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Author Topic: Becoming a general manager Jeremy Weigel Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1062 From: Edmond, OK, USA Registered: Mar 2007 posted 04-11-2010 07:01 PM                     quote: Chris Slycord were only allowed to confirm that a person worked there and the dates of employment That's pretty much common practice in the corporate world these days. As to personal references, just remember to ask the person first if it is OK to do so or at least give them a heads up.  |  IP: Logged Chris Slycord Film God Posts: 2986 From: 청주시, 경북도, South Korea Registered: Mar 2007 posted 04-11-2010 08:24 PM                     And obviously with personal references, try having someone you're sure will give you a good one. I know of someone who pestered his boss for his work-study lab he was in to write a letter for his medical school application. The boss found the kid lazy and kept on giving him hints that someone else would be a better choice for the letter. Kid would not take no for an answer and got his confidential letter that helped him not get in at the time.  |  IP: Logged Scott D. Neff Theatre Dork Posts: 919 From: San Francisco, CA Registered: Oct 1999 posted 04-12-2010 05:46 PM                        It's been over 10 years since I managed people, but the reason I got away from it was that I was got extremely tired of constantly training people to do the same thing over and over again and assistant managers that were afraid to make a decision on their own. The second issue may likely have been something my own behavior nurtured but nevertheless I really hated being called all the time to make a decision. As for whether or not Regal is a good company to work for I can't say because I've never worked for them. I think though that they're like any corporation out there. You either grasp the way they manage their business and you'll succeed or you don't grasp and then fail. I think there are a number of people out there in management that don't like playing by the company's rules and begin to resent the entire operation. Half of the gripes listed in previous posts apply to just about any theatre chain out there but if you like the one you're working for and you can abide by their rules then go for it. One of the managers I currently audit is fond of the saying "It's their sandbox, they let me play in it." I think that's appropriate for working for any theatre chain. As a side note, at many of the NATO meetings I've been to I've talked to a lot of Regal managers and they say they like it and couldn't imagine working for anybody else. Of course I liked working for Century and couldn't imagine working for anybody else but that's because it was what I was used to. If you're used to Regal -- go for it.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Mehocic Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 804 From: New Castle, PA, USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-17-2010 07:45 PM                     Manny, Reading these other posts, again I admonish you to make your dispositions accordingly . . .  |  IP: Logged Mike Williams Master Film Handler Posts: 255 From: Knoxville, TN Registered: Feb 2002 posted 04-18-2010 08:23 AM                     Manny, I worked as an assistant in the South Florida district for Regal from 1996 until 2002, and then at the corporate office here in Knoxville for another 3 years. In fact, I helped open your theater about 10 years ago (you are at Westfork right?). I too, had aspirations of being a GM (or higher) one day. Regal is not a bad company to work for. Having more than 25,000 employees, they have good benefits for their full time employees and there IS room for advancement. Any negative experience I had while at Regal was usually more attributed to individuals - not the company. I have met many people that have made good careers at Regal. I will echo what somebody else said in an earlier post. As a GM, your assistant managers can make or break you, and finding good ones can be difficult. If you are going that route, you have to be really on top of your game (which usually means spending a lot of hours at the theater). That can get complicated once you have a family or other priorities in your life. That might be ok though. I don't know how to put it - the theater industry kind of stays in your blood... that's why I still lurk here on Film-Tech sometimes. I ended up leaving Regal for another industry back in 2005 and like my current job and where my career has taken me. In many ways, I have my jobs at Regal to thank for where I am today. I also made finishing my degree a priority back when I was managing - I went to FIU and finished up long before I would consider moving or taking a GM position. Nowadays, it seems like you need that degree for almost any (well paying) job. You are young... get that out of the way now. That degree can ONLY help you. Good Luck Mike  |  IP: Logged Manny Montes Master Film Handler Posts: 270 From: United States Registered: Feb 2010 posted 04-19-2010 02:35 AM                     Mike (and everyone), Thanks so much for all the responses. I'm going for the lead position at my current theater (because we do not do enough attendance to justify having a salaried first assistant). Hopefully an opening will come up soon. It's funny that you helped open up my old theater, its a great building, so much storage, catwalks, etc.  |  IP: Logged Jonathan Smith Expert Film Handler Posts: 201 From: Youngstown, OH Registered: Jan 2010 posted 04-20-2010 11:02 AM                     Keep in mind the theatre industry is heading towards an automated entity much like the car factory in "Minority Report." Iron ore goes in one end, a finished product comes out the other with no human interaction. This industry is going to see the elimination of projectionists, box office attendants, concessionists, and then maybe even ushers. I'm not sure this is a field you really want to be in 40 years hence. Not trying to discourage your dreams, but do yourself a favor and keep your options open; FINISH YOUR DEGREE.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Mehocic Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 804 From: New Castle, PA, USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-21-2010 09:45 AM                     Theaters will cease to exits as a forum of entertainment before elimination of those positions take place. Somebody has to be there to turn on the lights and guide the people to where the restrooms are.  |  IP: Logged Jonathan Smith Expert Film Handler Posts: 201 From: Youngstown, OH Registered: Jan 2010 posted 04-21-2010 11:18 AM                     I agree Aaron, but I am saying he may end up being the general manager of two concession mechanics, and an usher with the way things are going right now. They are going to self-serve cafeteria-style concessions in new theatres, with only a cashier to ring you out (and we know how grocery stores are trying to do away with even this, not too much of a stretch to just have one tech guy here too).  |  IP: Logged Scott D. Neff Theatre Dork Posts: 919 From: San Francisco, CA Registered: Oct 1999 posted 04-21-2010 11:28 AM                        Even at self serve there's somebody to scoop the popcorn and get the soda for people that just can't figure out how a soda machine works. Also, while I'm all in favor of people getting a degree, I know very few whose degree has helped them get a job let alone a job that they went to school for. People may roll their eyes at running a theatre for the rest of their lives, but I'd rather run a theatre than run a Gap, McDonalds, Holiday Inn or most other management jobs.  |  IP: Logged Jonathan Smith Expert Film Handler Posts: 201 From: Youngstown, OH Registered: Jan 2010 posted 04-21-2010 11:51 AM                     I agree Scott, but the work forces could be halved, or more-than halved. Try getting a human being at a grocery store near any major city; I refuse to use the computer checkouts, all run by one high-paid IT guy, but many other idiots happily do. So, is the GM of a 15- or 20 person theatre going to be paid the same amount as a GM in charge of 100 people? Eventually, there will be a half-dozen minimum-wage part-time employees, a booth IT guy, a concession IT guy, a couple of ushers/cleaners, and a manager in the theatre.  |  IP: Logged Jeremy Weigel Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1062 From: Edmond, OK, USA Registered: Mar 2007 posted 04-21-2010 12:27 PM                     Most of the self check out lanes that were installed in the stores that I frequent have been removed or reduced in number and turned back into cashier check outs.  |  IP: Logged Jonathan Smith Expert Film Handler Posts: 201 From: Youngstown, OH Registered: Jan 2010 posted 04-21-2010 12:37 PM                     Unfortunately, that isn't the case here. I still refuse to use one when at all possible, and I'm sure the 45+ group has similar opinions to my own, but it comes as second nature to a twittering, speed-texting teenie-bopper on their iPhone This same sort of customer is the one that is watching a movie on their phone while they're using $10-20 of mommy (and daddy)'s debit card to pay to get into one that is being shown on a $2000 print. And they're more interested in the phone movie than the one mommy paid for them to see.  |  IP: Logged Scott D. Neff Theatre Dork Posts: 919 From: San Francisco, CA Registered: Oct 1999 posted 04-21-2010 03:54 PM                        I like using the self checkout because when at all possible I don't wanna make idle chit chat with people. I get pissed off when I have to get the hive manager to come over and approve my purchase of cough syrup.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 04-21-2010 04:58 PM                        quote: Aaron Mehocic Somebody has to be there to turn on the lights and guide the people to where the restrooms are. Nobody needs to be there to turn on the lights or even unlock the doors. All of that can be completely automated locally or even outsourced to India. Want to adjust the volume or stop a movie that is playing in Houston? No problem. As for restrooms, bigger signs and better design can solve that problem. So, with current technology that exists today, theaters can exist without any human involvement whatsoever other than the ushers who sweep things and the janitors who clean the big mess each night.  |  IP: Logged

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