Assume you have an unlimited budget and can get films from any studio (two things that will of course never happen)- how would you design a movie theater or megaplex differently?
My ideas for the ultimate megaplex:
Every screening room should have a different theme or time period (Moroccan, psychadelic, Gothic, Art-Deco, etc.) with the pre-movie music (and if possible the movie itself) appropriate to the theme. Each room is addressed by its name rather than a number (though clearly marked with maps).
At least one screening room would always show screen classics that you might otherwise never get to see on the big screen, with occasional silent film and splashy musical nights.
There should be a coffee-house inside of the theater so that you can discuss movies on the way out if they require it.
Each screening room should have its own restroom with a closed circuit TV of the movie so that you don’t have to ask “what’d I miss?” when you return. (If safeguards for pirating couldn’t be arranged, at least have the movie’s audio playing.)
Instead of seats in the first few rows (assuming stadium seating), have sofas.
You cover a lot of the crucial elements. I’d add: increased space between rows, so you don’t have to get your seat kicked constantly. I’d also add speakers to each seat. Actually, if you could recline the seats, that would be cool. Oh, and you shouldn’t have to share armrests.
I’d also add regular sized snacks. Normal-sized candy bars. And I’d have snack machines, because I think they’d be quicker.
This theatre needs pods! I dunno why, it just* does*!!
Great, big round pods! Two of 'em! One to the immediate left of the ticket booth, one to the immediate right! I dunno why, it just* does*!!
And a tower! I dunno why, it just* does*!!
A great, big, tall, thick throbbing tower! Shaped like a salami! I dunno why, it just* does*!!
And it needs to be right between the two pods! I dunno why, it just* does*!!
Oh, yeah, I know why. It has something to do with how expensive going to the movies has become.
I forgot: a device that delivers lethal (or at least paralytic) jolts of electricity to anybody who uses a cell phone in the theater longer than it takes to say “I can’t talk, I’m in a movie and forgot to put my phone on vibrate”.
Before the film starts (maybe even during commercials/previews), have an employee walk up and down the aisles selling food and beverages, much like how stadiums/arenas have them during games.
I know some theaters have something like this, where someone will push in a cart full of goodies, but some people are actually that lazy not to get up and get them.
So, why not bring it to them and earn a few extra bucks?
Also, reclining seats with footrests would be nice. This probably wouldn’t be feasible for the whole theater, so maybe 1/3 of the back rows.
Private balconies available for extra money. How great would that be on a special occasion like an anniversary? Maybe the money made on the private balconies could bring down concession or ticket prices.
I’d replace the device with an employee armed with a bat. Foam padded, so as not to disturb the other moviegoers, but heavy enough to leave a lasting impression on the offender.
Heck, even as the owner, I’d volunteer to do this job myself.
Great big signs and pre-recorded voice messages over in between pre-show stuff saying “Please respect other guests, and turn off or set to vibrate all pagers and cellphones. Guests who do not respect this request may be asked to leave.”
Some places kinda do this already. You pay a little more on top of the ticket price and you get a reserved seat in a big comfy chair in a level above the regular seats. What comes with your “premium” seat varies by theater so call ahead and ask.
They have ushers that show you to your reserved seat and then wait around through the start of the show to make sure the sound and picture are perfect. The seats are really comfortable too – wide with lots of leg room and deep upholstry. Excellent popcorn with real butter. A coffee shop & bar in the lobby. And a gift shop. And an attached Cinerama dome. They show a mixture of blockbusters, indy films and retrospectives. Sometimes they have screenwriters or directors come and talk about the movie before the screening.
I’ve been to screenings in studio screening rooms. The Arclight is better.
The theaters would be required to show cartoons before the main feature, instead of the usual 10-15 minutes of self-congratulatory ass-slapping that we currently get.
I’d reserve the right to refuse service to people with packs of screaming kids. Or maybe I’d just have a special, seperate, “screaming kids” theater. Whichever made more money, and wouldn’t get me sued.
Pre-movie video that is actually entertaining. If I see “Find the Glasses of Coke” one more time, I’ll implode.
Consistent audio levels. We go to our local theater often and sometimes the audio is blasting so loud that it’s uncomfortable. Other times it’s too low.
I’ll second the suggestion for quiet snack packaging.
I’ve considered the startup costs for a Drafthouse franchise opportunity, because I think a business like this would flourish in a college town like Tempe, AZ. A theater where you can drink alcohol, and watch classic flicks of all genres, as well as meet and listen to filmmakers and writers discuss their craft? Adding to that “theme nights” relating to the film(s) being shown?
Imagine how cool it would be to have 70’s night, where anyone showing up in 70’s attire gets half-off admission.
Oh, and one other thing…
Motherfark the first person that mentions Madstone Theaters in ANY capacity. They’re a thinly-veiled AMC dressed in independent clothing, and they’ve pissed me off one too many times. :mad:
I managed to take in Return of the King this past weekend in the newly remodeled/reopened theater in my rural Iowa hometown, and it was awesome.
$3.50 admission for all seats, all shows
$3.00 for a large popcorn (like 1-gallon ice cream bucket sized)
$2.00 for a large soda (includes one free refill)
Wide, soft, comfy theater seats. Still had to share armrests though.
Great screen, great sound (not too loud, not too soft).
No commercials before the movie, just the local radio station over the speakers. Only 3 movie previews. Just before starting the show, they drew winners from the ticket-stubs to take home the movie posters.
As long as you’re willing to wait a couple of weeks for a movie after release, it’s great. Can’t wait to go back.
