# Those red dots in films are INFURIATING!! Complain! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 25, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087 "2003-11-25T01:39:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NoGoodNamesLeft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8797f3/32.png) [@NoGoodNamesLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoGoodNamesLeft)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/21 "2003-11-25T12:48:11Z")
In a related story, the music industry will be inserting a half-second of white noise for every 30 seconds of music played in all CDs produced after Jan. 1 / 04. “We know some people will hear the noise, and I’m sure some paying customers will find a reason to take issue with it.” said Bob Fuknuts, head of the RIAA. “But we think the majority of people won’t notice, plus we’re pretty sure it’ll ruin pirated copies of music”. Oh, and today, I mowed my lawn with a blowtorch… yeah, the grass may never grow back, but hey, I got rid of those weeds! ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/22 "2003-11-25T12:57:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Equipoise \* > \*\*Here’s the Home Theater Forum thread with examples: > [http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=162471](http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=162471) > > (I don’t know what movies they’re from) > > The newer ones, such as the ones that appear (OFTEN!) in **Master and Commander** are smaller, and grouped closer together. I don’t have a screen shot of that. > > The movie studios love you guys who don’t mind the dots. They’re counting on people getting used to them and/or not minding. Well, YOUR APATHY is ruining MY movie-going experience! \*\* Well the dots I’ve seen are much smaller then those pictured. They also on screen for less then a second. Oh and untill the apathetic cell phone users are stopped I couldn’t care less then about a bit of screen dirt. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/23 "2003-11-25T14:48:06Z")
I also noticed them in Master and Commander. And it was very noticable. Not just for a second, but several seconds easily. Didn’t occure to me to complain, but I will in the future when I notice them. I’m pretty unobservant about stuff like that, so if it’s blatant enough for me to have seen it, then I’m going to say something. I won’t go into a movie **looking** for them, but if I see them from now on I’ll complain to the theater manager. ---
**Author:** ![lilbtagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@lilbtagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilbtagna)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/24 "2003-11-25T15:02:06Z")
They were all over _Elf_ as well. Granted, I didn’t start noticing them until about halfway into the movie, but I just kept seeing the damn things after that. They came up about once every couple of minutes and would stay on the screen for less than a second, but they still annoyed me. It did take away from the whole movie experience a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/25 "2003-11-25T15:05:39Z")
I’d rather complain about the cruddy scripts, the crummy re-writes, the total unwillingness of Hollywood to take risks. And, I’ll complain by not spending my money. ---
**Author:** ![owlofcreamcheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@owlofcreamcheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlofcreamcheese)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/26 "2003-11-25T16:12:35Z")
yeah, I nodiced them in kill bill too. to be really honest… I watched it in the thearder then downloaded it and watched it again, the dots were really jarring on the big screen, I could barely see them on the compressed video. ironic! ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/27 "2003-11-25T16:48:47Z")
It seems to me there should be some way of putting the dots in the part of the frame that isn’t visible to the moviegoer. I remember when I went to see “Meet the Parents” the projector was misaligned so we didn’t see any of the opening credits and boom mikes were buzzing around Ben Stiller’s head like wasps. Perhaps that’s already the case and your projector was aiming too low? ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/28 "2003-11-25T17:34:11Z")
If they had any sense they’d deliberately leave space while filming for the red dots… “Hey, look at that field of poppies over there!” “Blood spattering evident on the wall as shown in forensic photograph K192.” “Like, gross! Acne!” “The pilot control panel appears to be in some alien language.” “Dude! Love the new shirt!” ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/29 "2003-11-25T17:36:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlofcreamcheese \* > \*\*yeah, I nodiced them in kill bill too. to be really honest… I watched it in the thearder then downloaded it and watched it again, the dots were really jarring on the big screen, I could barely see them on the compressed video. ironic! \*\* :rolleyes: Thanks for being part of the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/30 "2003-11-25T18:24:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SolGrundy \* > \*\*Uh, okay then. I’d like to retract my earlier post. After hearing this, I’m with SPOOFE. Much ado about nothing, an overblown sense of entitlement, and a fairly obnoxious attitude towards the people they’re supposedly trying to recruit to “the cause.” \*\* Oh, that’s nice. I get a bit snippy, so you’re willing to let the movie studios ruin millions of other people’s film presentations to get back at me. We live in a world (cue trailer voice) where government and corporations stomp and poop all over the average person and we let them get away with it. Time and time again. It’s too much trouble to do otherwise. Why am I not surprised that some people don’t care about this? Most people don’t care about movies, let alone how they’re presented. So, let’s just say I’m not calling for people like you guys to care. Don’t. Be my guest. I’m calling for people who DO care about movies, to care and complain. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/31 "2003-11-25T18:30:24Z")
(By “you guys” I meant SPOOFE, Zebra and SolGrundy. I don’t mean the other people in this thread who have shown they care) ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/32 "2003-11-25T19:00:48Z")
Grr. lost my post. Anyway, I can’t believe people didn’t notice these in Kill Bill. They started popping up what seemed like every minute during the black and white sequence. Gee, let’s put red dots on a gray screen. Nobody’ll notice that! Tenebras (I’m pissed. pissed pissed pissed…) ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Salads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mr\_Salads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Salads)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/33 "2003-11-25T19:24:56Z")
Yes. Kill Bill is where I first saw these things. It’s only been a few months, but I think if something is set up now so people can voice their opinion on it we can stop it before it becomes harder. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/34 "2003-11-25T20:04:47Z")
Although I think **Futile Gesture** was being funny, I think that’s the way to go really. I mean, if you have to put these dots in, can’t you pick a time when the movie watchers attention will be focused on one part of the screen, then place the dots on the other side?..maybe in the lower corner or something? I can’t believe that putting these things smack dab in the middle is the only solution. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/35 "2003-11-25T20:05:39Z")
And this just after I learn that in ROTK Saruman will not be in it! I was actually relieved when I heard about that\*, now I learn that there is yet another plot afoot to ruin my experience of the movie.\*\* I will be severely pissed if the red dots show up during the First Big Battle. \*details upon request. \*\* you know, besides the seat-kickers, talkers, and phones :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/36 "2003-11-25T20:08:14Z")
I don’t get the movie executive logic here. Suppose they use the theater-specific patttern of dots to track a pirated movie to a certain theater. So what? So they learn that a pirated DVD or a Web download came from say, the Rialto multiplex on 123 Fake Street in Springfield, U.S.A. Where does that get them? Does it help them ID the person who recorded the film? No. All it tells them is that the Rialto was the scene of a copyright crime at one of the many showings of the film. And what can the movie studio types do with that info? Will they fine the Rialto owners? Will they no longer distribute their movies to that theater? Where does this get them? Or maybe it’s just that “studio executive logic” is an oxymoron … ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/37 "2003-11-25T20:31:27Z")
I can tell you with 100% assurance as a former theater manager that if you complain to the manager, that’s as far as it’ll go. And on top of that we’ll all laugh at you for the next several hours and probably do impressions of you in “comic book guy” voice. Same goes for the pre-show advertising and the price of popcorn. Find out whose “bright idea” it was and go directly to them, because the manager sure the hell doesn’t get paid enough to care. > [@](#): > > So they learn that a pirated DVD or a Web download came from say, the Rialto multiplex on 123 Fake Street in Springfield, U.S.A. Where does that get them? I suppose if they have repeat occurances there they’re going to send someone to stake it out and catch someone in the act. BTW, the theater in Springfield is the Aztec. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![PlanMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2bfe46/32.png) [@PlanMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlanMan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/38 "2003-11-25T20:59:43Z")
Just a guess, but wouldn’t theater specific anti-piracy techniques be intended more to catch theater management or projectionists who make copies with a little more sophistication than a hand-held video camera in the audience? I don’t know, but am guessing there are ways to copy a film that would be better; even if it is a tripod mounted high-quality camera during a time when the theater is closed? Just a guess. ---
**Author:** ![Ruiniform](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9de053/32.png) [@Ruiniform](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruiniform)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/39 "2003-11-25T21:32:18Z")
Hmm, I do agree that the practice sounds annoying, but I don’t sympathize too much with those making a big stink over it. It’s not as much that I don’t find the MPAA’s idea bad as that I find zillions of other corporation’s methods far far worse, and it continually shocks me what causes people choose to get behind. I would respectfully suggest that most of the people up in arms over this check their clothing labels and note from which countries they originate. Or even the brand-- if it’s Nike, Old Navy, GAP, Banana Republic, or dozens other, you need go no further. ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087/40 "2003-11-25T21:59:46Z")
Were these dots in School of Rock? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-red-dots-in-films-are-infuriating-complain/215087.md?page=3)