Major movie theaters in China have begun experimenting with "bullet screens" that allow audiences to comment on a movie by projecting text messages directly onto the big screen.

"Bullet Screens" appear to be imitating the way most Chinese watch films on their mobile phones. Chinese often send text messages about what they like or hate about films they watch on their phones.

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Several Chinese movie websites allow viewers to comment on movies by sending SMS. This idea is based on Japanese bullet screens.

The "Bullet Screens" experiment includes movie theaters in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and smaller cities such as Hangzhou.

Earlier this month, Shandong's Luxin cinema tried to adapt the experiment with the screening of the domestic 3D animated movie, The Legend of Qin.

Zhang, the Luxin cinema manager, said the theater was 90 percent jam packed and each message sent to the big screen cost the texter US$.10 cents (RMB0.1).

"People like it right now, as it's a new thing. In the long term, it might affect people's concentration. We are trying to continue with some bullet screen activities and play some films that young people like. Time will tell," said Zhang.

News and lifestyle website Nafnang mentioned the director of The Legend of Qin, Shen Leping, is really interested in the experiment.

He Ping, director and formerly head of the China Film Directors Guild, said the experiment should be authorized by the writer when they sign-up for a contract with the producer.

There are mixed reactions on social media sites regarding the experiments. Others are into it saying it's fun and exciting.

There are others who don't like it because it doesn't help in saving Chinese films and it affects the movie going experience by distracting the viewer from the movie.

According to the China Youth Daily, official newspaper of Communist Youth League of China, the experiment will become institutionalized for some films for younger audiences that watch their tablets or smartphones instead of the movie.

TagsChinese Theaters, bullet screens, movie theater, chinese films, chinese movies, film experiment, The Legend of Qin