'Mile' Long Lines Prompt Preview Change

Beginning with the screening of "Friday After Next" on Thursday, students must obtain wristbands before gaining entry to the auditorium for sneak preview events.

"Because of what happened (Nov. 7), we've decided to open the auditorium doors earlier and hand out wristbands," said Charles Phaneuf, CUAB president.

Wristband distribution will begin outside the auditorium at 6 p.m., when doors open. Students presenting a UNC ONE Card will be entitled to receive two wristbands for the screening, which will begin at 8 p.m. Wristbands will not be required for regular movie events.

Prior to the Nov. 7 incident, students were able to gain entry to sneak previews by standing in line outside of the auditorium before the show began.

Phaneuf said the Union's old policy had never caused a problem.

"We've been showing sneak previews for eight years, and nothing like this has ever happened before," he said.

"We've shown big-name movies like 'High Fidelity' and 'American Beauty' and had no reason to think this screening would be any different."

But Nov. 7, students pushed and shoved their way to the front of the line to get into the auditorium, leaving many who had been in line for more than an hour unable to see the film.

Christopher Baker, a junior communications major and one of those students turned away from the screening, said he thinks the policy change will have a positive effect.

"I think it's a good idea," he said. "It will prevent more scenes like last week from happening again and prevent people from being able to skip the line."

Clint Neill, CUAB Reel Crew Films chairman, said both the old and new policies had been carefully reviewed by Union advisers, directors and legal staff. He also said a police officer will be on hand for assistance at all future previews.

Phaneuf said CUAB has considered moving film screenings to larger venues in the past but has ultimately decided that doing so would be too expensive.

"We use the auditorium because it has better sound and technical aspects," he said.

"If we were to use the Great Hall, we would have to pay to bring in our own speakers and equipment."

Although pleased with the change in policy, some students said they were disappointed it had to be prompted by the "8 Mile" screening.

"I think (the policy) is a great idea, but it's kind of sad it took something like last Thursday to cause the change," said Long Vo, a senior anthropology major who also was turned away from the auditorium Nov. 7.

"I would have preferred they didn't show '8 Mile' that night," Baker said.

"They seemed to be rewarding those who skipped the line."

Still, many believe CUAB is on the right track.

Baker said, "I think this a good first step."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.