by F. Scott Jeter
Congratulations! You fought the battle and won! You have your pass and you are ready to attend the screening. Now let’s go win the war!
Most people who are new to the process make the mistake of thinking all they need is the pass and they’re in. That couldn’t be further from the truth. To illustrate this, we’re going to analyze the disclaimer.
There is a standard disclaimer that is printed on every pass for the screenings and although the language may differ a little depending on how and where you got your pass, they say essentially the same thing. The Gofobo disclaimer reads:
Please note: Arrive early! Seating is first-come, first-served, except for members of the reviewing press. This ticket does not guarantee you a seat! Theater is overbooked to ensure a full house. Theater is not responsible for overbooking. No admittance once the screening has begun. This pass is the sole property of (studio name), which reserves the right to admit or refuse access to the theater at the discretion of an authorized studio and/or theater representative. Duplicate passes will not be accepted. Screening passes are non-transferrable. This ticket is NOT for resale. Reselling tickets is strictly prohibited and punishable by law. All those found in violation will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Everyone must present their own pass to the representative for admittance.
MPAA – No Recording. This screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to bring any audio and/or visual recording device including laptop computers into the theatre and you consent to physical search of your belongings and person for such device. If you attempt to enter with a recording device, you will be denied admission. If you attempt to use a recording device*, you consent to your immediate removal from the theatre and forfeiture of the device. Nothing contained in this notice shall limit the available remedies (studio name) may have against you. Unauthorized recording will be reported to law enforcement and may subject you to criminal and civil liability (including damages up to $150,000). *This includes cell phones with photo capabilities.
1.) Arrive early! Seating is first-come, first-served, except for members of the reviewing press. This ticket does not guarantee you a seat! Theater is overbooked to ensure a full house. Theater is not responsible for overbooking. No admittance once the screening has begun.
- As we noted in part 1, it is extremely important that you understand how the theaters you will be attending handle screenings. This is especially true if you want a good seat as some times much of the theater may be blocked off for press and VIP guests. The closer you are to the front the better. For instance, you may not even get in if you show up at 5:30 pm for a 7:00 pm screening at Brendan Theaters if you didn’t realize you needed to exchange your pass at 1:00 pm and come back later. Remember the screening is way overbooked and oftentimes people don’t get in.
- Another note, if you are far back, you might want to hold off purchasing your concessions until you get in and get a seat.
2.) This pass is the sole property of (studio name), which reserves the right to admit or refuse access to the theater at the discretion of an authorized studio and/or theater representative. Duplicate passes will not be accepted. Screening passes are non-transferrable. This ticket is NOT for resale. Reselling tickets is strictly prohibited and punishable by law. All those found in violation will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
- The Studio Representative is in charge of the screening. The theater hosting the screening sets the policy for ticket distribution at the screening but seating is handled by the rep. Again, highlighting the importance of knowing how each theater handles their screenings. Both, the Studio and/or the theater representative can have you removed for violating rules and there is usually security on hand to assist in this area.
- The Gofobo passes are equipped with a unique barcode which is typically scanned to ensure that duplicate passes are not being used. Not to be harsh but selling the screening passes is just plain stupid and is inviting legal action.
3.) MPAA – No Recording. This screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to bring any audio and/or visual recording device including laptop computers into the theatre and you consent to physical search of your belongings and person for such device. If you attempt to enter with a recording device, you will be denied admission. If you attempt to use a recording device*, you consent to your immediate removal from the theatre and forfeiture of the device. Nothing contained in this notice shall limit the available remedies (studio name) may have against you. Unauthorized recording will be reported to law enforcement and may subject you to criminal and civil liability (including damages up to $150,000). *This includes cell phones with photo capabilities.
- As mentioned before, security is usually on hand for the screenings and carefully monitors for recording devices. You may be asked to relinquish your device prior to entering the screening. Security will either tell you take it to your car or they will “Bag & Tag” it at the door and you can get it back after the screening. If you’re uncomfortable leaving your device with them, take it to your car. If you do happen to get it in the screening, silence it, turn it off, and don’t take it out until the screening is over or you risk removal, banishment, or worse, legal action. The industry is very serious about piracy. For more information, be sure to check out the Content Protection section of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) website.
Unfortunately, most people either forget to read or just ignore the disclaimer which can lead to frustration because of some of the policies administered at the screenings. That said, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself, and in some cases alleviate, some of those frustrations. Below are “12 Tips for a successful movie screening” :
1.) Have more than one pair of eyes helping you out. Someone you know who is just as interested as you in seeing these movies and has the time to be on the lookout.
2.) Have those extra eyes signed up to receive passes as well. The more people signed up for a pass the more people who can attend (one pass is usually for two people, sometimes four for kids movies).
3.) Early arrival necessary. Movie screenings typically happen on weekdays just after most people get off work. So once you leave your day job, arrive at the location of your unpaid part-time job to get in line and wait for entry into the movie (first come first serve until seats fill up). They almost never allow entry after the movie has started.
4.) Eventually you’ll get the hang of how things work. You can sort of pre-judge whether or not a movie will have a big audience turnout. If you notice multiple screenings in your area, you may not have to worry about arriving too early to ensure you get a seat.
5.) Connect with the people in line with you. If movie screening becomes an unpaid part-time job for you, you will see the same people at majority of the movies you attend (a lot of them may be older people who have nothing but time). You also meet other people who can connect you to movie passes more easily.
6.) Expect to see people holding a place. In reality if it comes down to five people waiting in a line for a movie for three hours or one or two people being free to get in line early enough, there will be line holders sent to ensure the crew a spot in the movie. Once you get enough friends and family in on the deal you’ll do the same thing, so don’t get mad when others do it. But also don’t abuse it!
7.) Get your seat first then snacks. If you want to do it opposite that’s fine, but don’t complain about seating because people usually run to the theatre after entry is allowed.
8.) Children are ok if they are under a certain age. Most of the time screening authorities will not count a child who is under the age of six as a pass holder. If the child is not a lap child they are considered a pass holder unless the movie pass mentions prohibition of any children under 17.
9.) Get used to possibly having your favorite seating area in the theater prohibited to you, but blocked off for VIPs instead. Just know the sponsoring radio station or organization nearly always has a block of seats set off for their people.
10.) Don’t try anything shady. The movie companies and sponsors are serious about these screenings and will not have any forgery or devious behavior i.e. recording. You will be put out, and it’s really not that serious and rather embarrassing.
11.) Have fun! There is no real reason not to.
12.) Warning: Going to movie screenings is less expensive because all you pay for is snacks, gas/bus fair, and maybe parking. But once you get past the waiting in line, meeting new people, and the excitement of seeing a movie before everyone else, you realize you want more and become an official free movie-screening addict.
Hopefully you are now well armed with enough information to enjoy your free screening.
1. Rivera, C. (2012, August 5). NEW TO SCREENINGS? READ THIS!. – txtMovieClub. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from http://www.txtmovieclub.com/forum/topics/if-you-are-new-to-screenings-read-this
©Screen Scene Las Vegas 2013