To show what it’s like working on an important movie theater as such as The Ritz, how it functions and what exactly does it represent. Get to know the people that work there. What it takes to work on a place like the Ritz? What makes it different from any other regular Theater?
Explore the advantages of screening on film, above screening only in digital. What makes the Ritz special?
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East 6th Street in downtown Austin during South By Southwest
East Sixth Street, locally know as Dirty Sixth, has been a major entertaining district since the 1970s because many bars, music venues and clubs are located in here. During weekends evenings traffic gets blocked all through the street, in order to allow crowds to walk freely through the street. It is also blocked during holidays or special events such as South By Southwest.
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Ritz on 6th Street
Located on 320 E 6th Street, the Ritz Theater was built in 1929 it was the first theater in Austin to be built specifically for the talkies. It closed in 1964 and remained like that until 1970, when it became an Adult Theater. In 1974 it opened again as a music venue, but closed again in 1975, and so on until 1980 when it became a punk music venue. Since that time it served as a music venue. It was until 2007 that the Theater was bought by Alamo Drafthouse, and turned into the movie theater it is today. The Ritz sign has been there since the beginning, as well as the marquee frame that it uses, it is the exact same one as the theater had before. The rest of it was replaced with a digital one.
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Ritz on 6th Street
Located on 320 E 6th Street, the Ritz Theater was built in 1929 it was the first theater in Austin to be built specifically for the talkies. It closed in 1964 and remained like that until 1970, when it became an Adult Theater. In 1974 it opened again as a music venue, but closed again in 1975, and so on until 1980 when it became a punk music venue. Since that time it served as a music venue. It was until 2007 that the Theater was bought by Alamo Drafthouse, and turned into the movie theater it is today. The Ritz sign has been there since the beginning, as well as the marquee frame that it uses, it is the exact same one as the theater had before. The rest of it was replaced with a digital one.
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Ritz screens entrance
The Ritz has two screens, both equipped with Sony 4K digital projection, as well as reel-to-reel 35mm projector system. The larger screen also supports 70mm film. One of this is fully dedicated to the screening of throwback films and independent films (Right Theater). The other one hosts 1st run films as well as screening parties for which the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz is famous (Left Theater).
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Ritz Bar
The Alamo Drafthouse offers a wide variety of drinks, including beer, soda, milkshakes and cocktails. As well as food, from traditional popcorn and snacks, to burgers and pizza. All served during and before screenings.
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Drinks in the Station
Drinks wait on a tray as waiter confirm to which seat are they heading to. The theaters are designed so that the waiter don’t disturb the customers as they’re walking by delivering the orders during the movie. Alamo Drafthouse has their own special edition dishes for some new movies, these additions to the menu come from corporate. Chefs get inspired by watching the movie and creating dishes based on it. “In brunch we trust” is a Ritz special, in which once a month, they do a screening of a movie and create special drinks and dishes just for it.
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Dominic Cardenas
Dom has worked as a bartender for The Ritz for 9 years. He loves The Ritz history. Not only does he pour drinks, but also sells tickets and food to customers. He often has to explain to people how the Alamo Drafthouse works, when they get into the theater they don’t know they can get food and drinks served directly to their seats. Favorite movie - Goodfellas (1990)
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Frames of 1980’s posters
As one of its different uses over the years. The Ritz used to be a music venue during the 80’s, mainly hosting punk and hard rock concerts. These are framed posters of the events it held during this time.
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Ritz lobby
People are welcome to enjoy a drink and hang out in the lobby. The screen in the top is always screening random content.
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Theater 1 inside
Doors open 45 minutes before the movie begins, customer are welcome to arrive early and enjoy a drink or a meal while they wait for their movie to begin. As the customers wait, there are screenings of several shorts, these can vary from different themed clips, to fun trivias or even cartoons, sometimes adapted to the film they are screening. Waiters also use this time to take the customers orders, so they can get their food and drinks before the movie begins.
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Screen Room
Doors open 45 minutes before the movie begins, customer are welcome to arrive early and enjoy a drink or a meal while they wait for their movie to begin. As the customers wait, there are screenings of several shorts, these can vary from different themed clips, to fun trivias or even cartoons, sometimes adapted to the film they are screening. Waiters also use this time to take the customers orders, so they can get their food and drinks before the movie begins.
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Disco Ball and lights
Located in the Bigger Theater, Lights and Disco balls are used for Screening parties the Ritz hosts at some times. This can be either a Movie Party or a Dance Party, both welcome customers to enjoy their favorite movies while also interacting to them among fellow fans.
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Ritz balcony
Maintaining some of the original theater features, the Ritz kept the balconies. These seats are also open for the public in general. Customers can buy this seats and get a different experience in a more comfortable advantage zone, with the same privileges as any other customer.
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Reels cases
Movie reels are shipped to the theater on this cases for screening of the movie, after the theater is done with the screening they ship them back to the studio.
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Open Projector
Projector for the bigger theater at The Ritz, it supports 35mm and 70mm film. It stands alongside the digital projector. Projectionists have to work calibrating and reeling the projector before a screening to make sure it runs properly. They have to prepare two projectors, as one of them has to kick in when the first one is over. Cigarette burns in the corner of the frame let the projectionist know when it is time to change to the other projector.
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Spike reeling the projector
Michael “Spike” Hickl prepares a film reel on the projector. This film is a special one designed to help the projectionist adjust the projector focus and aspect ratio, as well as making sure that the frame is on place. Spike has only worked in Alamo Drafthouse as a projectionist. Favorite movie - American Astronaut (2001)
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Screening of From Dusk Till Dawn
Projector running 35mm film as the screening of the movie “From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)” has begun. A screening of the film “From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)” written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by San Antonio born and raised, Robert Rodriguez, and even starred by Tarantino himself. Quentin Tarantino is in and out of the Ritz a lot, according to the manager Elijah Horgan. Sometimes even doing Q&As after the movie.
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Ben Schaible, projectionist at the Ritz
Ben has worked as a projectionist at the Ritz for 4 years. Before this he worked for AMC theaters, he loves his work and is a film passionate, therefore he enjoys working at a theater that still screens film, being a rare practice. He started working at AMC as a teenager, selling popcorn, he worked his way up and learned how to be a projectionist. This is the place where Ben can kick back and chill, he takes a look at the calendar and manages digital stuff such as trailers and previews. As a perk of this job he gets to enjoy Alamo Drafthouse food regularly. Favourite movie - “Casablanca (1942)”
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Film Reels
The Ritz is one of the last remaining movie theaters that continue to screen film. They screen a big variety of old movies, which original format is in film. It is a great place to go watch a movie exactly as it was when it originally came out into theaters.
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35mm and 70mm Film
35mm film (Left) next to 70mm film (Right). The Ritz screened the film “The Hateful Eight (2015)” by Quentin Tarantino back in 2015 when it was realized, on its original 70mm format. Having Tarantino himself attending to one of its screenings.
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Elijah Horgan
Originally from Boston, Elijah is the general manager of the Ritz. He has worked for 14 years with the Alamo Drafthouse company. He worked at the Ritz from 2009 to 2012, came back in november 2018. His job is to make sure everything runs the way it is supposed to. When he goes to the movies, he always goes to the Alamo Drafthouse, but prefers going to a different Alamo than the one he works in. Music is his passion, he plays the drums and can watch “The Karate Kid (1984)” over and over again. Favourite Movie - “A Bronx Tale (1993)”.
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Elijah and Bryan taking a break
Elijah relationship with his employees is very important, some of them even look at him as a father figure. They enjoy a lot working under his management. Seen here with Bryan Gilderson, kitchen manager of The Ritz. He is in charge of supervising the kitchen and updating the menus, sometimes even designing them himself for Ritz specials like “In Brunch we trust”. His favorite movie - The Boondock Saints (1999).
