This is topic 'Projection skills are not important to us' (Interview with the Multiplex) in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 04-10-2000, 11:10 AM:
Recently, I was seeking additional projection work, so I sent a cover letter to several theatres hoping for the best. I got a call for an interview from one of the major chains.The following is an excerpt from that interview:
"We see that you've had years of experience as a projectionist".
"That's correct".
"Well, that's not really important to us. You see, we treat all our new employees equally. That means that if we gave you the job, you'd start at the concession stand. If you prove your worth there, at some point in the future we MAY make you a projectionist, in which case we would train you for that. Of course, that's a maybe; there's no guarantee that it will happen. By the way, are you multiskilled? Can you, for example, vacuum?"
"Sure."
"Multiskilling is very important here. We all do a bit of everything - it's a team effort. That's why it concerns me that all the job listings on your resume only show projection work. I don't understand - why is that?"
"Most of the theatres I've worked for are independents, and they have separate concessionists and projectionists. I guess their policy leans more towards specialisation than multiskilling".
"In any case we have ongoing training programs. We constantly re-train our staff - it's our policy. What do you know about our company?"
"It's one of the largest exhibitors in this country. One of the major shareholders is (cinema chain/film distributor XXXX). In fact, I currently work for them in their preview theatrette at head office. I am screening (upcoming film title) there tonight, in fact, for several department heads and some film critics".
"....(some more corporate rhetoric...why our company is so great, we offer many opportunities, open many doors, etc). So, tell me, Michael, what do you think are some of your greatest strengths? Why should we employ you over, say, our other applicants?"
"Well, I have over 10 years experience working in theatres. Granted, a lot of that IS projection work, but I still think I'd be a prime candidate nevertheless".
Etc, etc...
Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 04-10-2000, 11:42 AM:
And I keep wondering why theaters want to go with video projection.I did not get a job with UA a few years ago, because they wanted me to start in the consession stand. I just kept my regular job, and have now gone 35mm at home!!!
Bruce
Posted by Christopher Seo (Member # 7) on 04-10-2000, 11:56 AM:
Michael,
At what level of management was this interviewer? I suppose that managers of an individual theater can be forgiven if these "multiskilling" ideas are all they know, but this would sound absolutely ridiculous coming from any regional or central management.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 04-10-2000, 12:08 PM:
There's a brainwashed manager! I'll bet he was reading straight from the "how to do an interview" book. Pathetic. Find a real company to work for. Those kind of theater chains will never value their employees. You would just be a number to them and would never be respected.
Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 04-10-2000, 03:08 PM:
>>only show projection work. I don't understand - why is that?"<<Michael:
So what pencil-pusher pool did that moron come from? The blinders are fully on!
------------------
Better Projection Pays!
Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 04-10-2000, 08:42 PM:
Chris/Tim:You got it - they were a location manager rather than a regional one. This person was THE head manager of that location, however!
Brad:
Absolutely. About three questions in, I was thinking, "WHAT am I doing here?". Needless to say, I'm looking elsewhere...
Posted by Pete Lawrence (Member # 130) on 04-10-2000, 09:12 PM:
Assuming you didn't absolutely need this job to eat regularly, after telling him:"In fact, I currently work for them in their preview theatrette at head office. I am screening (upcoming film title) there tonight, in fact, for several department heads and some film critics".
I would have told this moron he didn't pass MY interview (yes, it does work both ways!) and I would be sure to mention this unpleasant encounter at the screening.
They have no idea what they are selling. It's on the screen, not in a popcorn bucket!
Posted by Richard Quesnelle (Member # 391) on 04-10-2000, 09:22 PM:
Excuse my french, but who in the hell would not be able to sit there in that chair and not want to scream at the guy and ask him if he's on drugs. I don't know what planet he's from to not think that projectionist skills aren't important. You would be the first guy I'd hire. I do it all where I work and you need someone who can be responsible as someone who threads up a projector. It is people like this that has destroyed the projectionist profession. That guy will find out how much of a pain a breakdown is when you don't have proper training and staff.
We are just a small twin theatre and now there is talk about a new 7 screen cinema moving in the mall in town. It is going to have all of the 'treats' which I hate.
Going to the movies has to feel fun and not like a video game. These management guys and all these jumboplexes piss me off with all their money grubbing business attitudes.
I will not work for these new guys no matter what. Not just anyone can be a projectionist and certainly not that guy.
REG
Posted by Alan Brandt (Member # 426) on 04-11-2000, 01:54 AM:
Some people are really dumb jerks. I mean, come now, if that manager was applying for let's say a human resource position at a hospital, does he honestly expect the administrators to tell him since he doesn't have experience performing a heart bypass on a patient he can't perform payroll functions?? 
Huge chains need to realize that projection is a PROFESsion, not a "job" (Maybe a profession w/o decent benefits, but still 
)
Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 04-11-2000, 11:08 AM:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pete Lawrence:
They have no idea what they are selling. It's on the screen, not in a popcorn bucket!I've been saying this for years - but do you think anyone would listen? Just once I'd like to convince the powers-that-be to buy me better quality bulbs, give me extra time to clean the equipment monthly, and get on this forum to learn things they think they know but really DO NOT!
Posted by Sara Serine Orton (Member # 208) on 04-12-2000, 10:37 AM:
Back in 1996 when I was an assistant manager at a 4 plex in Boise I remember getting an application for a projectionist. Everyone laughed at it. In Boise back then only the managers projected and we didn't think that projecting was exactally rocket science. I think the appilicant had like 4 or 5 years experience in LA projecting.
Now that I'm older and run a projector by myself practically I have a new respect for projectionists. I don't know how a theater can survive without one. A manager cannot do all the book work and conficlict management AND maintain projectors. It's too much.
So to who ever that guy was who applied at the Carmike in Boise, Idaho was... i am so sorry for throwing out your application!
Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 04-12-2000, 05:34 PM:
quote:
Originally posted by Brad Miller:
There's a brainwashed manager! I'll bet he was reading straight from the "how to do an interview" book. Pathetic. Find a real company to work for. Those kind of theater chains will never value their employees. You would just be a number to them and would never be respected.
This particular company used to be THE most respected cinema chain in the country! We even gained time off from them in 1988 to picket a rival chain when they decided to sack all their real projectionists, they were so horrified.
But then I guess they saw just HOW MUCH MONEY THEY WOULD SAVE!
Now... I wouldn't work for them in a pink fit.
As I've said before, the beancounters run the race. If you want to be a happy PROJECTIONIST, work for an independent. If you want to be a number and be asked if you know how to vacuum (!!), stick with the chains.
BTW, Michael was being modest but omitted to mention he has also run completely manual 70mm presentations (sometimes with changeovers) with full overtures and complete organ presentations WHILE AT THE SAME TIME running three other screens of which all are in separate boxes!
Q: Can you VACUUM?
A: Can you kiss my ass, you pencil pushing dipshit? (Door slams on way out)
(Audience applauds wildly)
The End.
------------------
"It's not the years honey, it's the mileage".
Indiana Jones. 
Posted by Dwayne Caldwell (Member # 417) on 04-12-2000, 08:54 PM:
I was going to ask you Michael if this theatre chain you applied for as a projectionist was an AMC until John mentioned that it used to be THE most respectable chain in the country. I can't remember the last time the words AMC and respectable were uttered by anyone in the same sentence. I didn't know if AMC had reached its money grubbing hand into Australia or not. Just curious.------------------
The man with the magic hands.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 04-12-2000, 09:50 PM:
Argh. Don't remind me about AMC. Thankfully we don't have any AMC multiplexes here in the Boston area...
When I was living in Virginia and working at the theatre, one of the guys whom I trained had actually attempted to apply for a projectionist job at a newly constructed AMC 24-plex. When he approached their manager and asked if they needed any projectionists, the manager apparently laughed in his face. It seems that AMC doesn't hire "projectionists"; they hire "ushers," some of whom end up doing booth work too. I couldn't believe this when I heard it, but apparently it's true (or was true as of a couple of years ago).
In any case, AMC really missed the boat on that one, since this fellow turned out to be one of the more competent projectionists I know. Too bad that we hired him before AMC did... (not!)
(Gosh! A 24-plex is enough to keep even a skilled professional projectionist on his feet all day! I'm pretty impressed that AMC's poorly trained "ushers" can even get a picture on the screen and sort of in focus under those circumstances.)
Posted by Dwayne Caldwell (Member # 417) on 04-13-2000, 12:48 AM:
Boston. Home of General Cinema. Now that's a theatre chain that respects its presentation. Worked at one for six years.------------------
The man with the magic hands.
Posted by Juan Mendez (Member # 311) on 04-13-2000, 10:02 AM:
Well I really don't know how other AMC's work, but I am currently the supervisor for the projection booth in one of the 30-plexes. I did have prior experience from school with projectors, as well as the fact that I was hired to be a projectionist, and a projectionist only. And yes I am on my feet for he majority of the day, but hey I like my work. Working at a chain theatre isn't that bad. But then again I have never worked at an independent theatre. I can tell you though, that all of the original projectionists hired when the theatre opened were trained thoroughly by engineers, and by the company representatives of the equipment.
Posted by Tom Wurz (Member # 42) on 04-13-2000, 10:41 AM:
I have a story about AMC.
Back in the lates 70's, American Multi Cinema opened a 6 plex in Southern California. It was the largest theater in the chain, at that time. All of their booths were run by union projectionists. When it came time to re-negotiate the union contract the contract for this 6 plex was negotiated separately because of the amount of screens the projectionist had to run.
Posted by Andy Davis (Member # 262) on 04-13-2000, 11:24 AM:
The projectionist/usher position is a dieing breed at AMC. It was a popular idea back when most theatres didn't exceed 8 screens. With current megaplexes, there are 2-3 dedicated projectionists working at any given time. It isn't practical for these people to go downstairs and help out behind the concession stand (when you have 15 people working in concession, adding a 16th person doesn't shrink the lines much). Also, AMC is starting to favor in-house, full-time booth managers. Many of them are ex-union projectionists.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 04-13-2000, 08:39 PM:
Oh, BTW, I didn't mean to offend any AMC projectionists who actually care about what they do. I just found it amusing that, at the time when this place was being built (two years ago), they wouldn't hire anyone as a "projectionist" and, thus, ended up missing the chance to hire someone who could have been good with a little bit of training.
I could also tell about how this particular AMC house shouldn't have even been built at all--apparently, the city didn't realize that the location was right in the middle of a designated "crash zone" for the local Air Force base until well after the building permits had been granted and construction had begun. The compromise ended up being something along the lines of "you can build it now, but you can't re-build if 75% or more of the structure is destroyed by a plane crash." No further comments are necessary.
Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 04-14-2000, 02:37 AM:
But hey, an F1-11 would make one hell of a foyer display!------------------
"It's not the years honey, it's the mileage".
Indiana Jones.
Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 04-14-2000, 02:46 PM:
I had that experience two years ago. I interviewed at a small Cinemark 4 screen in Bowling Green Ohio. The college girl interviewing me told me that I would have to start out at concession and move up because they had other people waiting in line that had NO EXPERIENCE! I had five years experience. Nothing infuriates me more than stupid people especially when they are in charge. I told her to forget it and never went there again.
Two days later I was hired at UPS in Toledo. I worked my butt off and became a supervisor in less than six months. She did me a favor because they had excellent benefits and I only had to work part-time which was great for college.
I have since moved to Cleveland and got a full-time job. A few months back I needed a second job so I applied at the only theater around, another Cinemark and was hired. I have great managers there, one of which came from the Bowling Green theater and new this girl. They actually know quite a bit about projectors. This story had a happy ending
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 04-14-2000, 03:06 PM:
Same thing happened to me many years ago when I applied at a UA theater near me. It was depressing. I tried telling this DM guy all the stuff I did/could do, etc. and he just didn't care. The thing that really bugged me was he was about the fattest person I ever saw. While he was "interviewing" me, he kept eating a big sandwich, and talking with his mouth full. I got out of there as fast as I could without being totally rude.About a week later, he called me and said that several people had quit at one theater all at once (turned out they hated the manager.) He wanted to know if I was interested. He said that they normally pay $6 an hour, but he was desperate and would do me a big favor and would pay me $7. I was still so pissed off, I said; nothing less than $10. He was quiet for a moment. Quickly, I added; I can walk right in, do the entire job, and you will not have to worry about it- done deal. He paused, then said yes. He got fired about 2 months later, but I stayed another 2 years, had a nice time, got along with everybody, then quit for more money (where I am now.)
Posted by Steve Maggs (Member # 444) on 04-28-2000, 07:54 AM:
As a cinema manager that employs Michael, I know his skills are excellent. He operates four boxes, screens 70mm films and often has a wurlitzer organ as part of the presentation. I cannot understand the mentality of that company saying everyone starts on the floor. An excellent popcorn server may destroy every print he/she touches. It was their loss.
Posted by Chris Rhode (Member # 448) on 04-28-2000, 06:05 PM:
I am the projection supervisor at the AMC 24 plex in Tampa and I must say, even though I have only been doing this for about 6-7 months, I have learned a great deal about projection. I started out as an usher but worked my ass off to get up in projection (I asked if they hired for projection, but they said that you have to show some technical skill.) It just totally amazes me the kind of people they send up to me now. It is like a reward for working hard. It doesn't matter if they are dumber than a box of rocks, if they work hard then they can work up in projection. This past week I had 3 scratched prints alone!! All because I have a bunch of morons working for me! And on top of that, I can't get any of the equipment that I need to properly run and maintain the booth. But I do have to say that it has shaped up, because the booth managers try and help me out with getting equipment and stuff, but I can relate to what everybody is saying about the multiplex because I experienced it first hand.
Posted by Andy Davis (Member # 262) on 04-29-2000, 12:14 AM:
Chris, you work at Veterans, correct? There's only 1 AMC 24-plex in Tampa. Is Mike Kerr still booth manager there?
Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 04-29-2000, 02:40 AM:
And a big Rip-Roarin' welcome to cinema manager and cinema historian extraordinair... Mr Steve Maggs!Hey Steve, lookit... you're a film handler! (Had to happen eventually, I guess).
Welcome to the forum.
------------------
"It's not the years honey, it's the mileage".
Indiana Jones.
Posted by Stefan Scholz (Member # 147) on 04-29-2000, 04:14 AM:
Interesting, that vacuuming is considered a skill. That must date back to old style governement offices when you even needed a "degree" in rubber-stamping and photocopying.
It simply shows, that large corporations are still like old fashioned governement agencies, your skills don't matter, why should they, as it is "teamworking", everybody has to start from scratch and work his/her way up, with one big difference. At the goverment position the payments were not too bad, and your forthcomming was monitored by the local union heads.
Posted by Chris Rhode (Member # 448) on 04-29-2000, 09:01 AM:
Andy,Yes, Mike Kerr is still the booth manager there. He is the best thing that ever happened to that theater. But he is only there 2 days a week now, because he has like 130+ other screens to worry about around the bay area. He has his son Mike Jr. training with him.
Chris