We were in one of the smaller theaters in the cineplex and I'd say it was probably half full. That said, it was playing in every major theater down here in Miami (about 5-6 in a 25 mile radius).
The OFFICIAL ST:TNG Theater Screenings In July 2012 thread
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We were in one of the smaller theaters in the cineplex and I'd say it was probably half full. That said, it was playing in every major theater down here in Miami (about 5-6 in a 25 mile radius).
There were no problems at my theater tonight. Good turnout; I had been worried I'd be able to count on one hand the number of audience members. From my cursory glances around the theater, there seemed to be a good range of demographics, though skewed of course towards young males, and, interestingly enough, late middle-aged couples. The sort of folks who probably watched TNG together way back when.
I enjoyed it. I agree with Mott the barber that the evening was structured well. I personally thought that the first documentary, focusing on the technical stuff, was interesting, though I worry that it went on longer than casual fans would be interested in. Stardate Revisited was great and I look forward to eventually seeing the rest of it. (Buying the Blu-Rays are not high on my list at the moment. Give it some time, and some later better episodes.)
Enhancing the video quality and the special FX did have the downside of putting into sharper relief all the things in the script and the interior shots that did not age so well. Not surprisingly, people laughed at the skant moment, but also at the moment not long after that where Picard tells a crewman who had been creating a fire with his thoughts to concentrate and focus on his duties. "Yes sir!" And then dramatic cut to black. I'm exaggerating, but the point remains that the scene really did not work.
Not to harp on the script, but this particular viewing situation (HD, special FX, movie screen) made it clear that both scripts really could have done with one final round of revisions. We got the fourth draft, but we would've been much better off with the fifth. "Datalore" in particular suffered for this. This episode really is a tragedy about Data. The man who cannot feel, knows next to nothing about his origins and who thinks he's alone in the universe meets his all-too-emotional brother, learns about the ambivalent situation surrounding his creation and then is betrayed by his own brother. But after the climactic scene in the cargo bay (which, imho, did age well), the episode just ends. Boom.
I mean, watch Data once he realizes that Lore has drugged him. For an unfeeling android, there is an awful lot of emotion in that look of dismay. Tragic. There could have been a really poignant scene at the end. But alas. Such was TNGS1.
What I liked most about seeing the old episodes again was how they looked just like I remember them looking when I first saw them as a kid. Back then, TV sets were crappier, so the visual defects weren't as glaring. But now, with HDTV and all that, the video of early TNG episodes just looks... old. And they didn't, way back when. So it was extremely nice to see them back the way they're supposed to be.
I really hope this was a success and something they do again.
I enjoyed it. I agree with Mott the barber that the evening was structured well. I personally thought that the first documentary, focusing on the technical stuff, was interesting, though I worry that it went on longer than casual fans would be interested in. Stardate Revisited was great and I look forward to eventually seeing the rest of it. (Buying the Blu-Rays are not high on my list at the moment. Give it some time, and some later better episodes.)
Enhancing the video quality and the special FX did have the downside of putting into sharper relief all the things in the script and the interior shots that did not age so well. Not surprisingly, people laughed at the skant moment, but also at the moment not long after that where Picard tells a crewman who had been creating a fire with his thoughts to concentrate and focus on his duties. "Yes sir!" And then dramatic cut to black. I'm exaggerating, but the point remains that the scene really did not work.
Not to harp on the script, but this particular viewing situation (HD, special FX, movie screen) made it clear that both scripts really could have done with one final round of revisions. We got the fourth draft, but we would've been much better off with the fifth. "Datalore" in particular suffered for this. This episode really is a tragedy about Data. The man who cannot feel, knows next to nothing about his origins and who thinks he's alone in the universe meets his all-too-emotional brother, learns about the ambivalent situation surrounding his creation and then is betrayed by his own brother. But after the climactic scene in the cargo bay (which, imho, did age well), the episode just ends. Boom.
I mean, watch Data once he realizes that Lore has drugged him. For an unfeeling android, there is an awful lot of emotion in that look of dismay. Tragic. There could have been a really poignant scene at the end. But alas. Such was TNGS1.
What I liked most about seeing the old episodes again was how they looked just like I remember them looking when I first saw them as a kid. Back then, TV sets were crappier, so the visual defects weren't as glaring. But now, with HDTV and all that, the video of early TNG episodes just looks... old. And they didn't, way back when. So it was extremely nice to see them back the way they're supposed to be.
I really hope this was a success and something they do again.
Just got home from the viewing here in the SF Bay Area. It was well attended, I'd say at 80-90% capacity. Some people, including the buddy I came with were in Uniform. The Special Features were amazing, I'm gonna have to buy a Blu-Ray player this week so I can buy and enjoy these Season sets as they come out!
I'm really happy to hear attendance levels were good. Tampa's was nice, too. 
Yeah, my theater was about half full (kinda expected that... I was one of the few Trek fans in both the towns I grew up in).
I thought it was great seeing those episodes on screen. Kinda disagree with the choice of Datalore, though (kinda talky). Personally, I would have gone with Conspiracy. Imagine THAT in HD!
Have to agree with comments regarding the low sound. The theater seemed to be deliberately being quiet during the screening to try to hear it! I did not get a dynamic sound feel to the night at all.
The outtakes were priceless (including Wheaton screwing up, which is something I had never seen before). The press conference regarding TNG's debut was interesting.
Also interesting from that press clip was that preliminary logo for TNG which basically just used TOS font for the whole thing. Neat to see
Getting a big laugh from the audience was Frakes's clowning around during his wardrobe/makeup test. You could see Justman popping into frame practically every second, adjusting his hair and Frakes backing away. Hilarious.
Nice to see all the interviews with the cast. Such fondness they have for each other and the show. I wonder if any of the three other crews which came after would be able to do the same with such veracity.
I thought it was great seeing those episodes on screen. Kinda disagree with the choice of Datalore, though (kinda talky). Personally, I would have gone with Conspiracy. Imagine THAT in HD!
Have to agree with comments regarding the low sound. The theater seemed to be deliberately being quiet during the screening to try to hear it! I did not get a dynamic sound feel to the night at all.
The outtakes were priceless (including Wheaton screwing up, which is something I had never seen before). The press conference regarding TNG's debut was interesting.
Also interesting from that press clip was that preliminary logo for TNG which basically just used TOS font for the whole thing. Neat to see
Getting a big laugh from the audience was Frakes's clowning around during his wardrobe/makeup test. You could see Justman popping into frame practically every second, adjusting his hair and Frakes backing away. Hilarious.
Nice to see all the interviews with the cast. Such fondness they have for each other and the show. I wonder if any of the three other crews which came after would be able to do the same with such veracity.
Agreed on Datalore. It did end quite abruptly. The scene with Data drugged was pretty powerful as well. Very well-acted.
My theater wasn't sold-out but damn close. Pretty crowded theater for the presentation of two 25-year-old TV episodes on a weeknight.
About 2.5 hours, and I think they were edited versions of the documentaries.
The fire guy got a laugh from us as well, for me it's always been the rather goofy way the guy says "Yes, sir!" and sort-of swaggers away. He acts like he's drunk or something.
We had the same reactions at my theater ("Yes, sir!", "Shut up, Wesley", and the skant), but there was a huge moment at my screening that I haven't seen anyone mention yet: "I hear you know how to turn them on." That line had people rolling for a while.
I'd say there were maybe 20-30 people at my screening, but I went to the 10:15pm screening and one of the employees said that the 7pm showing was almost sold out, plus there was another theater maybe 5 miles away that was also hosting the screening.
I'd say there were maybe 20-30 people at my screening, but I went to the 10:15pm screening and one of the employees said that the 7pm showing was almost sold out, plus there was another theater maybe 5 miles away that was also hosting the screening.
Enjoyed the quality and experience of seeing the episodes/documentary in HD on the big screen. The episodes they picked would definitely have not been my choice from S1, but still enjoyable.
I went to a theater in Atlanta (one of two in the city that were showing it), and the big auditorium was 95% or so when I tried to get a seat 5mins before screening time. Luckily they were showing it at another screen, and that room was only about 30% full. Either way, was impressed with the amount of people.
Hopefully they will do again for S2!
I went to a theater in Atlanta (one of two in the city that were showing it), and the big auditorium was 95% or so when I tried to get a seat 5mins before screening time. Luckily they were showing it at another screen, and that room was only about 30% full. Either way, was impressed with the amount of people.
Hopefully they will do again for S2!
Yeah, "turn them on" got a laugh as well, and some other double entendre lines, but the "Shut up, Wesley!" was by-far the biggest one.
Yeah, "turn them on" got a laugh as well, and some other double entendre lines, but the "Shut up, Wesley!" was by-far the biggest one.
In my theater the guy in thee skant got the biggest laugh. Turn them on and shut up Wesley, both got big laughs too.
A very enjoyable eveing with the Missus to Be.
It's odd how watching it with several hundred other people makes it all seem "funnier". We were laughing every other minute. One of the biggest laughs came during Datalore when Geordi said to Data "My brother? I like that."
It's odd how watching it with several hundred other people makes it all seem "funnier". We were laughing every other minute. One of the biggest laughs came during Datalore when Geordi said to Data "My brother? I like that."
In Hindsight, that is one of the things I missed about not going last night. It's almost like joining a club of your closest friends and finding out you're not alone in liking a certain thing in your town. I had the same feeling when I went to see BSG's Razor on the Big Screen. An enjoyable experience was had by all.
^ I forgot about that, that had everyone rolling as well.
I guess. since this is now old news, mine may end up being the last post in the thread.
So, let me just say that I enjoyed the theatrical event thoroughly (even with the various weaknesses that others have undoubtedly touched on here). My biggest source of disappointment was that no one in our local theater bothered to don a uniform or other costume. In fact, my son and I were the only ones I could spot who even went to the length of putting on Trek shirts. Oh well!
All in all, great fun just the same!
So, let me just say that I enjoyed the theatrical event thoroughly (even with the various weaknesses that others have undoubtedly touched on here). My biggest source of disappointment was that no one in our local theater bothered to don a uniform or other costume. In fact, my son and I were the only ones I could spot who even went to the length of putting on Trek shirts. Oh well!
All in all, great fun just the same!
I considered at least wearing a communicator pin but really didn't think it'd be worth it.
The showing before mine had a lady in one of the old Rubies uniforms, my showing had a guy with a commbadge. I came from work and didn't have any tshirts or uniforms with me, otherwise I would have likely worn something.
Except for the few rows immediately in front of the screen, our theatre was almost sold out. I never would have guessed for Kingston. Reading all the posts, I find it funny that we all seemed to have a good chuckle at all the same places. It was a very worthwhile event. Next Monday, our theatre is showing "The Wrath of Khan" on the big screen. Going to that as well.
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