The Death of Cinema
February 20th 2008 09:04
Once upon a time i would go to the cinema several times a week but these days I am lucky to go once every blue moon, and when I do I have to be very selective and travel a fair way for the right movie-house.
Are the cinemas a fading memory and why?
An obvious argument would be that movie piracy is one major contibuting factor and it's true... but as 'anti-piracy' as i am i do not believe that piracy is the sole cause and I think that cinema industry itself is to blame. I have two family members who work high up in the cinema chain and they secretly agree.
A night out at the 'movies' is not what it used to be. Gone are the days of twin cinemas... these days its all corporate multiplexes and overpriced tickets & goods. While paying $15-20 for ONE ticket is absolutely ludicrous I would still fork it over if not for the jacked-up candy bar products, lousy service and general under managemet.
How is it possible for a complex to properly manage 10 cinemas with only one person collecting ticket stubs and two to three floor staff cleaning up after sessions? In days gone by there would be a staff member at every cinema door and at least one usher to assist you inside. This was a service that in turn prevented people from being disruptive and they were able to address any technical problems promptly.
So now when I choose to go to the movies I hav to select the film carefully and make sure that the smaller, artier movie-houses are running it. These sorts of places also have a much more respectful and movie-orientated audience, which is another big issue.
Due to the complexes lack of staff these places are attracting lousy patronage. Without the presence of individual floor ushers the audiences are rowdier. There is no one to ask them to be quiet, turn off their phones or (in some cases) leave the cinema. There's NO respect for 'film' in these places and it saddens me.
Going to the cinema:
Ticket - $20
Drink - $5-10
Popcorn - $10
Total: approx $30
For a family: approx $150
Why bother when you can race down to the local video store and get the same for $10-15??
So to the point... the cinemas have themselves to blame for the drop in attandance. They can sit there and blame the price hikes on piracy and other factors all they want but the truth of the matter is that they would be fighting piracy more effectively with cheaper tickets, affordable confectionary & drinks and some ol' fashioned good service! And the recent boom in home-cinemas hasnt effected them as much as they'd have us believe either. People still enjoy a night out at the movies... they just cant afford it. Hell, I have 3000 dvds in my collection and I would still prefer to see a new release in a cinema with other people.
Are the cinemas a fading memory and why?
An obvious argument would be that movie piracy is one major contibuting factor and it's true... but as 'anti-piracy' as i am i do not believe that piracy is the sole cause and I think that cinema industry itself is to blame. I have two family members who work high up in the cinema chain and they secretly agree.
A night out at the 'movies' is not what it used to be. Gone are the days of twin cinemas... these days its all corporate multiplexes and overpriced tickets & goods. While paying $15-20 for ONE ticket is absolutely ludicrous I would still fork it over if not for the jacked-up candy bar products, lousy service and general under managemet.
How is it possible for a complex to properly manage 10 cinemas with only one person collecting ticket stubs and two to three floor staff cleaning up after sessions? In days gone by there would be a staff member at every cinema door and at least one usher to assist you inside. This was a service that in turn prevented people from being disruptive and they were able to address any technical problems promptly.
So now when I choose to go to the movies I hav to select the film carefully and make sure that the smaller, artier movie-houses are running it. These sorts of places also have a much more respectful and movie-orientated audience, which is another big issue.
Due to the complexes lack of staff these places are attracting lousy patronage. Without the presence of individual floor ushers the audiences are rowdier. There is no one to ask them to be quiet, turn off their phones or (in some cases) leave the cinema. There's NO respect for 'film' in these places and it saddens me.
Going to the cinema:
Ticket - $20
Drink - $5-10
Popcorn - $10
Total: approx $30
For a family: approx $150
Why bother when you can race down to the local video store and get the same for $10-15??
So to the point... the cinemas have themselves to blame for the drop in attandance. They can sit there and blame the price hikes on piracy and other factors all they want but the truth of the matter is that they would be fighting piracy more effectively with cheaper tickets, affordable confectionary & drinks and some ol' fashioned good service! And the recent boom in home-cinemas hasnt effected them as much as they'd have us believe either. People still enjoy a night out at the movies... they just cant afford it. Hell, I have 3000 dvds in my collection and I would still prefer to see a new release in a cinema with other people.
| 104 |
| Vote |
Comments (4)
Add Comments
Read More
