Coming To a Theater Near You…….
August 18, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Earlier this summer, Charlie and I had a very good time watching Kung Fu Panda. We went after the movie had been out for awhile and sat in the back. The movie itself was noisy and Charlie wasn’t the only child talking during the movie and moving around some.
Sensory Friendly Films is a pilot program that, it’s hoped, will make the movie-going experience more friendly for families with autistic children. The program is a team venture of AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society of America (ASA). From the ASA website:
In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down. Additionally, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
The program starts this month with a special showing of a new animated film Star Wars: Clone Wars; go list of cities and theaters.
Each showing begins at 10am local time—a little early for us to break into the popcorn, but I suppose a movie theater isn’t going to shut down at prime time.
I put Kung Fu Panda on amazon wishlist the other day for Nick for a holiday gift. The closest to use for the sensory films is San Diego.
My entire family has been to two of these ASA “Sensory Friendly Films”, Shrek the 3rd and Wall-E. Both were very enjoyable.
How nice
I’d love to see more subbed english films so I don’t miss any dialogue.
I watched subbed films at home even when they are in English.
Wow, that is a break through. The volume in the average cinema is way beyond our tolerance level.
Cheers
Synesthesia: *Yes.* I know there are some theaters that do captioned showings, but it’s usually just one movie a week, at times that aren’t the most convenient; and that’s assuming one even has one of those theaters in town to begin with.
So long as it’s not Tropic Thunder that gets shown…….
Wow- I hope that they start doing that in Canada as well! One of my daughters loves going to the movies, but it really is too much for her. She does go, but I bet that she would love going without having to wear earplugs!
I hope to see it at the AMC near me soon. They just opened an IMAX there too. Maybe if it goes well, they’ll do some IMAX too.
The autism foundation of ingham county (MI) has showings in Celebration Cinema (lansing) periodically for families w/ autism and autistic people. It’s an open format and entrance fees are cheaper than normal.
Upcoming sensory-friendly films
AMC Entertainment (AMC) and ASA
Saturday, December 6, 2008: Movie–”Bolt” (Disney)
See link for more info