When Theatre Etiquette Becomes Entertainment

We’ve all been in the movies, and got annoyed at the person who uses their phone! Discusses the plot with their friend! Or makes so much noise from the food they brought in from the supermarket in those bulk food plastic bags! So, how do you tell people to turn off their phones, respect the people around them and leave their byo food outside the theatre without sounding like the same old announcements they’ve heard a hundred times? More than that, engage with them?

That was the challenge behind a recent project for The Regent Theatre in Te Awamutu. The brief was simple enough: create a series of short films that communicate the theatre’s audience messages, but do it in a way that was fresh, funny and engaging. The project also needed to involve local talent, local creators, theatre staff, and the theatre itself.

The obvious question was: how do you make people laugh while telling them what not to do?

Starting with the story

The project originally came to me through director Paige Larianova, and was later developed further by director and producer Adam Harvey.

When Adam came to me to help develop the project further with the storyboards, I immediately understood the look and feel of story he was aiming for.

The concept was big, comedic and deliberately over the top. The costumes and characters created something that felt theatrical and unexpected, rather than like a standard “please remember the theatre rules” campaign.

I could see the potential straight away and wanted to contribute to bringing it to life.

Adam had also developed the project with local input, including the costumes, talent and the theatre itself. That helped give the films a strong connection to the community they were being made for.

Before we shot anything, we spent time visiting the locations and testing the lighting.

That preparation mattered.

By the time we arrived for production, we knew the locations, understood what the lighting would need to do and had a clear visual roadmap from the storyboards.

Working with Adam and assistant director Chris Hanlon, we developed a good rhythm on set. Having the storyboard meant we could move quickly between setups and concentrate on getting the performances and shots we needed within the timeframe available.

For me, the technical challenge was creating the look without turning the production into something unnecessarily complicated.

I used the Sony FX6 at its higher dual-base sensitivity, which gave us the ability to work effectively with a relatively compact lighting setup. The amaran T2c and Aputure AL-MC, with their variable lighting options, gave us the flexibility to shape each setup and create the look Adam was after.

And because the planning was already done, we could focus on the filmmaking rather than trying to solve everything on the day.

Then the fun started

The final project became six videos, ranging from short-form audience messaging through to an eight-minute comedic intermission film.

The films tackle familiar theatre etiquette—turning off phones, respecting other audience members, keeping food out of the theatre and other expectations—but approach those messages through humour, performance and exaggerated visual storytelling.

And that is really what makes them work.

Instead of feeling like instructions being delivered to an audience, the messages become part of the entertainment.

The response has been fantastic, with the films proving a hit with both the theatre team and audiences.

Adam edited the films together, and I think the finished result shows how well the original vision translated from storyboard to production to final edit.

The tAKE AWAY

Preparation makes the difference

Working with the drama students from the local drama club was one of the best parts of the project.

They weren't simply appearing in a film, they were getting to experience how a professional video production works—from the camera and lighting through to working with a director and performing for the lens.

There was a lot of laughter throughout the production.

I had a feeling from the beginning that the concept was going to work, but those first few setups confirmed it. We were seeing the performances come together, the visual style was working and we were capturing the footage we needed.

That is one of those moments I really enjoy as a cinematographer: when the preparation ends and you start seeing the original idea become a real piece of film.

Six SHORTS, one concept

For me, this project reinforced something I think applies well beyond theatre.

Even the most ordinary message can become engaging when you give people a reason to care about watching it.

We all have messages we need to communicate. Some are exciting. Some are important. Some are things people have heard many times before.

A little humour, a strong creative idea and good storytelling can turn even a dry message into something memorable and relatable.

Sometimes the best way to get people to listen isn't to make the message louder.

It's to make it more interesting.

That is what good video can do.