Confiscation Of Mobile 'Phones At Major London Previews

[Ms Thrifty]

It has taken me ages to post this, but in the "Guardian" of 24.7.09 there was a long article about this, and how it was, in any case, ineffective against piracy and a risk to the owners as their 'phones and data were not stored securely. Luckily I have never even experienced a bag check at a preview, let alone a request to hand over my 'phone.

[f3lix]

I've never experienced a bag check, not that I personally have a bag but at my last screening of Bruno the security police were quite aggressive in the way they went about telling people to switch off their phones NOW. I felt this was OTT
I keep my phone in my pocket and if I was asked I would say I do not have one...or do they frisk people!

[a_person]

When I went to see Bruno, they checked my bags but they were quite nice and just asked me to switch it off then double checked to see it was switched off. My friend had two or three phone so we had to wait a while while he switched his off. :@

The other times they've checked it was at Public Enemies and Taken. Other than that generally no... I'd hate it if they took my phone away altogether though like some had done at the Angels & Demons show. Just the thought of having to wait to collect it again..... :S

[valda]

I don't mind phones being taken, its all done in a really profesional manner and its pretty quick to get them afterwards. Yesterday at GI Joe only a few minutes. The phones are put in little plastic bags, and when you come out the bags are laid out in numerical order on a table behind the security people. The ony time it took a while was at the Transformers Premiere, that was a total nightmare.

Its really good to see a film knowing no one will be texting, playing with the phone or chatting

[f3lix]

Its really good to see a film knowing no one will be texting, playing with the phone or chatting

I'd rather they stopped them eating popcorn.....rustle rustle...munch munch!

[Ms Thrifty]

The thing is, they are not doing it for your benefit, and even if they do set out the 'phones for return in numerical order, do they also issue a receipt at the start and exchange it for the 'phone later? Otherwise, what's to stop people helping themselves to someone else's 'phone? I think I would just conceal mine in my clothing.

[Beate]

Of course they issue a receipt! You get a number which corresponds to the on they put on your phone. They securely put your phone in a plastic bag and seal it, I really don't see what the fuss is, you can always switch it off and they can't get at anything then anyway.

[Ms Thrifty]

Well, not having experienced this, I don't know how it works and I'd still rather not bother. Either I'd forget to collect my 'phone or be stuck, fidgeting, in the queue to reclaim it. I never check bags into a cloakroom at the theatre, either - I'm just not in the habit and I want to be out of the door as soon as possible once the event is over. Interestingly, the author of the Guardian article tried to obtain a comment on security procedures - including whether security staff were qualified and whether insurance was in place for data theft - but neither the Film Distributors' Association (FDA) nor Music And Arts Security (the firm often used) would respond. Switching your mobile off would be no defence against sim cloning or data theft.

[dovetail]

I went to a spate of films last year where they asked people to surrender phones but since they can't do a body search, I'd switch it off and put it somewhere discreet (ahem). Haven't been asked to surrender my phone lately though.

[bevvy]

On the SFF website under "synopsis" for 500 days of Summer it says

Please be aware that there will be security present at the screening and we will need to remove all mobile phones, blackberries, laptops etc ? so you may prefer to leave at the office if you are able! We will also ask that NDAs be signed prior to the screening

It doesn't mention this on the ticket or on the e-mail confirmation, so many people may be unaware of this until they get to the cinema. In central London there will be quite a lot of people going straight from work with such items on them - I for one woukld not fancy handing over my laptop to be looked after by security. If the security is any good , all they have to do is look to see if anyone is using any of these devices and eject them if they do. Anyone intent on piracy will get round this anyway.