Elijah Wood has made it clear that he is not happy with AMC Theaters’ announced plans to change ticket prices. The ‘Lord of the Rings’ actor criticized the theater chain’s new Sightline project, which sets ticket prices based on the exact location of a seat.
The actor is slated to star in the upcoming season of Showtime’s “Yellowjackets.” Instead of paying the regular ticket price for their seat, theatergoers participating in this new project each pay a different rate.
Wood said, “The cinema is and always has been a sacred democratic space for all.” This new initiative from AMC Theaters would essentially punish people for lower incomes and reward for higher incomes.”
AMC’s Sightline initiative, unveiled Monday, will launch on Friday in a few theaters in New York, Chicago and Kansas City before gradually expanding to all AMC locations across the country by the end of the year.
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According to Variety, the program offers three different seat pricing options: Standard Sightline, which includes the theater’s most popular seats and available for the standard ticket price, Value Sightline, which includes front row seats and some wheelchair accessible spots and is priced lower than standard Sightline seats. seats and Preferred Sightline, including seats in the center of the theater and priced higher.
AMC stated that theaters using Sightline are required to provide a thorough seat map detailing each seat selection and associated ticket costs.
Of course, AMC Stubs A-List subscribers who have already paid a monthly subscription have an advantage, as they can reserve free seats in the Preferred Sightline section and the Value Sightline section for a discounted price.
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, AMC theaters CEO Eliot Hamlisch gave the following explanation of Sightline’s goals:
“Sightline at AMC better aligns AMC’s approach to seat pricing with that of many other entertainment venues, offering experience-based pricing and a different way for moviegoers to find value at the movie theater. While every seat at AMC delivers a great movie experience, we know that there are some moviegoers who prioritize their specific seat and others who prioritize affordable moviegoing. Sightline at AMC caters to both of those feelings to ensure our guests have more control over their experience so that every trip to an AMC is a great one.”
AMC’s statement doesn’t seem to acknowledge that some moviegoers want both a fantastic experience and affordable tickets. There is currently no information on what the price variations will be.
As of now, it looks like AMC’s new approach could boost sales of Stub’s A-List memberships, if only to escape the inconvenience of stepped seat fees. Everyone still gets the $5 Tuesday discount.
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