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Author Topic: Fully automated cinemas Gordon Leslie Film Handler Posts: 39 From: Perth ,Western Australia Registered: Sep 1999 posted 12-28-1999 08:01 AM                     I remember a discussion back in the mid "80"s with regard to fully automated cinemas , apparently at the time there was or is a cinema in San Francisco I believe that is totally automated from the booth down to ticket sales and usher duties. I was told this cinemas ' computer system new where every person was sitting in the auditorium and a lighting system in the floor directed you to a vacant seat within the cinema when the feature was is progress. Anyone know if this cinema is still operating or know of other fully automated cinemas that have no staff in attendance except for close circuit tv.I would be interested to know how successful this concept has been.  |  IP: Logged Erika Hellgren Expert Film Handler Posts: 168 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-28-1999 02:36 PM                     Ug! What a horrid idea! Back when I was an usher, I got into a discussion with my manager about that. His point was how easily it could be done. My point was, "but why would you do it?" How creepy is it to walk into a theatre and be served by machines (that would break down half the time anyway)? I am against any technology that eliminates human jobs.  |  IP: Logged George Roher Master Film Handler Posts: 266 From: Washington DC Registered: Jul 99 posted 12-28-1999 09:37 PM                     If the theatre is completely automated, how do the bathrooms get cleaned?  |  IP: Logged Tyler Skinner Expert Film Handler Posts: 115 From: Pa Registered: Nov 1999 posted 12-28-1999 11:22 PM                     sounds sorta like Radiant.  |  IP: Logged Kenn Fong Film Handler Posts: 47 From: Oakland, CA 94610 USA Registered: Aug 1999 posted 12-29-1999 12:47 AM                        To the best of my knowledge, this theatre does not exist, and may never have existed. I've lived here in the Bay Area since 1969 and have never seen or heard of it. ------------------ Kenn Fong http://www.qwertyuiop.net Screenwriter's Home Page  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 12-29-1999 02:14 AM                        How would the computers kick the hoodlums out who start fights in your theatre?  |  IP: Logged Christopher Seo Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 530 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-29-1999 02:16 AM                     I doubt that there was any affordable computer technology in the mid-80s to handle all those complex tasks. What film equipment would it have used, anyway? ELF platters? Would any self-respecting theater use those? And Erika, I would agree with you on that last sentiment, but... it seems that ALL technology generally eliminates human jobs... except of course for techie jobs....  |  IP: Logged Michael Cunningham Expert Film Handler Posts: 186 From: Anchorage, AK Registered: Nov 1999 posted 01-06-2000 03:21 AM                     ELF's!?! Ewww! What a horrible concept. Although I would have to agree that all technology in some way eliminates human jobs, it also creates better work for those of us who can adapt to do it. Without technology all of us would still be making shadow puppets in front of a campfire to amuse our friends. -Mike  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-06-2000 07:25 PM                     Why do people always seem to want technology just for technology's sake? Don't get me wrong, I want to get my hands on one of those new DLP digital movie projectors but why rip out your $50,000 movie projector just to install a $250,000 movie projector? That's like buying a $200 DeWalt cordless screw gun just to tighten a screw when a $1.99 Philips head would do the trick! Even though I like new gadgets and stuff, I like to think I have enough common sense to know what's the right tool for the job. Just because it's "digital" doesn't make it better.... I hear all these people clamoring about "digital" movies and saying, "That looks pretty good!"..... Well, when you get a "digital" projector that can show a 1/2 way decent 50 foot high picture from 100 yards away, give me a call. (Flame-off!)  |  IP: Logged Stephen Jones Master Film Handler Posts: 314 From: Geelong Victoria Australia Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-09-2000 06:58 PM                     I heard rumors about this a few years ago but from what I remember nothing came of it thankfully.Anyway I dont like seeing good proffesional projectionist and other cinema staff end up on the dole,things are hard enough for cinema staff in the industry without the threat of loosing jobs.I worked at a cinema complex 12 months ago where the automation closed the doors when the feature commenced. ------------------  |  IP: Logged

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