 PM	#67 (permalink)
ShamusChad Limey Bastard~ Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 693 -8 Internets	Then you're going to the wrong theatres Searyx :P Here in Santa Cruz either you you go to some big cineplex that shits on your face or you go to any number of other theatres that treat you right. To succeed in business doesn't mean treating your customers like shit. Some people believe you can make money and deliver quality service/products with the customer in mind. Money does become an issue sometimes, but from what we discussed it's more a matter of the theatres demanding more from ticket sales, not from increasing prices of tickets but from demanding a greater percentage of benefits from the companies themselves per ticket sold. There is no reason why theatres, who have thousands of patrons per day, should be having to put up commercials to make money. We talked about 'trickle down' and the major companies owning the theatres as well....it seems they still do... apparently all theatres are are glorified candy stores.