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Author Topic: Losing the Kids Terry Lynn-Stevens Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1081 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Registered: Dec 2012 posted 05-06-2014 08:30 PM                     quote: Mike Blakesley but we're also going to turn them off to moviegoing if we "hassle" them. (And you know that even when you ask somebody to turn off their phone in the nicest way possible, THEY will see it as being "hassled.") Wow! It looks like you are selling out for the bottom dollar  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-06-2014 09:56 PM                        What the hell are you talking about?  |  IP: Logged Robert E. Allen Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1078 From: Checotah, Oklahoma Registered: Jul 2002 posted 05-06-2014 10:04 PM                     I use a policy trailer originally produced by Pike Productions that welcomes the patrons and tells them to turn their cell phones off, keep their feet down, don't talk and put your trash in the can. It has great music and is now sold by Filmack. The other thing I do with the kids is tell them if I see their cell phones on during the movie I'll break their arm. It must be the way I tell them as they always laff. And I have a good relationship with the young people here.  |  IP: Logged Terry Lynn-Stevens Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1081 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Registered: Dec 2012 posted 05-06-2014 10:49 PM                     A firm policy of zero tolerance is best. I have been lucky and haven't had a movie ruined by cell phones for long time now.  |  IP: Logged Martin McCaffery Film God Posts: 2481 From: Montgomery, AL Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-07-2014 08:12 AM                        quote: Robert E. Allen The other thing I do with the kids is tell them if I see their cell phones on during the movie I'll break their arm. And what do you tell the little old broads with cell phones, who, at my theater, greatly outnumber the kids?  |  IP: Logged Scott Jentsch Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1061 From: New Berlin, WI, USA Registered: Apr 2003 posted 05-07-2014 09:08 AM                        I think consistency is the key. Even kids, which are an easily marginalized group by adults, will respect the rules if they are plainly outlined and consistently enforced. I like Frank's approach, and it seems to be working for him. Alamo Drafthouse probably doesn't have many problems either, if they are good at enforcing their policies, especially after all the free publicity they got with the cell-phone PSA they did. My dad used to work security for high school dances and sporting events, and he would come home with stories about how he would catch kids doing various things. What I have always respected about him was that he was fair, and he was a man of his word. He also had an uncanny ability to predict what the kids might try to get away with, and he'd often be a step ahead of them. As a result, the kids respected that the rules were going to be enforced, and if they tried to break them, they'd likely be caught and the night's activity was done for them. A theater will win many more fans for clamping down (nicely) on the rude behavior than they will make enemies from those that are caught. Which group of people would you rather have coming to your theater, and which will you benefit from if they come more often as a result of what you do (or don't do)?  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 05-07-2014 01:59 PM                        The Unemployment rate for 16-19 year olds is still running close to all-time highs and the labor force participation rates for 16-19 year olds has been running at a historical low by 10 percentage points for about the last 3-4 years. Aged 20-24 year olds is also at a 40 year low. So when you have less money to spend, what do you spend it on? Well a $100 monthly cell phone is very high on a 16-24 year old's list of priorities.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-07-2014 08:28 PM                        Many kids just don't want to work anymore. It's not that they are all lazy (although some definitely are), but schools offer so many more sports and activities that a lot of them just don't have the time. When I first got into the business we had 3 concession workers that would alternate weeknights and work in pairs on weekends. Today we have eight employees and there are still nights when all of them are busy with school stuff, vacations, etc.  |  IP: Logged Robert E. Allen Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1078 From: Checotah, Oklahoma Registered: Jul 2002 posted 05-07-2014 10:31 PM                     quote: And what do you tell the little old broads with cell phones, who, at my theater, greatly outnumber the kids? [evil] I don't have that problem here Martin. But being an old fart myself I'm sure I'd find a way to handle it.  |  IP: Logged

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