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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Author
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Topic: Unnecessary Bells & Whistles in the Booth?
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Scott Norwood
Film God
Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-13-2000 07:57 PM
I just can't imagine how it would be possible to do a genuinely good job while running a 24-plex by oneself without start timers or alarm panels. Sure, it can probably be done, but I doubt that the results are consistent.
Yes, I suffered through one night at a single-screen all by myself (doing everything including tickets, popcorn, and projection) with no platters or automation of any kind, but I sure wouldn't want to do it again and there's no way that anyone could do this consistently.
Besides, many medium-size multiplexes have multiple booths, which pretty much necessitates alarm panels, since it's impossible to hear the sound of gears being stripped while the projectionist is two booths away doing threadups.
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Alan Brandt
Film Handler
Posts: 28
From: Salem, Ohio, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 04-14-2000 01:28 AM
Well, as I said before, although I've done it all more than once, it was a good thing that it wasn't a standard way of doing things. At least with that many screens to run, they were pretty good about making sure there was more than just one or two people scheduled to work the whole booth. However on occasion, there were the typical no-shows...who were consequently never permitted in the booth again, although they were offered positions as floor staff. The theory behind that was simply the fact that they were not dependable enough to work the booth where time is of great importance. Most Cinemarks to my knowledge only contain one booth level unless they are fitted stadium seating. In that case there were different levels, but again, the number of projectionists to run the booth was appropriated for the size and type of booth. (Ex: A 16 screen all stadium would typically have 3 projectionists. Two, just because it was more than 12 screens, plus one more because it would be a multi-level booth.) Unless the booth was not taken care of very well, with that many projectionists, even in the 24 screen, there was plenty of time to thread, start, build, break, and even tend to "issues" when they arose. Dwayne: As far as what determines a "Megaplex"...Although I'm not sure this is standard, but I have always considered more than 12 screens to have that title. Meaning 12 or under is simply a "12 screen" or "8 screen", or whatever, whereas a 17 screen (which Cinemark apparently thinks is funny to have pioneered the concept of an ODD number of screens)...  ...would be a 17-plex, or the aforementioned "megaplex". But that's all just my opinion.
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John Walsh
Film God
Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999
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posted 04-14-2000 02:38 PM
Jason is right; In days of yore, I would not allow anymore than 3 regular operators at a theater at one time. Just too hard to keep everyone on the same page. Also, you get to know the other guy, (and he knows you) so you do a better job. You know they will find out soon if you are a screw-up. Sort of the same concept of there always being at least two people to count money.An "Unnecessary Bells & Whistles" story: A place I worked had a Rank automation (the one with pins.) Like any automation, there were relay contacts to hook up an audible alarm to sound if the film broke. (Actually, the Rank also would sound the alarm if the lamp went out, which was nice.) No remote panel was used/installed, because there was only one booth. It was only about a 20ft by 15ft area. The installer hooked up a 12VDC "Sonalert" to sound on failsafe. It was really loud. Since every new installation has some problems at first, it went off for one reason or another a few times. I got annoyed, and disconnected it. The installer came back (for other stuff) and re-connected it. I disconnected it again. He made a scene in front of my boss. I said; What good does it do? I can't get far enough away from the projectors to not know something is wrong. Who wants to listen to that thing while you're trying to fix a problem. He sort of pulled rank, and connected it again. About a week later, I removed it, hooked it up to 110VAC, baked it to well-done, then put it back in.
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Chris Erwin
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 195
From: Olive Hill,KY
Registered: Oct 1999
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posted 04-16-2000 09:50 AM
For a big multi, wouldn't be cool to rig an alarm to a pager the head projectionist could wear. Something like...BEEP... PROJECTOR 2,FAULT 2 on a alphanumeric pager. That way if it's something major,the head proj. can go to it or let the others handle it. I like toys... --Chris
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