I'm attending An Evening With Ellen Degeneres at Davies Hall in San Francisco on 8/16 and just received a notice from the venue re cell phone usage. A solution that is long past due IMHO. I am all for this at ALL legit venues. What is your opinion?
LOVE this. I wish they’d do this at every live show. It boggles my mind that some people actually take their phones out mid-show to take pics or send a text.
Interesting idea, but I think it would present a myriad of problems. I don’t believe for a second their claim that it expedites the departure process. There’s no way ushers standing at the exits would be able to quickly unlock and collect the cases from departing patrons (up to something like 1800 on Broadway and many more in the large touring houses) in an efficient way. I just don’t see that working.
A friend of mine just posted that a club he went to had these (in NYC). He loved it, thought the club was far more "human".
As to time: theaters would have to hire more ushers, methinks, to make it work.
My bigger concern would be that the people that hide their phones, would be the people most likely to be rude with it anyway!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Davies is a large venue. I'll let you know how it goes Thursday night. They do recommend arriving at least one hour prior to performance, but that doesn't bother me - Mr. Earl E. Arrival - at all.
adamgreer said: "Interesting idea, but I think it would present a myriad of problems. I don’t believe for a second their claim that it expedites the departure process. There’s no way ushers standing at the exits would be able to quickly unlock and collect the cases from departing patrons (up to something like 1800 on Broadway and many more in the large touring houses) in an efficient way. I just don’t see that working."
We have actually started using these a few months ago at certain television tapings here in La La land. They work quite well. Upon exit theres a contraption where you slide the case in and it unlocks the cases in seconds. The audience then drops the sleeves in containers. Much like 3D glasses .
DAME said: "adamgreer said: "Interesting idea, but I think it would present a myriad of problems. I don’t believe for a second their claim that it expedites the departure process. There’s no way ushers standing at the exits would be able to quickly unlock and collect the cases from departing patrons (up to something like 1800 on Broadway and many more in the large touring houses) in an efficient way. I just don’t see that working." We have actually started using these a few months ago at certain television tapings here in La La land. They work quite well. Upon exit theres a contraption where you slide the case in and it unlocks the cases in seconds. The audience then drops the sleeves in containers. Much like 3D glasses ."
We had to put our phones in these for the JCS Live rehearsal. I’m all for it, except the hundreds of invited guests across from us didn’t have to put their phones in these cases so it seemd a little unfair. I was thrilled to be there and didn’t ultimately care but you’re going to have this policy it has to be for everyone in the house or there are going to be issues.
greenifyme2 said: "We had to put our phones in these for the JCS Live rehearsal. I’m all for it, except the hundreds of invited guests across from us didn’t have to put their phones in these cases so it seemd a little unfair. I was thrilled to be there and didn’t ultimately care but you’re going to have this policy it has to be for everyone in the house or there are going to be issues."
Were those guests on-camera or off? I can't recall seeing phones in the close-up shots of the audience.
CarlosAlberto said: "DAME said: "adamgreer said: "Interesting idea, but I think it would present a myriad of problems. I don’t believe for a second their claim that it expedites the departure process. There’s no way ushers standing at the exits would be able to quickly unlock and collect the cases from departing patrons (up to something like 1800 on Broadway and many more in the large touring houses) in an efficient way. I just don’t see that working." We have actually started using these a few months ago at certain television tapings here in La La land. They work quite well. Upon exit theres a contraption where you slide the case in and it unlocks the cases in seconds. The audience then drops the sleeves in containers. Much like 3D glasses ."
DAME said: "CarlosAlberto said: "DAME said: "adamgreer said: "Interesting idea, but I think it would present a myriad of problems. I don’t believe for a second their claim that it expedites the departure process. There’s no way ushers standing at the exits would be able to quickly unlock and collect the cases from departing patrons (up to something like 1800 on Broadway and many more in the large touring houses) in an efficient way. I just don’t see that working." We have actually started using these a few months ago at certain television tapings here in La La land. They work quite well. Upon exit theres a contraption where you slide the case in and it unlocks the cases in seconds. The audience then drops the sleeves in containers. Much like 3D glasses ."
dramamama611 said: "A friend of mine just posted that a club he went to had these (in NYC). He loved it, thought the club was far more "human".
As to time: theaters would have to hire more ushers, methinks, to make it work.
My bigger concern would be that the people that hide their phones, would be the people most likely to be rude with it anyway!"
Well, for sure. And if the theater owners did that, you know those additional costs would be ultimately passed on to ticket buyers and ticket prices would go up.
And yes, the people who choose to sneak their phones in would be the ones most likely to have them go off to begin with!
I wonder how theater's would enforce it. What if I said, "I don't have my phone with me" ? Are they going to frisk me? Are they going to have me walk through a metal detector?
Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "greenifyme2 said: "We had to put our phones in these for the JCS Live rehearsal. I’m all for it, except the hundreds of invited guests across from us didn’t have to put their phones in these cases so it seemd a little unfair. I was thrilled to be there and didn’t ultimately care but you’re going to have this policy it has to be for everyone in the house or there are going to be issues."
Were those guests on-camera or off? I can't recall seeing phones in the close-up shots of the audience.
"
It was the rehearsal. They were on camera anyway (the seat I was in was not), and yes there were visible phones in the actual live show as they did not put any phones in these cases for the live show.
adamgreer said: "dramamama611 said: "A friend of mine just posted that a club he went to had these (in NYC). He loved it, thought the club was far more "human".
As to time: theaters would have to hire more ushers, methinks, to make it work.
My bigger concern would be that the people that hide their phones, would be the people most likely to be rude with it anyway!"
Well, for sure. And if the theater owners did that, you know those additional costs would be ultimately passed on to ticket buyers and ticket prices would go up.
And yes, the people who choose to sneak their phones in would be the ones most likely to have them go off to begin with!"
Dame, what do you suggest be done then? The problem is already waaay out of hand and moi for one am ready to give this a shot.
greenifyme2 said: "Sho-Tunes-R-Us said: "greenifyme2 said: "We had to put our phones in these for the JCS Live rehearsal. I’m all for it, except the hundreds of invited guests across from us didn’t have to put their phones in these cases so it seemd a little unfair. I was thrilled to be there and didn’t ultimately care but you’re going to have this policy it has to be for everyone in the house or there are going to be issues."
Were those guests on-camera or off? I can't recall seeing phones in the close-up shots of the audience.
"
It was the rehearsal. They were on camera anyway (the seat I was in was not), and yes there were visible phones in the actual live show as they did not put any phones in these cases for the live show.
God forbid there was a police or medical emergency where every second counted. Even a 30 second delay in getting police or medical help could prove fatal or lead to mass casualties.
But your phone is suppose to be turned OFF anyway - so what's your point, really - that it's ok for people to be checking their phones non stop bothering all those around them, and sometimes the actors?
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Theater3232 said: "God forbid there was a police or medicalemergency where every second counted. Even a 30 second delay in getting police or medical help could prove fatal or lead to mass casualties."
"What happens if there is an emergency in the venue and I can’t access my phone?
All venue staff and security have cell phones and radios. Should an emergency occur, they are trained to implement and execute safety and emergency procedures. Guests should follow all venue instructions and evacuate immediately in the case of an emergency. Yondr Venue Staff will have hand-held unlocking devices outside at a safe distance from the venue."
dramamama611 said: "But your phone is suppose to be turned OFF anyway - so what's your point, really - that it's ok for people to be checking their phones non stop bothering all those around them, and sometimes the actors?
"
Preach, dramamama611! The great "what if" keeps many people from truly enjoying their lives.
A lot of people are horrible theater goers and do NOT turn off their cell phones. This program should be implemented at every single Broadway theater. Yep, it will take you longer to leave the theater. Deal. The cast, crew and good theater goers will be so much happier.
So staff will be located at the end of the show to free your phone.and I hope the line won't be too long. ....But what if I wanted to quietly leave before the end of the show because it was, you know, bad? Would I first have to track someone down? And would I feel obliged to explain to why I was leaving? Sorry,I don't want to be put through hoops just to escape from some place. Terrible idea.