Would seem like a waste of energy and money to run a film with no one in attendance, no?
What if just one person shows up? It would be kinda sweet having the whole theatre room to yourself.
I’ve watched movies where I was the only person at the theater. But I don’t know what they do if they sell zero tickets.
shareIt's a really interesting question though. I'm really curious about it.
What movie did you see where you were the only one? How was that? That must have been sweet having the entire room to yourself! Or was it weird? 🤔
It must not have been a popular movie if you only showed up, lol. Or did you attend the earliest matinee or the very late night screenings? Usually those time slots have barely any people in it.
I can’t remember the specific movies but I in general try to go to see films, albeit at night, during the least busy days. Middle of the week and after the film has been out a few weeks. I purposely do that because when I go to see a movie I want to be immersed in the film and not listen to people talking. I don’t mind people responding to what is happening in the film by laughing etc. but I don’t want to hear them talking, snoring, etc.
shareI'm similar way. I'm an introvert and prefer less people around.
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They still play it. People show up late, and they need to stay on schedule.
shareBut isn't it wasting energy to run the entire movie with no one in attendance? That seems foolish from a business perspective. Perhaps they turn off the movie after like 20 minutes if no one shows up. That makes sense.
shareI saw whatever Harold and kumar 2 was called . I was the only one in the theatre, it was like 11 am on a Tuesday . I was on vacation in Chicago and I just happened to walk by the theatre and figured what the hell ?
shareI saw Spiral in the theater me and the wife were the only ones there. It was nice.
shareI don’t think theater employees are highly paid and they probably have to maintain a schedule.
If one guy showed up for a matinee showing would you give a damn?
Of course you wouldn’t, you are making 10 bucks an hour…show the picture.
I would not care at all, just toss some popcorn and keep the goddam lights on.
In the old days of physical film, yes they always play, someone might come in late and you can't fast forward, likewise once it's started you couldn't stop you have to feed the film all the way through.
I worked in a multiplex in the 90s and one evening there was a sporting event and only a couple of people showed up, all 12 screens still played. A smaller independent might do it differently though. I would think it's a similar story with digital the multiplex everything's automated now probably a pain to switch off 10 screens and then some punter might complain.
In this post-projectionist era, how does the manager know the film is running with no problems? Or does someone have to complain?
shareIn a multiplex the projectionist will have wandered off to lace another projector, sometimes in a different room, so even back then you'd need someone to complain. Mostly focus or sound issues.
Occasionally the lens wouldn't flip (changing aspect ratio between trailers and film) and they'd be watching everything squashed up, punters would watch the whole film like that and not complain!
I'd imagine that the cost of projecting on to the big screen is relatively small these days, possibly negligible. So it's easier to just stick to the schedule wether the theatre is empty or not. I've ended up being the only one there a couple of times and I doubt the folks selling the tickets and popcorn care.
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