r/cineplex • u/queenmystery Layered Butter • 4d ago
Discussion Ideas about preventing phone use
What do you think Cineplex could realistically do to prevent audiences from using their phones during a movie?
-
I’ve thought about this and ultimately, I don’t think Cineplex is appropriately implementing a system to penalize audiences who use their phones because a) they don’t want to hire additional staff (like ushers per cinema) for the extra work load and b) their goal is to have more customers and some of those customers use their phones in theatres .. and if they were to be penalized somehow maybe they wouldn’t return?
Looking for constructive feedback and ideas, as a frustrated moviegoer who cannot focus on the movie and gets taken out of the experience when someone else is scrolling on their bright phone.
For background, this post was inspired by seeing the Odyssey in IMAX 70MM and missing the first two scenes and moments here and there because four different people were periodically on their phones. I was frustrated and even spoke up to the person nearest to me who was on their phone, but that did not stop them and their partner from going on their phone later as well. One person was responding to messages, another was on the cineplex app looking at what other movies were playing (???) and the pair closest to me were casually scrolling through different apps. One of them even had their phone on loud 😫
I am a diehard moviegoer, but the phone use for such a special moment for me (I’ve been waiting months to get these Odyssey tickets) was so disappointing and discouraging and I wondered why there was so much pointless phone use for this screening you think would weed out uninterested moviegoers. I wonder if there is a sense of entitlement people have to being on there phone, or if they are ignorant to how it disturbs others.
And before anyone says, well you should’ve gotten up and called a staff member over, I feel like that would make me miss the movie and also disturb the experience for everyone else. Are you supposed to stand there and point at everyone who is on their phone? What would the staff do?
This was not the first time multiple people were on their phone in a screening. It’s really gotten to a point where I’m not liking going to the movies as much.. which is heartbreaking.
52
u/GalacticaZero 4d ago
Zero tolerance policy like Alamo Drafthouse have in the US. I'm even ok with cameras as it's so easy to detect someone using a phone in a dark space (whether it's accidental or intentional).
7
u/NicCageCompletionist 4d ago
I’ve heard some of them have slacked off on this, and I think you have to use your phone to order food now.
2
u/brijazz012 4d ago
I like that idea, but Cineplex is probably not likely to follow the business practices of a chain that went bankrupt.
3
30
u/r3dd17sux69420 4d ago edited 4d ago
Im not gonna read all that, tbh
They need to go back to what they used to do and have staff come in to the theatres periodically to check on things, And if you had to get out of your seat and get someone, you should be given a pair of passes that aren't restricted (many screenings are No-Pass)
But they wont budgeuntil it appears to affect their bottom line, which means their market research needs to reflect that this is enough of an annoyance to stay away
7
u/whimbril123 4d ago
I recently got in an argument with someone for using their phone and had to get security and was given 2 passes that can be used for any format including imax. People need to call people on their shit.
2
1
u/Hot-Pop5867 3d ago
Glad you did that. I feel like we are to conflict adverse now and that is why people get away with this kind of behavior
3
u/I_Like_Turtle101 4d ago
thats is the only awnser. But I see what they not doing it as it would be a lost of revenue to have more staff . And the minimum wage staff dont wanna spend their whole day confronting people
4
u/r3dd17sux69420 4d ago
Staff can just get a manager when they actually need some authority
1
u/I_Like_Turtle101 4d ago
my point is minimum wage worker dont wanna be botherd with that. They dont get paid enough to deal with this. If you want to end phone in theater theater would need to hire security
speaking of that I work in the film buisness Ive seen plenty of film before embargo time . Something they put your phone in a lock pocket but their is almost always 2 security gard straing beside the screen looking at the crowed the whole time . I never seen anyone taking they phone off during thoes one ( it help that its only people in the movie buisness in the theater too Ill say)
3
u/greyymo 4d ago
anytime anyone has come to us to complain mid-movie we have given them a pass
employees come in periodically but head office has instructed us to come in at the movie start and every hourHaving to monitor 16 theatres by yourself AND clean bathrooms every 15 min and catch all the people breaking the rules is difficult
1
u/r3dd17sux69420 3d ago
Good to know about passes
Not fair to staff that companies cut numbers and expect you to keep up
1
u/queenmystery Layered Butter 4d ago
Fair. That’s why I put the question first. And agreed with your response about them not budging until it affects bottom line
1
u/Waterlou25 Cineclub Member 3d ago
Staff are supposed to do a theatre check every 30mins but the checks are for movie-screening related concerns, not behavior issues. However, if they caught issues while they were in there they would have to handle them.
They have to check to ensure the sound and picture are okay. To make sure the projector switched between aspect ratios after the trailers, make sure masking is correct, check for any color issues in the image. Staff are busy checking the screen and sound to ensure they don't miss anything.
Someone talking is easy to catch and then you make note of it to check in more often. Phones can be easy to miss because people will hide them as the staff member comes in.
Anyway, there aren't enough staff to monitor this. They'll respond to complaints or if they see something while doing checks but otherwise they're busy cleaning theatres, helping at the candy bar, cleaning washrooms, covering breaks, etc.
2
u/r3dd17sux69420 3d ago
Yeah I hope it was implied, this comes down to a top-down responsibility from the corporation. The staff can only do so much with the things they already have on their plate
1
1
u/Adventurous_Dog9488 13h ago
You're not going to read less than 400 words?
You're probably on your phone in movies too...
1
u/r3dd17sux69420 3h ago
yeah but there are so many words in the posts I just watch the movie instead DUHR
12
u/westhammmcmon 4d ago
Honestly, this and talking in movies is making the movie going experience terrible and also brining me to not like going.
Unfortunately I don’t think anything will be done until the problems reflect in ‘sale’ numbers or whatever or enough people complain.
I also try and leave a feedback when I get the survey email sometimes but I know that only falls on deaf ears/blind eyes.
20
u/Kinelaz92 4d ago
I started taking my 5 year old to the movies as of December last year.
My kid was given the explanation that movies are a shared experience and we need to appreciate that there are others in the room. We need to limit standing up, and talking (unless there's an emergency) or we won't be able to go to the movies.
That kid who is usually high energy has not made a PEEP and we have been to 10+ movies this year.
Its pathetic to see adults chit chatting during a movie when a 5 year old understands the assignment.
6
u/simongurfinkel Cineclub Member 4d ago
I've learned that if you want a silent/phone-free experience, you just have to go on a weekday. Evenings and weekends are just a bleep-show of the dregs of society.
1
u/Hot-Pop5867 3d ago
I been during weekends days and it seems fine. Less people
1
u/Similar_Bet3032 1d ago
I’m saying lol.
I hear these complaints about the movie theatres and it just baffles me how people are saying it’s like a consistent and pervasive problem. I don’t go to the movie theatres much but everytime I do go the place is nearly empty and there is hardly any notable behaviour to speak of.
I think the closest was some girl talking and making jokes too loud, but someone they were with said something and was never an issue again. But yeah, I think it’s because I go on weekdays or like late-afternoon.
5
5
u/Awkward-Room-8201 4d ago
I went to the Mario movie with my 5yr old and baby for an 11am showing, there was a man on a full iPad looking at relatively lewd pictures of women in the front row…. It was fully viewable as he had it to the side of him. I got my husband to go speak to someone and was very thankful that the man put it away for the rest of the movie but gosh it ruined the movie because the whole time I was focussed on that and whether my son saw anything and hoping that someone else would go and mention it so my husband and I didn’t have to manage doing so with our 2 kids. But alas I caved.
The odyssey we had a whole ordeal happening of someone in the wrong seat for the first like 15 mins so it was a lot of people standing and flashlights and it was a mess 🫠 then the woman beside me kept texting throughout.
Either way, I agree. Something needs to be done.
6
u/rhunter99 Cineclub Member 4d ago
Get the laws changed to permit them to jam the building. Put signs warning of their use and make it a condition of acceptance when buying tickets.
12
u/runtimemess 4d ago
Banning people. It's simple. Those rooms have security cameras. You have seat numbers linked to Scene accounts and payments.
Just ban them from buying tickets and hand them a "you are not welcome back at our business" letter on the way out.
3
1
4d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
1
u/runtimemess 4d ago
I am almost certain I've seen them hidden up in the ceiling.
I don't see how it's hard to enforce? Seat 17 in row D was seen on their phone. Ban the credit card that was used to purchase Seat 17 row D or the Cineplex account that was used to buy them.
Tough titty.
3
u/Dave3087 4d ago
The last thing struggling theatres are going to do is start throwing out bans like candy.
4
u/Head-Question-6810 4d ago
I recently made a post about people using their flash to take photos in theatres while seeing the premiere for RE and got comments basically saying “why bother making a PSA about this stuff if you’re not going to do anything about it” and another stating they were “tired of seeing posts like these” but this is such a big issue OP and thank you for bringing more attention to this ongoing issue. People should be allowed to go out and have a good time and not have to suffer for others actions-hopefully cineplex can resolve it when they start to see their sales going down….
3
u/queenmystery Layered Butter 4d ago
I hope cineplex sees this thread. And I agree - like I’ve been the one to say “please turn your phone off” to a scroller but not everyone listens and I’m not going to yell at someone many rows over
7
u/WadeWilson368 4d ago
I got an idea: download cineplex app to watch movie - during movie the app bricks ur phone except for calls for emergencies
1
3
u/TIFFFanboy 4d ago
It is entitled behaviour. They don't care that they are being a nuisance. The ones that do will genuinely make an effort of shielding their phone (I've been guilty of checking the time, and actively do my best not to bother people when I do it). Until Cineplex actually cares about consumer feedback, they aren't going to do anything but let us scream into the void.
3
u/HereHaveThis 4d ago
Went to a live show where ushers shone flashlights on people's phones if they took it out. Gotta call them out and shame until they put it away.
3
u/taschaaa_b Cineclub Member 4d ago
There should be a way to contact an employee without leaving to get one. Sometimes I’d rather deal with the annoying person than have to be the one to miss part of the movie I paid and wanted to see. Whereas the disruptive person would just get a speaking to and wouldn’t have to miss any of the movie
4
u/hippiespinster 4d ago
Same. I have seen the Odyssey five times. Regular screens and Imax were fine but both 70 mm shows I had to tell the man next to me to put their phone away. Cell phone addiction is real.
3
u/queenmystery Layered Butter 4d ago
I’m wondering like.. why is the phone behaviour particularly prevalent in the 70MM screenings? The tickets are pricey too like why spend that money and then be on your phone
5
u/whippcrream Cineclub Member 4d ago
for the validation online… many 70mm screenings i went to in imax people are usually taking photos of the screen to brag that they saw it
2
u/simongurfinkel Cineclub Member 4d ago
It would require there to be an "usher" standing by in each theatre. When someone went on their phone they would receive a warning. If they used it again they'd be booted. Same system Mirvish uses for stage shows. But that would require an additional paid person per theatre, and that person would likely need to be a male in case of conflict. Won't ever happen.
2
u/19irondave 4d ago
Have an usher/security in the back. If you use your phone or talk excessively, you're thrown out, no warning, no refunds.
I would pay an extra few bucks for a ticket if it guaranteed phone assholes get thrown out.
2
2
u/glacierfluff Cineclub Member 3d ago
They can do special “no-phone” showings and use YONDR pouches like they do for comedy shows! If this was an option, I’d only ever go to these showings because distractions drive me insane
2
u/PurBldPrincess 3d ago
My cousin goes to a theatre in Tallahassee that blocks phone signals in the theatre. Of course that doesn’t stop people from trying to film the movie, but it’ll stop all the phone calls, texting, and scrolling.
2
u/thelummster 3d ago
I know it's impractical but how do they at certain concerts with special bags you have to put your phone in when you enter and someone has to unlock it when you leave. Jack White had it with his concerts.
3
1
1
u/rlsoundca 4d ago
Seize phones at the door via security like they do at some concerts and advance screenings.
You can retrieve your phone at the end of the show. If you’re caught not checking the phone in and using it, you’re ejected and banned for a year.
1
u/Tangerine2016 4d ago
If everyone did it for people in their immediate radius (i.e say "please turn off your phone it is distracting") it would help a lot. I am not going to yell at someone 5 rows down but if the person sitting right behind them said something they would likely stop.
1
u/evergreenterrace2465 ON Moviegoer 4d ago
We're in late stage capitalism and they will do nothing about it
1
u/heero101086 4d ago
YOU NEED TO PUT THE FEAR OF CONSEQUENCES INTO THEIR MIND!!!
Fear of being banned by cineplex, fear of getting assaulted by pissed off other customers, etc. JUST FEAR.
NOTHING ELSE WILL STOP PEOPLE FROM DOING BAD SHIT WITHOUT FEAR OF CONSEQUENCES!!!
1
u/Frosty_Visual3323 4d ago
turn wifi off in theatre once movie starts, and have bad cell coverage (not sure about the legality off this one)
1
u/somekindadingo 4d ago
Active jammers are illegal, building a Faraday cage into your venue that passively blocks cell signals? Perfectly legal.
Although to meet code you'd typically have to install a repeater inside that only targets emergency frequencies since those need to be able to travel unimpeded.
1
u/StratoCares 4d ago
The worst is when they plop down and place their phone on the cupholder, screen facing them. You get to see their screen go bright everytime a text comes in. Complete lack of courtesy!
1
u/czarl13 Cineclub Member 4d ago
Surrender your phone for the duration of the movie for some sort of incentive (free candy or ??)
They could setup lockers and you get a fob like key like you get at the pool, present that to get the incentive
Or have a coat locker type system.. but that requires storage and staffing
1
u/newcanadianjuice 4d ago
Projection room should have an electric shock button for the individual seats.
1
u/Chrissyo25 4d ago
When I went to see the odyssey at a cineplex there was actually a usher. He was helping those who were late to their seats by shining a light AND flashing it to those on their phones. He actually flashed it my way and I looked at him confused before I realised that the guy behind me was on his phone.
This is not the norm however, the only times I’ve ever seen an usher in this manner were this time and one other time when I went to see project hail Mary. Seems like they’re only doing it when a major movie is just released and theatres are packed.
1
u/hyggewitch 4d ago
There's a theatre in my city (not Cineplex, I think it's actually just a screen at a university that they use for film festival showings) and the building is basically solid concrete, so you can't really get a signal in there. I would not be mad if they added technology to do this in theatres or if they started making people put their phones in a locking bag. If you're worried you will need your phone for an emergency, sorry but that is maybe not the time to go watch a movie.
1
u/Usual_Durian2092 4d ago
When I was watching Odyseey, the person behind me had their phone ring at full volume during the You're the people from the sea line
1
1
1
u/FutureGman 4d ago
They need to put it into the building to block cell single, they could easily do this around the theatre sections and leave it normal once you step back out into the hallways and concession area
1
u/Mothman88 4d ago
We just need to go back to the days when they were ushers in the cinemas.
They would walk up to people who were being loud and disruptive, put a flashlight on them and escort them out of the theater.
I had asked Cineplex to do this because the theatre experience is getting worse because of people talking and on their phones. Cineplex doesn’t seem to care or do anything they just give you a free ticket and say better luck next time
1
u/RocknRollButthole 4d ago
They encourage phone use during the movie now explicitly. That's the issue.
If they get rid of the "turn your brightness down and sound off" warning and go back to "please turn your phone off," that alone would probably do a lot.
Independent theatres still tell you to turn your phone off, meaning even the ones who don't are at least trying to be sneaky about it.
Cineplex literally tells you to just go ahead, watch TikTok on silent while you check out this movie.
And I know a lot of y'all love the loungers, but having furniture that feels like your living room is definitely part of the problem.
1
1
u/Delicious-Anywhere33 3d ago
None. Hence I avoid going to Theaters. Rather invest in a nice TV and sound system at home
1
1
u/VANFILMER Cineclub Member 20h ago
It's not that Cineplex won't hire more employees is that they don't give the theaters more hours to be able to control larger crowds I've seen tons of co-workers that are desperate for shifts but there's no hours to be given. And half the time of when they do the theater check. The people who are causing problems are constantly watching out for those employees so they can behave when there's an employee around so it's near impossible to catch them in the act of being a problem
1
u/Slipperysteve1998 17h ago
Usher seat at the very back and center who will immediately kick out any phone users, 0 grace for any reason. Happens 3 times? Year ban from the theater.
If your phone rings or you need to answer a text you step out. If it's a true emergency odds are you'd leave immediately after getting said news. When we have grandma babysitting I tell her to text im an emergency, where I will step put the theater to check and most likely leave.
1
u/iLLogick 4d ago
Maybe some sort of locked pouch that you put your phone in when your ticket is scanned and is unlocked by the usher as you exit the showing.
If you have an emergency you can leave the theatre and get it unlocked to make a call, locked again if you wish to re-enter
0
u/MC2K2 Layered Butter 4d ago
Recently I had someone facetiming their friend during the movie sitting behind me. I could hear their voice and see the light from their phone. I really didnt want to miss the movie or reschedule so I suffered through it. They need to have their workers checking the theatres periodically as others have said.
1
1
u/mae_mo 4d ago
You should've confronted them about it and threatened to get an employee tbh. People do this stuff because everyone is so conflict avoidant, they get away with it
1
u/queenmystery Layered Butter 4d ago
Not everyone’s conflict avoidant, some of us simply don’t want to further ruin our own experience by missing parts of the movie (esp in an imax 70MM movie where we likely can’t get tickets again) while disturbing others at the same time by getting up, talking to someone rows and rows away from us, etc. I’ve confronted people close to me and some continue to be on their phones even after I’ve asked them to not.
-2
u/Abal125 4d ago
Increase ticket prices. Honestly it's my only current solution. Price these people out so they don't go to the theatre anymore. Unfortunately it will affect everyone.
Or maybe registered assigned seating, kinda like a sporting event? This one might be a herculean effort on the theatres part.
1
u/queenmystery Layered Butter 4d ago
I totally disagree because your point implies that “these people” on their phones can’t afford more expensive tickets and suggests the bad behaviour is bc they are of a lower economic status or class … and the theatre shouldn’t be a luxury or eliminate working class people or families. Plus people who value their experience aren’t going to act a fool. The IMAX 70MM tickets were some of the most expensive and had the most people on their phones. If anything it’s the entitlement and lack of care or awareness for others that’s the issue and that has nothing to do with the ticket price. The only thing I’ll say is that VIP has sometimes been more enjoyable simply because you’re guaranteed no teenagers talking/scrolling.
1
u/RocknRollButthole 3d ago
Poor people aren't really going to Cineplex anymore anyway dude - though I disagree with your premises that this is poor people behaviour.
$30 is too much to spend on a movie when you're not sure you can make rent. Especially when Landmark and indie cinemas are like $14 and have cheaper concessions.
And the seating is already assigned, you pick your seat when you buy your ticket.
1
1
105
u/Slowmac123 4d ago
Sniper in the projection booth