In Chicago, Mystery Science Theater meets Twitter at the Movies
source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0416-twitter-moviesapr16,0,3057577.story
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"Normally, rampant texting in a movie theater is grounds for ejection.
But in St. Charles, it's encouraged.
During a screening of "Zoolander," audience members could heckle the movie via text, then watch as their comments appeared onscreen with the film: "I want a comb-over like Trump" and "Breakdance fighting is becoming more popular in UFC."
"I've described it as a mash-up of 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' and Twitter," said Rien Heald, the Naperville inventor of MuVChat.
Thus far, MuVChat is in the early stages, with three test screenings at Classic Cinemas' Charlestowne 18 theater. The next will be Saturday's screening of "Dodgeball" at 10:30 p.m.
"Normally, you don't want people texting on their phones, [the glowing screens] are kind of like fireflies inside the auditorium," said Charlestowne manager Randy Pollock. "But if everybody is doing it, it's fun."
Brian Stewart, 35, of West Chicago found out about MuVChat through Facebook. He participated in its inaugural screening of "Zoolander" in January.
He describes the texting as "funny comments that you normally snicker to your friends, but this you share with the whole audience."
The multitasking experience of texting, watching the movie and reading others' comments didn't distract him.
"The movies they are doing are mostly movies we've seen, so they're cult classics," said Stewart, a grocery store manager. "Mostly, we're watching for the comments. You can't talk out loud, but it's cool if you're able to use your phone."
Heald said the MuVChat concept popped into his head while he was riding the train one day as he commuted from an Internet job from which he has since been laid off. He's now developing MuVChat full time. Its allure tends to be generational, he said, adding that older viewers can be skeptical of it."
But in St. Charles, it's encouraged.
During a screening of "Zoolander," audience members could heckle the movie via text, then watch as their comments appeared onscreen with the film: "I want a comb-over like Trump" and "Breakdance fighting is becoming more popular in UFC."
"I've described it as a mash-up of 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' and Twitter," said Rien Heald, the Naperville inventor of MuVChat.
Thus far, MuVChat is in the early stages, with three test screenings at Classic Cinemas' Charlestowne 18 theater. The next will be Saturday's screening of "Dodgeball" at 10:30 p.m.
"Normally, you don't want people texting on their phones, [the glowing screens] are kind of like fireflies inside the auditorium," said Charlestowne manager Randy Pollock. "But if everybody is doing it, it's fun."
Brian Stewart, 35, of West Chicago found out about MuVChat through Facebook. He participated in its inaugural screening of "Zoolander" in January.
He describes the texting as "funny comments that you normally snicker to your friends, but this you share with the whole audience."
The multitasking experience of texting, watching the movie and reading others' comments didn't distract him.
"The movies they are doing are mostly movies we've seen, so they're cult classics," said Stewart, a grocery store manager. "Mostly, we're watching for the comments. You can't talk out loud, but it's cool if you're able to use your phone."
Heald said the MuVChat concept popped into his head while he was riding the train one day as he commuted from an Internet job from which he has since been laid off. He's now developing MuVChat full time. Its allure tends to be generational, he said, adding that older viewers can be skeptical of it."
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seanalyn
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Awesome! One of my friends is in Chicago right now, I'll have to tell her to check this out.
- 3 years ago
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seanalyn
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St_Alia_10191
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seanalyn:
Make sure they know it's in St. Charles, which is in the burbs.
- 3 years ago
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St_Alia_10191
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DeliaTheArtist
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That sounds awesome!
- 3 years ago
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DeliaTheArtist
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St_Alia_10191
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This is pretty much going on right down the street from me, and I had no idea!
- 3 years ago
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St_Alia_10191
