Memph, TN Midnight Showing of Episode III Planning Thread - Line forms at 5pm per Malco

So, since we'll be outside and it's very likely that it'll be hot...is everyone gonna wear their underwear or what?

 

I may have to make a new under-robe for the Palpy costume so I can go commando underneath.

 

Ok...Here's my deal......I won a premiere pass from the Buzz this morning for the 7:30 showing on the 18th. I plan on coming to the theater by 4:00 so I can be in the media mess but I have ONE ticket for the 12:02 showing that I would be willing to give to someone...or trade for a spot in line. It will make it easier on me and the babysitter if I can come home Wednesday night. I still plan on doing the Thrusday thang in ...ugh...Cordovia.

And as far as the underware thang goes...I was told that since Carrie Fisher didn't wear undies, I couldn't.

 

If anyone is interested, we have an extra ticket to the 12:01 show.

My friend from Ohio will be getting to the Paradiso around 1pm on the 18th to stand in (or start) the 12:02am line. He will have this extra ticket with him. If you want it, let me know here or send me a PM, and we'll arrange a pickup.

 

I think Carrie did wear panties, Hollie. No bra... but panties, yes.

 

"There's no underwear in space!"

Ah, gaffers tape!

 

I say let's do a nude movie viewing one night.

 

That'd be one way to raise money. People would then pay for me to put my clothes back on.

He's headed to that small moon.

That's no moon.... It's Tim's beer gut!

 

Your beer gut or my bald head...

 

I just spoke with Karen at Malco. She said that the manager of the Paradiso won't even start letting anyone line up until 5:00 pm for this movie. They've asked me to pass this on, as well as their best wishes that we have a great time tomorrow night.

Also, she asked me to remind everyone about a few things:

No lightsabers allowed in the building

and

No demonstrations, promotions, or promotional giveaways in the building or on the property.

Thanks.

-Tim

 

so are we going around 3 to be there for the news crew at 4, or will they not allow us to be there until 5?

 

Most of the news will set up between 4 and 5.

Get there at 4:30 and wait around your car. That way, we're certain to be ready.

 

Yeah, would kinda suck for the news to drie up, see no line or costumes and drive off. I plan on being there around 4pm. If no news crews or other fans are there I'll just bop over to McAllister's and grab a bite to eat or drink and wait for 5pm.

 

That sounds like a really good plan. I told Tommy Davis that I'd be there around 3 or 3:30 pm to help out and coordinate with media and whatnot.

 

about the 5pm line thing, I think that means actually going into the lobby and starting the line. I'm sure we can hang outside where the stone benches and things are.

 

tim, do you know if we're allowed to be hanging around malco before 5 pm or must we be at our cars?

 

I should be there by a little around 5:30 pm tomorrow night.

 

From what Karen at Malco told me today, the line will be outside, and won't even go into the building until it's time for the showing.

Anyone who tries to line up before 5 will be asked to leave. Karen said you can wait in your car if you want until it's time, but they consider anyone who lines up before the designated time to be loitering and they'll request you leave, (or have you escorted off the property if you refuse).

 

yeah the rent-a-cops there always get pissed if you loiter around even in the parking lot.

 

I'll be getting there around 4:30 I think... my friends don't get out of work until 6 & 8 so they'll be coming up later...
I got the Vader chair at Target, I'm set

 

well looks like we'll be bringing some OFF and some camp chairs

 

Of course, I have an odd feeling that Malco has no real idea of what they're really in for. They have this idea that people are going to behave the way they tell them to, but at the same time they're completely forgetting that those folks are the consumers in this situation- the ones paying them for the service.

I don't condone anyone breaking any house rules in the name of good ol' Southern politeness, but I think that Malco is in for a rude awakening when it comes to the other real die-hards who will show up for this film. If they plan on throwing folks out for waving lightsabers, for instance, they better get more than just their usual five 16-year-old ushers, and they better be prepared to eject possibly a couple of hundred paying customers.

While I disagree with their opinion on lightsabers, I will abide by it as I am a reasonable adult. However, I know for a fact that they are completely clueless when it comes to the fandom that is attached to the films that they present. Instead of embracing it and using it to their advantage, they ignore and shun it, which doesn't seem to be a very wise decision from a business standpoint. You would think that they would take the time to research the films they show in order to tailor the way they market them to consumers. Instead, they label folks like us- the ones who pay them for the service they provide- as freaks and geeks, and dismiss us as such. Amazing that so many major corporations- Burger King, PepsiCo, M&M/Mars, and Cingular to name just a few- have embraced the fact that not only fandom, but the consumer market in general, can make or break the film industry. I really wish our local movie theater market would learn from them and realize the potential for profit that they are shunning. While it may be too late to capitalize on Star Wars (which many theater chains are depending on to bring back consumers), they certainly could use it to their advantage for future franchises such as Batman and Superman.




On a lighter note: We'll be watching the movie in just over 24 hours. Holy Crap! I'm so excited that I'm about to pee my pants.

I'm going into Full Fangeek Mode.

 

Tim, I totally agree with you. Here comes my rant.

Moving here from Columbus, Ohio, I can tell you that our friends up north are in a totally different (and better) situation when it comes to going to the cinema.

In Columbus, two Major "franchise" movie chains compete (AMC Theaters and Marcus Cinema), and a local chain, Drexel, also exists. Drexel won a contract 4 years ago to operate the Arena Grand, a new and very nice 8 screen cinema, and they are now a big player in town with that theater.

Take a look at the Arena Grand's plans for Star Wars on Wednesday: http://www.arenagrand.com/includes/starwars.htm

There's no reason why this type of theater sponsored party isn't happening in Memphis, other than the fact that there's NO COMPETITION. The Arena Grand isn't part of some mammoth awesome chain like Malco claims to be. It's simply a theater operated by people who know and love movies. They compete with the big boys by offering this kind of fun. Malco, the only major player in town, doesn't have to.

I agree that we are the consumers, and we should set the rules, but in this town, Malco has the monopoly, and they know it. Why should they cater us fans? What are we going to do, see it somewhere else? Not likely. Granted there's Muvico or (shudder) The Palace...but neither is digital.

I'm expecting to have a good time tomorrow night, but I'm also expecting to deal with theater employees and management that have no idea what this "Star Wars" thing is all about, and are totally unprepared for the crowd.

I'm mostly peeved because my buddy from Ohio was planning on getting to the theater at 1pm, after flying in around noon. Malco should have let us know earlier about this 5pm rule. Now my buddy, with no car, will have to figure out what to do for 4 hours (at least, I wouldn't be suprised if the 5 thing changes!).

24 hours to go!!!

 

As long as these people will let me go in to use the bathroom and stuff, I don't care at this point. It could've been nicer but face it, it's Memphis. Only about 17 hours still go time. I'm unfortunately awake because the wife woke me up on the way to work. This will soon be remedied. Hope she realizes she's taking a nap when she gets home, else she'll be a bit grumpy tonight. Can't have that now can we. WWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

STAR WARS IS ALMOST HERE!!!!

 

Well, my plans for the day got screwed up. Was planning on working from home, then heading down to see you guys after work. But now I'm stuck in the office all day.
So Gina came in with me, and we are going to head over to J's place after work to get in costume and then come and hang out at the theater for a while. Porbably end up going home before you guys go in to the movie as tomorrow will be another long day, but we should have some fun.

Later,

-Joe