my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Anyone use laser pointers in the booth to pick out problem customers? (Page 1)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2

Author Topic: Anyone use laser pointers in the booth to pick out problem customers? Frank Dubrois Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 896 From: Cleveland, OH Registered: Mar 2005 posted 12-22-2005 11:50 PM                    I don't even know if its a good idea or not, but when I'm in the booth and people kick heir feet up in our auditorium, or play with their cell phone, I keep think it might be a good idea to have a cell phone in the booth to warn these pesky customers that are being watched. Perhaps a quick couple flashes on this cell phone? or possibly on their feet to send the message? We KNOW that they know cell phones and feet on the seats is WRONG..otherwise, they wouldnt stop doing it when an usher walks in. Laser pointers might even be useful in guiding ushers to people who all-of-the-sudden behave when the usher walks in the audtiorium. Granted, this probably shouldnt be used in really crowded theaters, but would this work as an aid for us? The theaters wouldnt even have to buy them, just implement the program as soon as you confiscate a laser pointer!  |  IP: Logged Peter Mork Expert Film Handler Posts: 181 From: Newton, MA, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 12-23-2005 02:14 AM                     Sorry, I don't do windows. Let management worry about it.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-23-2005 07:21 AM                        You've taken laser pointers from customers instead of just kicking them out? Umm...isn't that called "theft"?  |  IP: Logged Wolff King Morrow Master Film Handler Posts: 490 From: Denton, TX, USA Registered: Feb 2004 posted 12-23-2005 07:29 AM                        It's even worse than theft, its robbery. Have to ask them to leave, but you can't take their property. Only cops can do that.  |  IP: Logged Greg Mueller Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1687 From: Port Gamble, WA Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-23-2005 09:25 AM                        quote: Anyone use laser pointers in the booth to pick out problem customers? Yes, mounted on the barrel of a 30'06  |  IP: Logged Sam D. Chavez Film God Posts: 2153 From: Martinez, CA USA Registered: Aug 2003 posted 12-23-2005 10:45 AM                       Not funny even from a gun nut.  |  IP: Logged Bill Langfield Master Film Handler Posts: 280 From: Prospect, NSW, Australia Registered: Apr 2001 posted 12-23-2005 11:14 AM                        Frank, Dont' worry aboubt it. Just get on the two-way and tell maganement and/or floor that there is someone in there with a laser pointer. Nine times out of ten, the laser person gets 'over it' once the feature starts. As for mobile/cell phones, 50% of patrons carry on with that during video slides/ads/trls. They get over that too. Bill.  |  IP: Logged Ramin Hashemi Expert Film Handler Posts: 129 From: Houston TX Registered: Sep 2004 posted 12-23-2005 12:12 PM                     I would also consider the fact the laser pointers have a tendency to reflect off objects, which could potentially go in someone's eyes.  |  IP: Logged Frank Angel Film God Posts: 5305 From: Brooklyn NY USA Registered: Dec 1999 posted 12-23-2005 12:43 PM                        Years ago when the old Filmore East was up and running full swing, they had a system that to this day I marvel at. In those days of sex drugs and rock & roll, there were times when the crowd could get a bit rowdy. How they handled a trouble-maker was very simple: when the perp was spotted by any of the ushers/bouncers/brusers who were positioned around the perimeter of the theatre and who constantly watched for disturbances, the useher would get the attention of the other ushers but shining his flashlight at their heads when they were alerted, he would then shine his flashlight at the perp. Each usher in turn would hold his flashlight above his head, aiming it at the trouble guy, and wiggling it back and forth slightly. To have 6 flashlight beams focused on your head from all corners of the theatre was usually intimidating enough. But then, if the perp continued the disturbance, even with all the flashlights on him, all ushers would move in toward him, flashlights held high, continually shaking them so the light beams would kind of ziz-zag on the guys face until they all reached him. They timed it so that all four to six ushers would arrive at the site of the problem at the same time and they would just physically lift him by the armpits about a foot off the floor and swiftly carry him out of the theatre. In almost the blink of an eye, smooth as silk, he was gone and it was over. It really was a thing of beauty to behold. It became well known that the flashlight beams of light meant business. It was funny when it happened because the area around the guy making trouble would quickly clear as other patrons moved out of the way; they knew what was coming. Everyone knew that if those flashlight started vibrating on you, and you didn't cease and desist whatever you were doing immediately, you had about 60 seconds before you had six brawny guys hurling you from your seat and out the theatre -- no discussion, no debate, no review. Problem today is, managment (if you can call it that without laughing) has this modern approach to crowd control....you sell them as much concessions as they can possibly carry in both arms, then you aim them at a particular auditorium, and once they are in that box, they are on their own, never to see theatre personnel again until just before the credit crawl begins, at which time the lights will come up and two pimply teens will begin sweeping all around you, obviously greatly annoyed that you are still sitting in their way. Of course today the exbibitor's goal is to AUTOMATE! And by that they mean, eliminate projectionists AND ushers. It's left up to poor patrons to be their own theatre security. If management could automate concessions, then they could run the theatre with out ANY human beings at all, which is, of course, Management's wet dream. I am surprised they don't eliminate the cleaning staff as well and set a bunch of Rumbas about to clean the theatre.  |  IP: Logged Frank Dubrois Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 896 From: Cleveland, OH Registered: Mar 2005 posted 12-23-2005 02:02 PM                    quote: Wolff King Morrow It's even worse than theft, its robbery. Have to ask them to leave, but you can't take their property. Only cops can do that. We haven't taken anything. It was just an idea. As far as: quote: Peter Mork Sorry, I don't do windows. Let management worry about it. Thats kind of rediculous...as a projectionist, you SHOULD do windows...and the things that happen outside of them IS your business too. your not a hermit, your a projectionist. The sound out there IS your business, the picture out there IS your business. Pffft, I dont do windows....damn.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 12-23-2005 03:14 PM                        Aside from the perceived safety issue of aiming laser pointers at an audience member, it would be a distraction to others in the audience, perhaps more than the person acting up. Better to have a non-uniformed usher sit nearby until they act up again.  |  IP: Logged Peter Mork Expert Film Handler Posts: 181 From: Newton, MA, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 12-23-2005 07:23 PM                     Sorry Frank, but I disagree. Sound, picture, heat and air-conditioning - these are technical matters and I'll attend to them gladly. Will answer the phone too, since sometimes I'm the only one unbusy enough to do it. But police the joint? Uh uh. (Okay, I'll make an exception: when it's late and management has gone home, and there's a problem I'll do what needs to be done. But no laser pointers, thanks.) [ 12-24-2005, 01:23 AM: Message edited by: Peter Mork ]  |  IP: Logged Phil Hill I love my cootie bug Posts: 7595 From: Hollywood, CA USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 12-23-2005 07:31 PM                  I agree with Mr. Pytlak, much damage can be done to someone's eyes from a Laser Pointer. I also agree with Sam about the gun issue. A baseball bat up the side of the head would be a better solution.  |  IP: Logged Peter Mork Expert Film Handler Posts: 181 From: Newton, MA, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 12-23-2005 07:35 PM                     Hey, I reckon this guy knows from eye damage!  |  IP: Logged Jason Miller Expert Film Handler Posts: 241 From: Little Rock, AR, Registered: Mar 2004 posted 12-23-2005 08:08 PM                    Laser pointers also tend to remind other idiots int he audience that they have laser pointers too and they start playing with theirs. soon the problem is worse than before.  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.