Google Glass Banned From Alamo Drafthouse

[MovieBob]

Google Glass Banned From Alamo Drafthouse

Famously strict theater chain says NO to Google's controversial tech toy

Google Glass has been the subject of controversy since the technology debuted, pitting the percieved rights of some to not be filmmed without consent against the percieved rights of others to walk around with a camera strapped to their face. Now, the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater chain has joined the list of private businesses that have decided to not allow the devices on their premises; though in this case for reasons relating to the potential use of Glass technology for movie piracy.

Often refered to only as "Glass," Google Glass is a wearable computer built around an Optical Head-Mounted Display technology. Though not yet widely adopted, institutions with existing bans on recording devices of any kind (like casinos) moved to ban Glass almost immediately. Seperate controversies concerning the use of Glass in spaces like restaurants, mass-transit and restrooms have followed, along with concerns over whether it would be legal to use in countries with especially strict anti-spying laws.

Founded in 1997 in Austin Texas (with more recent expansions throughout the state and now nationwide) by Tim and Karrie League, The Alamo Drafthouse theater chain is highly regarded by devoted film fans for its commitment to inventive programming, popular events like Fantastic Fest and Butt-Numb-A-Thon, trendsetting in-theater food/drink service and association with prominent web-based film journalists like Harry Knowles and Devin Faraci.

Its greatest claim to fame (and cinephiles' hearts), though, comes from its stringent in-theater etiquette policy: Talking, texting and phone use are banned outright, and violators can be removed from the premises - even if they happen to be Madonna. [http://variety.com/2013/biz/news/madonna-alamo-drafthouse-1200724871/] Children under the age of six and unaccompanied minors are also prohibited.

Drafthouse CEO Tim League stated that the ban has been under consideration for "over a year," and enforcement would be conducted on a case by case basis with regard to those using Glass as their primary eyewear. Google has not issued a statement regarding the ban at this time.


Source: Deadline [http://www.deadline.com/2014/06/alamo-drafthouse-bans-google-glass-in-movie-theaters/]

[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/content/e3-2014]

Permalink

 

[VanQ]

All I really got out of this article is the mad desire for a place like Alamo to exist here in Australia. Oh, to be able to go to a cinema and not have to listen to the wails of some shrieking child and their idiot mother's phone buzzing away with text messages every other minute.

I'd honestly go to the cinemas more often.

 

[RedBackDragon]

All I really got out of this article is the mad desire for a place like Alamo to exist here in Australia. Oh, to be able to go to a cinema and not have to listen to the wails of some shrieking child and their idiot mother's phone buzzing away with text messages every other minute.

I'd honestly go to the cinemas more often.

Right on brother , i cant stand the cinemas here they cost a mint and arent worth a echidna for the experience.

 

[Fat Hippo]

I understand their reasoning, but I can't really imagine many people doing a very good job of pirating a movie by wearing google glass. I mean, if you wanted it be of decent quality, you wouldn't be able to move your head. At all. For two hours. Just pure hell.

Your best bet would be getting a mannequin in your seat and putting the glasses on him, really.

 

[Grabehn]

I gotta say, this sounds like the heaven of Movie theaters. I wish something like that existed over here, aside from chain-theaters, I've only seen one that is a standalone thing while also not being of the "we so artsy" types.

 

[Calderon0311]

I can understand the sentiment for banning Glass, but I do home that Alamo consider reversing this decision in the future. While the technology isn't widely available in the consumer space yet, the ability to replace one's prescription glasses with a G.Glass augmentation will make it difficult for people to "leave Glass at home" when it's their only mode of vision.

Likewise, their cell phone policy makes sense since a phone can be deactivated for the duration of a movie. (either by turning it off, or silencing it) Glass is likewise linked to one's phone and so any major changes to a user's phone will also reflect to Glasses' functionality. (Turning off one's phone makes Glass unusable for most tasks.)

While it is too early to say if Glass will become a mainstream tech, banning it outright is only going to push the issues of "patrons with wearable computers" to be decided at a later date as this will only affect the early adopters and prevent any real-world testing of "How do we live in a world of wearables?".

 

[Metadigital]

I've been going to Alamo Drafthouse for over 10 years. It's a fantastic chain. Their attention to detail is amazing and their policies ensure your movie is never ruined. It's one of the only places I'll see a movie that's not my home.

On a related note, their rule on children varies from location to location. For instance, the one near me is strictly 18+. No kids unless there's a movie that specifies children can come see (usually during the daytime).

I'm not shocked they have this ban on Google Glass considering they'll toss you out on your ass just for lighting up your cell phone. They're serious about their customers following basic levels of courtesy and putting away all technology during a movie. Maybe some restaurants should follow this example to encourage people to talk to each other without keyboards more.

 

[Ieyke]

How have I never heard of this chain? They sound like saints!

They are.
We have numerous Alamo Drafthouses in Houston.

The only complaint I have is that they used to have EXCELLENT food, and some kind of recent management bullshit fucked that up.
They may have fixed it since then. Been a while since I checked.

 

[Revolutionary]

/snip

Your best bet would be getting a mannequin in your seat and putting the glasses on him, really.

That mental image had me in stitches.
OT: Fair enough, Can't think of a reason why they should be allowed.

 

[Thunderous Cacophony]

I've joked about it in the past, but seriously, Escapist: get your shit together. These are basic spelling and grammar errors. MovieBob should run a spellcheck of his own, and the editors here should double-check something before publishing it. I enjoy the content, but it is frankly pathetic to see this happening over and over again.

Google Glass has been the subject of controversy since the technology debuted, pitting the percieved rights of some to not be filmmed without consent against the percieved rights of others to walk around with a camera strapped to their face.

The words are spelled "perceived" and "filmed".

Often refered to only as "Glass,"

Should be spelled "referred".

Seperate controversies concerning the use of Glass

Should be "Separate".

Its greatest claim to fame (and cinephiles hearts), though, comes from its stringent in-theater ettiquet policy

"Etiquette" and "cinephiles' hearts".

 

[Rylot]

I was so excited when I moved down here to Austin and could eat a full meal at a theater. But then it only got better when the Movie House and Eatery opened on 620. You get to eat at a theater, have your own recliner and a blanket. If I wasn't so poor I'd be there every weekend.

 

[Ragnar47183]

I understand it, even if its a bit dated industry. You don't need a bulky camera anymore, you can record from your glasses.

Cinemas are already dying from on-demand and digital distribution, and those pirates aren't exactly helpful to an already dying industry by scooping up video for incredibly poor people with bad internet. Or things can get creepy with perverts using glass in the dark (you paid to be in a dark room with a sex offender with night vision goggles. Hope you feel good about that choice.), etc. Or they just record it and rewatch that if they are really, really stingy.

Still, kudos for banning toddlers. Can't tell you how many times a parent brings in a crying kid because they can't find someone to dump him with when theaters were still popular. Seriously, who brings a small child to see Silent Hill?

Eh, haven't been to a theater in years since about 2006 because the internet is awesome. Doesn't effect me. I wonder if the new generation finding theaters pointless messes with profit margins for studios. Or is not going to the theater in 8 years abnormal?

I think you've nailed it. I haven't been to the movies in ages. I have more than enough stuff to watch with netflix, youtube, hulu, and amazon there is no reason to go to the movies. Especially since I can have a huge tv, much better food, and don't have to pay 5 bucks for a small drink. I can also pause the movie if I need to use the restroom and I don't even need to have pants on! Cinemas are dated.

 

[Ragnar47183]

You get to eat at a theater, have your own recliner and a blanket. If I wasn't so poor I'd be there every weekend.

Isn't that called you house?

 

[Rylot]

You get to eat at a theater, have your own recliner and a blanket. If I wasn't so poor I'd be there every weekend.

Isn't that called you house?

If only my house had a giant screen and other people to make food for me. I'd never leave.

 

[Ragnar47183]

You get to eat at a theater, have your own recliner and a blanket. If I wasn't so poor I'd be there every weekend.

Isn't that called you house?

If only my house had a giant screen and other people to make food for me. I'd never leave.

Big screens arent to expensive anymore. I have a girlfriend that makes food for me. They make a lot of noise but I think they are worth it. You should go pick on up. .

 

[Rylot]

You get to eat at a theater, have your own recliner and a blanket. If I wasn't so poor I'd be there every weekend.

Isn't that called you house?

If only my house had a giant screen and other people to make food for me. I'd never leave.

Big screens arent to expensive anymore. I have a girlfriend that makes food for me. They make a lot of noise but I think they are worth it. You should go pick on up. .

Yeah, I'd like a bigger tv but the whole poor thing... I'm also pretty good at cooking so I wind up doing all of it while in a relationship. And I just got out of a three year relationship thing, so no thanks! If only I could get my dog to cook.

 

[Ragnar47183]

You get to eat at a theater, have your own recliner and a blanket. If I wasn't so poor I'd be there every weekend.

Isn't that called you house?

If only my house had a giant screen and other people to make food for me. I'd never leave.

Big screens arent to expensive anymore. I have a girlfriend that makes food for me. They make a lot of noise but I think they are worth it. You should go pick on up. .

Yeah, I'd like a bigger tv but the whole poor thing... I'm also pretty good at cooking so I wind up doing all of it while in a relationship. And I just got out of a three year relationship thing, so no thanks! If only I could get my dog to cook.

I'd love it if my dogs did anything other than sleep and get hair everywhere. Wish they could at least fetch me drinks. lol.

 

[Flames66]

I can understand the sentiment for banning Glass, but I do home that Alamo consider reversing this decision in the future. While the technology isn't widely available in the consumer space yet, the ability to replace one's prescription glasses with a G.Glass augmentation will make it difficult for people to "leave Glass at home" when it's their only mode of vision.

It seems to me that having prescription Google Glass is a terrible idea, especially if they are ones only eye wear. Here are some reasons:

1. Theft

If someone robs a person with prescription GGlass, they will not only be out of pocket but blind.

2. Privacy

I have consider slapping GGlass off the face of anyone I see looking in my direction with them because they might be photographing me without my permission. Not being able to take them off will only add to that conflict.

3. This Cinema problem

For the reasons above.

4. Style

They don't look that great.