Disaster_Area
Gadget Monger
Today I was barred from seeing a movie after purchasing my ticket because I was carrying a recording device... my 1962 Leica M2, here's my letter to the company:
Dear Cineplex,
I am a photographer, I carry cameras on my person most times because of this. Today after I purchased my ticket to go see Jonah Hex at your South Keys cinema I was stopped and asked if I was carrying a recording device or camera. I said yes, I had a couple old film cameras in my bag but nothing that could record a movie. The cinema employee said I couldn't go into the movie unless I left my cameras in the cinema office. I understand the need to stop piracy, but this was completely unacceptable.
I asked the manager if they stop every person and ask that they not bring their cell phones into to theater. The reply: "Well we ask that everyone turn their cell phones off", ok but do you stop every person personally like you did with me and tell them not to bring them inside, the manager: "Well no, but you have a camera, that's different". Yes, he's right that is different. On my person I had a camera made in 1962 that can record 36 black and white still frames and no sound. The iPhone or Blackberry which more than half your patrons are guaranteed to be carrying can record hours of surprisingly watchable full color digital video with sound. That is a pretty big difference. Again I understand the need to restrict recording devices in your theaters, but the camera I was carrying could not physically do what you're trying to stop from happening. This is a case of not only selective enforcement, but of plain stupidity and lack of courtesy and common sense. Seriously, say I was intending to pirate the movie... would I carry a camera bag openly visible on my shoulder... would I allow them to search it... would I say YES when I was asked if I had a recording device?
The funniest part is that the movie in question has most likely already been pirated and is probably available online already, but I like going to the movies to see it on the big screen in full quality. I am a paying customer that you have driven from your theaters. Between the overpriced concession stands and the loud and obnoxious teens texting, talking and disturbing your patrons during the movie which your staff seem unable or unwilling to deal with, I leave the theater every time swearing this will be my last visit. But I keep coming back because despite it all I like going to the movies. It's not the same watching it at home. Now the decision has been made for me, because of the enforcement of a rule where it was simply ludicrous to apply. I'm not sure what your intentions are but you make a very good argument for piracy.
Sincerely,
Jesse Hildebrand (ex patron)
Dear Cineplex,
I am a photographer, I carry cameras on my person most times because of this. Today after I purchased my ticket to go see Jonah Hex at your South Keys cinema I was stopped and asked if I was carrying a recording device or camera. I said yes, I had a couple old film cameras in my bag but nothing that could record a movie. The cinema employee said I couldn't go into the movie unless I left my cameras in the cinema office. I understand the need to stop piracy, but this was completely unacceptable.
I asked the manager if they stop every person and ask that they not bring their cell phones into to theater. The reply: "Well we ask that everyone turn their cell phones off", ok but do you stop every person personally like you did with me and tell them not to bring them inside, the manager: "Well no, but you have a camera, that's different". Yes, he's right that is different. On my person I had a camera made in 1962 that can record 36 black and white still frames and no sound. The iPhone or Blackberry which more than half your patrons are guaranteed to be carrying can record hours of surprisingly watchable full color digital video with sound. That is a pretty big difference. Again I understand the need to restrict recording devices in your theaters, but the camera I was carrying could not physically do what you're trying to stop from happening. This is a case of not only selective enforcement, but of plain stupidity and lack of courtesy and common sense. Seriously, say I was intending to pirate the movie... would I carry a camera bag openly visible on my shoulder... would I allow them to search it... would I say YES when I was asked if I had a recording device?
The funniest part is that the movie in question has most likely already been pirated and is probably available online already, but I like going to the movies to see it on the big screen in full quality. I am a paying customer that you have driven from your theaters. Between the overpriced concession stands and the loud and obnoxious teens texting, talking and disturbing your patrons during the movie which your staff seem unable or unwilling to deal with, I leave the theater every time swearing this will be my last visit. But I keep coming back because despite it all I like going to the movies. It's not the same watching it at home. Now the decision has been made for me, because of the enforcement of a rule where it was simply ludicrous to apply. I'm not sure what your intentions are but you make a very good argument for piracy.
Sincerely,
Jesse Hildebrand (ex patron)
Roger Hicks
Veteran
I ask for a receipt to the full value of the equipment. Given the choice of signing a chit for $1000 plus ($10,000 on a bad day) or letting the camera in, they normally let the camera in.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
smiling gecko
pure dumb luck, my friend
well...
well...
well... I think wearing a camera openly into a theater is leaving oneself open to the sort of encounter you had.
I too carry a camera or two or three around almost everywhere. When I go to the cineplex/ multiplex/ movies 24 they go with me...in a smallish size domke bag slung back to my side.
If confronted, I am prepared to explain that I don't want to leave my camera bag in my car - in the typical 98+ degree Texas heat - my approach works by and large. However, I am always prepared to offer my bag to be locked in the managers office is requested to do so. YMMV.
Breathe, relax and enjoy.
Happy trails.
well...
well... I think wearing a camera openly into a theater is leaving oneself open to the sort of encounter you had.
I too carry a camera or two or three around almost everywhere. When I go to the cineplex/ multiplex/ movies 24 they go with me...in a smallish size domke bag slung back to my side.
If confronted, I am prepared to explain that I don't want to leave my camera bag in my car - in the typical 98+ degree Texas heat - my approach works by and large. However, I am always prepared to offer my bag to be locked in the managers office is requested to do so. YMMV.
Breathe, relax and enjoy.
Happy trails.
Disaster_Area
Gadget Monger
I didn't have it out... it was in my bag
Thardy
Veteran
Clerk ... "Are you carrying a recording device?"
Me (who has an old film camera in my bag) "No".
Me (who has an old film camera in my bag) "No".
Disaster_Area
Gadget Monger
I got the feeling that if I said no I was going to be searched anyways... I've been asked to open my camera bag there before, but the previous times the employee had the common sense to see I didn't have the necessary equipment to do what they suspected me of doing.
antiquark
Derek Ross
What, they search your bags now? I think I'll avoid theaters altogether, and just download the vids from the internet for free!
Disaster_Area
Gadget Monger
exactly... they're making it very hard to justify actually paying them money for movies
Juan Valdenebro
Truth is beauty
Total nonsense! I wonder what they're going to answer... It was a stupid thing no doubt...
Cheers,
Juan
Cheers,
Juan
rbsinto
Well-known
You weren't going to take pictures in a darkened movie theatre anyway, so why not just leave the cameras at home or in the car for the duration of the movie?
That's great you're a photographer, and by wearing a camera everywhere you go everyone will know.
Sometimes, you should just be a civilian and put the toys away. This was one of those times.
A mountain made out of a molehill if ever there was one.
That's great you're a photographer, and by wearing a camera everywhere you go everyone will know.
Sometimes, you should just be a civilian and put the toys away. This was one of those times.
A mountain made out of a molehill if ever there was one.
antiquark
Derek Ross
I hear that's an effective way to get your camera stolen.
Someone else's pic:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyelliott/672967225/
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Disaster_Area
Gadget Monger
I would... but alot of times I'm out using them either before or after the movie... I hadn't even really intended to go, plus I don't have a car. Yes... I leave them at home if I don't need them, but it's silly to arrange my life around a nonsensical rule.
smiling gecko
pure dumb luck, my friend
Oooops...
Oooops...
Oooops...I misread your "carrying an M2" to mean you were wearing it openly - around your neck- as opposed to it being in you camera bag.
Don't know what type bag you carry, so I don't know whether or not it looked like a "pro camera bag" or more like a satchel or messenger bag.
Here in Austin, there is a huge student population and a lot of them carry a variety of different size/color/style bags. Maybe the theater staff here are just accustomed to that and typically don't think anything about it. Mebbe, mebbe not...
Breathe, relax and enjoy.
Happy trails.
Oooops...
Oooops...I misread your "carrying an M2" to mean you were wearing it openly - around your neck- as opposed to it being in you camera bag.
Don't know what type bag you carry, so I don't know whether or not it looked like a "pro camera bag" or more like a satchel or messenger bag.
Here in Austin, there is a huge student population and a lot of them carry a variety of different size/color/style bags. Maybe the theater staff here are just accustomed to that and typically don't think anything about it. Mebbe, mebbe not...
Breathe, relax and enjoy.
Happy trails.
rbsinto
Well-known
Well you didn't hear it from me.
I've kept my cameras in my trunk for over 30 years without problems.
antiquark
Derek Ross
What if he has a hatchback, or is driving a truck? No trunk on those things.
rbsinto
Well-known
You could have left them in the Cinema Office as they suggested.
Hardly a re-arrangement of your life.
Disaster_Area
Gadget Monger
well I had more than just my camera in there.. I had my laptop, my wallet, my journal... a bunch of things I'd rather not leave in the office of a stranger... but that's not the point, it's stupid to have asked me to do that in the first place, I posed no threat to their operation... all they did was lose a customer and prevent zero piracy
antiquark
Derek Ross
What if the manager, or a crooked employee stole it? Like Roger said, only leave it if the theater agrees in advance to fully reimburse for any losses.
rbsinto
Well-known
Yeah. And what if the Martians landed, and they used their x-ray vision to look inside the trunk, and then use their ray guns to blast it open and steal his gear?
It's always something.
antiquark
Derek Ross
If your laptop had a webcam, it was a recording device. Same with your journal (it records your thoughts.)
They're alienating their best customers (the ones who show up and buy tickets!) for no gain on their part whatsoever. Sheer stupidity.
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