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Since you didn't take the hint earlier, please fill out your profile before you continue posting. Terrorists will not come and attack you solely on knowing what city and state you live in. You don't have to send in a picture (although most people I talk to take the guys here with pictures more seriously) or tell us specifically which theater you work at, but there is no specific personal information in the city and state you live in. We are not in Isreal. It's ok.

Ban typical Business Management graduates...they have proven that they just don't get to concept that a "show" is a valuable resourse that doesn't translate well to spread sheets so can't be quantified...

What typical Business Management graduates have proven is that they can drive cinemas (and other entertainment based businesses) to bankruptcy in mass.

Steve

PS...I will go on record that I disagree with JW's statement on operators...one per screen is ideal but they have to be the real kind that think they are actually being paid to work. This industry's most profitable years were with one operator per screen (or more actually).

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

Gerard, the secret to preventing those gunfights between gangs is for Hollywood to stop making those crappy "violent exploitation movies" that do nothing than to get the audience all fired up.

Steve, do you honestly believe that this industry had more profitable years solely because there was one projectionist working each screen? Have you forgotten about videotapes, satellite, DVDs and the basic fact that Hollywood can't seem to make a decent movie lately? Quantity of projectionists in relation to profits on a movie is absurd. One GOOD operator can run an automated multiplex by himself just fine without sacrificing presentation standards. Having two operators is extra icing.

You seem to think I am paranoid about a terrorist attack at my theatre.. You know what, you are partly right.. Do you know why I am concerned? Quite simply because it has already happended at my theatre, in August of 1999.

Terrorists, whether they are targeting a crowded pizza restaurant in Israel, or the London subways, pick a target for, typically, one of three (or sometimes a combination of the three) reasons: symbolic impact, disruptive capablility and potential body count. The WTC achieved all three.

Why hit a theatre? Simple. There is a large quantity of people, in a single room, and a successful attack would scare the American people away from social gatherings. Don't believe me? Compare how many people are flying now compared to before 9/11.

Now, can you totally prevent an attack? No. Something as small as a fragmentation grenade can kill dozens of people. However, the inablility to obtain 100% protection does not, in any way, excuse ignoring the problem. Had there been more dedication to airport security, perhaps the attack on 9/11 would have been prevented.

In reference to 9/11, it appears the only reason a 4th target wasn't hit was because a few members of the public decided to count on themselves. As it has to happen sometimes, public safety was defended by the public.

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The history of projectionists began with itinerant showmen followed
by "the Professor" with his magic lantern or stereopticon, then motion
picture projector. But always the patrons had the secure, comforting
feeling that someone of intelligence and authority was in charge.
This responsibility was recognized by civil legislatures; hence
the questions on the NYC exam.

I think it is unconscionable to profit by the congregation of large numbers of the public and then to deny responsibility for their
safety. The projectionist controls the lights and sound, and can
raise the auditorium lights and stop the show to permit the safe
evacuation of the house in case of fire, riot or other disaster.
Then the manager and his staff can use microphone, bullhorn or his voice,together with his ushers, to calm the patrons and lead them to safety.

I have had the experience of informing the manager and, in his temporary absence, the police and fire department of emergencies,
stopping the show and raising the lights to permit EMS workers to administer medical aid and to carry out heart-attack victims; I
also reported a man with a hunting knife threatening theatre doormen
and ushers, and one time two thieves.