Being that I was interested in movies (especially Steven Spielberg) I soon saw some of the posters for movies like Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan and thought it would be neat to own an original movie poster to these films and others. My problem was that I had no idea where to get them (I knew eBay was full of fakes/reprints) so when someone told me that people get them by asking the manager at their local movie theater I decided to give that a try.
Sometime in 2007 I went to the movie theater, found the manager (whom I would later become friends with, along with other theater staff) and talked to him a little bit about my interest in movies and wanting to acquire some movie posters to start a collection. He led me into the break room where the staff took their breaks, and there was a box full of movie posters. I couldn't believe it. He told me I could take whatever I wanted. At the time any movie poster was really cool to have (Charlie Wilson's War, Alvin and the Chipmunks, P.S. I Love You, Bee Movie etc.) so I took what I could carry and had a big smile on my face. The manager also let me have some trailers (35mm film reels) which I thought were so cool.
Later on I learned about how to get the better posters, which involved a waiting list. I asked how I could get on it, and the manager and staff told me that usually only people that work at the theater get on the list by first come first serve. I was getting to know the manager and staff better and they were now my friends. They allowed me to be on the list even though I didn't work at the theater. I am the only person that gets posters that doesn't work at the theater.
I have gotten a few good posters this way - Inglourious Basterds, Toy Story 1 & 2 Double Feature 3D, Toy Story 3, and Harry Potter 6 and 7 (Part I). The sooner I request a poster, the better chance I have of getting it. Sometimes I would still be the first to ask, but someone else offered something so they got it. So it's still a chance I won't get them, but 50% of the time I will get the poster I really want.
I also started to buy a few posters but I don't do that as often as I am scared they are fake/reprinted. Once I know they are legit and real I will buy if I like them enough. I have purchased a Schindler's List poster someone here helped me find and told me it was legit, and I also bought a Raiders of the Lost Ark poster a while back (2008) when someone told me of a really trustworthy dealer that sells authentic movie posters, and because this person knew the dealer, I got a discount. That was really nice I thought.
~ Juli