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Author Topic: Letter to Cinemark about Daly City Theatre Bobby Henderson "Ask me about Trajan." Posts: 10973 From: Lawton, OK, USA Registered: Apr 2001 posted 03-06-2007 11:40 PM                     quote: Joe Redifer Even if the workers are crappy, the more they have the higher their payroll will be, and theaters HATE paying people. Kinda gets in the way of those Mercedes payments and the $10,000 annual dues on that country club membership.  |  IP: Logged Stephen LaPadula Film Handler Posts: 50 From: New York, Ny Registered: Mar 2005 posted 03-09-2007 02:53 PM                     While I agree no paying customer should have to get up and miss part of a movie, I also personally agree with one of Bobby’s earlier posts. I would rather miss two or three minutes of a film and address the issue with management than sit there for two to three hours pouting and being pissed off. This made me think of the system Regal implemented or was testing. It’s basically a device that a patron takes into the theatre with them and then ‘pages’ a manager if a number of issues arise. There is a thread in Film-Yak about this but I am too dumb to figure out how to make a quick link (Brad or Adam, some assistance?) This is a noticeable step forward in that a big chain like Regal is addressing an issue plaguing our industry. No theatre is going to have ushers baby-sit each theatre for each show waiting for a disturbance, and although this may seem like free labor, some movie goers would be thrilled to participate. Does anyone have any feedback on how this is working?  |  IP: Logged Jesse Skeen Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1517 From: Sacramento, CA Registered: Aug 2000 posted 03-09-2007 03:53 PM                     What's so hard about having someone actually GO INTO the auditoriums at least once every show, checking both the presentation and the behavior of the patrons??  |  IP: Logged Anslem Rayburn Master Film Handler Posts: 476 From: Yuma, AZ, USA Registered: May 2002 posted 03-09-2007 04:40 PM                     We do that, and have found that people take notice of ushers going in and will be quiet while they're there. Just like everyone doing the speed limit when they know there is a cop behind them.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 03-09-2007 07:44 PM                     I agree that YOU should have complained the third time you had to tell them to be quite...The old three strikes and you're out thing. You might have dragged in one of those guards moping around the lobby eating doughnuts to deal with the problem... Had the guard failed to adaquately deal with it I'd have called the cops then and there. I always go out of my way to be sure I don't go to a Cinemark Theater (or Carmike) under any circumstances. They generally are just a mediocre time with yesterdays stale popcorn and poor presentations anyway. Mark  |  IP: Logged David Stambaugh Film God Posts: 4021 From: Eugene, Oregon Registered: Jan 2002 posted 03-09-2007 09:32 PM                        LOL, the first-run Cinemark here has generally pretty ok presentations (much better now than when they first opened), and their popcorn is good. The dollar Cinemark is another story - Wasn't any good even when it was brand new. The presentation that is.  |  IP: Logged Mike Sellars Film Handler Posts: 34 From: Robertsdale, AL., USA Registered: Oct 2006 posted 03-10-2007 08:59 PM                     I have been in the business for eight years, and for the last two have run a 14 screen mega in a resort area - most of the year we are not very busy, but summer and Xmas season make up for it. For years, when I identify shows of films that we know are gonna have talking issues and the like, I go into the house just as the Dolby snipe starts (after the trailers and just before the feature) so most of the people are in there, get the projectionist to stop the film, hit the house lights and mute the advertising sound, and then give the following speech: “Hi folks! Thanks for coming to the (theatre name) and the (showtime) of (movie). Most of you all came here tonight to actually see the movie, and expect me to do everything I can to ensure that disruptions are kept to a minimum….. however, some of you did not. Some of you came here to (insert four or five of your least favorite customer antics) fool around with your friends, talk during the film, use your cellphones, kick the backs of other peoples chairs, throw popcorn or do things that keep the rest of these folks from enjoying their movie, and forcing me and my staff to ignore the other people in my building to deal with you. If that’s you, you should get up right now, get a refund and leave. Anyone found disturbing the movie after it starts will be kicked out… …and we’ll keep your money! Thanks!” Nine times out of ten, as I am radioing the projectionist to fire it back up, the house erupts into applause… I even get high-fives as I’m on my way out. We wait ten minutes, then go back in and kick out the first person we see talking or whatever. The rest of the ruffians either leave or sit there and shut up. Those couple of folks every few months or so who were mildly annoyed by my little presentation know it’s necessary from time to time and understand. Works great!  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 03-11-2007 12:52 AM                     Hahaha, bravo! We used to do a similar type of speech, but I like the way yours is laid out. To anyone taking that above post as a joke, seriously that tactic really DOES work.  |  IP: Logged Frank Dubrois Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 896 From: Cleveland, OH Registered: Mar 2005 posted 03-11-2007 01:14 AM                    quote: Jesse Skeen What's so hard about having someone actually GO INTO the auditoriums at least once every show, checking both the presentation and the behavior of the patrons?? Nothing, but apparently that WASN'T happening because A) The kids don't wanna.... and B) The management doesn't give a crap. quote: Stephen LaPadula This made me think of the system Regal implemented or was testing. It’s basically a device that a patron takes into the theatre with them and then ‘pages’ a manager if a number of issues arise. I didn't read that thread, but Oh My God I can't imagine that working out. *page* "Excuse me, but my drink is empty, could you refill it?" *page* Could you bring me some more salt for my popcorn please?" Give those damn things to EVERYONE? I think not. I would guess half of them would walk out the door with the customer anyway since they can seem to remember to take their winter coat with them when they leave the theater.  |  IP: Logged Mike Sellars Film Handler Posts: 34 From: Robertsdale, AL., USA Registered: Oct 2006 posted 03-11-2007 09:23 AM                     First time I did the speech thing when my boss was visiting she almost had a cow... until the end, when the applause came! Of course your ushers should walk the houses as often as possible, but sometimes you just can't do it right - this puts the idiots on notice.  |  IP: Logged Geoff Jones Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 579 From: Broomfield, CO, USA Registered: Feb 2006 posted 03-11-2007 03:39 PM                        Mike, I applaud you. What's the name of your theatre? I'd love to give it a plug on my Movie Theatre Review Blog.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 03-11-2007 08:59 PM                        quote: Frank Dubrois Give those damn things to EVERYONE? I think not. Frank: No, the devices are only given to a select few people.  |  IP: Logged Eric Hooper Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 532 From: Fort Worth, TX, USA Registered: May 2003 posted 04-03-2007 02:54 PM                     Gee, it's no wonder why I don't go to the movies any more...  |  IP: Logged Paul Konen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 981 From: Frisco, TX. (North of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-04-2007 09:30 AM                     Geoff, have you received a response yet?  |  IP: Logged Geoff Jones Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 579 From: Broomfield, CO, USA Registered: Feb 2006 posted 04-04-2007 10:00 PM                        Nope, not a word. I sent my letter via their Website Feedback AND US Mail. I should also add for the record, that neither I nor my companions that night have been back to the theatre.  |  IP: Logged

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