Some theaters offering "Tweet Seats" to those who want to text/tweet during the show

[BLUEGRASS]

From http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitte...heater_b16385:

We’re all trained to power down our smartphones and leave our iPads in the car when we enter the theater. It’s common courtesy to the performers and the other patrons to not distract them with the chime of a new text message or by tapping wildly on our keypads during the show.

However, there are a handful of theaters and organizations who have decided to embrace the smartphone addicts of the world and create “tweet seats” – sections of seating encouraging the use of Twitter to discuss the show.

Surprisingly, it’s not movie theaters that are paving the way for a connected, interactive experience: it’s the more classical live theater and opera houses.

According to USA Today, there are a handful of opera houses, musical productions and even Shakespeare companies encouraging the use of Twitter while their players and singers are on stage.

Of course, the placement of these “tweet seats” is key. Not everyone is allowed to simply turn on their phones whenever they like, as the majority of patrons still prefer the silence and distraction-free atmosphere of a traditional night at the theater. Most production companies that have decided to embrace Twitter are seating those ultra-connected types at the very back of the theater.

It’s the smaller venues that are leading the way when it comes to “tweet seats” – major venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center have yet to give a nod to their tweet-obsessed patrons.

Elisa Hale, the public relations manager of Goodspeed Opera House – one of the handful that does offer these new “tweet seats” – explains that she is constantly monitoring the Twitter chatter from backstage:

“This is sort of an enhancement … because there is a way to interact during the show.”

And she goes on to say that they have experienced no negative tweets during any performance.

I hope that the idea for these "tweet seats" will not be embraced by the big movie theater chains. What happened to the days of going to see a movie and ACTUALLY WATCHING THE FRIGGIN MOVIE instead of texting/tweeting during it?

That is my opinion on this...what do you all think?

[Chordata]

Pretty sure the article has to do with theaters --- not movie theaters.

In any event, I think it's a good idea. Times are changing; people have their phones on them all the time, they're stupid and use them all the time, so we might as well create a little spot for them to use them where it won't distract the other non-phone-using people.

If they succeed, then we'd have nothing to gripe about. Wouldn't that be great?

[Mike53421]

Absolute scum of the earth (and yes, it doesn't apply to movie theatres... yet).

[P@t_Mtl]

To quote Charlie Brown

"good grief!"

What ever happen to actually sitting down and enjoying what you are watching and just relaxing. Our society as taken multi-tasking to such a stupid level. We are stress beyond believe, you are watching a play, take the chance to relax and enjoy it!

Yoda is so right "long have I watch this society, their minds always dreaming away, always looking to the future, never on where they are, what they are doing!"

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

To quote Charlie Brown

"good grief!"

What ever happen to actually sitting down and enjoying with you are watching and just relaxing. Our society as taken multi-tasking to such a stupid level. We are stress beyond believe, you are watching a play, take the chance to relax and enjoy it!

Yoda is so right "long have I watch this society, their minds always dreaming away, always looking to the future, never on where they are, what they are doing!"

I agree it's lame that people can't detach themselves from their phones, office e-mail, etc., but that's the reality. We might as well accept it and try to find ways to cope. This is one (good) way. Somehow locking texting, etc., while driving is another -- God I hope that becomes a reality.

[SpaceDog]

There is a great solution for people who want to talk/text/web during a movie - it's called DVD. Stay home!

[Atreyu]

Originally Posted by SpaceDog

There is a great solution for people who want to talk/text/web during a movie - it's called DVD. Stay home!

My thoughts exactly!!!!

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by SpaceDog

There is a great solution for people who want to talk/text/web during a movie - it's called DVD. Stay home!

If it doesn't impact my viewing experience, I couldn't care less what other people do in a movie theater. Not sure why anyone would.

[SpaceDog]

Originally Posted by Chordata

If it doesn't impact my viewing experience, I couldn't care less what other people do in a movie theater. Not sure why anyone would.

Texting and talking have both impacted my viewing experience. It's not like they've all sat in the back row quietly texting away. They generally sit dead center (toward the front) and jabber and type away. Or worse, next to me.

Manners should be adhered whether you perceive you are bothering someone else or not.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Chordata

I agree it's lame that people can't detach themselves from their phones, office e-mail, etc., but that's the reality. We might as well accept it and try to find ways to cope. This is one (good) way. Somehow locking texting, etc., while driving is another -- God I hope that becomes a reality.

So lay down? Give up? Accomodate the rude? Comply with the will of the inconsiderate? Its that attitude that allows this behavioral cancer to grow.

Not me. I'm not old fashioned and I dont reject new technology, but simple social curtesy should NEVER go out of style.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by SpaceDog

Texting and talking have both impacted my viewing experience. It's not like they've all sat in the back row quietly texting away. They generally sit dead center (toward the front) and jabber and type away. Or worse, next to me.

Manners should be adhered whether you perceive you are bothering someone else or not.

You're missing my point: IF they can address it by having a "text zone" or whatever such that it wouldn't affect you at all, then my point is, who cares and let them do what they want.

Obviously if theaters can't achieve that, then the idiots need to stop disrupting movies. That's all I'm saying.

[SpaceDog]

Originally Posted by Chordata

You're missing my point: IF they can address it by having a "text zone" or whatever such that it wouldn't affect you at all, then my point is, who cares and let them do what they want.

Obviously if theaters can't achieve that, then the idiots need to stop disrupting movies. That's all I'm saying.

Theaters already have text zones. They are called lobbies.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

So lay down? Give up? Accomodate the rude? Comply with the will of the inconsiderate? Its that attitude that allows this behavioral cancer to grow.

Not me. I'm not old fashioned and I dont reject new technology, but simple social curtesy should NEVER go out of style.

Um, no, you do what you can to make it better for both sides. If a "texting zone" somehow does that (not sure how it could), then everyone wins.

Like I've said, if they can't achieve that, then screw the texters.

By the way, if you knew me, you'd know I'm a hardass and don't let rude people get away with anything. That's one of the reasons I don't go to movies -- I spent too much time arguing with *******s. I argue much less at my own home. So let's not suggest my attitude contributes to the problem.

[chad_1138]

Theaters already have "Tweet Seats"...they're in the lobby

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by SpaceDog

Theaters already have text zones. They are called lobbies.

Originally Posted by chad_1138

Theaters already have "Tweet Seats"...they're in the lobby

Jinx!

Ok but you guys still miss my point. Let's say they could create an area inside the theater itself where people could use their phones and you'd never know it. No lights. No sounds. You'd never know.

How then could you possibly object to it? Just because? Because people "should enjoy movies"? It wouldn't affect you at all, yet you'd still oppose it and let it bother you? Interesting.

[Scooby Blu]

Does anyone remember the Cry Rooms in church back in the 70's? For those that don't it is a room at the back of the church that keeps parents and babies behind glass in a special room so that crying kids will not disrupt the service. Perhaps this idea could be used again????

[remake]

My theatre will kick you out if you text, talk, or put your feet on the seats. Also no small children allowed in films not suited for them.

[BLUEGRASS]

Man...I really, REALLY hope that the larger theater chains do not try out the "tweet seats" idea. The more I think about it, the more problems I have with it...

(1) How many seats will there be and where will they be? I'm assuming they would have to be at the very back of the theater in order for the glowing phone screens to not disturb others. I personally like to sit at the back of the theater (and I know a lot of other people do as well), so would this mean that if I still want to do so I would have to put up with people messing around with their phones? Also, if for some ungodly reason all of the alotted "tweet seats" fill up, does that mean that people who still want to mess around on their phones during the movie can sit somewhere else?

(2) who is going to monitor the "tweet seats" in the movie theaters? I find it hard to believe that the theater staff is going to be in every theater making sure that people playing around on their phones are in the designated sections.

(3) would the tweeting/texting only be for cell phones, or could someone bring in an iPad/Kindle Fire/tablet? And I thought a glowing cell phone screen was bad....

(4) bottom line for me...if a movie theater opens the door to encourage people to text/tweet during a movie in a certain area, then over time I think that will lead to people sitting wherever they want in the theater texting and tweeting (like it is now), but the theater mgmt. won't really have a leg to stand on to say anything negative to people using phones in the theater.

[BLUEGRASS]

Originally Posted by victim

My theatre will kick you out if you text, talk, or put your feet on the seats. Also no small children allowed in films not suited for them.

Is your theater the Alamo Drafthouse? From what I've read, that theater chain has a no tolerance policy for people disrupting the movie with talking/texting/etc...

I want to visit one

[Foggy]

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