Starland.com

I'm not about to justify turning people away, but I'm not entirely sure that this is Starland's fault. From what I understand of the business, there are always a lot more tickets given out than seats available beause they want to make sure it's a packed screening.

I've been to preview screenings in Colorado Springs where there were so many people in line that they filled a second screening. My guess is that was the theater's call along with the press agency responsible for the screening. There were radio stations involved at these screenings, but they had no say in what happened. I really think that StarLand may be in the same boat.

I would probably try to talk to theater management, since they'd be the easiest to find someone to talk to. StarLand can probably pass along feedback like this, but I'm not sure what kind of pull they have.

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ScreenGeeks Radio

While it is true that getting there early is mandatory because of the crowds, if someone was waiting 4 hrs. for
Cloverfield, and didn't get in, something different was going on with them. I arrived 2 hrs. before the movie, and had plenty of time, and the lines were only about a quarter-filled.

I just got an email from one of the movie studios. They are really happy about the number of Starland people coming to the screenings. They've just upped our allotment of tickets to most movies by 25-50%. Please keep telling your friends about joining the Starland Movie Club. The more response we get to the quiz/contests, the more they will give us. Many of the movies that have screenings are shown 3-5 times in the Denver market. Eventually, I would imagine that we would get our own screenings allotted to us.

The problems people are having getting in is related to a simple formula - the more popular the movie - the earlier you have to get to the screening to get in. With the most highly anticipated movies, the less screenings and more security you can expect. Something like The Dark Knight, Star Wars, or Star Trek is going to create long lines and less preview screenings (if any at all). If you get tickets to one of those movies, make sure you arrive early.

Some people on this board seem to be exaggerating the time required a bit. One hour is more than enough for most movies. I would allot up to 2 hours for the most popular movies. I remember going to the last Star Wars movie screening and seeing the people waiting for the regular showing in line. I was there about 2 hours early, but certainly not the 2 days earlier that the people waiting/camping in line were dedicating to seeing the movie.

Keep entering the contests. We'll keep getting you movies.

Stephen @ Starland

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Stephen Walker, Starland Webslinger
PO Box 24955 Denver CO 80224-0955
303.777.6800 Fax 303.200.9009

I have yet to be at a Starland movie screening where more than a couple of hours was necessary, there were people who were there for hours more and they were rewarded with first pick seats, but 2-3 hours I believe for most would be sufficient.

However, one thing that I've seen now at least twice is people who get into the theater who don't have screening tickets and that number was significant. They buy another movie ticket and then when they see the lines moving, just walk right in.

I think it would be "nice" to have someone checking the ripped passes again at the door of the theater, that way the numbers will match up more closely. (Wanted screening was rough, people next to me said that they saw a group of about 8 walk from the bathrooms into the Wanted screening and a lot of people were let into the theater that had to be turned away when all the seats were full - much less all the people that got turned away before even showing a pass.)

My 2c, and... Thanks for the screenings!!