Screening Security: The Stupidity of the No Cell Phone Rule
This weekend I went to a free screening of Bolt at the (original) Alamo Drafthouse. I got tickets thanks to my evil mastermind of a cat, Macleane. This was an early, free screening on a day when there were advanced showings all over the country. And at a venue that showed about 10 minutes of clips a coupl.e months ago at Fatnastic Fest, where with the exception of the secret screenings, no electronic devices were prohibited and wireless access is free. Being a Disney film, and an advanced screening, there was security. Only security would not allow any electronic devices of any sort in... of course, the whole system is flawed, as they were at the front of line, not the theater itself. They didn't screen those in the theatre early Both security guards wanded everyone, one overly thorough, the other, very casual.
Even Austin Film Festival has relaxed it's electronic device policy.A few years ago, when they screened Sideways, I got wanded three times and my bag very thoroughly searched twice, all for a film that wasted time I will never get back. I don't know about last year, but this year, it was a 'turn 'em off' policy that meant faster seating and happier audiences.
It's the 21st century; everyone has a cell phone and mp3 player and I've yet to be in a theatre where anyone tried to record the film. Not everyone is rude enough to use it or leave the ringer on during the film, and sometimes you need to confirm all is OK at home, or that your friend who got stuck in traffic is just pulling in so that saved seat really is saved (or not). Not only that, enterprising criminals knowing there's a screening could be very tempted by all those cars with all those electronic devices. It seems to me it would have been more appropriate to use those goggles to watch the audience.
Because it's really easy to sneak devices past security. Ask any woman with a big purse.
"Not only that, enterprising criminals knowing there's a screening could be very tempted by all those cars with all those electronic devices."
I often worry about that, because I go to lots of preview screenings and tend to leave my phone, etc. in the car. Note to potential car thieves: it's a really crummy phone, not worth the risk.
I'm seeing fewer security wands at screenings than a year ago - perhaps someone realized how useless it is. Tim League threatening to stomp you if you use a recording device in his theater is WAY more effective.
Reply to this
I've noticed in the past few years it went from being the norm to the exception, thankfully. I occasionally see the "visor guys" scanning the crowd, which seems a more efficient way to find the pirates.
And the idea of Tim League stomping someone is much more a deterrent than the wands, which make me want to bring in all my electronic devices... And I admit I have snuck in phones and cameras that never got used in the theater, but I had to rebel.
Kinda like the Water Nazi at the Paramount compels me to sneak in bottled water at films there.
Reply to this
Oh, I always sneak water into the Paramount during SXSW. I think it's important to carry water during the fest (especially if it's warm) and I'm not going back to the car to stash my water just to make the Paramount ushers happy. They don't search, so as long as it's not visible they don't care. In fact, in the Slackerwood SXSW guide I openly advise people to hide water bottles ... of course I would never encourage people to hide cameras or other recording devices.
Reply to this