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Author Topic: Senator Theatre heading for foreclosure Adam Martin I'm not even gonna point out the irony. Posts: 3686 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Nov 2000 posted 03-17-2009 03:35 PM                     That 23-employee number may include those at the Rotunda theater, too.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 03-17-2009 05:30 PM                     The Senator has zero automation...try again. They often are running Manager/Operator. Remember too that 23 people include part timers and seasonals. Furthermore, anyone that has run a hot single knows how big the staff needs to get during those peak periods and how you want to shrink it down during the lulls. It is a shame it has come to this. I certainly think there are things that could have been done to avoid it though now I can only see an immediate change to non-profit or a very well-off benefactor to take it over such that it need not make money. The first has a chance, the second...well I wouldn't bet on it. Steve  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 03-17-2009 06:09 PM                        quote: Steve Guttag Furthermore, anyone that has run a hot single knows how big the staff needs to get during those peak periods Yeah, we are hardly a "hot" single but if you count me, my wife, the concession crew, our cleaning people, and the people who help us out on a part time/barter basis when we're out of town...there are 12 of us.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 03-17-2009 07:15 PM                     Yea, but you run the auto parts store with just three people!!! Mark  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 03-17-2009 07:55 PM                     I want to say that when I was at the K-B Cinema...we would grow the staff to about 40 for the summer months and about 1/4 that for the lulls. The Cinema would do 824 people a show for quite a bit of the summer (and for a bit of the winter too). It could turn and audience around VERY fast...particularly if you consider that 99% of the people had to take the stairs in or out of the theatre. The conession operation, at its peak was just amazing at the volume of people it could move...then again, it was full of people behind the stand too ensuring that one didn't need to stop the line because something wasn't ready...that includes layerd butter or plain. I forget how big the staff was at the Uptown during peak periods but easily over 20...it was never as efficient as the Cinema was in the '80s. You staff what you need...I've never found the Senator to be overstaffed when I was in there...if anything, a bit sparse. Steve  |  IP: Logged Bill Enos Film God Posts: 2081 From: Richmond, Virginia, USA Registered: Apr 2000 posted 03-24-2009 02:57 PM                     Anything new? Non profit won't change much. Still have to pay utilities, taxes, film distributors, mortgage etc. At auction in today's real estate market it may be possible to buy it for a fraction of what is owed.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 03-25-2009 07:22 PM                     quote: Steve Guttag They often are running Manager/Operator. I never did quite agree with the prospect of running a theater this way. I much prefer the arrangement the Seattle Local carried out where they got rid of the managers and the operators also then became managers. Operators at least in Seattle are quite capable people and over all its a much better working/operating arrangement for all involved. Especially the partons! What ever happens I do hope they work something out so it survuives... Mark  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 03-25-2009 09:32 PM                     At the Senator...Mr. Hewitt, has been a projectionist all his life...he is the projectionist of record...but he also does management things as well. So, if you prefer... Projectionist/Manager. Gayle is the house manager though. I also hope something SUSTAINABLE is worked out. Steve  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 03-25-2009 09:54 PM                     Steve, The way I always am used to reading that is that the Manager/Operator was the manager but now also operates the booth as well. And as we know this is a normally less than desrible way to do things. I've just always been impressed with Seattle's other way around idea of running a theater. Mark  |  IP: Logged Brian D. Whitish Expert Film Handler Posts: 103 From: Seattle, WA, USA Registered: Apr 2001 posted 03-26-2009 03:21 AM                     Mark thanks for the kind words about the Seattle Local. Its only Landmark that has that type of contract and thankfully uses two full time union guys at the 10plex, the Metro. The singles, twins and one quad are manager operators. Management has three shifts union ops the rest at the Metro. We actually use those manager shifts to train new folks for the union to become manager operators. And when they run booth shifts its all they do. The dont do any managing functions on booth shifts.  |  IP: Logged Rick Raskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1100 From: Manassas Virginia Registered: Jan 2003 posted 03-26-2009 06:52 AM                     If only Local 224 in Washington, DC had taken the plunge they might still be in business rather than in receivership. They had the opportunity in the 1970's and blew it.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 03-26-2009 08:26 AM                     More like if only the IA had nationalized the projection trades when it came to dealing with the national chains, things would be in better shape for all "locals." Steve  |  IP: Logged Rick Raskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1100 From: Manassas Virginia Registered: Jan 2003 posted 03-26-2009 02:45 PM                     Yep. That's was the real issue; a lack of vision at the top that rolled down to the local level.  |  IP: Logged

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