This is topic Regal will soon allow ushers to run projection... in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Justin B. Martin (Member # 5817) on 12-07-2010, 04:34 PM:
...similar to how AMC's "Film Crew" runs the booths.
Among the ushers' new duties are operating projectors, building and breaking down films. The ushers will have to be "certified" in order to run the booth but from what I've been hearing the certification requirements are being retooled.
I think we all know where this is going. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Posted by Julius Alan Vichinsky (Member # 3081) on 12-07-2010, 05:23 PM:
Where?
Posted by Mark Strube (Member # 4190) on 12-07-2010, 06:09 PM:
It was my understanding that most chains already allowed floor staff to run the booth as long as they had some sort of "training."
Was Regal manager only?
Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 12-07-2010, 07:36 PM:
Regal went "manager only" in '98 or '99. Their switching back is most likely due to a lot of the locations going all or mostly digital.
Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 12-07-2010, 10:30 PM:
"Manager only" has been bullshit from day one, it was an excuse to keep the IATSE from ripping the chains apart when they decertified from using Union projectionists. (The agreement the IA structured mandated "manager only" for running the booths.)
EVERY theatre I serviced during my RCA days for one of the biggest chains to go "manager only" had the popcorn kids running the booth. (They skirted the IA mandate by calling them "booth ushers". WTF?? Since when did the projectors need to be told where to go?) This was all the way back in the early 80's.
So Regal's announcement is absolutely no surprise.
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-07-2010, 11:16 PM:
quote: Julius Alan Vichinsky
Where?
Over there.
Anyway, it is not all that surprising. Regal peeps keep telling me that 100% of their theaters will be converted to digital in the year 2011. I guess they need to start saving a tiny bit of $$$ for all of that digital stuff somehow (being that digital itself doesn't really save the exhibitor money and the elimination of a projectionist or manager wage does not do much to help afford such equipment).
What I am curious is what is to happen to the so-called "projection managers" they have now. They are managers who work mostly in the booth, but may be required to come down and work real manager shifts.
I am glad I am at Regency Theaters, at least at the Denver location while it (and 35mm) lasts. There really is no other theater in Denver that I know of where I think I would be satisfied working these days. I do projection and nothing else, it shows and the company isn't filing for bankruptcy because of my atrociously high wage. The funny thing is that I'd have to lower my standards to pass Regal's certification.
One local manager told me he is not even allowed to control the volume at his theater or the techs/corporate will get pissed. I highly doubt that's true, but it just goes to show how much fear the majority of Regal employees have of their corporate parents. A lot of Regal people no longer post here. They refuse to mention them on Facebook and whatnot (using only vague allusions to their employer). They won't even mention them when I specifically ask. Using fear to "motivate" employees is never a good thing. Must be a fun place to work!
Posted by Chase Pickett (Member # 5975) on 12-08-2010, 01:37 AM:
I know with AMC, having a "Film Crew" member up in booth saves them quite a bit of money. In my case, I am Film Crew but take care of everything up in booth. Eliminated the need to pay someone twice my wage to do the same job, although they got lucky as I enjoy projection so much. The downside of course is motivating employees to take on the responsibilities and have them do a good job, which is impossible. Someone making $.50 to $1.00 over minimum wage will inherently not do such a good job, because they simply don't care. It won't matter for very long though. AMC supposedly signed a deal with Sony to outfit 2k's and 4k's to every screen AMC owns by 2012, and start times will all be controlled automatically by the performance schedules made by management. Eliminating the need for anyone to even be in the booth on a daily basis.
Posted by Tom Petrov (Member # 1534) on 12-08-2010, 01:50 AM:
so who has been running the booths all this time?
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-08-2010, 02:29 AM:
But Chase, with those Sonys and that craptastic Cine Alta junk you'll be spending a lot of time up there shuffling stuff around since each projector can only hold a terabyte.
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-08-2010, 03:07 AM:
..bet it has to do with payroll - why pay an Assoc MGR type that is getting a higher wage when an "USHERBEE" who is being paid minimum to lace and start projectors .. and soon click the "Play" button on the server monitors?
Posted by Phil Ranucci (Member # 3820) on 12-08-2010, 04:30 AM:
quote: Chase Pickett
Eliminated the need to pay someone twice my wage to do the same job, although they got lucky as I enjoy projection so much.
Yes they eliminated paying someone twice your wage. But how much of that savings did you get? Some people are trying to make a living here, and I'm glad you enjoy your job, but don't you see that you're helping them drive wages down?
quote: Chase Pickett
The downside of course is motivating employees to take on the responsibilities and have them do a good job, which is impossible. Someone making $.50 to $1.00 over minimum wage will inherently not do such a good job, because they simply don't care.
They gave you $.50-1.00 more to take on the duties and you're doing a good job and the others don't care. Don't you feel like you deserve more than the ones that don't care? Or did you get more than that, in which case good for you.
Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 12-08-2010, 04:36 AM:
When I worked at a Regal, from late 2000 til I left in 2001 they had a couple floor staff people working upstairs. Some only got a couple days' training before they were turned loose on 16 screens. A couple films got scratched that way, but they still didn't beat one of the assistant managers who trashed about 7 out of 16 movies in one day (misthreaded the failsafe so a plastic part scraped the film.)
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-08-2010, 05:30 AM:
What kind of failsafe? FP-350s? We had a guy who did that right before I came back to my present location. Not sure how you do that, you really have to fight to do it, but he did it.
Posted by Chase Pickett (Member # 5975) on 12-08-2010, 09:52 AM:
I make $8.25 an hour meaning no I don't make more than that $.50-$1.00. The saddest part is the least trained film crew member working in booth knows more about projection than any supervisor or manager in the building. We rely on the manuals here on Film-Tech for a lot actually. The booth team here with the exception of one person, who soon will no longer be upstairs, is pretty good. The incentive at my theater for booth is more hours, but the majority of us up here are kids in college who really need the money and can't afford to slack off.
As far as those Sony's I would like to punch the douche who got that bonus for signing with Sony. Obviously he/she would like a nice vacation over having added loss of revenue because of these pieces of garbage.
Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 12-08-2010, 10:12 AM:
quote: Monte L Fullmer
.bet it has to do with payroll - why pay an Assoc MGR type that is getting a higher wage when an "USHERBEE" who is being paid minimum to lace and start projectors .. and soon click the "Play" button on the server monitors?
Let's not forget, if you call them Managers you can work them more than 40 hours without paying overtime. During busy periods "Managers" can make less than minimum wage when you factor the hours/salary.
Posted by Chase Pickett (Member # 5975) on 12-08-2010, 10:50 AM:
quote: Phil Ranucci
I'm glad you enjoy your job, but don't you see that you're helping them drive wages down?
I see my, well our jobs on the whole as very temporary at this point in time. Pretty soon my wage will be considered too much and I will get the ax. But It's like blaming the immigrant for working for lower wages when really it's the employers who decided they wanted to pay less for the same job. Why not? From the companies perspective that is the only option to go with in the interest of making money, which is the point of a business.
quote: Martin McCaffery
"Managers" can make less than minimum wage when you factor the hours/salary.
All them managers with the exception of our GM is paid hourly. Maybe that's just AMC though.
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-08-2010, 11:36 AM:
At Regal, the GM is salary and if the theater warrants having one, the 2nd in command is salary as well. All other managers are hourly, usually under $10.
Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 12-08-2010, 12:05 PM:
quote: Chase Pickett
As far as those Sony's I would like to punch the douche who got that bonus for signing with Sony.
AFAIK, there are AMC corporate people who read this site so I'd be careful what I say about some "upper-management douche" if I were you. Just an FYI.
Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 12-08-2010, 12:10 PM:
The smaller chain i work for has a policy of keeping a professional head projectionist at every location to maintain high standards and training!
If you are an usher with an interest in projection you will be trained,read manuals and attend projectionist meetings!
All films are Film Guarded and guess what?Presentations are great and films never get scratched!
Magic Lantern Cinemas also keeps a full time world class Technician!
Gordon Mcleod is on hand to keep the whole chain in check!
This is a company where common sense prevails!
Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 12-08-2010, 12:22 PM:
AMC has no common sense.
Posted by Chase Pickett (Member # 5975) on 12-08-2010, 12:23 PM:
quote: Chris Slycord
AFAIK, there are AMC corporate people who read this site so I'd be careful what I say about some "upper-management douche" if I were you. Just an FYI.
Like i said my job is temporary so I'm not afraid to say it. Plus if they really are reading this, they need to know what they are buying isn't the best or even the cheapest if cost was in mind. I'm here for them.
Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 12-08-2010, 12:52 PM:
quote: Joe Redifer
One local manager told me he is not even allowed to control the volume at his theater or the techs/corporate will get pissed. I highly doubt that's true
It might be true. About 5 years ago, I went to see a movie
at one of the big megaplexes here in San Francisco and the
volume was really low in the auditorium I was in. I asked
one of the floor staff about it, and they said I had to
talk to the manager. The manager wasn't there, so I was
directed to an "assistant manager" who told me that he
had no control over the volume and that "a guy came in
once a week to set the level" .
Oh geez!
Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 12-08-2010, 01:08 PM:
Has Regal outlawed the term "Projectionist" yet?
Cinemark (Nazis) have. . .
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-08-2010, 01:22 PM:
Not outlawed, but it's not in their job title section. Managers and Cast Members are the only two titles.
Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 12-08-2010, 01:49 PM:
"Cast Members?" Interesting...
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-08-2010, 02:15 PM:
..and the patrons who attend their locations are referred to as "guests", not patrons or customers.
A customer is just that: someone who attend your venue who buys something and then leaves without any thought on where they were at.
But the guest is treated like if you had them in your own home-how are you going to treat your guest..like a customer? Thus, they're treated specially so they'll remember where they were at and desire to come back. All based on atmosphere of the respective venue.
Also, it's called "Customer Satisfaction". Sure, you attend a cinema and is served correctly and properly, but in all due actuality, cinemas could put up vending machines to service you to give you the same results.
But, are you satisfied with your visit - is the lobby clean, employees to their professional levels, restrooms clean and spotless, auditorias clean and not with sticky floors or torn seats, presentation on the screen bright, in focus and sound in proper order..et.al.? THAT is what brings people back .. is SATISFACTION.
..and some of the local cinemas in my area each do both forms of customer service: treating the patrons as customers and treating the patrons as guests...and it reflects on how the respective businesses are doing.
I used to work with a defunct company who also called their floor employees "Cast Members"
It was term used to represent each employee as the "star of the show" since they were to put on a performance in their respective department - to be the that concessionaire, floor usher, boxoffice ticket seller, etc. - to enhance the movie going experience for the attending patrons.
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-08-2010, 02:46 PM:
quote: James Westbrook
"Cast Members?" Interesting...
Yeah, they think they're being cute.
quote: Chase Pickett
Plus if they really are reading this, they need to know what they are buying isn't the best or even the cheapest if cost was in mind.
I was going to say something similar. What needs to be said needs to be said.
Posted by Brendan Penny (Member # 5041) on 12-08-2010, 02:53 PM:
Yeah well cinema chains rely on finding people who do the job for love. Pay them mcdonalds wages. Use them up. Suck their soul. After about 10 years employee wakes up and moves on. Enter next sucker. Cycle continues.
I find it so amusing how cinema managers take their jobs so seriously and work stupid hours for shit money. I wouldn't get out of bed for that wage.
Wake up suckers. You are not appreciated. Step out of line for a second and see how quickly upper management remembers your hard work and sacrifices. There is a gullible kid straight with no further education waiting in line to take your place. NEXT IN LINE PLEASE!!
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-08-2010, 03:20 PM:
Sounds like the cinema you work for is what's called a "grindhouse" cinema ran by core managers who hates their job due to the major hours they put in for peanuts.
Gee, if you paid kids more money than McD's, cinema couldn't stay in business.
Kids know that the pay isn't going to be much knowing that the job they got themselves into is just a 'stepping stone' job and not a career.
But, the cinema owners didn't go out on the streets lassoing people to come work for them and treat them as such, the people did it themselves.
So, don't blame the employers for the work adversities. Nobody held a gun to your head to work there.
Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 12-08-2010, 03:35 PM:
quote: Martin McCaffery
Let's not forget, if you call them Managers you can work them more than 40 hours without paying overtime. During busy periods "Managers" can make less than minimum wage when you factor the hours/salary.
Not to be anal-and I am sure this happens more often than one would like to think-but the situation you describe is illegal. Minimum wage is minimum wage, be you salary or hourly. If you work so many hours that your effective hourly rate is less than minimum wage your employer is supposed to pay you the difference to make you effective hourly rate at least minimum wage.
Also, besides the job duty requirements (just because you are salary does not automatically make you exempt from overtime pay) an employee must earn at least $455 a week to be exempt from overtime (the limit used to be $155 and was raised in 2004 or 2005, 2005 I think). This means if you are earning the minimum salary to be exempt you'd have to work more than 62 hours to make your effective hourly rate less than $7.25/hour.
That being said labor laws are some of the most commonly broken laws so it would not be surprising at all to hear of people earning less than $455 a week not being paid overtime, etc.
Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 12-08-2010, 03:42 PM:
quote: James Westbrook
"Cast Members?" Interesting...
In reality they are just "Extras" ![[evil]](graemlins/evil.gif)
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-08-2010, 03:43 PM:
quote: Monte L Fullmer
Gee, if you paid kids more money than McD's, cinema couldn't stay in business.
You are wrong on so many levels with that one. My theater, for example, starts everyone out above minimum wage. Not much, but still more than McD's.
Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 12-08-2010, 04:53 PM:
quote: James Westbrook
"Cast Members?" Interesting...
Fucking 1984. Way to go that we allow companies with these distopian ideals to run rampant in every commercial sector.
Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 12-08-2010, 06:21 PM:
Wow, when I worked for Loews as an assistant manager every manager was salary (maybe the busiest theatres would have one or two part time hourly assistants) but in a 20 screen they would have a GM, a House Manager, and 6-8 salaried full time managers (plus "supervisors) to run the booth). When I left I was making $40,000.00 a year as a salaried assistant and know of GM's making 100,000.00 a year plus.
How times have changed ![[puke]](graemlins/puke.gif)
Posted by Chase Pickett (Member # 5975) on 12-08-2010, 07:10 PM:
quote: Brendan Penny
Yeah well cinema chains rely on finding people who do the job for love. Pay them mcdonalds wages. Use them up. Suck their soul. After about 10 years employee wakes up and moves on. Enter next sucker. Cycle continues.
I'm a sucker. ![[beer]](graemlins/beer.gif)
Posted by Manny Montes (Member # 5639) on 12-08-2010, 09:35 PM:
McDonalds pays their night staff (in 24 hour stores) pretty well, I've seen $8.50 starting for an overnight cashier around here.
Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 12-08-2010, 11:04 PM:
Talked to a customer this past Sunday night that said her daughter makes $12.50/hr as one of the "Film Crew" at the AMC Quail Springs 24 in OKC. She said she's about to be bumped up to $15.00/hr. I thought she was perhaps mistaken and said it sounded like they (AMC) might be grooming her daughter as an Asst. Manager, but even at $15.00/hr it sounded a bit much.
Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-08-2010, 11:24 PM:
quote: Joe Redifer
My theater, for example, starts everyone out above minimum wage. Not much, but still more than McD's.
Same here, sort of. Everyone starts out at minimum but we give everybody a raise after 90 days, and sooner if they are really good. I remember hearing that McD's in Billings was starting people out at $9 a couple of years ago, when the job market was really tight there.
As for that "Cast Members" -- didn't Disney start that? Everyone who works at Disneyland and Disney World are called Cast Members...has been that way as long as I can remember.
Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-08-2010, 11:31 PM:
quote: Jeremy Weigel
Talked to a customer this past Sunday night that said her daughter makes $12.50/hr as one of the "Film Crew" at the AMC Quail Springs 24 in OKC. She said she's about to be bumped up to $15.00/hr. I thought she was perhaps mistaken and said it sounded like they (AMC) might be grooming her daughter as an Asst. Manager, but even at $15.00/hr it sounded a bit much.
I would want to see some confirmation of those wage numbers. It's common when work stories get passed around some exaggeration may be introduced. But maybe the lady is getting groomed to be the GM, temporarily. Yeah, get the top job, then get fired shortly after when the higher ups get pissed about the slightest thing.
It's no secret the movie industry and exhibition industry in particular shits all over its movie theater site employees. The folks working in the trenches where the product (the movie) is delivered are largely working an extremely thankless job. The folks working the booths and counters are paid the bare minimum and it is routine for managers to be paid not so well yet work obscene schedules in return for the status of being a salaried, overtime "exempt" employee. The bean counters at the top just keep whittling down things further and further to make the jobs just as shitty as possible only just short of not being able to staff the positions. That's the way to maximize profit! Fuck those employees! If they were business owners they might be worthy of breathing oxygen!
Unfortunately those greedy assholes at the top don't realize what sort of destructive effect it has against the quality of the overall product. If the staff is treated like shit then the employer only deserves shit in return. The staff isn't going to give a damn about show quality. And if they don't care then why should I, the paying customer, agree to pay those ridiculous prices and ever bother to return!!??
America's thought process on business in many areas is very corrupt. It's no wonder why this nation is getting its ass kicked in so many ways. The executives at the top refuse to see what's happening. Instead they just vomit out the usual bullshit about unions, so called lazy American workers, etc. They don't look at the destructive stunts they're pulling to undermine their employees, kill morale then kill product quality and then ultimately piss off customers. Greed gets in the way of that.
They can just keep on doing what they're doing and take the customers for granted. Unfortunately, the movie business is more and more exposed to technology age style shifts, which means big changes can happen in extremely short amounts of time. Look at what Redbox has done to traditional video stores in just a year or two of time. Netflix is supposedly gobbling up as much as 20% of worldwide Internet bandwidth during certain times of day. Give Internet bandwidth a reasonable boost in capacity and speed. Then watch Netflix and Hulu Plus emplode some movie theater chains. Then watch the movie industry itself implode as it tries to survive in a home video only business model. Impossible.
It's actually laughable to see how these executives are sealing their fate. That's because it is so very predictable. They just don't get it and will not be made to get it. It's all about the movie-going experience. Hire the people you need to make the experience as good as possible. Just like in a high quality restaurant. If they're not willing to spend a little extra to do that they should just go sell insurance or do some other paper shuffling work for a living instead. But no, they're going to stand their ground and do their best to kill off the movie business.
Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 12-09-2010, 12:28 AM:
Her daughter is only 19, so I don't think it would be for a GM spot. I told her that the average pay for a "projectionist" is only about $8.50/hr, but she insisted that her daughter is making $12.50/hr and she knows cause she sees the paychecks. As for being bumped up to $15/hr, that could just be the her supervisor "blowing smoke" up her arse. The mom even kept using that term "film crew", which at the time even sounded odd to me until it was used in this thread.
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-09-2010, 12:51 AM:
Maybe her daughter is misinforming her mother about her wage so mommy won't complain about her having that job or some similar reason. I'm sure AMC wages vary around the country, but I don't think they vary that much! I can see maybe NYC getting paid that much, but everywhere else they eliminate positions that pay that much unless you're a salaried manager.
Posted by Chase Pickett (Member # 5975) on 12-09-2010, 02:28 AM:
A fellow I work with has been in the booth for 10 years and he doesn't make that kind of money. He makes $9... My only explanation is she must be hot.
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-09-2010, 03:54 AM:
Wow. 9 bucks for 10 years worth of work - hope he has another job to compensate the income and is using the projection job as a hobby of sorts.
quote: Mike Blakesley
"Cast Members" -- didn't Disney start that?
That's what I was wondering...another 'copycat' term to mirror a successful type of operation?
quote: Brendan Penny
Suck their soul. After about 10 years employee wakes up and moves on. Enter next sucker. Cycle continues.
Course, when you think of it, why do some occupation starts out at minimun wage? to keep the cycle moving just like candy in the concession stand when you rotate stock.
Why businesses love the old $5.15/hr wage cuz it keeps that cycle moving quite readilly with employees leaving for better pastures and it allows greater headroom for pay increases without raising prices. Now, with this idiotic $7.25/hr stuff, the cycle is much slower and you can almost kiss any form of payroll increase goodbye unless price raising goes into effect which will kill the overall income due to reduction of sales due to the higher cost.
Somebody really fubared this up real good without thinking things through real well. ..
-Monte
Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 12-09-2010, 04:16 AM:
I was watching some Opie and Anthony videos on You Tube where they were discussing deaths at Disney World and Disney Land and a former "Cast Member" called the show telling his stories. His role was that of "Mono Rail Pilot."
Yes, Anthony inquired why was someone who basically stopped and started a vehicle on tracks was called a "pilot."
"Cast Member" was used by Disney, but I'm not sure if these were the title of the ones who operated the rides or all the crew members who were not stuffed in Goofy or Winnie the Pooh suits (the later being called by some other title).
Speaking of manager hours, was it not unusual for a manager to be at the theater from open - and before open - til the closing deposit was made - 6 days a week with a relief manager working that 7th day? The larger venues having assistant managers, while the smaller ones that operated evenings only just the one manager?
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 12-09-2010, 06:49 AM:
Umm...wow.... I've heard some crazy euphamistic job titles, but "monorail pilot" takes the cake. And "cast member" and "film crew" aren't far behind. Does anyone genuinely believe that there is any benefit to this practice, or is it just done by someone who is trying to justify the existence of his job?
What was so wrong with job titles like "cashier" and "usher" (and--God forbid--"projectionist") that actually describe the job functions?
A related pet peeve of mine is job titles like "Accountant I" and "Accountant II" (etc.). In some companies, the "I" version is higher; in others, the "II" version is. ![[Mad]](mad.gif)
Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 12-09-2010, 08:14 AM:
Let's face it, most of the big chains do not treat their employees well. I worked for Cinema World back in the mid-nineties which then became Carmike Cinemas when they were bought out. Both of these companies were absolutely lousy in their investments (or lack thereof) in equipment, and their pay scales. The building was falling apart, they had four different types of ancient projectors and platters in the booth that were being held together with Scotch tape, and they only cared about their bottom line. Any request for parts was denied and I often spent evenings spinning a platter manually because the switches would break.
After that I went to Cinemark and I can't really say anything too bad about them. The pay was not great, the uniforms were hokey (plastic neon bow ties and suspenders ) and my title was Usher-B (for booth), but overall they were okay. They had plenty of managers on staff every shift, the buildings were well kept and the booth equipment was new and up to date.
I have never worked at Regal but it sounds like that is a good thing. I have to echo what Joe said about Regal. I have a projectionist friend who has worked for several Regal locations and I have heard some stories. They sound like they are not a good company to work for. ![[thumbsdown]](graemlins/thumbsdown.gif)
Posted by Brian Guckian (Member # 1678) on 12-09-2010, 08:49 AM:
Public domain information regarding the financial performance of Regal Entertainment Group:
Regal Entertainment Q3 Profit - RTT News
quote:
10/28/2010 6:08 PM ET (RTTNews) - Regal Entertainment Group (RGC: News ) reported third-quarter net income of $0.28 per share compared to a loss of $0.01 per share prior year.
Net income attributable to controlling interest in the third quarter of 2010, which included a $31.4 million after-tax gain on the sale of National CineMedia common stock and a $2.5 million after-tax loss on debt extinguishment, was $42.6 million compared to a loss of $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2009.
The company recorded an increase in revenues, higher operating expenses for the quarter, compared to last year.
Total revenues increased to $696.4 million from $673.5 million last year. Adjusted earnings per share increased to $0.07 from $0.05 prior year. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit of $0.08 per share on revenue of $711.03 million for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
Regal's Board declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per Class A and Class B common share, payable on December 17, 2010, to stockholders of record on December 8, 2010. The company intends to pay a regular quarterly dividend for the foreseeable future at the discretion of the Board.
by RTT Staff Writer
Looking at this in detail, it would appear that the company had net income of $ 42.6 million on revenues of $ 696.4 million, for the third quarter of 2010.
This would seem to broadly indicate, and please correct me if I'm wrong, a profit margin of about 6%. Of course the Balance Sheet is another matter, in terms of debt burden, etc.
These kinds of figures - if interpreted correctly - seem to support the idea that the business model for cinema today is unviable, and for example ticket prices and / or average occupancies are actually too low.
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-09-2010, 01:47 PM:
I bet that REG's CineMedia is doing bang business with the ads that they run .. all national ads that one mainly sees on TV.
This misc. revenue is what a lot of cinema owners rely on for extra income to buffer out the bad times in operations.
-Monte
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-09-2010, 03:08 PM:
quote: Scott Norwood
What was so wrong with job titles like "cashier" and "usher" (and--God forbid--"projectionist")
SHHHHHHHhhhhhh!!!!!!! Don't say the "p" word! If you do, they'll all unionize! That word... PURE EVIL!
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-09-2010, 04:33 PM:
Yea, organized labor....Das ist streng verboten!!
quote: Joshua Waaland
I have a projectionist friend who has worked for several Regal locations and I have heard some stories. They sound like they are not a good company to work for.
I heard of the basic kind of stories as well. Yet, I think it all comes down to a personal attitude that one person has - on that person didn't get his way or didn't like how he was treated and wants attention on these results by downgrading that certain company-whether it be REG or any other company.
But, for what I've witnessed, at least in this area, REG is a pretty fair and solid company to work for.
-Monte
Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 12-12-2010, 05:02 PM:
quote: Monte L Fullmer
I bet that REG's CineMedia is doing bang business with the ads that they run .. all national ads that one mainly sees on TV. This misc. revenue is what a lot of cinema owners rely on for extra income to buffer out the bad times in operations.
...Because of customers who have quit coming because of the ads. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-12-2010, 11:30 PM:
quote: Jesse Skeen
customers who have quit coming because of the ads
Oh, dunno about that since the ads are shown during intermission and not when the show begins at the majority of their locations. Thus, the patrons coming in and those who are waiting, are usually in conversation with their accompanying friends and families (or, mainly bliping on their cellphone in text or games ..), can ignore what is on the screen during the pre-show time.
It prob depend from the product that "Hollyrock" has been releasing. This last bunch of silly "boy/girl" and the "buddy wannabes" comedies have been rather strained to watch since the main story is getting rather played out, and the personalities of the actors/actresses in these flicks have been rather obvious and drawn out as well.
The originality and personal charm has long been vacant in a lot of these releases lately. It's simply not the same like it was a generation ago.
-Monte
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