Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Hello new member here from Cineworld.

This is topic Hello new member here from Cineworld. in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Oliver Harper (Member # 4245) on 04-06-2007, 04:45 AM:

just saying hello!, i run the projection booth at Cambridge Cineworld and have been the last two years. Its great to come across a forum dedicated to film and projection discussion.
Just a quick question,im not sure how many people on this forum are from the UK but does anyone here feel that projectionists and technicians arent treated with any respect by there fellow managers?.My GM doesnt like to get involved with projection and shows no interest upstairs..just wondering if VUE,Odeon or Empire sites have this problem aswell?.

Look forwarding to talking to you all.

[ 04-06-2007, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: Oliver Harper ]

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 04-06-2007, 05:07 AM:

Welcome to the forums, for you'll learn quite the lot here. Just ask as many question as you desire and we'll do the best to answer them in the best interest.

....and to your question .. things like that happen over here across the pond as well. Nothing new. There has always been that separation, small and/or large between the mgr and the projectionist/booth personnel.

Just hang in there, for if you love what you're doing, matters like that shouldn't get in your way of moving forward and upward.

Good luck and welcome again - Monte

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 04-06-2007, 05:23 AM:

Welcome to this forum. You will find many folks from the UK here as well as folks from just about anywhere else. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience here and scores of folks willing to offer advice and diagnostic help whenever you ask. Be sure to check out the tutorials and how-to guides as they offer lots of current tips. I'm sure a lot of UK folks will be chiming in real soon. Again, welcome!

Posted by Oliver Harper (Member # 4245) on 04-06-2007, 05:31 AM:

Cheers guys..

Posted by Justin Gorka (Member # 3727) on 04-06-2007, 07:29 AM:

Hi Oliver,
I too work for Cineworld and have done for 5 years. be careful what you say on here as I've had problems before being too out spoken!
As to the manager problem, you need to remind them that you too, (look at your contract) are a manager. I've had no problems with GM's (Llandudno, Swindon and now Ashton-Under-Lyne).
Just remind them that without you they wouldn't be able to sell popcorn.
If you feel you are having too many problems make sure you attend managers meetings and express you views. If that fails talk to Stu, he is very helpful and there is also the regional. (is that Al? If so he as also approachable!
Above all stand your ground! Who's your regional tech?
There is also a UK (I think) based forum which can have some interesting posts.
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/cinemationlist/
Regards Justin

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 04-06-2007, 07:37 AM:

Welcome. You should also post on the "Who The Hell Are You" and the "non US members" thread in the Film-Yak section.

Posted by Oliver Harper (Member # 4245) on 04-06-2007, 09:15 AM:

cheers for info Justin, Stu is a nice guy and is Dave weaver my regional engineer is a top bloke, there never really about onsite anymore, they used to pay more visits in the past but with the take over of UGC you never really see any engineers why to busy with other sites!..

Posted by Justin Gorka (Member # 3727) on 04-06-2007, 10:09 AM:

Agree with that. My priority is the running of the booth. We have 14 screens, 2 booths on two levels and run the place with about 90 multifunctional hrs. I try to make Monday my maintenance day as we have to do the lighting thingy then anyway. I know it's a pain, but does with the job. I now give the urinal (my pet hate) unblocker to a multifunctional or supervisor and if that doesn't work log it with maintenance. I'm buggered if I'm going to dismantle foul spelling pipes that have been fitted with the wrong bore pipes and gradient when I have projectors to maintain!
My GM is happy with this! (but then again I'm the scary person in a grey shirt!)
My biggest problem is getting (and keeping) people upstairs!
Have fun, I do love the job even with the strange systems we have to deal with!
Dave is very good and will give you good advice though he does grimace a bit!
Have you had your test GAP yet?

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 04-06-2007, 04:52 PM:

I worked for both UGC and Cine-UK. I felt that some managers didn't respect me and the other 'multifunctional' projectionists enough. Our GM was good, I reckon if they don't get involved it is a sign that you are doing a good job.

We also had massive problems keeping people. The pay and status is too low. There needs to be a grade between multifunctional and tech, so after people stay for 6-8 months they get the same pay and status as a Supervisor or something? Might be more expensive but in the long run it could save on training and lost shows through inexperience. Can't see this happening though if we're slowly moving to digital.

I quit after a few months because of university. I want to go back but because the pay is minimum wage it makes more sense financially to go work on floor at my ex-UGC site again which is 30p more per hour, paid breaks and more social hours.

Maybe if five sites close-ish together put in hours you could employ a handyman between you, working at one site each day or on a call-out basis? I think this happens in the London ex-UGCs.

quote:
be careful what you say on here as I've had problems before being too out spoken!

Seriously? Will I have to go on an editing spree if a mangerial or head office job comes up [Big Grin]

Posted by Justin Gorka (Member # 3727) on 04-06-2007, 06:03 PM:

We tried the handy man approach but the AM wouldn't go for it. The building is suffering as a result. We (techs) simply don't have the time!

Posted by Oliver Harper (Member # 4245) on 04-06-2007, 06:35 PM:

hey guys, we havent had a gap test for well over a year but ive managed to keep up on things.I think the projectionist should be kept seperate from mulitfuctionals because working upstairs you have more responsibilties. There used to be 10p tests so the projectionists could earned abit extra but that idea seems to have disappeared.

Maybe your right Caleb about the GM situation, its just if you work your ass off everyday and he never checks what you have done you sort of feel sometimes why make the effort?..thats how i feel..my GM is good at his job but us lads upstairs dont really feel part of the team..
Justin you have shite hours mate you poor man!..i run a 9 screen with over 90 hours!..We manage to keep our staff upstairs but its difficult to find a replacement because most of the people who work downstairs i wouldnt trust upstairs!

Posted by Ben Wales (Member # 92) on 04-06-2007, 06:47 PM:

quote:
i run a 9 screen with over 90 hours!

Surely not yourself personally as that is outlawed by the WTD?.
I doubt Cinemas are exempt from this EU Law.

Posted by Justin Gorka (Member # 3727) on 04-06-2007, 06:53 PM:

I asume you mean 90 multi hrs. Lucky you! I could if I could get the bods upstairs. Perhaps we should start a new thread on this one. Just call it fantasyworld!

Posted by Oliver Harper (Member # 4245) on 04-07-2007, 04:21 AM:

yeah 90 on the mulit hours..

Posted by Niall Jackson (Member # 4254) on 05-01-2007, 09:49 AM:

im one of ollys multifuncional staff members sadly all he says is true [thumbsup]

Posted by Ben Wales (Member # 92) on 05-01-2007, 03:56 PM:

quote: Niall Jackson
multifuncional staff members

This is the term that the present Odeon/UCI Management are proposing in their new Projectionists contracts for Odeon Projection staff.

To reduce staffing costs, they will staff the former Odeon cinemas with part-time floor staff "Multifuncional" (trained?) as Projectionists to cover holidays and additional cinema projection operation hours.

The present Projection teams at these sites are set to loose out on lower pay (no overtime),Senior Projectionists positions to go and remployed on lower Projection grades.

Posted by Gilles Elbhar (Member # 3719) on 05-01-2007, 04:43 PM:

I see some people talk about UGC. [Eek!]

For my experience, I have worked, about 12 years, with this company (1992 / 2004 in Paris).

In 2004 …UGC was force to sell UGC UK
because they lose many money : Euro 350 millions. They lose money in france.
[beer]

Before this time, it was very fun to work at UGC. Manager has respect with any people. [beer]

Salary was correct. [sleep]

Then a new manager(s) is arrived. (UGC Georges V) I have asked him for going at UGC in UK.
His answer was something like that : UGC UK is sold. It will be difficult, because we have no relation with Cineworld… [uhoh]

After this time, there is bad environment. [fu]

Condition of job was unpleasant for many people.

(sorry for my English !)

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 05-02-2007, 01:50 PM:

What pissed people off in the UK about UGC was they made little or no investment in the older sites, yet you'd see the Ciné Cités in Europe that looked perfect. Also I think UGC in the UK made money. The only link Cineworld has with UGC is I think they use the same people as before for the 'Unlimited'/'Illimité' card.

quote: Ben Wales
To reduce staffing costs, they will staff the former Odeon cinemas with part-time floor staff "Multifuncional" (trained?) as Projectionists to cover holidays and additional cinema projection operation hours.

That's such a bad idea. With Odeon they have many older sites, with older machines and other equipment or they have five or six screens, which means losing a show is more of a problem. Hence you need fully trained experienced staff on all the time. I don't agree with how Cineworld staff the Cine-UK sites but our machines were new and were mostly fine to run, so it wasn't the end of the world if me and other less-trained but competent staff were running shows (we were always in the booth).

Besides don't Odeon have a decent union presence? They should be able to resist the change.

Posted by Alex Cross (Member # 3520) on 05-11-2007, 05:32 PM:

Odeon do have a Union representing techs. However, since the merger with UCI, majority membership is borderline. I think membership has to be 75% for the company to have to legally recognise the Union. I'm not sure where you got your info Ben, the term 'senior tech' will no longer be in use, but current 'seniors' will not lose any pay, nor will they be re-employed at a lower tech rate. All the proposed changes are for new employees or promoted.

Alex

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-11-2007, 05:46 PM:

quote: Mitchell Dvoskin
Welcome. You should also post on the "Who The Hell Are You" and the "non US members" thread in the Film-Yak section.

(Looks like this thread got missed by myself and the mods.)