This is topic Working Holidays/4th of July in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 07-04-2000, 10:10 PM:
As I sit here on the 4th of July, bemoaning my very existence and wishing I were at a fireworks display with a jumpy girl who would cling to me after each explosion... Whoops, get back to the subject.
I have always worked for large chains in competitive markets. We only canceled one show each year. We don't run the last show on Christmas Eve. Do any of you cancel more than this?
I was thinking of no last show on July 4th, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve. I also think it would be cool if we could leave the theatre dark for one day around the holidays, perhaps a Monday in early December. What are your thoughts?
On another related subject. Does anyone pay his or her staff time and a half for holidays? I want to, but I haven't run the numbers yet or decided which holidays. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions?
I worked all those holidays as a staff member and groused that management didn't pay extra. Now I'm the guy and I am still wrestling the same question.
Two members of my staff didn't show up this evening. But because the attendance declined, they weren't really missed.
Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 07-04-2000, 11:39 PM:
The 4th of July!Total Attendance = 388
Attendance After Dark = 41
Posted by Kenn Fong (Member # 118) on 07-05-2000, 12:02 AM:
Ian, I think you should pay time and a half if for no other reason than to thank anyone loyal enough to show up instead of calling with some some lame excuse.Otherwise you risk burning out your loyal staff -- who are probably underpaid considering what they could get at other retail outlets or online businesses -- and engendering bitterness.
I wouldn't be working in a movie house at my age except for the fact that I love movies and write them... I was offered twice what I'm getting to work in retail.
kenn
Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 07-05-2000, 12:08 AM:
We cancel our 7:00's and 9:00's on Christmas Eve every year. We also cancelled our 9:00's on December 31, 1999, because we couldn't get a staff that wanted to work when the Y2K hit. Most wanted to be out drinking than being afraid of the computers crashing. As to a dark day in early December, how about a dark week! Imagine the maintence I could get done in the booth without rushing to get everything back together by noon. I do most of my work in the mornings. An old manager told me that back in the 1920's and 30's being down a week in November or December was common place for building and machine maintenance. Anybody know if thats true? About time-and-a-half, we never get it and I was told the reasoning is that we are considered seasonal employment and exempt from overtime wages. Anybody know if thats true?
Posted by Tom Ferreira (Member # 70) on 07-05-2000, 08:40 AM:
That 'seasonal employment' thing sounds like bull to me for a business operating year round. Check with a Pennsylvania labor board. The laws are different in every state, but I would still think you'd have to get time and a half over forty hours.
Posted by Lance C. McFetridge (Member # 95) on 07-06-2000, 01:46 PM:
We never play evening shows on Christmas Eve, or matinee shows on Chrismas day, But our evening shows on Christmas are usually well attended. When my staff is working on holidays, I am sure to rotate them so no one works every holiday, and for those that do work, always find either lunch or dinner delivered to the theatre right after the first round goes off. But I think they finally figured out who was sending it. 
lance
Posted by Richard C. Wolfe (Member # 431) on 07-06-2000, 10:58 PM:
In Pennsylvania theatres are exempt from paying overtime!
Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 12-22-2002, 10:57 AM:
There are many states that are exempt from paying overtime in the 'entertainment industry'. This translates down to movie theatres, amusement parks and other venues.
I can't agree with it, but it's the way it is. I recall not long ago UA got socked with a state or federal judgement aginst them for failing to pay overtime to a theatre employee. I don't recll the specifics of the ruling, but I do recall reading it in the local paper andthinking what if it happened to us here....??
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 12-27-2002, 02:41 PM:
Talk about a working holiday: Fox is giving you a double shot for New Year's Day.
Antwone Fisher goes national on 1/1 from its "Oscar Bait" opening at Xmas. Just Married has a sneak preview on New Year's Night.
Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 12-27-2002, 03:48 PM:
Due to the underperforming of "Antwone Fisher," Fox is greatly scaling back it's rollout of the movie. For instance, all Kansas City market playdates for 1/1 were pulled.
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-27-2002, 11:07 PM:
Seems like I used to work every holiday under the sun when I worked in TV. Since becomming a film technician I have had most holidays off, with only an occasional emergency call thrown in to remind me of the good ole days.
Mark
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 12-28-2002, 09:05 AM:
Mike S: Thanks for correcting me. Fox has moved the national break of Antwone Fisher back to 1/10.
Oh, well, a quiet New Year's Day . . . then About Schmidt (possibly Chicago, too) on 1/3 and a pile-up on 1/10.
Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 12-28-2002, 02:51 PM:
This year I worked the 4th of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Presidents Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, went in Christmas Day but got sent home by the other manager due to snow (I had a longer drive), I'm working New Years Eve, and New Years Day. There are probably more but I can't think of them. I think I figured out pretty much every holiday except Christmas Eve. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Don't you love this industry!