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a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening- Page 2

a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening

South Fl Marc Profile Photo
South Fl Marc
#25re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 11:02am

I think its wonderful that Mr. Shaiman seems to care about what happened. Too bad the same can't be said for New Line Cinema.It's up to them now. I tend not to patronize companies that treat their customers so callously.


On a side note - congratulations Mr. Shaiman for the reviews on Hairspray. You deserve it (even if New Line Cinema does not). Updated On: 7/17/07 at 11:02 AM

doodlenyc Profile Photo
doodlenyc
#26re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 11:08am

I must commend you, Marc, for caring enough to take the time to express your concern and offer a way for people to be heard...I'm impressed!

What's next, will you be ushering and passing out popcorn? re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening

It seems that everyone was mistreated by both New Line AND the cinemas. Even in a bad situation, even when it's not your fault, there is a proper way to deal with it.

Sorry everyone had such a crappy time.


"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."

"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS

SporkGoddess
#27re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 11:13am

My suggestion: hire a PR person. A really good one. New Line's PR people are probably about ready to kill them.


Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

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avab802
#28re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 11:54am

It also says that "Theatre seating is limited to theatre capacity, and is on a first-come, first-serve basis."

Therein lies the rub, best12. I got in line for the NYC screening at around 5pm, and a large group of Sebastian salon people were behind me in line. There was a lot of confusion, because they were told they had a private screening; also, their passes said 7pm and ours said 7:30pm. We all thought there must be two screenings. A woman from the salon group went to find out where they were supposed to go, and next thing we knew she came back through the line telling everyone with the salon passes to follow her. People came back through the line periodically after that rounding up the salon group and taking them to the front, while the rest of us continued to stand there thinking their screening must be separate from ours. At around 6:30pm word started to travel back the line that any passes from Evite/New Line were invalid and the only people getting into the screening were the Sebastian salon group.

From what I gathered, New Line had messed up and the salon group had "bought out" the whole theater for the screening. (Those were the words of the New Line rep.) The one rep New Line sent out to deal with the situation said if we wrote our e-mail address on our pass, she'd collect them and send us info/passes for future screenings. I did so, but I'm not confident I'll ever receive anything.

I still want to see Hairspray, but I'm angry that I wasted hours standing in line for nothing. New Line had to have known beforehand that they could not accommodate nearly the number of passes they gave out. If they were going to give preference to the salon group, they should have sent an e-mail to everyone who downloaded passes from their website simply saying that the screening had been cancelled. People would have been disappointed, but at least we would not have wasted our time.

Marc, to answer your original question, I'd love a pair of free passes from New Line, that I would use to see Hairspray this weekend.

Gothampc
#29re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 12:02pm

The only way to solve this is for Marc Shaiman to invite everyone to his home for a private screening. Serving brie and a nice char-donnay might help ease the suffering a bit as well. Then a second showing would be required with his personal commentary.


If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Updated On: 7/17/07 at 12:02 PM

tomemiller
#30re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 12:02pm

Yea, Mark, a pair of tickets would be a good solution to the mistreatment of the fans.

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elimeyer
#31re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 12:21pm

Marc, thanks for caring!

I sent an email to New Line just to tell them what happened, I posted it in the other thread.

As I said there, it isn't the FREE part of the screening, it was the chance to see it sooner, rather than later, and to see it together with other Hairspray fans, rather than bunches of screaming girls who dragged their boyfriends to a musical.

To top it all off, we were treated like homeless people being rustled out of the subways. There was no excuse for that. They should have told us there was a problem instead of making us wait HOURS for nothing. It seems now that they KNEW there was an issue when the 1st Salon people showed up with passes that had a different time printed on them. So, it wasn't about the disclaimer, it was that there was NO 7:30 showing to being with!

Even though this was to be a free screening, I feel that New Line SHOULD make it up to us somehow, just because we all invested time, some canceled other plans or shows, and we were treated badly. I suggest either two passes to see the show (which we all would have seen multiple times anyway) or a coupon for the soundtrack.

I think most people would be happy about that.
-elli-


-elli- Visit me @ http://www.thekingofbroadway.com "They say that life is 'Tit for Tat' and thats the way I live, so I deserve a lot of 'TAT' for what I've got to give!!!"

Akitarent
#32re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 12:30pm

Thank you Marc!

I second the free screening at Mr. Shaiman's house or ticket to the movie. I was just mad because I had planned for weeks, came into the city at noon to just walk around and wait in line. This will not stop me in any way of seeing the movie but I was so disgusted by disorgianization by New Line Cinema. I think I just felt more frustrated than anything, since I had my friends drive into the city only for them to get here for nothing.

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JP2
#33re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 12:53pm

I third the screening at Marc's house...

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doodlenyc
#34re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 12:57pm

I dont care for char-donnay.


"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."

"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS

broadwayguy2
#35re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 1:05pm

While a screening at Marc's would be FUN, I don't think we should lay ALL of the blame on New Line.


First of all, they have email and name contact info for every pass holder online, so they can find us without us having to contact them.

Given the parties involved, I expect more than one thing.

Due to Sebastian being the company that supposedly caused a lot of grief here, I think all pass holders should be given something from the company for themselves and the "plus one" on he pass. Even if it is just the can of Ultra Clutch that they are selling.
AMC should distribute free passes to all pass holders due tho THEIR handling f the patrons.
New Line should compensate somehow for their part in the mess.. A free soundtrack, movie memorabilia perhaps.... something... (The Sebastian people were certainly decked out in pins and tees for the film..)

CapnHook Profile Photo
CapnHook
#36re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 1:19pm

I'm sure it was not the intention of New Line Cinema to punish nor outrage the direct fanbase of their film - the folks that will be there opening night and bring in the bucks for its opening weekend box office.

It seems as if there was a miscommunication within PR at New Line. While I am sure all those who tried to attend the screening are pissed off, as you should be, you also need to understand that it probably was not New Line's intention to do so. You are not entitled to any compensation - and if compensation is provided, that would be merely a good gesture on New Line's part. So if they decide to do so, that's great. If not - you should not hold any animousity and show understanding that things do sometimes go wrong. (If I were New Line, it would make sense to me to hold a special day-before screening for those who already printed e-vites).

As for the "rudeness" of the staff at AMC, New Line is CERTAINLY not accountable for that whatsoever. Contact AMC's upper management in regards to those complaints, and I would say you should be entitled to an apology - possibly free tickets to the film after it opens, depending on exactly what happened with the staff.


"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

G_Schlozinski2
#37re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 1:19pm

re: "My questions to the theater managment: Why did you let people stand in line for hours if there was no public screening? And why call the cops to disperse the crowd?"

the answer to first question is manifold: first, it's called 'papering' the house. in case not enough invited audience actually show up, those on line become the 'asses in seats' necessary to ensure a full house at the screening. in addition, those who are first in line to fill any empty seats are likely to be the biggest fans who are going to laugh the loudest, clap the hardest, etc., and feel SO EXCITED THAT THEY ACTUALLY GOT IN TO SEE IT THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO STOP TALKING ABOUT IT TO EVERYONE THEY KNOW... which brings us to the next point: BUZZ! and what's buzz all about? well, are any of you who were on line and didn't get in talking to anyone about being on this HUGE line to get in and not getting in?

the answer to the second question is pretty simple: ever read "day of the locusts?"

G_Schlozinski2
#38re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 1:24pm

and by the way... you (probably without realizing it), answered your own question when you said: "Apparently when similar problems occurred at screenings in other cities, the theater(s) issued free passes to other movies. The theater here in New York made no such offer, they just told us to file complaints with New Line. OF COURSE I WOULD RATHER HAVE SEEN HAIRSPRAY THAN GET A PASS FOR SOME OTHER MOVIE... [emphasis mine]"

gee, do you think it was an ACCIDENT that similar 'problems' occcurred at screenings in other cities? do you think it was a last minute decision to issue those free passes in other cities? do you think it was an accident that there were no free passes issued here in NYC?


finebydesign Profile Photo
finebydesign
#39re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 1:24pm

Doesn't it open against the Harry Potter book?

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avab802
#40re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 1:31pm

CapnHook, I'm sure we all know it was not New Line's intention to screw over those of us who waited hours for nothing. But it happened. When a company makes an error, they should attempt to correct it. It's impossible to re-do the screening, but a little compensation for our wasted time would do a lot for their PR. As it stands now, I'm sure most of the people who were there last night will never attend a New Line screening again.

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DottieD'Luscia
#41re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 1:39pm

I most definitely won't be purchasing any Sebastian products after last night.


Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

G_Schlozinski2
#42re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 1:42pm

no, people waiting in line does more for the film's PR than anything those who felt 'screwed over' might consider adequate compensation for the wasted time. after all, New Line didn't waste anyone's time... people who waited in line did that for themselves. (doesn't anyone think to himself: 'are major entertainment corporations in the business of offering something for nothing?')

now... how many message threads are on this site alone where people are talking about waiting in long lines to see Hairspray?

bzzzz, bzzzzzzz, bzzzzzzzzzzz

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avab802
#43re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 1:46pm

It's not about the film's PR. It's about New Line Cinema's PR.

G_Schlozinski2
#44re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 1:53pm

re: "I most definitely won't be purchasing any Sebastian products after last night."

but you see that doesn't matter much to Sebastian Industries either. they cater to the professional market, not the consumer market, and the people they were marketing to SAW THE FILM!

now if Betty Crocker was offering the E-vites, it would all be quite different, and all those people not getting in would indeed be a PR disaster... but that's why Betty Crocker (or Coca Cola, or Subaru...) doesn't do this type of promotion.

Show of hands: among those of you who had to wait in line and didn't get in, how many of you are not going to go see the movie, Hairspray, just because you're upset about what happened. Be honest: the vast majority of those who waited in line are going to pony up the $10 to see the film with everyone else. And of the small minority who don't, most of THEM will rent the DVD, or watch it on cable, or...

hey, don't look at me, though... i've never even seen Jurassic Park with commercial interruptions, and i CERTAINLY didn't wait on line to see a sneak preview... but the bottom line is that we all see what we WANT to see because we want to see it... and we want to see it because we've heard about it... and we've heard about it because... that's right, folks! YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IT.

(hmmm... here's an original thought i just had: "there's no such thing as bad publicity." isn't that i clever, original thought i just had?)

Fosse76
#45re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:08pm

"hmmm... here's an original thought i just had: "there's no such thing as bad publicity." isn't that i clever, original thought i just had?"

Just ask Isaah Washington if that's true, and I'm sure he'll disagree. While his antics where not the fault of Grey's Anatomy, it didn't increase ratings. On the contrary, they got worse.

I also think it's a bit disingenuous to ASSUME that most people in the line were only fans of the musical. I am pretty confident that the vast majority them aren't, and that it definitely does not help to call the police on potential ticket buyers. And to say New Line didn't waste anyone's time is a falshood at best. The printouts weren't the only passes...from what I understand there were also passes on hardstock that weren't from Sebastian either. The passes were issued by New Line; the internet passes were issued ny New Line. They therefore issued passes they were never going to honor, which at best is fraud, and could open them up to a fine.

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finebydesign
#46re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:14pm

I've waited in line for many things. Everything from free food to book signings, concerts, amuesment park rides, countless other movie previews pretty much all the same. Always knowing there was a risk of being cut-off or not seen.

The problem here is they way the "cut-off" was handeled. They called the police. That was pretty damn low.

Fosse76
#47re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:22pm

The issue here is that they issued passes they decided they were not going to accept. The wording did not indicate that they could void the offer, merely, it stated that seating and entry were limited and not guaranteed. The people with passes weren't being allowed in period. They were being treated as if they had stoling the passes. It would be one thing if they had started allowing them in, but the passes weren't accepted period. There is a HUGE difference. It's like buying a ticket from tkts and then the theatre deciding not to accept it because you didn't buy it from the box office.

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best12bars
#48re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:29pm

It isn't so much that they goofed up, but it's how they handled it that's just wrong.

...like a bunch of four-year-olds getting caught stealing candy.

They didn't own up to the mistake, and they didn't act like adults running a (very large) business.

I agree it's shameful.


"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

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Anakela
#49re: a question for those who felt mistreated at a HAIRSPRAY screening
Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:29pm

Show of hands: among those of you who had to wait in line and didn't get in, how many of you are not going to go see the movie, Hairspray, just because you're upset about what happened.

*raises hand*

I actually saw it at the TONY screening last week, I wasn't invalidated at one of the screenings that happened last night, but if I didn't get in to that screening I had no plans to see this in the theatre, 1- because Harry Potter is getting all of my money this month, and 2- because John Travolta seriously bugs, and I try not to see anything he is in (sorry).

I was always planning on renting it, though.


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