Masks and popcorn: a trip to the movies
Regal Irvine Spectrum movie theater’s renovation features immersive digital movie posters as well as self serving ticket booths.
Carpeted floor, white screens, the aroma of popcorn, along with the sheer comfort in knowing that one can just sit back and enjoy a movie – or that was, until COVID-19. After six months of the shut-down, smaller cinemas throughout the county slowly started opening back up. Knowing there was going to be a shift in how a casual day at the movies would be, I decided to go to Regal Edwards Irvine Spectrum and explore for myself.
Right before I could enter into the theatre, I was greeted by hand sanitizer stations and flyers on the doors indicating that there was a masks-only policy. Passing the doors, I realized that the theatre had adopted safety protocols that were also enforced by the remodeling of the theatre itself. For example, there were self-serving ticket machines in the middle of the lobby that were supervised by at most two employees. I also noticed that there were only as many employees as needed; no one was left to just assist but rather they all had timely tasks.
After handing in the tickets as one normally does, I was off to get snacks. The lines were separated with signs showing the physical distance we had to keep, the only available paying method was credit/debit cards and the menu, along with the way food was served, were limited. There was a good amount of people in the lobby but it still seemed empty; that’s when I noted that the common space furniture was arranged into multiple corners and sealed away from the public.
The movie previews were already playing by the time I made it into the screening room but there weren’t many people inside; in fact, most of the seats were empty. It didn’t really shock me since there weren’t any blockbusters playing and the ticket machines couldn’t sell tickets that didn’t fall into the social distancing rule.
After the movie finished I collected my things and headed out. Overall, it wasn’t that different from what I would have imagined but that could be because I’ve adjusted to COVID life.
"Ratatouille" is my comfort movie, my favorite dog breed is the Shiba Inu :D, and I’ve dyed my hair at least six times.
Luis Palacios • Feb 26, 2021 at 1:24 pm
I’m glad to see that businesses are making an effort to help stop the spread of Covid-19, me personally I haven’t gone to the movie theater since the lock down, but its good to know if I wanted to go and watch a movie I’m gonna be safe.
Brianna Cazales • Dec 16, 2020 at 11:23 am
I went to the theaters with someone else and there was definetly a lot that’s changed. Obviously, there was the limited seating and masks were required to stay on. We were also spaced out. I think it’s interesrting as to how businesses have adapted to the new policies. I didn’t even know they were open already.
Edgar Aguilar • Oct 22, 2020 at 10:36 pm
Good job on this article and I think this is a good way to stop the spreading of the virus. I would like to experience this one day when I go to the theater.
Yvette Basilio • Oct 22, 2020 at 2:01 pm
It’s good to know the movie theater has put in place safety protocols to minimize the risk of getting Covid-19. I personally haven’t been to the movie theater since we were quarantined so it helped how you described the way the movie theater was set up. All the adjustments stores had put in place due to Covid-19 just seem normal now.
Alexxander Gutierrez • Oct 22, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Well, this was a very helpful article. I didn’t know that movie theatres were open already but I’m glad there open. I might be going anytime soon because there are no movies that really interest me but hopefully, there will be soon. It seems that movie theatres are really taking every precaution to stop the spread which I glad they care for the safety of others.
Ahmad Obeidallah • Oct 22, 2020 at 1:20 pm
I think this article really helped me understand how COVID-19 effected the ways businesses and how movie theatres will start to work from now on since the virus is still a problem.
Ritchie Gomez • Oct 22, 2020 at 12:09 pm
I think that it would have had the same experience as you, I also wouldn’t have been surprised to see all the measures they are taking to keep their clients safe from COVID-19. I honestly didn’t expect theaters to open up their doors at this time but I can tell that they are taking great measures to give people the experience they deserve in these tough times.
Tony Vu • Oct 22, 2020 at 9:57 am
I think it good that Movie theater are opening again so people are having jobs. I think it also great that they are taking precautions to keep everyone safe like mask and paying with cards.
Lizbeth Cantoran • Oct 21, 2020 at 11:00 pm
I haven’t been to the movie theater since Covid started, but I did imagine it would be something like this. I feel safe knowing the movie theater is taking precautions to avoid the spread of the virus. Good job on the article
Nicholas Cisneros • Oct 21, 2020 at 6:29 pm
I think that it is a good thing to see that businesses are opening up and are taking the proper precautions to ensure our safety. Having adjusted to this new way of life, I was not surprised to hear of the new protocols as I expect to see them now.
Emerly Jaimes • Oct 21, 2020 at 4:57 pm
The precautions that places such as the movie theater is deeply appreciated and I’m glad they have found a way to keep people safe and for them to enjoy the movies. Although I do believe that it isn’t the best time for people to be out and about, I can’t do anything about it, and as long as their taking precautions then I guess it is alright. Good Work!!
Catherine Rodriguez • Oct 21, 2020 at 1:27 pm
I really enjoyed reading your article and how you have adjusted to the COVID life because many of us can relate. Also, I liked the format in which this was written. I think it is important to understand how things have changed in our everyday life and this really did help- even though it was regarding a visit to the movie theatre, the part that mostly every public space can relate to is having hand sanitizer at the door and people around wearing masks.
Gil Lopez • Oct 21, 2020 at 12:29 pm
I haven’t gone to the movie theaters yet but when I go shopping for clothes or buy groceries, I always seen hand sanitizer bottles stationed everywhere and some even endorse the no mask no service policy which I find great because it helps us be safe while we get along with our tasks.
Brianna Avila • Oct 21, 2020 at 11:49 am
I think that this is good for keeping people safe during this time. I haven’t been to a movie theater in a while and was wondering what they did to keep from spreading the virus. I have heard that they separate people by a chair or two when there are a lot of people who want to see a movie. Overall the precautions that these places have taken while they can get on my nerves I know that they are to keep us safe so it’s ok.
Brianna Avila • Oct 21, 2020 at 11:48 am
I think that this is good for keeping people safe during this time. I haven’t been to a movie theater in a while and was wondering what they did to keep from spreading the virus. I have heard that they separate people by a chair or two when there are a lot of people who want to see a movie. Overall the precautions that these places have taken are keeping us safe and for that, we should be grateful.
Andrew Gomez • Oct 21, 2020 at 11:47 am
While reading this I was making lots of similarities to the time I went to the movie theaters and one thing that I experienced when I went that was not brought up here is that while watching the movie after you are done eating your snacks you must put back your mask and not take it off. Other than that this is too was I experienced going to the movies during COVID.
Valerie Chavez • Oct 20, 2020 at 11:54 pm
This is the new normal. Staying six feet apart from strangers at all times. If I had read this 10 months ago, I’d have thought it would be insane to live with such caution like this. Now, I am unfazed by the protocols, and to go back to the way things were before would be strange to say the least.
Andoe Glaser • Oct 20, 2020 at 9:24 pm
I saw advertisements about how movie theaters are adapting to COVID-19 but I was wondering what it was actually like to be there. This was a really good article and it allowed me to get a better view of what it’s like to go to the movies during the quarantine. It was very descriptive and provided many details that I hadn’t even thought about such as the furniture.
Alexandria Ordaz • Oct 19, 2020 at 8:48 am
From what you said about the theater and how everything was set up, I would say I also expected this. Just as you said, this could be because I have adjusted to COVID life. Many changes were made due to COVID and it has started to become normal.