Gaining entry to some movie theaters lately gives patrons an experience that is on par with going through a TSA security checkpoint at the airport. Then once you’ve gained access, there are cameras strategically positioned that record your every move. Unfortunately, the extent to which these companies monitor movie-goers is only going to get worse.
In an effort to further combat piracy, some cinemas have incorporated the use of an infrared scanning system that detects recording devices in the audience and if detected, sounds an alarm to alert management. Now the company that offers those services, Aralia Systems, is working to enhance the system by incorporating technology which will scan and read the audiences’ physical expressions and emotions.
Aralia Systems is teaming up with Machine Vision Lab of the University of the West of England to develop the technology to turn their anti-piracy devices into a dual-purpose system that will gather data about how the crowd reacts to what they’re seeing at any particular moment.
“Within the cinema industry this tool will feed powerful marketing data that will inform film directors, cinema advertisers and cinemas with useful data about what audiences enjoy and what adverts capture the most attention. By measuring emotion and movement film companies and cinema advertising agencies can learn so much from their audiences that will help to inform creativity and strategy,” Dr. Abdul Farooq from Machine Vision Lab told TorrentFreak.
Personally, I’m growing tired of everything that I do being monitored for the benefit of some company’s marketing research. With the increasing digitization of media along with the use of social networking, it’s becoming more difficult to escape the intense data mining that seems to be everywhere you turn. Now, rather than using sales numbers, the movie industry wants to scan our physical reactions too? The idea seems overly invasive to me, and I wonder just how much the data would allow the industry to improve the experience, if at all.
What do you think? Is monitoring audience reactions going too far?
29 Comments
Some people/companies are thinking that there is everything thing is ok when it comes to stop piracy, but this would be a big step across the line, imho.
Monitoring emotions? wth. ------> Google cinema view???? LOL
They should install body scanners like in airports, this is existing technology and at least the same nonsense.
somehow,.......
.......I'm speechless at the moment
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Originally Posted by H3rB3i
.......I'm speechless at the moment
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After people start hearing it and stop going to the show because of it, the lost dollars will stop them from continuing.
- Airport-like screening on entrance.
- Exam-room style surveillance.
- Being physically spyed upon, as if PC Spyware was not bad enough.
- Cinema ticket price hikes to cover the cost of all these "extras."
Save your money and buy a ticket for something worth watching, e.g. Circus, Play, Magician, Rodeo, etc. It may cost more, but at it will be money well spent.
NO! Sue them! Sue them!
What goes around will come around.
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Originally Posted by olddancer
Do the Theatres have the Patrons sign a "Standard Model Release"?
NO! Sue them! Sue them! What goes around will come around. |
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Originally Posted by Seán
Good point and something I didn't realise either until I did a quick search and come across this. Basically if you capture a candid photo and send it to a newspaper/magazine company, that's OK, but if you use it for a commercial application as what's proposed here, permission needs to be obtained for every individual caught on film/camera.
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This is absurd, ridiculous and plain wrong. If I see cameras in the cinema, I am leaving and demanding a refund before the curtain rises. Screw these a$$holes.
I'll just wait until they get to Netflix....no biggie.
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Originally Posted by bean55
Just pass the word around.
After people start hearing it and stop going to the show because of it, the lost dollars will stop them from continuing. |
I agree 100% everyone should take a stand, so start talking people 
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Originally Posted by Seán
Good point and something I didn't realise either until I did a quick search and come across this. Basically if you capture a candid photo and send it to a newspaper/magazine company, that's OK, but if you use it for a commercial application as what's proposed here, permission needs to be obtained for every individual caught on film/camera.
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I could see this helping to stop or slow down the movie bootleggers until they design a better way of concealing the recording devices. I could see an innovative person hacking up a webcam or flip cam and hiding it in a hat which would send the data to a smartphone or iPhone like device for storage. Maybe even hook it up to a MY-FI type of device to stream it to a personal website for later distribution.
With enough determination, anything is possible.
When you drive up to the theatre your vehicle license can be read by security systems and checked against a law enforcement watch list. If you are found on their watch list you are subjected to a mixed reaction of fear, discust, and focused observation.
Becoming a potential offender is easy, just creep out the wrong barmaid/waitress by staring at her assets. Potential offender is an opinion about your thoughts (Minority Report-esc). It is the new witch hunt.
Your vehicle license, credit card use, and security camera image are used to track your movements more and more places every day. The Homeland Security Act has enabled this tracking to be used without permission. Legislation has not significantly limited business use yet.
You know, I just went and saw Paranormal Activity 2 the other week, and I don't want cameras catching me screaming like a girl.
IF they really want to combat piracy in movie theaters, they could set the projectors to a refresh rate that can't be tracked by cameras, though that would most likely give people huge headaches.
I would much rather see them doing something about the way they project the movie, instead of destroying our rights.
I also don't want to go pay $40 to watch a movie I may not like and get videotaped while doing so..
If you ask me, America hasn't been the land of the free in a long time.
Aswell as copyright getting worse and worse, taking measures so idiotic, it endangers our way of life.
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Originally Posted by loanstar744
You know, I just went and saw Paranormal Activity 2 the other week, and I don't want cameras catching me screaming like a girl. |
BUT they have to have a excuse to over charge for everything then treat everyone like a criminal.
I hardly ever go to the movies now, too expensive and I can wait a month or so and get the DVD or Blu Ray fairly cheap and watch it any time I want.
The last movie I paid to see was Avatar at the beginning of this year and we didn't even pay extra for the stupid 3d version as I can't see it anyways and why pay even more just to watch it.
To ANYTHING we want to do to you now or in the future....
That outta cover it...
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Originally Posted by SouthOMike
George Orwell, your book is becoming closer and closer to a reality day by day
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Originally Posted by r_saotome
Glad I read this article, I'm used to having relations with my GF's when I'm at the movies, think I'll just spring for the hotel next time. :P
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Originally Posted by Dave440
Purchase of a ticket implies you consent..............
To ANYTHING we want to do to you now or in the future.... That outta cover it... |
"Yes, you can screen me all you want, as long as you consent to me SHOOTING YOU ALL THE WAY DOWN THE STREET ALONG WITH YOUR MYRIAD BRAZEN LAWYERS, YOU GREEDY BASTARD!!!"
That would be more than enough to discourage these morons from pickpocketing their audience even more. They already add insult to the injury by calling everyone THIEVES for sharing content that most of the times revert to bigger sales for them, but ONLY WHEN SUCH CONTENT IS DEEMED GOOD ENOUGH by the watchers...
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