A Possible Solution to Cellphones in Theaters- Page 2

[schubox]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 8:37am

I saw Dave Chappelle a couple weeks ago and he did this. No issues at all with cell phones during the show. Of course they also said about 10 times if anyone is seen with a phone they were getting kicked out

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 11:22am

of course there are people who will cheat, but the truth is that most people whose cell phones go off during shows do not want them to and don't want others to either. If you take out a phone you would do so at your peril-immediate ejection and perhaps confiscation. 

the dire warnings about lines and complications are obviously coming from people who did not consume the information provided at the link since the pouches are self-serve and no not require anything beyond someone to hand out the pouches (which could be done in the ubiquitous lines) and someone to see that they have been closed before entering. In other words less time consuming than scanning tickets which, while time consuming, has not ended theatre-going as we know it. And unlocking is achieved at small unlocking stations at the entrance with no physical involvement of the usher for anyone wanting to check their messages at intermission. 

so yes we have our chicken littles but the self-entitled would adjust. bring it on.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 11:53am

Since these are pouches that remain with the phone owner and aren't centralized in the way a bag check would be, they could even be feasibly distributed inside the theatre as well as at the theatre entrance. This could alleviate congestion through the theatre doors, though doesn't present the idea that it's either lock up your phone or no admittance.

OR they could just be distributed in the line that already exists to enter the theatre.

Clearly this system already works in far larger and less formal venues than Broadway houses.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 2:37pm

This will not work on Broadway. I am not talking about it from a logistical standpoint (though there were a couple of goo points regarding that that could work in theory.) I am talking about from the me working as an usher standpoint. 

First off, this will be another task that will get assigned to the ushers should these be used. If they were to be used in Broadway theatres, and that wasn't the case, I'd eat my own shoe. Secondly, the major difference between Broadway theatres and major concert venues as far as something like this is concerned is staffing.  Major concert venues have a much larger usher/security staff than any theatre on Broadway meaning that there are more people to dole out the pouches/help out if need be etc. 

Take the super hit show Hamilton for example. I've worked there a few times, when I do, I've been in the Mezz. And, there's a two person rotation. One is on break, other is stationed inside being a physical presence in case someone has an issue/ watching for phone usage. I don't think that two people would be enough to deal with any issues arising from these pouches being used. Enough to control things at intermission and walking out? Sure, but not for something like this. Specially if there are many people who aren't sure how to use them/find them confusing, which I can assure you will be the case. 

ETA: Also, I think that something like these pouches would be up to the production not the theatre owners. The article was talking about how in these examples of the pouches being used, it was the artists who wanted them to be used rather than the venue itself. Almost all of what the ushers do is at the instruction of the production. Late seating holds, what of the set can be photographed etc. 

Updated On: 6/20/16 at 02:37 PM

[jomilo21]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 2:55pm

Also think about the demographic difference... Teenagers and young adults at concerts who are probably a lot more willing to do something like this trusting all will be fine versus mostly older people who will not just give up there phone to a locked pouch trusting everything will be just fine...

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 3:08pm

^ I don't think you give it to anyone, it stays in your possession, just locked so you can't use it.

 

 

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 3:22pm

I don't see this working. All you need is one or two or a few people who don't produce their phones. If even one of them rings, there goes the whole plan. What good is having the other 1500 people cooperating if it only takes one or two to ruin the entire show?

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 3:40pm

Jane2 said: "I don't see this working. All you need is one or two or a few people who don't produce their phones. If even one of them rings, there goes the whole plan. What good is having the other 1500 people cooperating if it only takes one or two to ruin the entire show?"

If a show can refuse to seat latecomers, I'd guess if you refused to get a pouch for your phone and it goes off, you sort of lose your 'Oops, I'm sorry' rights and you can talk to whomever called you outside while everyone else is watching act two?

[artscallion]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 3:47pm

Intermission is the biggest stumbling block. How do you control 1500 people who want their phone unlocked, then control them from going back to their seat with it still unlocked? Do you watch them as they make their calls and make sure they all get back in line to re-lock? Do you keep them in a pen while they make their calls and have them re-locked when exiting the pen? And do this all in 15 minutes so you don't have long lines of people trying to get back in their seats after the 2nd act begins.

Not saying these pouches couldn't work. But some things definitely need to be worked out. 

Updated On: 6/20/16 at 03:47 PM

[franch2]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 4:04pm

amazing that the ludditism is so strong among certain posters that people can't admit that cell phones have improved the lives of people or that cell phones are useful in an emergency. literally, that a mobile communication device can't be helpful in an emergency. nevermind the 911/emergency calls at pulse in Orlando or bataclan in Paris describing what was happening inside. nevermind people inside such situations are able to get valuable information out to the outside world/police via twitter or text as well.

 

 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 4:33pm

franch2 said: "amazing that the ludditism is so strong among certain posters that people can't admit that cell phones have improved the lives of people or that cell phones are useful in an emergency. literally, that a mobile communication device can't be helpful in an emergency. nevermind the 911/emergency calls at pulse in Orlando or bataclan in Paris describing what was happening inside. nevermind people inside such situations are able to get valuable information out to the outside world/police via twitter or text as well."

YEP

[Fosse76]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 4:41pm

 dramamama611 said: "Cellphone blocking is illegal."

 

No, it's not. Using a cell phone jammer is illegal. If the general concept of blocking a cellphone signal were illegal, there'd be a significant number of businesses and individuals who'd be in serious legal trouble. Just try and get a signal in the Shubert Theatre's lower lounge! There's a Barnes & Noble near my apartment that has no service in the lower level. 

 

dramamama611 said: "as to personal emergencies:  you know, we had them before the cell phone was invented.  The concept that we have to be immediately reachable within seconds and at all times is an incredibly NEW idea.  (And I hate it.)

 

Every second counts in an emergency. Before cell phones, how many people died or were seriously injured because it took longer to contact emergency responders? Response time has a significant effect on survival and recovery rates. But I guess it's ok with you if someone dies from a heart attack because of the extra minute or two it took to notify the house manager or security. They would've dies 30 years ago, so it's ok if they die now.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 4:42pm

Emergencies happened when people were getting stomped on by mastodons. We should all just run around in thick pelts and worship vegetables while trying to help others by rubbing herbs on them. Since emergencies have always happened.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 5:02pm

Seriously asking:  what's the difference between blocking and jamming?  

 

I'm not saying that there aren't good uses for them, but the vast majority of us will not actually need them for those reasons.   (Hopefully.)  I DO believe their importance for most of us is greatly exaggerated.   

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 5:13pm

"If a show can refuse to seat latecomers, I'd guess if you refused to get a pouch for your phone and it goes off, you sort of lose your 'Oops, I'm sorry' rights and you can talk to whomever called you outside while everyone else is watching act two?"

I'm not sure what you're saying, but what I'm saying is once a phone rings, the whole idea of pouches goes down the tube.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 5:14pm

OMG this thread takes the cutglass flyswatter. Between the naysayers, the chicken littles, the luddites and the fundamentally ill informed, it's just a perfect storm.

[artscallion]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 5:59pm

It's just a discussion. And, after all, this is a discussion board. Do you want every thread to end once you've given your response?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 8:34pm

Any parent or grandparent will be against this. If something happens to a child they'd want to know immediately. That's why I put my phone on vibrate and keep it in My breast pocket during the show.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 11:59pm

PThespian said: "Art: Have you met Hogan? Talking down to people is more or less what he does. It's kind of his thing. 

In response to your question, past experience seems to indicate that he does want all discussion to stop once he has given his opinion. For his word shall brook no argument. "

 PT: Have you read what I wrote? There's not a smidgen of talking down to anyone in it. And the notion that I want to curtail discussion is preposterous and disproven by the archives here that you can freely examine. I encourage discussion, just as I encourage clear headed and knowledgeable thinking. In particular, why would I want this discussion to stop? It's hilarious.