London Theater Employing Volunteer Ninjas to Confront Rude Moviegoers
And here we thought the Alamo Drafthouse was zealous about rooting out cell phone use in theaters. But even their strongly worded PSAs and strict ushers seem downright passive compared to what one theater in London’s Leicester Square is doing.
The Prince Charles Cinema is said to be employing volunteer “ninjas” to regulate good behavior among the audience. The term “ninja” is being used loosely here — they’re really more like glorified ushers in black skintight bodysuits — but whatever you want to call them, it’s certainly an interesting way to keep the peace.
The so-called ninjas are ordinary cinephiles who agree to “guard” screenings in exchange for free admission. When they spot a patron talking, texting, throwing popcorn, kicking seats, or otherwise engaging in rude behavior, they swoop down to give the jerk in question a talking-to. One of the program’s recent targets, moviegoer Abdul Stagg, recounted his experience:
I normally hate noisy people in cinemas, but I got a call from my friend just as the movie started and thought I could get away with taking it. The last thing I expected was two completely blacked-out people suddenly appearing by our seats and give me and my mates a warning to shut up. It was actually pretty terrifying at first, but then I realised it was a bit of a laugh and a great way to make it clear what I was doing was having an impact on those around me. It certainly made me hang up and shut up for the rest of the film.
The scheme came about when Morphsuits co-founder Gregor Lawson found himself fed up with the inconsiderate audiences he ran into at the theater. Lawson’s Edinburgh-based company is known for their skintight full-body “zentai” suits, and he wondered if he could use his products to help solve the problem.
I’m a big fan of going to the cinema, but there’s an unspoken code of conduct when you’re watching a movie that some people just don’t understand. Then when some fans were discussing being ninjas in their Morphsuits on our Facebook page I had a eureka moment. I thought I’d find a cinema and see if we could bring a light hearted taskforce to the aid of movie fans.”
Absurd as the program seems at first glance, it makes an odd sort of sense. The problem isn’t just that some moviegoers are jerks, but also that the people around said jerks are often reluctant to confront them about their behavior. Having a little ninja army dedicated to calling these people out seems like a tidy and entertaining way to solve both parts of the issue. And all at no cost to either theaters or patrons. Now, who wants to be the first to bring this program to the U.S.?
Source - Slash Films
And people do some weird stuff in theaters. Changing clothing, changing babies, fucking in kids movies, etc. I think working in a theater as a teenager is what made me start to really hate people.
Edited at 2012-09-14 01:24 am (UTC)
pardon??
Last time I went to a movie these teenagers were making out on the back row and I wanted to tell them to stop sucking face and wasting the money they paid to see the film...then I was overwhelmed with the reality that I must be old if that sort of bullshit is bothering me.
omg what
i used to work at a theater too and thankfully the craziest thing i encounter in a kids movie was finding beer cans on the floor after a showing of happy feet lmao
Wow, do tell!
I don't really talk to her anymore.
I hope they do the same thing to those assholes that put their feet up
Edited at 2012-09-14 01:24 am (UTC)
(but I sit in the back row and only do it if no one is directly in front of me)
But so many idiots put them up on the chair/armrests when people are sitting in front on them and ugh.. It's so fucking disgusting and infuriating
Edited at 2012-09-14 02:06 am (UTC)
the fact that he was talking throughout the whole movie had nothing to do with itSome bitch did that to me last month so I kept stretching and touching her feet. She put her feet down but had no fucking shame because she put them back 5 minutes later. So I stretched and grabbed a hold of her feet. Gave her the biggest scare.
BRILLIANT idea, IMHO.
the theatres here have constant reminders of turning off cell phones and texting during the movie, it doesnt happen often. but some ass clown always has to kick the back of my seat. drives me f'kn crazy
Yes.
I do expect anyone over the age of 12 to be able to be quiet for two hours in a cinema. If you want to talk about the movie, talk about it *after* the movie like everyone else does.
Uh, yeah, people should EASILY be able to sit quietly for 2 hours, even in a group setting. Wtf.
p.s. my dream is to win the lottery and buy my own theater and have only one seat in it. For me!
I wanted to tell her "You're welcome, I'm glad I could do your parenting for you."
Edited at 2012-09-14 04:07 am (UTC)
You can put it away for 2 hours. I promise you won't die!
Ugh people. No civility.