With “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” opening just days from now (November 10, though official opening date is November 11), we believe it is really important for open caption screenings for this movie to sell well where open caption screenings are available.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is expected to be a true blockbuster with huge sales. Some theaters are already seeing some scheduled screenings sell out. Therefore, it isn’t hard to figure out that theaters will ask, if open captions do not sell well for THIS movie, then what movie will it sell well for? Our concern is that if theaters do not see open captions sell well for THIS movie – theaters may become less willing to offer open captions.
Further, we believe if open caption sales for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” are low, it could make it harder for any state or city to pass legislation mandating open captions (like in New York City) because then theaters could argue that being required to offer open captions would hurt them. Legislators often do not want to back legislation that they think will hurt theaters.
So, we believe it is really important for people to go to the open caption screenings for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Bring your families and friends to see open caption screenings. Let's prove to theaters that open captions can sell, especially for a blockbuster like this one!
If your local theater is not offering an open caption screening of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” ask for an open caption screening, and ask them to publicize it so that people know it is available. Theaters won’t offer open captions if they don’t know that there are people who want the open captions. Sometimes, all it takes to get an open caption screening at your local theater is simply asking for an open captioned screening.
Do laws for open captions hurt theaters? It is not hurting theaters in New York City! Open captions appear to be doing well in New York City since the law went into effect last May. A November 10 open caption screening at 7:30 PM of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” at the Alamo Drafthouse in Lower Manhattan sold out. Another open caption screening on November 11 in New York City at 7:25 PM at the AMC 84th Street is close to selling out.
How can you help besides going to see an open caption screening of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?" On social media, use the hashtag #WakandaForeverOpenCaption and encourage people who support or want open captions to sign this petition (change.org/ocmoviesnow is the shortcut link).