There's nothing like being able to sit down in a darkened theater and enjoy a bowl of popcorn and a cold beverage, ready to take you away to another world. Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at your local movie theatre? Your theater workers may not want you to know some of the secrets and fascinating facts. We'll be sharing some of these secrets with you and giving you a glimpse behind the scenes of the movie theater business.
Theaters Make More Money from Concessions than Ticket Sales
You're not the only one who feels like you have paid a lot for small popcorn and soda at the cinema. Concession sales make theaters a higher profit margin than ticket sales. This is why popcorn and other snacks can seem expensive. Theaters must make up the difference by selling tickets at lower margins.
Theatre employees get to see movies for free
One of the perks of working at a movie theater is that employees get to watch movies for free. Movie-lovers can enjoy this benefit without having to spend much. The catch is that employees have to wait after the theater has closed to watch the movie. They might not see it until a few weeks later.
Theaters Only Have a Short Window to Show New Releases
Have you ever wondered why a movie seems to disappear from theaters so quickly after it's released? It's because theaters only have a short window to show new releases before they have to make way for the next big thing. This is why it's important to see a movie in the theater if you want to catch it on the big screen - it might not be there for very long.
Theaters will often use the same movie reel on multiple screens.
A theater might receive only one movie reel when they get a new movie. This reel can be used to play the film on multiple screens within the theater. This means that if you're seeing a movie in one theater room, there's a good chance that the same movie is playing in another room at the same time.
altoona movie theater Must Follow Stringent Rules to Show Movies
Movie theaters have to follow strict rules and guidelines when it comes to showing movies. Even if everyone is ready and seated, they cannot start a movie earlier than the scheduled start times. They can't show previews longer than a set time and must stop selling tickets before the movie begins.
Cleaning Theaters can be a difficult job
Ever wonder who takes out all the trash and popcorn after a movie ends? It's the theater employees. It's not an easy job. They need to be able to quickly clean up the theater in time for the next movie. It can be challenging to deal with customers who have left their trash everywhere. Be kind to your trash and make sure it is properly disposed of!
Theaters Can Be Very Cold
You're not the only person who's ever felt uncomfortable at the cinema. To preserve the film and keep the equipment in good condition, theaters are kept extremely cold. If you're sensitive, be sure to bring a sweater and jacket.
Movie Theaters are Fading Away
Movie theaters are finding it difficult to survive with the advent of streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. Many people would rather watch movies at home than go to the theater, and this trend is only increasing. This is why theaters offer more luxurious experiences, such as recliner seats.
Movies shown in theaters are projected by projectors
Although some theaters now use digital projectors for their movies, there are still many old theaters that still use traditional film projectors. These projectors use light to shine the film onto the screen, creating the images you see on the big screen. Digital projectors use a computer to project the movie.
Theaters offer screenings and special events
Many theaters offer screenings and special events like midnight showings of the most popular films or classic film screenings. These events can be great fun for movie enthusiasts who are looking to have a unique experience. Some theaters even offer live events, such as concerts or performances, in addition to movies.
Movie Theater Popcorn is a Unique Experience
Have you ever noticed that movie theater popcorn has a unique taste and smell? The reason is that it's often popped in coconut oil, and then flavored with specific seasonings. This combination creates classic movie theater popcorn flavor.
Theaters Have to Deal with Movie Piracy
Movie piracy has become a major problem for the movie business. Theatres need to take preventative measures. Security measures are often in place to ensure no illegal recording of the movie. This can include night-vision goggles or trained employees who look for suspicious behavior.
Theaters Make More Money on Opening Weekends
Movie theaters are most successful when they have opening weekends. This is because they can make the most money. Theaters will often show multiple screenings of a new movie in the first few days after it is released. If a film doesn't perform well on its first weekend, it is likely to be pulled from theaters quickly.
Movie Theaters can be loud
If you've ever been to a cinema and been annoyed by the noise from other patrons, then you are not alone. Movie theaters can be noisy places, especially during busy showings. This is why many theaters offer special screenings for people with sensory issues, where the lights are left on and the sound is turned down.
Theaters Have to Pay a Percentage of Ticket Sales to Movie Studios
A percentage of the ticket sales must be paid by movie theatres to the film studios that produced the films they show. The theaters can't keep all of the ticket sales they make, they must share it with the studios. This is another reason why theaters rely on concession sales to make a profit.
Cinemas offer movie buffs a unique experience. The movie theater has many hidden secrets. When you next go to the movies take the time to appreciate the effort that goes into creating that memorable experience. And don't forget to clean up after yourself - your local theater employees will appreciate it!