Complaint about DISCRIMINATION by Reps hired by FILM Companies = re “THE LOVELY BONES”

2010, 01-04:

Complaint about DISCRIMINATION by Reps hired by FILM Companies = re “THE LOVELY BONES”

REPORT re “THE LOVELY BONES” – 

             The only “Bones” I have to Pick are with the “REPS” of Dreamworks

As I’ve done more than 100 times re films in recent years, I had already done a bunch of “preliminary” work on preparing an online REVIEW of this new Peter Jackson film…

…  But, once again, “GAMES” seem to have been played by the Chicago-area shall-I-call-them “REPS”( who are “Allied” with the studio -- currently a division of PARAMOUNT-- ) that “handle” many of the advance SCREENINGS of films in the Chicago area…

…  Previously, I’ve commented on the way certain “Reps” (of Publicity companies) frequently schedule films in CONFLICT with each other (at the same general time on the same day, rather than spreading them out that day), which --  in my opinion --  badly impacts the idea of spreading “WORD-OF-MOUTH” about certain films (especially considering that a number of attendees like myself want to REVIEW the films on-line)…

…  I’ve heard words bandied about concerning supposed desires of studios or the “Reps” to try to get  a “diversity” of attendees--  but I tend to get the impression that’s a self-serving “EXCUSE” (possibly mainly to save themselves money re staffing?)…

…  In any case, for a number of weeks, “THE LOVELY BONES” was listed as an “upcoming” film on a certain online service that utilizes BAR-CODES to “limit” the number of attendees.  Recently, the proper bar-code was entered as an RSVP for this film, accepted by the service & name-imprinted passes (with individual bar-codes) were printed out (showing the time & place of the screening, etc.)…

…  As usual, I (& a guest) arrived more than an HOUR before the scheduled start time--  in part because the passes clearly state (with the caps being mine for emphasis): “Arrive early! Seating is FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED…” …  I was one of the first 20 people in line…  But, the “first-come” phrase turned out to be FRAUDULENT in this case:

…  After waiting patiently in line at the AMC21, the publicity company “REPS” (seemingly acting on “behalf” of the studio?) insisted that people who were not holding identification from the GIRL SCOUTS get OUT of our place in line & form a NEW line “outside” the main line.  There were a number of online entertainment REVIEWERS besides myself in that “reformed” line …

…  Then, young ladies (seemingly Girl Scouts, tho I saw virtually no real ID checking by the “Reps” to confirm any such fact) were called forward (from BEHIND us in line) & given immediate ENTRY into the upstairs theater (ostensibly large # 9 which holds like 400 or so people)…

…  Continuing to play “GAMES”, the “Reps” then had the excerpted-out people in my “outside” line move 3 lines OVER to form still ANOTHER new line--  which was again told to “WAIT”, as they let OTHER people (young girls & also their MOTHERS & some young guys) in AHEAD of all of us, including those who arrived just minutes before the planned START of the film (while we EARLY-arrivals were told to just WAIT)…

…  When asked by people in “our” line, a publicity agency (?) “REP” guy (who was initially in “charge” of letting people in for the “LEAP YEAR” conflicted-time screening being held at the same time at the theater) at one point commented that our passes were supposedly “INVALID”: 

…  He claimed it was ostensibly because we weren’t “Girl Scouts” -- but neither were the MOTHERS & young guys they’d let in, & there was NO such requirement stated ANYWHERE on the bar-coded passes we carried!…

…  Before coming to the theater, I’d read an article stating that the studio originally expected the film to be of interest to “OLDER” filmgoers.  But then, a previous advance screening showed the greatest positive response to the film was being exhibited by YOUNG GIRLS (one of whom was the “subject” of the film)…

…  That screening supposedly convinced the studio to completely CHANGE the “focus” of the studio’s ads & the like (which possibly led to the “involvement” of the Girl Scouts?)…

…  In any case, the supposed (publicity company?) “REPS” of the studio seemed to “MAKE-UP” their purported “rules” as they “went along”: 

…  They totally IGNORED the “First-come” words on the passes, let in HUNDREDS of people AHEAD of the 60 or so people with me in the “outside” line they’d kept moving around unnecessarily, & then, as the screening time arrived, blithely announced that the theater was supposedly “FULL” & that all of us in the “outside” line should thus go HOME (with no real apology, much less any offer of a pass to see something ELSE)!…

…  You’ll pardon me if I DON’T cheerfully BELIEVE that it was really “full”.  I don’t like people ignoring the printed promises of “First-come, first-served”, & then giving NO real DIRECT statement of just WHY it was being “ignored”...

…  If our passes (individually issued with specific quantity-controlled bar-codes keep in mind!) were supposedly “invalid” (which was NEVER officially “addressed” by anyone in shall-I-call-it “authority”), WHY were we made to WAIT AROUND for more than an HOUR before being told to leave?!…

…  I for one don’t appreciate the AGE-DISCRIMINATION inherent in what the “Reps” did, much less the ignoring of the “FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED” words imprinted on our passes & the “jumping-thru-hoops” demands to reform lines… 

…  I don’t like making a SPECIAL trip out in bitterly COLD weather to use a properly-printed pass (& many people likely had to pay high PARKING rates to get there!), only to be treated in such a INCONSIDERATE fashion…

…  The SAME thing happened (seemingly from the same company’s “Reps” when they previously disdainfully OVER-booked a screening of “THANK YOU FOR SMOKING” by like 300 to 400%...

…  So--  if you’re a Girl Scout, feel free to go & “RELISH” this movie supposedly especially “made” for YOU!…  For those who aren’t?--  I feel it in my “BONES” that it’s just TOUGH luck!…

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