Hi, group, As a former theatre manager for many years, I must respectfully disagree with the idea that theatre managers "don't care" about good projection, sound, or audience manners. Those are dear to the experience as well as to the well-being of the audience, the efficiency of the staff, and the general daily operation of any theatre.
All these create problems we often don't have the ability to solve. The problem is dwindling resources that prevent us from having enough staff, appropriate training, good wages or time to breath. People who work in theatres, make no mistake, generally love and support the audience/theatrical experience. The financial stress felt from Hollywood moves down through theatres to (now obsolete) video stores. Cable is scrambling now to get part of the digital delivery pie, and theatres may be cut out sooner rather than later. (see the story on VOD threat: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118035210?refcatid=13&printerfriendly=tru e) Movies may be big for a week (when they are) but don't last long enough for the percentages to tip in the favor of theatres. A larger cultural tidal wave is hard to stop when you have no means. - - Roger Brown Manager UCLA Instructional Media Collections & Services 46 Powell Library Los Angeles, CA 90095-1517 office: 310-206-1248 fax: 310-206-5392 [email protected] > > >Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: NY Times article on movies as a shared experience > (Jackson, Sandra F.) > > > >Gary, > >I agree, but I would argue that it's one and the same thing. People see >going to a movie now just as if they are watching it at home and feel >free to talk, take phone calls, etc. Theaters stopped treating their >customers as community members and guests -- and let's remember that >ushers did have to stop unruly cinema-goers from day one but there are no >more ushers and very few managers who care about good projection, sound >and manners. Add to that a Hollywood not interested in hiring the best >writers and the best material and more interested in commercial product >that can be sold in one sentence. Better movies make less restless >audiences. > >Dennis > >On Sun, Apr 10, 2011 at 6:28 PM, ><[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> >wrote: >...on the other hand: The Castro and other cinephile venues are one >thing; the urban cineplex, definitely another. I'm increasingly appalled >by the lunkheadedness and rudeness of movie-going audiences in urban >cineplexes... > >gary handman VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
