Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
Are we addicted to our cellphones? That’s the thought I had reading this story about movie executives who are considering allowing cellphone use in theaters in order to cater to younger audiences.
Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Jeff Blake kicked off the discussion saying that 20 years ago “kids would come every week” to the movies. But no more. “I’m concerned that the moviegoing experience isn’t just for baby boomers.” Regal Entertainment CEO Amy Miles says that her chain currently discourages cell phone use “but if we had a movie that appealed to a younger demographic, we could test some of these concepts.” For example, she says the chain talked about being more flexible about cell phone use at some screens that showed 21 Jump Street. “You’re trying to figure out if there’s something you can offer in the theater that I would not find appealing but my 18-year-old son” might.
IMAX’s Greg Foster agreed. He
seemed to like the idea of relaxing the absolute ban on phone use in theaters. His 17-year-old son “constantly has his phone with him,” he says. “We want them to pay $12 to $14 to come into an auditorium and watch a movie. But they’ve become accustomed to controlling their own existence.” Banning cell phone use may make them “feel a little handcuffed.”
Two recent experiences of mine speak to this issue. About two weeks ago, I saw the play A Streetcar Named Desire on Broadway. It was an incredible production–very raw and passionate. But the people sitting in the row directly in front of me were texting and fiddling with their cellphones the entire time. The glare of the phone screens was distracting, as were the noises they made when the texts came in.
These disturbances absolutely diminished the experience of watching the play. When the glare of the phone’s light would interfere with the lighting on stage, or when the beep-beep sounds of a new email pierced through Stanley’s iconic “Stellaaaaaa,” the drama of the moment lost its edge. Which is too bad, becauseStreetcar is such a dramatic play.
The other experience I had was at the press screening for Pixar’s Brave. Because it was a press screening, the entire event was extremely controlled. There were ushers at the entrance of the theater who not only confiscated our cell phones on our way in but also took all of our electronic devices. By our culture’s standards, that’s a pretty draconian measure. But the experience was all the better for it.
Because there were no petty distractions, from other people’s devices or from my own, I could completely enter into the gorgeous fantasy land of Princess Merida and her bear-mother. While I was glad that the phones of others were not creating noise in the theater, it was especially nice not even having the temptation of my own phone there–and it would have been a temptation. How could it not be? With smartphones, we have the world at our fingertips. What’s better than that to keep you company through the dull or uneventful parts of a movie or a play?
But that’s a temptation that we should avoid–and that we should especially encourage the younger viewers of movies to avoid. Along these lines, there was one comment from the movie executives’ convention that stood out to me:
Tim League, CEO of Alamo Drafthouse — a small chain that makes a point of throwing out customers who talk or text during a film [said], “Over my dead body will I introduce texting into the movie theater,” he says. “I love the idea of playing around with a new concept. But that is the scourge of our industry. … It’s our job to understand that this is a sacred space and we have to teach manners.” He says it should be “magical” to come to the cinema.
I think people pick up their phones in the theater (or in class, or at the dinner table, or while walking) because they’re bored and want a flash of stimulation. In a way, it seems liberating to have the ability to access that stimulation 24/7. On the other hand, it’s completely shackling. It not only causes unnecessary noise in the theater, but it causes unnecessary noise in your your head. There is a virtue, even a beauty, to silence (as I’ve written about before with regard to the silent film The Artist).
We depend on our phones and cannot escape their siren calls. So wouldn’t it be nice is there was two hours of each week when we could take refuge from their tedious disturbances and find some peace in the story and world that someone else has created for us?
Not having my phone with me during Brave was a blessing.
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Jun '10
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
No phones on in theaters. Even if all they're doing is texting, the light from their phones is distracting. When they talk, I start having homicidal urges.
If, for some reason, there might be an important call that you need to take, put it on vibrate--when it vibrates leave the theater and answer it. That's not asking much.
Remove the electronic leash--it's surprising how good it feels.
May '10
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
You've got to come into the 21st century. Interactive theater is the future!
Apr '11
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
The idea that phones should be allowed in theaters is, in my opinion, disasterous. Film revenues are low for reasons beyond a lack of permissive attitudes about theaters. Paying for a show where people near you won't shut up is bad enough; going to a show where they are practically encouraged to serve as a distraction is worse.
If they think this is what will bring in revenues, I almost guarantee they'll find out otherwise as people will cease going to films because they just don't want to deal with the distraction.
Side note: A more brilliant idea that was nixed some time ago, Kevin Smith wanted to release a podcast commentary for his film Clerks 2 to be played while people watched the movie in theaters. Back then the iPod didn't quite have as much glowing about it, and with some ear buds one could listen and watch. Regal cinemas supposedly vetoed the idea, saying they were concerned audience members would be confused by people laughing at inappropriate times (as if anything in that move was appropriate.) That was an idea that could have taken off, in my opinion.
Jun '10
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
EJ: Are you a genius, or what?
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
It may be a losing battle, but I generally dislike the impulse to -- when faced with the decline of etiquette -- junk said etiquette altogether.
Personally, I'm extremely sensitive about my cell phone use. I won't take a call in public unless I'm fairly certain it's urgent and then I'll do my ready best to find an isolated spot.
Whether it's in the grocery store, the movie theater, or at a Starbucks, the message I take from someone loudly blathering into their smartphone in public is "the travails of my daily life are sufficiently important to be imposed upon you whether you like it or not." Then again, I'm someone whose idea of "community values" hinges largely on leaving other people well enough alone.
Bottom line: even if the theaters go this route, don't be that guy. And also, for those of you publicly yammering into the abyss of your Bluetooth ... my hope is that God will not be merciful.
Edited on June 27, 2012 at 6:51pmJun '12
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
Living in Austin, TX, I'm lucky enough to live about ten minutes from an Alamo Drafthouse. (We also have awesome breakfast tacos. ENVY ME!) I absolutely prefer going to the Drafthouse, and their no phones / texting / tweeting policy is one reason why.
The Drafthouse is a success not just because of their extremely low tolerance (NSFW language - wear headphones, here's another one that doesn't have the bad language for the Reservoir Dogs fans out there) for cell phone usage, though. Before every movie, they run little shorts and other things that get the audience in the mood for the movie. For Brave, it was running Pixar shorts while people were coming in. For Captain America, it was the old Captain America cartoons, and bits and pieces from the direct-to-video Captain America movie from 1990. They succeed because they've put extra love and attention into what they do (and the full-service restaurant and beer/wine doesn't hurt), and they've found an audience that appreciates that care and attention because they love movies too.
Edited on June 27, 2012 at 7:13pmApr '11
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
A few years ago I was at a magic performance at the Magic Castle's close-up stage - a tiny room that holds about 25 people. Some kid (at least 18 years old) in the front row, 5 feet from the magician was fiddling with his phone. The magician said "Are you recording this? Recording is forbidden in the MC." The kid said "No, I'm doing Facebook". The magician was stunned. He said "You're surfing the internet during a live performance? That is incredibly rude!"
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
You're a man of impeccable taste, jt. When I host out-of-town visitors to Los Angeles, the Magic Castle is often one of the first places I take them. For what it's worth, I was there just a few weeks ago and they're now much more stringent about people using their phones at all.
Dec '10
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
Hmmm. Why have movie revenues been falling? Could it be that they've priced the "experience" right out of the stratosphere, to the point where I'm faced with the choice of taking the family to a movie or making the mortgage payment this month. Or could it be that advanced home electronics, on demand movie screening and other alternatives allow people to see multiple movies for less than the cost of attending one?
Nah! Has to be the cell phone ban.
Apr '11
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
The Bloggess wrote quite pungently a couple years ago on people who talk in the theater. Definitely outside the Ricochet C of C, definitely entertaining.
Feb '12
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
I've gotten into the habit of catching odd times for shows ... Pixar movies at 10:00 PM, super-hero movies in matinees, etc. This helps cut down the inappropriate behavior immensely.
However, if I see someone in the row in front of me whip out their phone, I kick the back of their seat. After about the third time, the operant conditioning kicks in and I don't see the phone any more. :D
Aug '10
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
The worst I've witnessed? Texting during Easter Vigil at our nearby Greek Orthodox church. Mr Rattlesnake and I aren't Orthodox, so perhaps it's not my place to mention how disturbing this is, but... for Heaven's sake! Literally.
Aug '10
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
Yet, if there were another person present and the two were having a conversation - those trevails of their daily lives could be imposed upon you and you really would think nothing of it.
It is too bad that a person chatting with a virtual companion can't expect the same from you.
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
Troy Senik, Ed.:
Bottom line: even if the theaters go this route, don't be that guy. And also, for those of you publicly yammering into the abyss of your Bluetooth ... my hope is that God will not be merciful. · 1 hour ago
Edited 1 hour ago
Troy, good point. Just because the rules may change doesn't mean we shouldn't hold ourselves to higher standards.
Aug '10
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
I do enjoy the theater experience much more than watching a movie at home. Fortunately I live in a city with a few art house theaters where I can watch the independent movies and rarely encounter anyone younger than 30 which largely solves the rudeness problem.
Trust me, I'm no snob. It's just that 95% of what Hollywood pumps out these days is garbage. Purely a product designed to make money with no thought to quality whatsoever.
Oct '10
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
You are spot on!
Theaters could spend the money for mobile phone jammers.
I have heard that some hotels use jammers to try to force guests to use their overpriced landlines.
But the California prison guard union refuses to allow jammers in prisons, for their members would lose the income they get by surreptitiously delivering mobile phones to inmates.
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
Instugator
Yet, if there were another person present and the two were having a conversation - those trevails of their daily lives could be imposed upon you and you really would think nothing of it.
It is too bad that a person chatting with a virtual companion can't expect the same from you.
· 15 minutes ago
Three points:
1. The person on the phone (at least the one you notice) is usually having the conversation at roughly double the volume of someone doing it in person.
2. If the people having the conversation face-to-face were employing the same volume, I'd be just as happy to loose the hounds on them.
3. I can't sign off on the phrase "virtual companion." It sounds like something the Japanese would find a way to retail for $149.99
Nov '10
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
Movie theaters, I remember those. That's where I saw movies back when I was a kid, because if you didn't you had to wait years for the "network premier." These days I watch movies a few months after they've been advertised on slurpee cups (which is how I learn about new movies), from my couch.
And if I want to use my cell phone in my own living room, I darn well will.
In all seriousness, I sort of want to have an opinion on this but I don't. When it stops costing me over a hundred dollars to take my kids to the show, I guess I will. Maybe that's what the Regal executives should be focused on if they want to reach the younger customers. Just a thought.
Aug '10
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
Troy Senik, Ed.
Three points:
1. The person on the phone (at least the one you notice) is usually having the conversation at roughly double the volume of someone doing it in person.
2. If the people having the conversation face-to-face were employing the same volume, I'd be just as happy to loose the hounds on them.
3. I can't sign off on the phrase "virtual companion." It sounds like something the Japanese would find a way to retail for $149.99 · 0 minutes ago
1. Even at double normal volume, it is still quieter than road noise - and Starbucks is a place for conversation.
2. Seriously, in Starbucks or the grocery store?
3. My wife and I spent our first married year apart, due to the vagaries of US immigration law - she was halfway around the world and I took the calls whenever I could - if that doesn't qualify as a virtual companion, I don't know what does.
Nonetheless, I can't tell which is worse - A person chatting loudly on the phone, or the person behind him fuming because he doesn't like one-sided conversations.
Live and let live actually works.
May '11
Re: Cell Phone Use in Movie Theaters? Please God, No.
Every Sunday at the end of the announcements before Mass begins, we are reminded to silence cell phones and pagers. I am always amazed at how many people have to scramble to turn their phones off. I am also amazed that they even bring the into church.