Like most of you.. I was very, very excited about RSVPing to watch this movie at a free screening in NYC on Thursday, Sept. 24th. Unfortunately, the "Paranormal Activity" RSVP website didn't mention that the free screening were a combination of Press and Audience screening and Press came first and the audience was there to fill in seats not taken by the press. The theater had an audience capacity of 283 people and by the time I got in line, it was 4 hours before the 11:59pm screening debut. As time went by, more and more people were showing up. By 11:30 pm, there were over 1,000 people waiting in line to catch the screening and the worst thing is that the line was not moving at all so by the time midnight came around only about 40 - 50 people were able to get in. So you know what came next.... people were so angry and upset for standing in line for so many hours, some were in line for over 5 hours and didn't get in..... a riot almost broke out... people were yelling and throwing paper and garbage at the promoter that was giving out the tickets for the screening. Very, very poor organization and management strategy.
My suggestion will be to the people that are going to RSVP for the free screening is to find out the theater capacity and if it's a combined PRESS AND AUDIENCE SCREENING.. if it is and you see more than 50 people in line.. don't waste your time on making the line... Remember.. you're only there to make the line, so the organizers can take pictures of the long line and fill in seats that the press does not occupy.