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Topic: Anyone have any 8 Mile damage?

Dennis Benjamin
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1445
From: Denton, MD
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 11-09-2002 02:12 AM

Broken beer bottles...

Weed on the floor....

Vandalism on the walls.....

Damn - was all that worth it?

(not to mention a bruised shoulder)

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"Running through life at 24 frames per second"

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Jason Whyte
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 132
From: Victoria, BC, Canada
Registered: Sep 2002

posted 11-09-2002 02:49 AM

It was an absolute MADHOUSE at the main Victoria theater tonight for the film's late three shows (all sold out). I didn't see that particular film (I'm seeing it tomorrow), however by the crowds, I'm more than sure there was some trouble at some point. I'm also interested to hear any other theater stories.

The funny thing is it appears to be a good film from a good director. But they're all seeing it for the wrong reason...

Jason

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"Monster Put In Pocket!"

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Christopher Duvall
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 500
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 11-09-2002 03:52 AM

We threw out roughly 200+ kids tonight. They were the ones that could not get into 8 Mile. They instead bought tickets to The Ring and then tried to sneak in but could not when they ran into an usher standing at the entrance asking for ID's and stubs. The kids in turn go to their correct auditorium and then proceed to make as much noise as possible within the first few minutes of the feature.

I get a call on my radio tonight from my projectionist and he is asking me to come down and check out a disturbance in one of the auditoriums and we ended chucking out 40 kids at once. Totally insane. The casino security was outstanding tonight. I love those guys. They have an FU attitude with kids in the building. Once we removed the kids from a house...the casino security told them to beat it.

At least we did not have any arrest or barf issues tonight...

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Sean McKinnon
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1712
From: Peabody Massachusetts
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 11-09-2002 04:40 AM

0 Problems with people in the theatres. 1 little scuffle outside with some kids too young to get in.

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Mike Williams
Master Film Handler

Posts: 255
From: Knoxville, TN
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 11-09-2002 07:28 AM

How did you get a bruised shoulder Dennis?

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Jason Black
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1723
From: Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 11-09-2002 02:11 PM

All evening shows sold out. No problems per say, unless you count the usual too young to get in so they buy a PG13 ticket only to be todl by the uniformed officer that they have to go...
My question to everyone else on the forum.. wqhen you find this happening, do you give the kid a refund (trip, etc) pass, a cash refund, or nothing at all? After all, what they did amounts to attempted theft by deception, which is a crime if I recall correctly...My idea is that a kid trying to sneak into an R rated film with a PG13 ticket should be told to get into the appropriate house or they should be made to leave EMPTY HANDED. Once they loose their money a few times, maybe they'll get the hint that we won't put up with their underhandedness anymore...

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Christopher Duvall
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 500
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 11-09-2002 02:33 PM

Our policy is to give refunds or passes to anyone that leaves. However, there have been times that has not happened after the casino security got involved. They have this attitude, "If you are causing problems and are under 21...you are out." Just like the game Monopoly, don't pass go, don't collect $200. They are very quick to trespass people off the property permanently.

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Jason Black
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1723
From: Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 11-09-2002 02:43 PM

BUt should someone who is trying to "get one over on you" deserve that pass? I think not. Then again, I don't see anyone from any corporate offices trying to maintain order in theatres when films liek this are released. It's all Hollywood's fualt for marketing this stuff to a traget audience too young to actually be admitted. More money would be made and less troubles involved if they would tone some of this shit down and make for more "suitable" media for the TRUE target audience..

I'm just ill today. Long day yesterday and I had to replace the waterpump on the truck. And n a short while, I get to go back and deal with the fine young crowd turning out in droves for this film..

At least we're packing the houses... If I could only force them into buying ONE drink apiece.... Per caps would shoot thurough the roof...Oh well, we can all wish..

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Aldo Baez
Master Film Handler

Posts: 266
From: USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 11-09-2002 04:57 PM

What we do is when it's obvious someone tried to get an R ticket then immediately buys a PG-13 ticket looking to sneak in we have the box cashier tell them if they are caught going into the wrong theatre they are out no refunds. I tell the box people to remember the faces so if I kick someone out and they go back, they do not get a refund. Works quite well since our box cashiers put up with alot of stuff with id'ing they have a wonderful time getting back at those who make it hard for them.

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Jack Ondracek
Film God

Posts: 2348
From: Port Orchard, WA, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 11-09-2002 06:48 PM

Re: refunds:
This is a topic that comes up often on ownership boards as well. In my area, we find that the chain managers don't have a lot of lattitude. These are the companies that allowed people to buy a ticket (eliminating a seat from the boxoffice system count), then leave WITH a refund after seeing a particular trailer... which was the only reason they came in the first place.

It seems to me that independents probably have more leeway here, considering we're closer to our operations and have a good handle on where the liabilities lie.

In our particular case, we do not allow unattended children in the theatre. This is easy to spot, as we have a child's price which covers everything under 13. If a couple of kids arrive and want two child's tickets, you know what you've got. We have this policy prominently posted at the entrance.

After refusing entrance to two youngsters, a man came in (with these two hiding behind him), bought tickets for all, then split off... the girls to their show... he and his kid to theirs.

After confronting the man about this, they elected to leave... with a refund, which I generally allow as long as they don't get too mouthy. No refunds are given when patrons have to be ejected past show time.

This one today felt a lot like kids asking an adult to buy beer for them.... and some "adults" will do that.

On the other hand, being an independent with a small screen count lets us be a little choosie about what we book.

We passed on 8-mile.... and Jackass.

No damage here, and good crowds with other shows.

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Dennis Benjamin
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1445
From: Denton, MD
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 11-09-2002 10:31 PM

Bruised shoulder was from a drunk patron that decided I was in his way. He and his seven friends left without a refund, and Metro police on his tail........

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"Running through life at 24 frames per second"

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Jennifer Osborne
Film Handler

Posts: 27
From: Columbus, IN, USA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 11-09-2002 10:44 PM

Last night was crazy with 8 mile. Once it sold out The Ring, Jackass, I Spy and Sweet Home Alabama all followed. No property damage though. But I think that this was due to the police officer hanging around, and the two state troopers that had escorted the IU football team to their movie.

My theory: Lots of law enforcement = no damage, happy employees, and kids too scared to try anything.

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Michael Gonzalez
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 790
From: Grand Island , NE USA
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 11-10-2002 12:25 AM

So far no real property damage to speak of except for some wall fabric pulled off. We had a drunken fight in the parking lot last night but other than that we have been pretty quiet. Our sister theater in the next town wasn't so lucky. They had a projector break down 10 minutes before the movie was suppose to end which caused a near riot (sold out show, some 400 something people). Some college kids (from a christan college no less) grabbed a metal sign from in front of the boxoffice and threw it into the parking lot. So they had a few issues going on there last night.

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Gracia L. Babbidge
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 709
From: Bowdoin, Maine
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 11-10-2002 11:47 PM

Hmm ... a handful of sold out shows, several upset little 'gangstas' (punk-ass wannabes

) too young to buy tickets & too sheepish to actually see a movie with their parents, and one incidence of 'tagging' in the men's restroom (initials in blue paint).

whee!

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Mark J. Marshall
Film God

Posts: 3188
From: New Castle, DE, USA
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 11-11-2002 08:35 AM

Both the 7:00 & 10:00 shows were sold out in our biggest auditorium when I arrived at about 5:30 on Friday, which is practically unheard of at our theater. Saturday, we had four movies sold out at once, and two more that were very close. Also unheard of here.

The only problem besides turning away tons of kids was that some white guy had the brilliant idea to launch his soda across the theater at the end of the show. One of our projectionists was in the theater when it happened, and actually got hit, but a LOT of other people got wet. Coincidentally, the house lights cued a few seconds late, so for a short time it was very dark and all you heard were a bunch of pissed off black folks saying "Yo, what the f****!!" Luckilly for the white guy, he bolted away, and everyone else was just pissed, but it could have been pretty ugly.

Mark

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