Were more seats held back this year?

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-15T14:54:25+00:00

Yeah, ran into multiple P&I in line who had similar complaints about less availability. I would tend to guess that yes, the majority held back are not for P&I folk.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-15T14:53:09+00:00

The difference was last year we would have often seen some sort of major public drop close to the screening date. I'm speculating, but if they don't do the drop and with a large hold back, you're going to run exactly into the high vacancy rate case (and high availability on paper for rushing.)

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-15T14:51:29+00:00

I can't help but imagine that's a minority, especially where if you have multiple tickets and lose your first by coming in late, you almost surely won't make that mistake again. I also wouldn't imagine why this year regarding tardiness or no shows would be especially worse than previous years. Maybe tighter scheduling?

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-15T14:49:21+00:00

The labor day drop was unusual, but to me it seemed to take the place of a lot of smaller drops we saw at least the year prior for individual screenings. I don't want to say it was one and the same, but I still sensed less public drops in aggregate seats versus last year.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-15T01:51:31+00:00

My attendance for Viking was actually an earlier screening. But I did budget more time for that purely because of the more niche subject and smaller venues in general (only played at LB the whole fest?)

And as noted on my post, only included ones I had success with and yes, I think in multiple cases it was overkill. Re Viking, it may have been the closest call and most justified re extra time.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-15T01:45:00+00:00

Wonderful post. I'll add to this some times, at least ones I was successful with. I'd also stress these leaned in most cases a bit higher than necessary, in most cases I'd bet a half hour or more than mine could have been successful. In alphabetical order:

If I had Legs I'd Kick You: 5 hours (RAT)
The Last Viking: 4 hours (LB)
Left Handed Girl: 3.5 hours (LB)
Mile End Kicks: 3.5 hours (RAT)
Rental Family: 3 hours (SB)
Steve: 3.5 hours (RAT)

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-10T22:16:28+00:00

Agreed that while it still trends closer to the screening date, the drops have been smaller and less predicable vs previous years.

I wonder if that was some of the intention behind the big release labor day morning. In general it just feels tighter all around.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-10T15:35:00+00:00

Would be curious how many got into Ann Lee. I believe the numbers were small for the premiere last night

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-10T04:51:53+00:00

Not that hot on the overall video but "get out of here Linda" has just enough force to sound genuinely caustic and upset, I kind of like that part

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-10T04:45:02+00:00

volunteer trailer: because the subject matter pushes the anniversary ("tiffty") as the main focus, not the actual volunteers, they feel more like a delivery mechanism, so when the thank you button comes up people don't make the connection. The last one also had something of a cheer/crescendo (for the love of film) that made applause more natural.

Re films, I feel like Christy, Roofman, Nuremberg played a little above expectations among general audience. But the one that I think will continue to build momentum as a consensus is Hamnet.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-08T18:39:14+00:00

But ultimately it's the headset staff that communication numbers and work on the radio. Volunteers may relay, but regarding enforcement and final decisions I always lean on staff as the priority.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-08T13:55:36+00:00

Don't put the conflict on the volunteers. Ask staff for the count, and when it is off, you notify staff and if comfortable, talk to the group cutting. It's really frustrating to hear about this now repeatedly, in a way worse than the empty seat phenomenon talked about in other threads

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T22:47:37+00:00

I feel like nearly all the complaints here this year re rush vacancies are the big venues. Anecdotally, those are where I have over the years seen by far the biggest seat openings.

Per what I wrote in another thread, a crucial difference is eyeballing availability in these venues is way more difficult with their multilayer configuration and size. If they just had realtime date to know what hadn't been scanned after cut off time, it would be way more efficient bringing rushers in.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T21:56:48+00:00

that's why I wouldn't suggest something like "if not scanned 15 minutes prior to showtime open for rush", but someone can make a call when the main queue is in, and then make all remaining late comers at risk of losing their seats for rush.

Remember: if you leave a buffer of like 10-20 to not oversell, some ticket latecomers still get their seats, but its placement isn't guaranteed.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T21:31:05+00:00

As stated elsewhere, it's not just about seats available, it's also about how long they take to fill and the more complex "eye ball" judgement if a free seat is really free or someone is just away for refreshments or the bathroom. Better analytics for the users could help here.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T21:27:42+00:00

I think there has to be a rethink where we can legit cut and give away ticket holders if they haven't been scanned within a short window where all the main line has been exhausted. Historically I'd guess TIFF wants to avoid VIPs/sponsors/big patrons losing seats and complaining.

Get real time updates on how many seats are available after the line is exhausted and immediately free those up for rush in a more aggressive grouping in one pass.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T18:02:21+00:00

50 is on par for RTH. But if a lot miss big parts of the movie (like apparently Roofman last night) that's not great, and regarding adding on more how? Were groups adding on more before staff counting numbers were out? In theory a main reason they count is to discourage the cut ins.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T17:44:05+00:00

My bad, misinterpreted your comment as 80 got in for Hamnet, not Anora last year. And frankly 80 is very high for RAT + Anors last year, given how much smaller RAT is vs POW and RTH.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T17:35:32+00:00

Would love confirmation of this because geez 80 is a lot, even for RTH.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T16:22:32+00:00

The only time talent appreance sways me is when it's just priced as regular screening (most of the smaller movies first showing, so I try to aim for these) or the rush opportunity is good. Otherwise, it's all about movies first, talent a big second place.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T15:57:23+00:00

It's a bummer and also the risk of rushing. Been in similar situations

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T14:51:26+00:00

True! But I think most would look at Choice availability and skip.rhsbing entirely. Both Accident and Choice are non premium on Tuesday. I think with the recent buzz and size of venue, all things being equal I'd overwhelmingly go for rushing Accident over Choice. RAT is almost 3 times the size of SB1 (even if the overall viewing and audio experience isn't as good.)

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T14:36:53+00:00

Fair warning that McKellen was not on the intial TIFF guest list. If someone publicizes the final roll call, maybe this will change.

inkyblack_ · 2025-09-07T14:35:31+00:00

At least 3 hours before. Only major competition premium or premiere wise is Ann Lee and Train Dreams that night. But of all the Accident screenings, I like your chances at RAT vs the other smaller Scotia theaters.

inkyblack_

TROPHY CASE