As a seasoned film critic who has spent decades in the dimly-lit halls of cinemas, I must say that the current state of moviegoing etiquette leaves me more bewildered than a lost Dorothy in Oz. The latest sensation, “Wicked,” has certainly stirred up a whirlwind of excitement, but it’s also brought forth an unprecedented storm of cell phones and social media posts.
There is no denying the excitement fans are feeling getting to see Wicked, a popular Broadway musical, on the big screen. The film has already broken box office records for a movie-musical adaptation, and it’s poised to help make the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend one of the best in years. This level of excitement is great for moviegoing as the industry wants to see people head back to the movies, but it’s also leading to another type of behavior that is a bit more concerning. Movie theaters had been worried about fans singing during showings of Wicked, but now fans filming scenes on their phones has become another issue that the film’s studio, Universal Pictures, doesn’t seem to have a problem with.
According to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, snippets from the movie “Wicked” have been circulating on social media platforms like X and TikTok because enthusiastic fans have recorded these scenes with their phones and shared them online. One particularly notable scene, Cynthia Erivo’s powerful rendition of “Defying Gravity,” which is approximately four minutes long, has been accessible on these platforms since the film’s release. It’s important to note that this dissemination has primarily been carried out by fans themselves, not the studios. This activity has ignited a discussion about whether it constitutes piracy or if it should be seen as fans expressing their enthusiasm for the movie. However, there seems to be no official statement from the studio regarding their stance on this issue.
It’s true that short video snippets from movies are often considered piracy, and it’s not the first time we’ve seen this with “Wicked.” Given its current popularity, discussions about it are rampant online. You can find numerous photos and clips of various films’ theatrical experiences on social media, and these are typically shared by younger audiences. Studios usually take action against such piracy and swiftly remove the offending content, particularly when it reveals spoilers. However, Universal Pictures has yet to comment on this issue regarding “Wicked.” The assumption is that they view this as a form of free advertising and perhaps don’t consider it malicious piracy, but rather, fans expressing their enthusiasm for the film. An unnamed top film executive also shares this perspective, attributing the trend to a change in movie-going behavior following the pandemic.
Since the pandemic, there seems to be a noticeable shift in how people behave at movie theaters. Nowadays, they view movies more as mere content rather than a deeply engaging experience.
Universal Pictures May Not Be Able to Remove ‘Wicked’ Clips From Social Media
As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed the rampant sharing of footage from Universal Pictures movies across various online platforms. While the studio hasn’t made any official statements about this issue, it seems that they are doing their best to remove some of these clips. However, the speed at which they can act and the tenacity of fans who continue to post more content might be outpacing their efforts.
Even though Universal Pictures, and even the Motion Picture Association, haven’t made comments about these matters, there are still moviegoers who believe in proper moviegoing etiquette and don’t think this behavior is right, no matter how excited one might be about seeing a particular film. Alama Drafthouse made it clear they don’t support this in a recent X post that encouraged fans to “Show your Wicked part 1 photos,” while Jason E. Squire, a USC School of Cinematic Arts professor, labeled it “intolerable behavior.”
“Any cell phone is distracting in a darkened theater, of course, even people trying to hide it. It’s just intolerable behavior and should not be allowed in theaters that show any movie.”
After catching the movie yesterday in a bustling cinema, I can vouch for the numerous cell phones illuminating the dark, capturing moments and even videos. Initially, it didn’t disrupt my personal enjoyment of the film, but it did spark thoughts about how the new generation consumes movies. It’s no longer about immersing oneself in the moment; instead, it’s about amassing content to garner millions of views and fit into the crowd.
Wicked
is currently playing in movie theaters nationwide.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-27 21:32