So you might be wondering, why would I choose to pay several times more to view a film in theaters when I can simply watch it in the comfort of my own home? And you’d be right to question this claim. But I argue that the movie-going experience extends past just the movie by providing enhanced audiovisuals as well as a more memorable social experience. Looking further, numerous films have been conceived with the theater medium in mind. As Marshall McLuhan puts it, “the medium is the message.” As such, viewing a film in this setting would allow you to better appreciate and analyze the art.
The Social Experience
The movie theater is an amplification chamber of emotion. When you sit in silence with hundreds of others experiencing the same art together, individual emotions build upon each other. As this Verge<link> article summarizes, “a group of people laughing together simultaneously triggers a feeling that you should laugh, too; during a suspenseful moment, you can feel dozens of strangers suck in their breath together.”
Expanding on this idea, going to the theater anecdotally leads to a more engaging and memorable discussion of plot points, themes, and contexts of films. Even after six months, I still vividly remember the two hourlong debate I had with my two friends after Joker. With the theater setting the movie at the center of your attention, you are more inclined to engage in conversation concerning it.
Director’s Intentions
For decades until the introduction of home-viewing technologies, the theater was the only medium for film. As such, the team developing the film worked to optimize the impact of their production within this specific medium.
One great manifestation of this idea is 2001: A Space Odyssey<link>. In early conception of the film, Kubrick held the idea that “the film could present the marvels of the universe in lavish color and sound, on an enormous canvas,”<link> showing his intention to create for the movie theater.
<movie-poster> or some other related image
Moving to a contemporary example, John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place<link> hinges on the silence and darkness of a theater to develop an impactful and unique experience. In his Forbes<link> article, Tassi states “there’s almost an unspoken pact with the audience that because the entire film is about being silent, that everyone else is going to do their best to play along.”
<movie-poster> or some other related image
AudioVisuals
Meshing director’s intentions with the enhanced audiovisual experience of a theater is almost natural with 2001. The massive canvas and powerful speakers allow Kubrick to bring the film to life in a way that a smaller setting could not.
The theme of emptiness through darkness and silence are prevalent in Kubrick’s film. The dark and silent theater creates an extension of this theme into the real world.
It surrounds the viewer without letting them escape.
Additionally, Kubrick’s cinematography complements the large canvas of the theater. The beautiful symmetry and grandeur of shots throughout the film fills the viewer’s entire field of vision.
- Need to expand on topics while including more links and image breaks.
- Include Ignite presentation on this page.
- Might be too derivative of Ignite?
- Separate into distinct sections but on the same webpage, would be more palatable for the viewer
- Write sections that speak directly to reader
- Movie club culture and small theater community
- Change the title to something more interesting?
The Theater Experience 