How To Fix The Movies Part 2
Part 2 of 2
3. Turn Up The Dialogue- As theater sound systems get increasingly more sophisticated, the capacity of projectionists to get good sound quality seems to get worse. The most common mistake I've experienced time and time again is cranking up the side and back speakers to the point where the dialogue is completely drowned out. Sure, the surround sound effects are cool. But often in the quiet part of a film, or for that matter in any non-action movie, it's nearly impossible to follow what is going on because the volume is so low. And then once the action picks up again, you are blown out of your seat by the sudden increase in volume from the side speakers. This problem is compounded by the chatter of fellow movie goers fighting against the movie volume (mentioned in part 1). If only the projectionist or an usher would actually enter the theater to make sure that the volume levels are correct. This isn't rocket science- the front channel speaker behind the screen should always be the loudest(this goes for home theaters too folks!).
4. Reasonable Prices- This is another no-brainer. How does the theater industry expect to compete with home viewing, when a DVD costs 5 bucks to rent or 20 bucks to buy, and a night at the movies for two with snacks can run upwards of 30 dollars? Since 1970, the price of a movie ticket has climbed at an ever increasing rate, while the experience of going to the movies has worsened- particularly compared to the glory days of posh movie palaces. And obviously, snack prices are officially out of control. Popcorn is one of the cheapest treats on earth to make. Five dollars for a small bag of popcorn is criminal. It is no wonder that nearly everyone I know sneaks drinks and candy into the movies, in spite of the no outside food policy. The theater chains do make far more off of the sale of food than the admission price, but that is no excuse. Someone is making big bank off of this price gouging and it's not the theater employees themselves, which brings me to...
5. Act Like You Care- Back in 1986, when I got my first movie theater job, I was required to wear a provided clip on bow tie and a jacket. The pay was pretty terrible, but for a 14 year old, it wasn't so bad. And I was a dutiful little worker, patrolling the theaters and being nice and accommodating to the customers as I was told. And slowly over time, the uniforms changed- from more formal jacket and tie to generic polyester polo shirts. Simultaneously, the attitude and helpfulness of the employees went from bad to worse as the pay scale didn't increase comparable to the cost of living. And this evolution is reflective of the attitude of the theater chains in general. How do they expect the movie going experience to be pleasurable when the employees are paid like crap, therefore don't care about their jobs, therefore the customers suffer? Wouldn't it also be great if a problem was promptly addressed by someone with knowledge and care and you didn't have to hunt all over creation to find someone who gave a rip? And how about bringing back some of the glamour of the movie going experience by making the employees dress up a little and smile? Invest in your workforce, set a higher standard, and the loyalty of your customers would pay off in dividends.
These suggestions are by no means comprehensive or even that well researched. They are just the product of a lifetime of moviegoing and observation, coupled with my early 8 year part-time theater chain career. Until the movies themselves get better (and most of them are quite terrible), it's hard to blame the public for finding better and cheaper sources of entertainment. But, I can recall going to see the abysmal Gone Fishin', Beverley Hills Ninja, and Anaconda at the Silver Bow drive-in just for the hell of it, because going to the drive-in is fun. And shouldn't going to the movies be fun?
3. Turn Up The Dialogue- As theater sound systems get increasingly more sophisticated, the capacity of projectionists to get good sound quality seems to get worse. The most common mistake I've experienced time and time again is cranking up the side and back speakers to the point where the dialogue is completely drowned out. Sure, the surround sound effects are cool. But often in the quiet part of a film, or for that matter in any non-action movie, it's nearly impossible to follow what is going on because the volume is so low. And then once the action picks up again, you are blown out of your seat by the sudden increase in volume from the side speakers. This problem is compounded by the chatter of fellow movie goers fighting against the movie volume (mentioned in part 1). If only the projectionist or an usher would actually enter the theater to make sure that the volume levels are correct. This isn't rocket science- the front channel speaker behind the screen should always be the loudest(this goes for home theaters too folks!).
4. Reasonable Prices- This is another no-brainer. How does the theater industry expect to compete with home viewing, when a DVD costs 5 bucks to rent or 20 bucks to buy, and a night at the movies for two with snacks can run upwards of 30 dollars? Since 1970, the price of a movie ticket has climbed at an ever increasing rate, while the experience of going to the movies has worsened- particularly compared to the glory days of posh movie palaces. And obviously, snack prices are officially out of control. Popcorn is one of the cheapest treats on earth to make. Five dollars for a small bag of popcorn is criminal. It is no wonder that nearly everyone I know sneaks drinks and candy into the movies, in spite of the no outside food policy. The theater chains do make far more off of the sale of food than the admission price, but that is no excuse. Someone is making big bank off of this price gouging and it's not the theater employees themselves, which brings me to...
5. Act Like You Care- Back in 1986, when I got my first movie theater job, I was required to wear a provided clip on bow tie and a jacket. The pay was pretty terrible, but for a 14 year old, it wasn't so bad. And I was a dutiful little worker, patrolling the theaters and being nice and accommodating to the customers as I was told. And slowly over time, the uniforms changed- from more formal jacket and tie to generic polyester polo shirts. Simultaneously, the attitude and helpfulness of the employees went from bad to worse as the pay scale didn't increase comparable to the cost of living. And this evolution is reflective of the attitude of the theater chains in general. How do they expect the movie going experience to be pleasurable when the employees are paid like crap, therefore don't care about their jobs, therefore the customers suffer? Wouldn't it also be great if a problem was promptly addressed by someone with knowledge and care and you didn't have to hunt all over creation to find someone who gave a rip? And how about bringing back some of the glamour of the movie going experience by making the employees dress up a little and smile? Invest in your workforce, set a higher standard, and the loyalty of your customers would pay off in dividends.
These suggestions are by no means comprehensive or even that well researched. They are just the product of a lifetime of moviegoing and observation, coupled with my early 8 year part-time theater chain career. Until the movies themselves get better (and most of them are quite terrible), it's hard to blame the public for finding better and cheaper sources of entertainment. But, I can recall going to see the abysmal Gone Fishin', Beverley Hills Ninja, and Anaconda at the Silver Bow drive-in just for the hell of it, because going to the drive-in is fun. And shouldn't going to the movies be fun?
2 Comments:
And better movies! I wouldn't mind paying those prices if the experience was worth it. But I think the modern audience is getting wise to all of those cookie cutter action flicks and throw-away comedies. How many times can someone who grew up in the Sesame Street generation of A/V everything, who speaks the language of film almost like a first language, not get wise to the fact that these movies are communicating little or nothing to them?
I think Pixar is one of the only movie companies that puts so much thought into the story that watching the world their movies create is a rich, inviting experience. It's why we go to the movies! Not to just see some fancy pictures for two hours. But to be told something with some teeth with some meaty characters that have depth. Otherwise, why go? Like Hitchcock said, "Some films are slices of life, mine are slices of cake." I'd pay for cake.
By Mike, at 10/29/2005 5:09 AM
Here, here! I'll take the cake too! It's all true. I want a rich, inviting, and challenging entertainment. The motion picture is such a powerful medium for altering people's frame of mind- much more so than sculpture, painting, or even music. Why not say something worth saying? Ya know? You don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
By Sean, at 11/23/2005 8:10 PM
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