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  • Remembered WTF From the Movie Theater

    I don't know what brought this one to mind, but I just remembered one of my favorite WTFs from when I worked at the movie theater.

    I was working in the box office and was also the asst. manager on duty. Someone came out of an auditorium where the movie was just about to start and told me that there was something strange going on in the auditorium, and I had better come check it out.

    So, I go into the auditorium and, what do I see? A couple of men setting up a video camera on a tripod at the top of the center aisle! When I told them that they had to remove their camera, and leave the theater, they looked at me like I had made the oddest request they had ever heard. Luckily, when I persisted, they reluctantly took down the tripod, took their camera and left.

    I know that some of these movie pirates are bold, but these guys really took the cake.

  • #2
    I would've grabbed and smashed the camera right then and there.

    You were full within your rights to do so, not to mention what would the police do if they called them?

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    • #3
      Quoth Namrepus221 View Post
      I would've grabbed and smashed the camera right then and there.

      You were full within your rights to do so, not to mention what would the police do if they called them?
      Well, they would have arrested you for vandalism, possibly theft as well, since you took it. Depending on whether or not you actually touched me, there could be assault charges, too.

      Sorry, but this would have placed you squarely in the wrong, morally and legally. Calling the cops and getting them arrest? Go for it. Telling them to get out? You're free and clear. Destroying their personal property? You're screwed. And deservedly so.

      And no, you're not within your rights to destroy the personal property of somebody else, even if they are about to commit a crime by using said personal property. That's why police are called Law Enforcement, and you are not called the same.

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      • #4
        I'm with Pedersen completely here.

        Destroying property because they are going to violate copyright law? Are you serious, Namrepus? What's next ... shooting them if they try to escape?
        "Always stand near the door." -- Doctor Who

        Kuya's Kitchen -- Cooking, Cooking Gadgets, and Food Related Blather from a Transplanted Foodie

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        • #5
          Quoth marasbaras View Post
          I'm with Pedersen completely here.

          Destroying property because they are going to violate copyright law? Are you serious, Namrepus? What's next ... shooting them if they try to escape?
          YES!

          ... Seriously though, the situations where someone who ISN'T a Police Officer can seize property are extremely limited, and I can't think of a single one where your would be justified DESTROYING said property.

          If they had stolen the camera from your store and were still on the store property, I believe you're entitled, as an authorized agent of the owner, to confiscate the property, But if it was their camera, then no, I don't think there's any circumstances where you, as an employee of the theater, could confiscate it.

          Now, if they had actually filmed some of the movie, the Film/Memory Card/Whatever is a different story, as it contains copyrighted material that WAS stolen, but even then, that would be a situation for the cops. In such a case, you'd want to tell them to stay put, and call the cops to come collect them.

          ... and then shoot them when they try and escape.
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          • #6
            No, don't destroy the camera... call the cops, and they'll confiscate the camera as evidence.

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            • #7
              Doesn't the FBI deal with copyright issues?? If so ... let the FBI deal with them.
              This area is left blank for a reason.

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              • #8
                My first job was at a movie theater;never had that problem but if those walls could talk!!!. My favorite thing was checking people(usually kids)either theater jumping or walking in the exit doors. OnceI had a group of people (they were my age now)claiming they thought the exit doors was the box office!
                I survived Christmas Retail I can survive Anything!!

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                • #9
                  What if one of them said something along the lines of "Then we will fight in the shade"?

                  Like, "Then we will film from behind our coats, with shaky video and muffled audio. SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
                  "We were put on this Earth to fart around, and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise." -Kurt Vonnegut

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                  • #10
                    I used to work in a movie theatre a couple years ago. We had a large sign in the back room that told us exactly what to do in this type of case. From what I remember, you are to immediately call a certain number (It was listed on the poster, probably a division of the MPAA or something) and they would send an agent ASAP, then to call the police, and to interfere as much as possible with the recording (such as standing in front of the camera, etc) WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CAMERA OR THE INDIVIDUAL. Also you are to detain the individual(s) until police arrive, also without touching the individual or the camera.

                    After the incident was investigated, the employee who called it in may be entitled to a $500 reward.

                    Though I have no idea how old this sign was, or if it still applies, though it should be about the same.

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                    • #11
                      Quoth Pedersen View Post
                      And no, you're not within your rights to destroy the personal property of somebody else, even if they are about to commit a crime by using said personal property. That's why police are called Law Enforcement, and you are not called the same.
                      Not entirely true.

                      In this case it is very true and would get someone into a whole lot of hot water.

                      However in certain cases it is fine. The case I've looked up and know for certain is deer stands placed on my land without my permission. I've called the local police and have been informed that it makes no difference whether it's made on the spot out of lumber, or if it's a factory made one. If it's on my property without my permission and there is no way of identifying who it belongs to (hence keeping me from claiming a car left on the side of the road) it is considered mine and I can do with as I please.

                      I sell the factory made ones and reduce the lumber ones into scraps no bigger than my foot with my chainsaw.

                      Nobody jacks deer on my land. Want to hunt on it? Knock on my door and offer me some of the venison...then we'll talk.
                      I never lost my faith in humanity. Can't lose what you never had right?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        We recently had training about what to do with people with cameras.

                        1. Try and stand in front of the camera.
                        2. Ask them to give you the camera - we can't touch it unless they give it to us.
                        3. Only the police can confiscate the camera.
                        4. We can ask them to leave the cinema.
                        5. Get a description, or get them in front of CCTV cameras.

                        We are supposed to watch out for little red lights in the screens. And there is a £500 reward for catching pirates.
                        "I can tell her you're all tied up in the projection room." Sunset Boulevard.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          "What? We're not allowed to copy movies for our own personal gain? They should have told us. It would be convenient if the FBI put up some sort of warning before every movie letting us know we're not allowed to copy or reproduce these movies. Dumb government."
                          It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.
                          -Helen Keller

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                          • #14
                            Quoth hecubus View Post
                            I don't know what brought this one to mind, but I just remembered one of my favorite WTFs from when I worked at the movie theater.

                            I was working in the box office and was also the asst. manager on duty. Someone came out of an auditorium where the movie was just about to start and told me that there was something strange going on in the auditorium, and I had better come check it out.

                            So, I go into the auditorium and, what do I see? A couple of men setting up a video camera on a tripod at the top of the center aisle! When I told them that they had to remove their camera, and leave the theater, they looked at me like I had made the oddest request they had ever heard. Luckily, when I persisted, they reluctantly took down the tripod, took their camera and left.

                            I know that some of these movie pirates are bold, but these guys really took the cake.
                            That's hilarious, them looking at you like you made an odd request. But maybe they were going to make some homemade porn, and the stars were undressing in the bathrooms.
                            Time! Time! Time is what turns kittens into cats.

                            Don't teach me a lesson; all I learn is that you are an asshole.

                            I wish porn had subtitles.

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