MOVIE THEATRE FAQ: Here comes the Academy!

Well, it's award season again. At least for a select number of movie theatre locations out there. And as such, I thought I'd let you in on a little bit of behind-the-scenes magic on how the Golden Globes and Oscars are voted on the local level. Whether or not this information has any kind of effect on the actual results the night of those award shows is beyond my knowledge, but I'm sure you guys will find this information interesting.

During awards season, what do you guys do at the theatre?
On the face value, nothing. It's just business as usual. However, there is one major change that happens between when voting season starts and when it ends. It happens at the box office.

Basically, any theatre deemed a voting center gives out one or two free passes to card-carrying members of the various groups that vote on the Golden Globe and Oscars. These members then get to see as many movies as they can during this period of time for free to insure that they get their picks in on time.

How does a theatre get picked as a voting center?
Hell if I know! Last year was my first experience as a voting center for the Oscars. This year, my theatre is one for both the Golden Globes and Oscars.

Which groups can vote on movies during awards season?
Oh, nobody you'd know. Groups like the Writer's Guild, Screen Actor's Guild, Filmmaker's Guild, Director's Guild, etc. All of them are local chapters, too.

What do the cards look like?
Nice try, pal.

Actually, the cards are all different from group to group, and even within the guild itself for some reason. The one thing we look for is if they have the words VOTING COMMITTEE MEMBER somewhere on the card. Once we see that, we then ask for identification for security and record the membership number if there's one available.

So, when do these voting committee members go and watch these movies they are going to vote on?
Considering we just started, I have yet to see anyone from the guilds come by. Last year, we would see most of the committee members come to our theatre during the week when there is less traffic. Not only does this mean less distraction from their goal of viewing the movie and determining their picks for best whatever, but it also insures that they will have a seat in the theatre should the movie they are going to vote on is one of those films that constantly sells out, as was the case with Slumdog Millionaire.

How often do they come by the theatre?
As often as they need to in order to see everything that has been released during that time frame.

Can they bring friends/family with them?
Depends on what the guild they are a member of tells us. Last year, the local WG and SAG groups would allow their members to bring one other person along while the rest would only allow those on the voting committee only.

Do celebrities show up and vote on films?
Considering this kind of thing is for the local chapters, I am obligated to say "no" based on the fact that we don't have many Hollywood actors or film makers living in Nashville.

So, does the theatre get anything out of this?
Just an increase in concession purchases. You have people coming in several times a week to see and judge a movie for free, and that alone means they are more likely to buy concessions.

Wait, what about the summer movies? Don't they count?
No, they count as far as which films are to be considered for this year's set of awards. However, you have to realize that they've already been released and had their theatrical run. Hell, most of them are coming out on DVD in the coming weeks if they are not already on store shelves as you're reading this. What I'm talking about here are the movies that are being released between now and mid-December when voting stops and the award shows start. And that's a lot of movies to see.

And that's all I can tell you because that's all that I know about the matter. I hope you find this information interesting.