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Why cinemas can go to hell, and I will pirate [** MOD WARNING IN OP **]

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  • #332
    Fysh
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 11,160 Mod ✭✭✭✭Fysh


    Antar Bolaeisk wrote: »
    Slight derailment here but why do you think it's a great idea? Fair enough not all who are unemployed are so by choice but certainly quite a few 'round here have never worked a day in their life.

    Why should they get cheaper tickets then me simply because I work and they do not. Surely if they're short of cash they've better things to be spending the money on anyway.

    Besides, I've helped pay for their cheaper ticket as well as paying for my own :p

    /rant
    Well, the logic is presumably that rather than being judgemental of people who are out of work, offering cheaper ticket prices to those who are at an economic disadvantage means that they can stay in the habit of going to the cinema on a regular basis. So that part of the audience gets a good deal (they can still afford some entertainment even with a tighter budget) and the cinema gets a good deal (changing economic circumstances don't automatically lose them income). I would imagine that they might get some sort of council/government subsidy for offering discounted rates to those on benefits, too.

    As for "shouldn't they be spending that money on something else?", there's a growing amount of research showing that even minor expenditure on small luxuries (something as simple as a trip to the cinema, or a couple of drinks, or eating out/getting takeaway) have a substantial positive impact on quality of life. Between that and the scarcity of jobs currently in effect due to the terrible economy, it's a dangerous thing to go assuming that anyone on the dole is automatically a lazy bastard Living Off Of Your Hard-Earned Tax. Don't let that stop you from doing an Ayn Rand though.


  • #333
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,542 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    There's something about this website and attitudes towards unemployment, although admittedly it doesn't rear its head around this particular forum all too regularly.

    Discount for unemployed people is a win-win situation. It attracts people into the cinema at times that are otherwise extremely quiet (one of the last times I attended a suburban cinema in the middle of the day, I was the only person in the screening). For the plethora of the people who are genuinely, unavoidably out of work, it is a brief escape from the disheartening, repetitive nature of unemployment. Here's to the cinemas who offer such discounts.


  • #334
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 25,611 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    There's something about this website and attitudes towards unemployment, although admittedly it doesn't rear its head around this particular forum all too regularly.

    Discount for unemployed people is a win-win situation. It attracts people into the cinema at times that are otherwise extremely quiet (one of the last times I attended a suburban cinema in the middle of the day, I was the only person in the screening). For the plethora of the people who are genuinely, unavoidably out of work, it is a brief escape from the disheartening, repetitive nature of unemployment. Here's to the cinemas who offer such discounts.

    Just one thing I don't understand, if the cinemas only keep a set percentage of the ticket charge why don't they lower prices massively for everyone. If they cut the average ticket price from 9 to 5 and are keeping 5-10% of the ticket price they only 20-40c per ticket. If just 1 in 20 of the extra people who went bought popcorn and a drink they'd cover the loss from ticket revenue.


  • #335
    don ramo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,533 ✭✭✭don ramo


    G-Money wrote: »
    One option is that the film companies could release films to watch online or via PPV at the same time as in the cinema. This could be done via something like Netflix or Sky Box Office. That way you can pay to see it via Netflix or PPV in your home, or go to the cinema to see it. If you don't have access to some sort of legal online streaming or Sky, then just go see it in the cinema.
    their trying to stop pirating not give it an boost, if you done that the films digital copyright would be removed within seconds and it would be circling the WWW within an hour of release on PPV, they would loose hundreds of millions of dollars,

    most studios resist even printing a digital copy for as long as possible, oscar season sees a lot of pirating as the judges leak the films online when they receive them on disk, cant remember who but a big time critic got accused of doing it back in February apparently the studio puts some kind of fingerprint on each copy they give out and it turned out his copy was the one circulating online,


  • #336
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,542 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Just one thing I don't understand, if the cinemas only keep a set percentage of the ticket charge why don't they lower prices massively for everyone. If they cut the average ticket price from 9 to 5 and are keeping 5-10% of the ticket price they only 20-40c per ticket. If just 1 in 20 of the extra people who went bought popcorn and a drink they'd cover the loss from ticket revenue.

    Because they rightly assume that 'adults' with a higher disposable income are able to pay in-and-around a tenner for tickets, whereas people with lower income - students, unemployed, OAPs, children - are not in that position. Rather than lose their business entirely, they charge concession rates. It may not seem fair to those in the higher brackets, but it most certainly is fair and good business practice. Theatres do the same.


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  • #337
    marienbad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,463 ✭✭✭marienbad


    speedboatchase wrote: »
    This has came close to happening on a few occasions with big budget releases but the problem is that cinema chains threaten to boycott the film completely and not screen if it the studios do so. Also the costs they seem to want to charge are crazy.

    Have a read of this - the Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller comedy was meant to be released on PPV for $60 (!) three weeks after its cinema release but the National Association of Theater Owners in the US threatened a boycott. It'll probably happen eventually.

    http://www.screened.com/news/how-tower-heist-could-have-changed-the-way-you-watch-movies-but-wont/3014/


    And people wonder why pirating is thriving ! The vested interests have always bitterly opposed any change and held back invention and inovation and they have no problem using restrictive and monopolistic practices to get their way.

    That and bending the lawmakers to their point of view to such an extent that they are making a mockery of the law - $225,000 fines for downloading a movie - have they any sense of proportion at all - no wonder people don't give a ****e about them - would you steal a car , would you steal a handbag ? No I would'nt- but then when you ''sell'' me a product and it only works in one region or will only play on one machine and I have to listen to the same amount of crap evertime i watch it I might conside taking the other route just to simplify my life.

    Change is here - get used to it or go under- like the blacksmith, the bookbinder, the telephone exchange lady, the dodo.


  • #338
    Antar Bolaeisk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,091 ✭✭✭Antar Bolaeisk


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Just one thing I don't understand, if the cinemas only keep a set percentage of the ticket charge why don't they lower prices massively for everyone. If they cut the average ticket price from 9 to 5 and are keeping 5-10% of the ticket price they only 20-40c per ticket. If just 1 in 20 of the extra people who went bought popcorn and a drink they'd cover the loss from ticket revenue.

    They'd soon find themselves unable to show any films. The distributors want a return on investment and if a particular cinema doesn't provide that then they stop sending films out to that cinema.

    The breakdown is approximately 35:65 for ticket:product revenue so it's not like it's an inconsequential amount.

    Also, from what I saw, people going to the cheaper shows actually spent less than those going to the more expensive shows and were more inclined to carry crap in with them.


  • #339
    Kolido
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,147 ✭✭✭✭Kolido


    Antar Bolaeisk wrote: »
    Slight derailment here but why do you think it's a great idea? Fair enough not all who are unemployed are so by choice but certainly quite a few 'round here have never worked a day in their life.

    Why should they get cheaper tickets then me simply because I work and they do not. Surely if they're short of cash they've better things to be spending the money on anyway.

    Besides, I've helped pay for their cheaper ticket as well as paying for my own :p

    /rant

    Just out of interest, what do you have to bring with you to prove your unemployed?


  • #340
    G-Money
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭G-Money


    speedboatchase wrote: »
    This has came close to happening on a few occasions with big budget releases but the problem is that cinema chains threaten to boycott the film completely and not screen if it the studios do so. Also the costs they seem to want to charge are crazy.

    Have a read of this - the Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller comedy was meant to be released on PPV for $60 (!) three weeks after its cinema release but the National Association of Theater Owners in the US threatened a boycott. It'll probably happen eventually.

    http://www.screened.com/news/how-tower-heist-could-have-changed-the-way-you-watch-movies-but-wont/3014/

    Aren't the cinema's shooting themselves in the foot then? If they refuse to show the film then they will definitely lose money.


  • #341
    krudler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,788 ✭✭✭✭krudler


    Kolido wrote: »
    Just out of interest, what do you have to bring with you to prove your unemployed?

    bag of cans obviously.


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  • #342
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,701 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    G-Money wrote: »
    Aren't the cinema's shooting themselves in the foot then? If they refuse to show the film then they will definitely lose money.

    Yeah, but so would the studios, who take most of the early ticket sales.


  • #343
    CL7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 684 ✭✭✭CL7


    I had my first bad experience in years at the cinema last night. Two lads in their teens/early twenties on my left were texting (or on the internet, not sure) all night. Every 5-10 mins one of their phones would light up. It was very distracting. I would have told them to stop or complained them but I wasn't sure if I had a right to.


  • #344
    e_e
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,464 ✭✭✭e_e


    That's why I never go to a multiplex on a Saturday night.


  • #345
    CL7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 684 ✭✭✭CL7


    e_e wrote: »
    That's why I never go to a multiplex on a Saturday night.

    I usually go to late night shows on a Saturday and mostly avoid kids/teens. Only 2 bad experiences in 28 years or so going to the cinema can't complain too much.


  • #346
    d@rk l0rd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 409 ✭✭d@rk l0rd


    CL7 wrote: »
    I had my first bad experience in years at the cinema last night. Two lads in their teens/early twenties on my left were texting (or on the internet, not sure) all night. Every 5-10 mins one of their phones would light up. It was very distracting. I would have told them to stop or complained them but I wasn't sure if I had a right to.

    Of course you have the right to tell them to stop and complain if someone is spoiling your enjoyment of the movie. Unfortunately cinemas no longer ask people to switch off their phones or put up an ad before the movie reminding people to do so.
    You have to be a right moron to be using a phone in a cinema, unfortunately there are a lot of morons around. :rolleyes:


  • #347
    Mickeroo
    Administrators, Computer Games Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 32,752 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Mickeroo


    CL7 wrote: »
    I had my first bad experience in years at the cinema last night. Two lads in their teens/early twenties on my left were texting (or on the internet, not sure) all night. Every 5-10 mins one of their phones would light up. It was very distracting. I would have told them to stop or complained them but I wasn't sure if I had a right to.

    You would have had every right to. One of my local cinemas has signs up encouraging people to contact the staff if there's any messing around or excessive use of phones.


  • #348
    Bullseye1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    Why don't they just ban phones on the basis they are recording devices.


  • #349
    filmbuffboy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 894 ✭✭✭filmbuffboy


    One of the things that annoy me the most about the two cinemas we have here in Galway city is that they both do not allow men to bring in backpacks with them into the cinema.

    fair enough....

    but ive been to the cinema plenty of times with girls, ill be told ill have to leave my backpack in behind the ticket desk, while the girl (usually with a huge handbag, loaded to the brim with crap she doesnt need, and usually has goodies for the film hidden away in it too) is allowed to bring her bag in.

    I pointed this out before, and the only response I got was 'you need to leave your backpack behind the ticket desk'

    double standards much?


  • #350
    d@rk l0rd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 409 ✭✭d@rk l0rd


    Bullseye1 wrote: »
    Why don't they just ban phones on the basis they are recording devices.

    How do you enforce it though? Searching people airport style as they arrive at the cinema?
    I would love to see signal jammers used but unfortunately as they are illegal that's not possible.
    I think cinemas really need to be far more strict, first of all have ushers in each screening enforcing this. Again unlikely as most cinemas have even gotten rid of their box office staff!
    Cinemas need to also play an ad before each movie reminding people not to use phones. Vue and Odeon/UCI stopped these ads ages ago. They should remind people of the benefits and joys of switching off from the outside world. They're already showing up to 30 minutes of ads/trailers before each movie, so why not one of these? Some people just don't think at all before reaching for that phone.
    Cinemas aren't doing enough to stamp out bad behaviour. :rolleyes:


  • #351
    Thwip!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,234 ✭✭✭Thwip!


    d@rk l0rd wrote: »
    How do you enforce it though? Searching people airport style as they arrive at the cinema?
    I would love to see signal jammers used but unfortunately as they are illegal that's not possible.
    I think cinemas really need to be far more strict, first of all have ushers in each screening enforcing this. Again unlikely as most cinemas have even gotten rid of their box office staff!
    Cinemas need to also play an ad before each movie reminding people not to use phones. Vue and Odeon/UCI stopped these ads ages ago. They should remind people of the benefits and joys of switching off from the outside world. They're already showing up to 30 minutes of ads/trailers before each movie, so why not one of these? Some people just don't think at all before reaching for that phone.
    Cinemas aren't doing enough to stamp out bad behaviour. :rolleyes:
    Omniplex still do


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  • #352
    d@rk l0rd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 409 ✭✭d@rk l0rd


    I haven't been to Omniplex in years, that's great to see that they do that. I usually go to Vue or Odeon but may have to start going to Omniplex again! :D


  • #353
    Thwip!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,234 ✭✭✭Thwip!


    d@rk l0rd wrote: »
    I haven't been to Omniplex in years, that's great to see that they do that. I usually go to Vue or Odeon but may have to start going to Omliplex again! :D
    yep they do, also say not to smoke during the movie...though one would imagine thats a given...unless they mean ham or salmon :P


  • #354
    d@rk l0rd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 409 ✭✭d@rk l0rd


    No way!! :eek: Not using phones too should be a given. :rolleyes:


  • #355
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,542 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    Anyone who's ever been to a preview of a high-profile blockbuster will know how much of a pain it is to bag and tag your phone before going in, and then having to queue to get it back afterwards.

    Yeah, a glowing light in the corner of one's eye is an irritant from time to time. Militant anti-piracy measures are much, much worse :pac:


  • #356
    Thwip!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,234 ✭✭✭Thwip!


    d@rk l0rd wrote: »
    No way!! :eek: Not using phones too should be a given. :rolleyes:
    well what with smoking indoors being illegal and all :P


  • #357
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,701 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    Anyone who's ever been to a preview of a high-profile blockbuster will know how much of a pain it is to bag and tag your phone before going in, and then having to queue to get it back afterwards.
    What if you told them you don't have a phone? Are they going to pat you down?


  • #358
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,542 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    Sad Professor wrote: »
    What if you told them you don't have a phone? Are they going to pat you down?

    Cavity search.


  • #359
    The Recliner
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,630 ✭✭✭The Recliner


    Cineworld still tell people to turn off their phones before movies

    I have no compunction about telling people to take it outside or stfu if they are annoying me in the cinema, it cost enough to go there so I see no reason to be polite or let them ruin my or others people's enjoyment


  • #360
    de5p0i1er
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,274 ✭✭✭de5p0i1er


    That sounds like a rip off alright. My local cinema lets me bring my own glasses and knocks €1.50 off the price if you have them, plus its only €9.00 a ticket at peak times. You just have a bad spot there there not all bad.
    As for 3D I think its something were going to have to get used to. It's here to stay.


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  • #361
    Sleepy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,537 ✭✭✭✭Sleepy


    To be fair, the sort of moron who tweets/texts/calls a mate during a movie is exactly the sort who'll scoff at any reminders put up before the movie.

    Ushers in the theatre would be the way to go but with the behaviour of our underclass, how long would it be before we were reading about a stabbing in the evening papers were the cinemas to attempt to clamp down on this? Scumbags don't fear the police, they're not about to pay any heed to a spotty teenager or a student doing a part-time job.


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