Wow! So much to get to, so much to answer for (in so many definitions of that term.) Let's see.....
AEinhorn wrote:
Something that I haven't seen addressed - which I find interesting in the light of the comments on the topic both on the forum and at the event - was the amount of snarking at the event, which seemed to be way down.
Not complaining, but I can barely remember hearing a comment through the event, and I certainly can't remember any that hit in the middle of a film that ended up distracting or bothering me.
My cohorts and I were talking about this during our annual post-Marathon lunch. They claim the relative lack of snarking is because I provide ample context before each film (some of you will read this as "because I talk so damn much before each film that the audience is rendered docile and sleepy.") I don't know; it seems like we've just had an extended run of good luck with the makeup of the Horror audience. After the ELECTROMA near-riot at this year's Sci-Fi Marathon, part of me feared that this audience would rip POSSESSION apart. But the treatment it received was pretty tremendous. Maybe the overall lack of snarking is due to the variety of genres and tones that Bruce and I have established as the norm for the Horrorthons.
not worldsfinest wrote:
It isn't about what should've been dropped. My point is nothing should be dropped and the event shouldn't run a full movie-length behind (30 minutes over time, ok; 1.5 hours, not ok), but history has shown that 12 movies in 24 hours just doesn't fit for whatever reasons.
I noticed you mentioned that you've been attending for 8-9 years. Now to be fair, the Incredible 2-Headed Marathons were ALWAYS hamstrung by the Drexel's wonky scheduling. No matter how many times we asked them not to do so, year after year they scheduled a film for the prime round hour that would inevitably run until ten minutes or so before our supposed 10:00 start, pushing us almost an hour behind each year. And trust me, that scheduling predilection got more and more annoying each year.
As far as the Grandview goes, there has been one main reason for the events falling behind these past four years: the projection problems. For one reason or another, there have been one or two problems every year that set us too far behind (although last year, we also opened the doors FAR later than I wanted, causing us to start from behind.) We've tried to remedy those problems, and each year we've had confidence that everything will be okay. But for one reason or another, that hasn't been the case.
Now, longtime Marathoids know that (dating back to 1987) the event has traditionally ran a bit over most years. It's always been part of the charm. But we shouldn't have to consistently run an hour behind. Trust me, this matter is always at the forefront during our pre-Marathon planning discussions.
Splatterpunk wrote:
Purchasing a ticket is a seat reservation and I expect to have a seat (any seat is fine, I'm not particular) waiting for me regardless of when I show up. Purchasing one ticket does not, however, entitle you to multiple seats for all the crap you bring with you, regardless of if you showed up earlier than me. My friend was harassed in a disgusting manner by someone who was asked by management to move their crap out of an unoccupied seat. This was not the only unpleasant interaction we had. I have to say I left the marathon feeling embarrassed by my fellow fans general demeanor. The lone bright spot was the films themselves, which I enjoyed immensely despite the rudeness of several patrons.
This year's Horror Marathon was the highest attended 24-Hour Horrorthon since the 2003 NIGHTMARE AT STUDIO 35. Which is great! But it also presented us with a problem that we haven't had to deal with in years: the much mentioned seating grind. I was a bit surprised that more of the late arrivers didn't approach Bruce or I (or the theater workers) to ask for some help in this matter. And I guess I'm a bit disappointed that a few clumps of people had to be jerks about their seating situation. It's something we'll keep in mind for the future (until we show SERBIAN FILM 2: SON OF MILOSH next year and drive away half the crowd.)
cleazer wrote:
There weren't a ton of trailers this year, and there were no shorts. Both the scream contest and the costume contest seemed to go as quick as you could hope for, as many contestants just went through the line once. I'm not sure where all the time was lost. Sometimes it seemed like Joe and Bruce were standing up there talking forever, but I think they were just waiting for the projector to be ready.
So I think maybe the problem is that the breaks between some of the movies were just too long. As others have stated, you don't need a 15 minute break if there's going to be 15 minutes of trailers before the next movie anyways. Trailers and shorts are some of the highlights of the marathons for me, but there's nothing wrong with missing 2 or 3 to stand in line for food or the bathroom.
Yes, sometimes we talk too much during our film intros. Yes, sometimes
I talk WAY too much during the film intros. And yes, sometimes we're vamping for time.
Jaws3dfan wrote:
Also you must all remember the theater is there to make money, yes they love us and our event but if they can't make money at it than they will have to cancel the event in the future. The longer the lines at the concession stand the longer the wait between films, they don't want to start the movie and risk having people jumping out of line to go watch the trailers.
...and yes, this is why cutting intermission down too much can be damaging. Theaters survive on concession sales, and we're essentially the Grandview's guests. So in exchange for the complete creative control we receive, we duly try to give them time to sell their wares. Yeah, there could be some tightening of the intermissions, but we also want people to have the option to watch most of what's on screen AND buy a hot dog.
Jaws3dfan wrote:
*Everyone decide in this forum in advanced who will be voted into the hall of fame so Joe doesn't need to run down a long list (also press record on the video camera so Joe doesn't need to start over)
*Don't Encourage Joe to read passages from books at future events
See the damage that the internet hath wrought? Now EVERYONE thinks that their single vote is the most important. I partially joke, but this year did seem to set a new record for variety of low tally votes.
And hey! It was a magazine, not a book! And trust me my friend, NO ONE needs to offer encouragement for me to want to get up and yack for awhile (insert recurring "Joe! Stop strokin' yer beard and siddown!" joke.)
IamJacksUserID wrote:
First he gets ketchup and mustard dumped on him, and now this. What did he ever do to deserve this? If he weren't such a nice guy I would understand, but this is just baffling.
To clarify: one of the gents who had his seat swiped was my good buddy (and longtime Marathoid) Scott Cozzolino, the bald-headed lothario who operated the video camera during part of the event. Twenty years ago, when he was operating a video camera at the dear departed Drexel North (R.I.P.) for a student documentary, he happened to take a break and sit down during one of the films....only to be pegged with a styrofoam cup filled with ketchup and mustard. Boy, remember the punk kids from the old Horror Marathon days? Weren't they high-larious? So yeah, I guess that Scott should retire from his videographer role?
not worldsfinest wrote:
I have had The Mercy Seat stuck in my head for roughly 116 hours now.
And THIS, my friends, is what makes the Marathon business truly rewarding.