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Author Topic: "Lights Down" levels Ken Lackner Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1907 From: Atlanta, GA, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 07-27-2004 11:33 AM                     Every theater I've been to has the house lights at a bare minimum glow during the feature. Is there some law or fire code that prevents them from turning them completely off? I imagine there are regulations on lighting levels in the theater, but it doesn't seem that having the lights barely glowing like that provides any real light, especially compared to the light coming from the screen. Is it more of a decorative issue than a safety issue? The reason I bring this up is because someone mentioned to me that they would like to see the lights go all the way OFF during the feature, and it got me thinking whether we are allowed to do that or not. (I put this in FHF because it deas with the dimmer, but feel free to move to GL if you feel it would be more appropriate there.)  |  IP: Logged Floyd Justin Newton Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 559 From: Phoenix, Arizona, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 07-27-2004 11:45 AM                     Ken-- House lights should never be lower than what the local code allows, if any. fjn Local 294 Ret.  |  IP: Logged Kyle Watkins Expert Film Handler Posts: 185 From: Stuart, FL, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 07-27-2004 11:58 AM                     I work at 6 different theaters here in FL and all we had the lights go down to OFF. So i dont think FL has one on the the lights down for the movie but they do have one for credits. Not sure about local codes.  |  IP: Logged Eric Hooper Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 532 From: Fort Worth, TX, USA Registered: May 2003 posted 07-27-2004 12:43 PM                     In my experience, some theatres/auditoriums the lights dim down to a glow, and then some theatres/auditoriums the lights go all the way off. Even different auditoriums at the same theatre complex each have a different experience. What bothers me the most though, is when the lights do not dim down enough, and it's distracting.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-27-2004 01:21 PM                     Most building/firecodes have a requirement for minimum safe ilumination in a public place during a presentation Step floors have different requirements than say a slopped floor and are often at the un challenbgable opinion of the local building inspector or firemarshal  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-27-2004 01:28 PM                     So long as there are proper exit signs and appropriate pathway lighting, I don't think there are any requirements for minimum light levels in a theater... At least in Pennsylvania or the few other states I have worked in. One of the venues I am in charge of has stadium seating and there are no pathway lights on the stairs. There are two dimmers that control the house lights: The main overhead lights and some can lights over the stairs & walkways. The can ligts are pre-programmed to never go below (I think) 30% brightness even if you push the fader that controls that dimmer all the way to 0%. This theater has no projection facilities. It is mainly a lecture/recital hall. There are few, if any, issues with stray light from those cans affecting the performance. Thus, the reason I say that IF you have pathway lighting and exit signs there are no requirements for minimum light levels.  |  IP: Logged Steve Scott Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1300 From: Minneapolis, MN Registered: Sep 2000 posted 07-27-2004 01:33 PM                     Our settings are slightly different in each auditorium, but 25-30% is the norm for the dim setting at Lakeville. And this is with dark red curtains and purple carpeting... no earth tones here If I ever have to adjust the dim level, I'm trying to slightly illuminate the aisles, without leaving a distracting amount of light on the walls.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 07-27-2004 03:11 PM                        If you do have to have some level of ambient light for safety, remember the lights should NOT shine ON the screen. Direct the light ONLY where it is needed for safety. Kodak Projection Pointers quote: Conquering Contrast Killers People with eyeglasses sometimes have difficulty with reflections from overhead lighting in their eyeglass lenses.  |  IP: Logged Paul Cassidy Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 549 From: Auckland, New Zealand Registered: Aug 2001 posted 07-27-2004 03:20 PM                        I personally do not like to have any lights on during a Film as it distracts from the Illusion that you are transformed to another place that the Director wants to take the audience , even EXIT signs under the screens are ugly ..... but there are times when low lights are a benefit and that is when you are showing films to children who are not used to seeing movies in the Dark , I remember a parent who had to take a small child out of the cinema because the child was scared of the dark and was not comfortable even with the light from the screen .  |  IP: Logged Edward Jurich Master Film Handler Posts: 305 From: Las Vegas USA Registered: Jul 2003 posted 07-27-2004 03:28 PM                     I've been helping a small theater put in 3 new screens. The owner wants the lights up a fair level during the show to "show off" her auditorium decor. So there is too much light during the show but she usually doesn't listen to anyone. I guess it's a good thing for someone if they don't like the movie they can bring along a book to read  |  IP: Logged Mike Olpin Chop Chop! Posts: 1852 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Jan 2002 posted 07-27-2004 06:55 PM                     Before our theatre became a part of a larger chain, we ran all features with auditrium lights compleately off. There was sufficient isle lighting to safely allow patrons to enter or exit the auditorium. Now, our current company requires all lights to be at a minimum of 20% brightness durring the feature. This is especially distracting at our theatre, since our "decorative sconses" were not designed to be on durring the movie. The small bulb is visable, and catches the eye easily.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-27-2004 07:52 PM                        In nearly all of the theatres where I have worked, the ceiling lights (and chandelier, if present) stay off during the film and at a low level during trailers and credits. Only the wall sconces (which almost all theatres seem to have) stay on during the film, and they are either at a low level or have colored bulbs (usually red) which stay on and do not shine on the screen, but make it possible to navigate the aisles. Oh, let's not forget the obligatory super-bright red or green "EXIT" signs that many theatres have on one or both sides of the screen....  |  IP: Logged Paul Cassidy Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 549 From: Auckland, New Zealand Registered: Aug 2001 posted 07-27-2004 07:54 PM                        While I was thinking about this .... I remembered that the CIVIC Theatre here in Auckland has it's roof lights on during the films, this is a Southern Star Constellation and it is quite calming as it is like watching a movie outdoors under the Stars. and if the movie Sucks you can always watch the Stars twinkle .  |  IP: Logged Dean Kollet Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 591 From: Florida State University Registered: Jul 2003 posted 07-27-2004 09:02 PM                     I agree that it's awesome to have no lights during a show, but from a safety standpoint you need some. Especially when someone needs to use the restroom or spend more money in concession....do you really want to deal with someone falling on your clock?  |  IP: Logged Paul Cassidy Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 549 From: Auckland, New Zealand Registered: Aug 2001 posted 07-27-2004 09:13 PM                        Well Dean , hopefully No One falls on my Clock  |  IP: Logged

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