Reporting by: Mi’ky Crowley, Rebecca Miller, Kelly Parker, Simone Heim, Ava Simone Forster, Vanessa Rodriguez, Adriana Santiago, Andrea Corona, Sophia Lee, Melyssa Clark, Fiona Reynolds, Levi Libson, Lina Negret, Marcel Hondras, Grant Schulz, Jay Roberts, Ellie Hochevar, Syd Simons
Students in the Spring 2025 “Introduction to Journalism” class were curious about what Columbia College students think about the high price of concerts, movies and streaming services. They got some passionate answers.
How much is too much for a ticket?
“I got tickets for a My Chemical Romance concert, and it literally cost me $300 just for back row seats. I’m, like, are you kidding me right now? To see a movie, it’s $20 maybe $30, plus snacks. I viscerally hate the fact that it’s so expensive.”
— Sophia Raab, acting student
“Something new doesn’t stand a chance of me spending money on it. I have to have already seen it, or it has to be something that means something to me a lot. I genuinely just can’t afford to give new things a chance.”
— Angela Kalish, senior graphic design student
“My brain just goes to [Taylor Swift’s] ‘Eras’ tour and all of that. I couldn’t go because of money. Because it was too expensive. And the original tickets weren’t crazy expensive, but it’s the resellers who blow up the prices by hundreds of dollars.”
— Molly Gibbins, graphic design student
“I ain’t got $1,000 to drop on a general admission ticket.”
—Nyla Lawson, sophomore photography student
The high price of streaming services
“I mean, seriously, man, if they keep raising their prices, then Netflix will just lose all their subscribers.”
— Marcos Toledo, illustration student
“I try to go [to see a movie at a theater] on like Tuesdays or Thursdays, days that I know they’re having discounts.”
— Ahidaly Arrendondo, sophomore fashion studies student
What’s been the cost of entertainment to you, personally?
“Last year I went all four days to Lollapalooza, and [the price affected me] 100%. Every little thing can be expensive. I always bring a refillable water bottle and spend no money on food or drinks. It’s an investment.”
— Rebecca Blatt, marketing student
“Does getting bruised at punk shows count?”
— Emerson Gunning, freshman acting student
Price vs. experience
“I personally love an intimate show, where it’s just one or two people on stage. I think those performances are a lot more meaningful and because of the smaller crowd, you can meet people and talk to people. You can go to a really, really good show for like $25 to $50.”
—Mikalah Jenifer, music and film student
“Years ago, new movies used to feel like cultural events, but now, as things have gotten more expensive and the market’s saturated with movie after movie, they just don’t feel like events anymore.”
— Sarah Driessen, sophomore musical theater performance student
“It’s fun being in the standing section of general admission, but I’m short. And for the price that you pay, I think it’s worth it, but I wouldn’t do it again. I would still prefer a seat, and I can see the artist because no one’s standing in front of me.”
—Kate Larroder, junior journalism and communication student
“I think if somebody really wants to go somewhere to get entertained, like in person, I think they’d be willing to pay a certain amount of money for it.”
—Isabel Roman, graphic design student
Safety vs. spectacle
“Like, I get it, but I feel like your safety comes first.”
— Aaron Samano, sophomore
“I think Coachella, for me, seems like possibly one of the worst places on Earth to ever be at. As someone who doesn’t like to be uncomfortable at all, it kind of just seems like the Hunger Games, except everyone’s outfits are better.”
— Charlotte Gehred, sophomore
Art without barriers
“I think that art is a public service — I really do. Art should not have barriers.”
—Ahmed Ankolkar, freshman acting student
Be First to Comment