1. At the very start of the projector (i.e. when the start button is pressed)
2. After trailers but before the feature (i.e. half lights durring trailers, full-down after feature starts)
3. When ever you feel like (or remember to) turn them off
4. Never, patrons must watch the film with full lights
5. Always, the lights shouldv never go up.

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100% between shows
70% during slides
70% during film ads
20% during trailers
0% during feature (cued to go to black as the first frame of the policy hits the screen, not during the policy)
20% after credits have established themselves

In a couple of our older screens we have only full/pre/off on the dimmers. For this I have adjusted the dimmers to have full at 70% which then makes the show run like this...

70% between shows
70% during slides
70% during film ads
20% during trailers
0% during policy and feature (cued to go to black as the first frame of the policy hits the screen, not during the policy)
20% after credits have established themselves

For additional comments relating to this, search in this forum for 'House Light Cues'.

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"There's so much I don't know about Astro-Physics. Wish I'd read that book by that wheel-chair guy" - Homer Simpson.

Most of our theaters have at least two different circuits; one for side lights that point at the side walls, and another for center lighting (ceiling mounted- pointing straight down.)

No light on the screen at any time because of the dreaded slide advertising;
Full center and side during intermission;
The side lights only during trailers and credits;
All off during feature.

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Prior to film start they are all on at about 80% (Full on is kinda stark and we like a little atomosphere.)

Before starting the film, we dim the front lights, then the middle lights. This gives people time to settle in and get ready for the film.

After fading the non-synch music, we start the projector and dim the back lights. By the time the projector is up to speed, the lights are out and we open the shutter. (We thread with about three seconds of black before the beginning of the program.)

At the start of the end credits, we watch for people getting up. As soon as the first people are on their feet, we bring the back lights up to about 70%. But only the back lights. This gives people at the cafe seating plenty of light to exit without killing themselves, while allowing the "credit watchers" to watch without washing out the screen. After the last of the credits, the middle and front lights are brought up to 100%. This is "get out" light .

After cleaning, the house is brought back down to 80% and we are ready for the next showing.

Between Shows: 100%
Trailers: 50%
At the digital sound snipe or feature start: 20%
At credits: 75-100%

Our auditoriums have dim wall lights & red curtains lining the walls, so it's a very dark "movie house" type of feel. The overnight cleaners (who vacum the stuff out from behind the stadium seats) have flourescent lights to light the entire house brightly for cleaning or service.

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