Preparing Your Class for a Field Trip to the Movie Theater

With increasing access to movies online or through Netflix and other services, some students may not have much experience in the movie theater. Here are some guidelines to discuss with your class and a fun activity to help them think about theater-appropriate behavior.

1. Ask students to generate a list of Theater Dos and Don’ts. Or start with our list and add some additional advice.

Movie Theater Dos

• WHISPER. It’s fine to talk before and after the film. And PLEASE laugh as often and as loudly as you wish. But once the film begins, you should whisper to your companions. • LISTEN ACTIVELY. When you watch television at home, you can squirm and get up and walk around and eat and do other things. When you watch a film in the theater, you are expected to sit quietly and really listen carefully so that you can understand the story. If there is no dialogue, watch carefully so you can remember the story. • USE THE RESTROOM BEFORE THE MOVIE. Once the film begins, it is distracting to others if you get up and

push past their legs to exit the aisle. If you really need to use the bathroom, of course you should do that. But try to be as quiet and quick as possible.

Movie Theater Don’ts

• KICK THE SEAT. Be careful not to kick your seat or the seat in front of you because it is very distracting and uncomfortable for other movie watchers. • CRINKLE WRAPPERS OR SLURP YOUR DRINK. If you bring candy or a snack or a drink, unwrap or handle it quietly so you don’t disturb others. Especially in those quiet, dramatic moments! • CHEW GUM OR THE ICE IN YOUR DRINK. Again, the noise will distract and annoy others. • SHOUT AT THE ACTORS ON SCREEN. They cannot hear you and you only disrupt the movie for others!

2. Explain that you will create two tableaus: The Respectful Audience and The Rude Audience. If students are unfamiliar with tableaus, define the term for them. A tableau is a frozen picture of a scene using live performers.

3. Set up chairs to simulate the theater and divide the class into two groups, the Respectful Audience and the Rude Audience. 4. Begin with the Rude Audience. Have an assistant distract the other so they do not listen or look at the group working to create the tableau until it is time to present. 5. Ask the Rude Audience actors to find dynamic positions in the simulated theater that demonstrate your list of bad behaviors – kicking the seat in front of them, talking on a cell phone (if appropriate), crawling on the floor, talking loudly, etc. Ask each to create one line about what they are doing. For example, “I’m kicking the seat in front of me!” or “I am arguing loudly with my friend.” or “I’m texting!” When you are ready, call the Respectful group to see your work and have the Rude Audience freeze in their action poses. Have one student (or teacher) point to each to cue them to speak their line. At the end, they can all say the final line together: “We are the Rude Audience!” 6. Ask the rest of the class to comment on the tableau. Would you want to see your favorite film with this group?

7. Repeat the process with the Respectful Audience. Tell them that it more challenging to find dynamic poses for the Respectful Audience, but challenge them to find levels and variety. They can demonstrate your list of good behaviors – attentive listening, quiet eating, a quiet whisper, etc. Ask each to choose one line to speak about what they are doing. Examples might be “I am wondering what will happen next!” or “I am asking my friend a question in a quiet whisper!” or “Even though I don’t really understand what is going on, I am watching and listening attentively.” When you are ready, have the Respectful Audience freeze and present the frozen picture to the rest of the class. Again, have someone cue each actor to say their line and conclude with everyone saying, “We are the Respectful Audience!” 8. Ask the other group to analyze and comment. Would they want to watch their favorite movie with this group? 9. If you see some of the Don’ts during your field trip to the Festival, you might remind them to adjust their behavior by prompting, “Respectful Audience!”