// Fun at the Movies // // by XlogicX // // http://www.oldskoolphreak.com Before I get started, I should specify that this file is not about computer hacking. This file focuses more on physical security and possibly a small amount of social engineering. I would also like to dedicate this file to the MPAA. After having to watch those pre-preview propaganda clips of greedy movie corporations moaning about how we are stealing virtually un-accountable money from them by downloading their movies, not to add that theses clips are viewed by the people that actually went to the theatre and typically paid for a ticket, not the ones at home watching the download, I've then decided to share my tricks on how to enjoy the movies at the theater and pay less. Some of these tricks are well known, and some may not be. I hope that I may teach a few new ideas, or at least motivate people to practice the established techniques some more. First, I will list some helpful equipment to bring along. Next, I will talk a little bit on foot printing the system. And last, I will get into the methods for discounted and even free movies. Before I get into the equipment, there is one general tip I have that will make you at least twice as successful. It's one of the oldest social engineering tricks in the book: confidence. Act like you belong, you will rarely be hassled this way, even if they have suspicion that your up to no good, just be confident and act offended that they would even question your justified place at the movies. Equipment: Though you can do about everything in this file unprepared, this equipment makes things easier. Cell phones: Great tool for communication on the more complicated teamwork methods. Also, if one of the people gets caught and kicked out, it would be nice to communicate this with everyone else, especially the driver (unless everyone took separate cars). Extra T-shirt: Try wearing a T-shirt of contrasting colors to your other shirt underneath (one blue the other red, white/black, green/orange). This way, if the pressure gets hot, you can make a quick stop to a bathroom or dark theater and change profile. Radio: If you have an extra Motorola radio lying around or something similar, this would be very useful to see if you're being tracked. Also, this could be pretty fun if you learn their unit #s and start imitating some of them. The possibilities could get pretty hardcore that way. I should have a separate file available for some common radio codes. You could also just find out what channel they use and put your radio on it, then just keep the transmit button down to jam their transmission, this way they have more trouble communicating where you are. Foot Printing: Also not necessary for most methods, this can be very useful in others. Sometime when you're in the building (legit or not) try making a mental blueprint of the place. Or you could actually make a sketch if you're that hardcore, and in that case scan the sketch and post it for the rest of us. The most important things to map are theater rooms (with corresponding number), bathrooms, back halls/stairwells, and cameras. Also make sure to note what theater number corresponds to what outside exit. Make special notes of what outside exits aren't monitored by camera. Tricks of the Trade: Ticket Hop Trick: This one is the most common tricks, also very easy. Typically you purchase a legit ticket like a normal movie watcher, then enjoy your movie as normal. Instead of exiting the building after the movie is finished, just search around the building for another movie that starts at a convenient time (which happens to typically be displayed above the door). This is easy since you already are past their main security device; the ticket ripper. Some people make a temporary stop to the bathroom to loose some heat. Doing that is probably totally unnecessary; just confidently walk to the next movie like you paid for it. I've never been kicked out of a theatre doing this; I've been very obvious and verbal to my friends about what we're doing, while we're doing it, in front of staff. I bet I wouldn't even get stopped if I wore a shirt that said "I ticket hop." This trick doesn't work when they check the ticket at the theater room door. Main Exit Trick: There are usually main exit doors (and double doors) very close to the entrance doors (or sometimes to the sides or back of the building. About all of them I've seen are glass doors. If possible, pick one of those exits that have the least surveillance. If it has a camera monitoring it, that's still ok. Wait until some one exits and walk in when the door is opened. It's advisable to do this when none of the staff is watching. If you feel you're being watched, this would be a great time to make use of your extra T-shirt. Just go into a bathroom and put the undershirt over the one on the outside. If you can do this in a theater room, then choose that over the bathroom, since some security is starting to get a little hip to the bathroom thing. Stairwells can be good too, since most of them I've seen haven't been monitored by cameras. Buy 1, Get the Rest Free Trick: This is very similar to the main exit trick, except now you have an insider. This person will purchase the ticket and get access into the theater. This makes the main exit trick easier for the rest of the group since your more in control of the timing. Although the main exit is all and good, the back theater room exits work really nicely here. This is where the blueprint and cell phones come in handy. Sometimes (and often), there will be at least one exit door not on camera. One time all of them had cameras, but one of them was pointed at the sky, whoops. Try to know what theater number this exit is correlated with too. One person will purchase the ticket and wait outside that theatre room until the movie is over and people start leaving. This is when you go to the exit of that room and let the rest of the people in. You can now exit with the rest of the group (into the building hallways, not from building). You can also do all of the previously mentioned methods to loose heat at this time. This can still be done if the exit is monitored. Make sure the people on the outside are not hanging around the exit while the movie is going. When the movie is finished, the person on the inside gives one of the people on the outside a heads-up call to go to the exit. The person lets the group on the outside in. While in the dark theater room, this is the best time to switch shirts, and then exit with the rest. Fragmenting your group would help too. Then meet up in a few minutes. Front Door, No Ticket: This trick is hardcore, there's a good chance you can get kicked out, and it's my favorite. The basic idea is to walk right past the ticket ripper with no ticket, then go walk into the movie you want to see. Although this trick could be that simple, typically it's not. There may be many ways to do this, I'll give mine. First, before you go in, get close to the area that you purchase tickets. Note what the current time is and subtract about two hours from that. Look for a movie that starts around that time and remember it. If it's a comedy movie, subtract about 1.5 hours. If you're really hardcore, you can see how long the movie is at moviefone.com. The point is to see when the movie ends though. Now, as your walking past the ticket ripper, keep a steady casual pace, remember the confidence. If he/she tries to get your attention or tries to tell you to stop, just say you lost your cell phone or keys. This is where you can volunteer what movie it was in. This whole time, never slow you pace; keep walking past the ticket ripper as you answer the question. If he says that you can't do that, just continue walking and repeat that you need to find your cell phone/keys. You should probably try and loose any heat that you get too, it gets simple with practice. It's harder for them when you're mixed with the crowd, and remember, you belong there. Once the pressure is gone, it would be a good time to let the rest of your friends in through the theater room exits. I've been able to just ask for permission to look for my phone before. Sometimes it works, but sometimes they have an employee go with you. It's worth a try though, since they can't really kick you out if you aren't able to find your phone in front of the employee, you probably lost it somewhere else. Oh, and if you have the time, when your done with the movie, you might as well do some ticketless-ticket-hopping. Snacks: Bring Your Own: Pretty straight forward, just get your food somewhere else where it's actually affordable (with exception of Wal-Mart) and bring it with. Typically, you don't even need to hide it. I ordered a gigantahuge meal and largantic drink from Jack in the Box. I held the stuff in the same hand I was holding my ticket in, while giving the ticket to the ticket ripper. Still, if you can hide the food, I guess it doesn't hurt. If someone tells you to throw it away while you're already in, just nod and walk towards a trashcan and walk right past it. The staff may yell, but I couldn't see them chasing you. But if they did, this is a time to make a run for it, plan to get caught, go down with a long drawn out struggle. I say this because not only would this be more entertaining than a movie, but the staff will look like a bunch of fools for tackling you because you smuggled in some tea. Free Popcorn: This trick might disgust some people, but it's more sanitary then it sounds. There are some theaters that'll let you have a free refill if you purchase their largest bag of popcorn. They typically stamp or hole-punch the bag when you go for a refill, so you can't do it again. Most people don't take advantage of this even though some of them intended to when they bought the large bag (this is the whole idea for the theater). What you do is find one of these nice crisp bags in the trash. It's actually not too difficult to find a clean one on the top. And unless the customer licked the inside of the bag, there isn't a very likely reason that the bag would be goobered. Get the bag, and take it to the food lobby for a refill. Not only is it free, but it's also large. Also, if this sounds too disgusting, go get the popcorn anyway without eating it. This will make you look like a paying customer, hence less suspicious. Last time a friend and I did this, we only ate half the bag, and threw the rest at the people in front of us. Getting caught: This is why it is so easy to have confidence; you don't have much to loose. Really, the worst thing that could happen is that they will throw you out, or if they're really mad, not let you come back again. You could either call it a day, or if you're a real punk, just do it again and again until they really do kick you out for life - and then walk in again. I'm kind of joking, going that far could get you arrested for trespassing at that point, but that would be something to brag about when they ask "what are you in for." Some Last Notes: It is very possible that I could have left out some very creative techniques, or very useful ones even. So if any of you have any good ideas, help me make this file bigger by appending your methods or stories. Blueprints would be helpful too. I'll try to make a few.