Film theatre aka cinema, has been around since the early 20th century. These were the pre-Netflix, pre-streaming glory days when the silver screen reigned supreme. Going to the movie theatre was the ultimate night out with your pals, family, or even your significant other.
Cinema has certainly improved in terms of technology – the lighting, ambiance, and sound, not to mention the variety to choose from. In contrast, cinema’s popularity seems to be going down, likely due to the number of viewing options available. Events such as COVID-19 have also contributed to the dwindling attendance numbers.
As cinema continues to evolve, we can only look back at some of the film routines and rituals of the past with a chuckle. Ah, the good old days…or were they? If you are a student who needs to catch a break from your busy schedule, a service like payforessay.net can get more time on your hands. Let’s dive in!
Pre-Show
This was the movie before the movie. Planning for the movie night or afternoon was no little event. There had to be adequate preparations for the big day stretching back days. Here are a few pe-show rituals that have slowly become memories.
- Ticket Booths
Buying tickets was a social event. People didn’t mind waiting in line, maybe because there weren’t any other options. But this would also be a social event where folks would banter about the last great film or some other interesting thing. No online booking meant spontaneous outings and the thrill of nabbing good seats.
- Concessions
The movie experience would be incomplete without the snacks and confectionery. Popcorn was overpriced but reigned supreme, especially during the movie half-break. The banter would go on during the break, with whispered discussions and half-time reviews.
- Pre-Show Dress Code Wars
Cinema especially during the ’70s and ’80s was a blast, no less because wardrobe was a part of the experience. That wasn’t just a thing associated with blockbusters such as the Star Wars franchise where folks dressed like their favorite characters. Pre-show fashion was a competitive sartorial affair. everyone wanted to outdo each other. These days you don’t find dress-ups unless you go to an event like Comic-Con or some other special screening.
- Lobby Activities
Since you’d be waiting in the lobby for hours to get into the screening, you could pass the time with some pre-show entertainment. Walls would be adorned with posters and displays. If you were lucky or at some nicer cinema, you could get away with some arcade games. The lobby was the center of discussion and all anticipation.
- Trailers
A highlight in itself! Instead of trailers for multiple movies, a curated selection was used to build anticipation for the main feature. This was especially because there were only one or two screens available and audiences had to cross over and let the next group in.
Often accompanied by catchy music and iconic voiceovers, trailers were miniature events themselves.
- Paper Tickets
You know how your first plane ticket is sort of nostalgic? That’s the same feeling you used to get when you bought a movie ticket. That was your access to a world of imagination, where others without it couldn’t go.
Tickets have gone digital today. Though the convenience is undeniable, they lack the tactile joy of old. Maybe a hybrid system is the answer: a digital ticket with a tear-off stub for that nostalgic touch?
During the Show
That was the “pre-game” ritual. Let’s now go into the nuggets of old within the cinema itself.
- Etiquette Plus Shared Silence
The modern cinema experience has become almost too casual. You’ll come across folks talking on their smartphones, people walking up and down as the film, kids shouting…you name it.
Back in the days of cinema magic, talking during the movie was generally frowned upon. What they lacked in surround Dolby Atmos sound, they made up for with silence, creating a more attentive and immersive experience. Ah, the delicate dance of holding it in! A well-timed cough could shatter the spell, and a crinkling candy wrapper was akin to nails on a chalkboard.
You’d regularly find audiences applauding or powerful scenes or performances. There was something of a consensus for these particular scenes which added to the communal energy.
- Folded Playbills That Doubled as Fans
In 2024 we have the convenience of reading a review from a pre-screening or even watching a trailer with the synopsis from the movie studio. Back in the day, you’d get a synopsis or program printed out on a brochure-like paper.
- Intermissions
Imagine sitting through Zack Snyder’s 2021 Justice League for 4 hours and 21 minutes. now imagine that in a packed ’80s cinema. Thus, intermissions were cherished. People mingled, refilled snacks, and discussed the first half of the movie. This fostered a sense of community and engagement with the shared experience.
- The Cinema Ghost Light
That lone bulb illuminating the empty stage or screen held a certain mystique. Once the curtains fell and the audience started vacating the cinema auditorium, the light came on, maybe to guide the fleeting souls. Today, theatres play music in the background and turn on ambient lights, taking away the eeriness of the past.
Post Show
If you were excited before you watched the movie, imagine the passion after watching the film you had waited so long for. Discussion started right at intermission and continued after the show was over. Debates raged across cafes, schools, and offices.
Now, post-show analysis and punditry happen in comments, forums such as Reddit, and even reviews on blogs and other websites. Maybe you’d like to get a bunch of friends to go and enjoy the movies with you. If you’re wondering how you can get to do my assignment by an expert – EssayWriter.org gets time back into your hands by connecting you with professional writers.
Wrapping Up
While these cinema experiences have completely evolved or even been outdated, the essence of cinema remains. Ultimately, the magic lies in the shared experience. That’s the collective gasp at a plot twist, the unified laughter echoing through the darkness, and the discussions either in-person or online.
These experiences may have faded through time. However, their essence lives on even in modern cinema. So, find yourself an opportunity to live such great moments at a cinema that offers such an experience.
