This is topic Hired at Regal Sacramento- should I take it? in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 08-30-2000, 12:12 AM:
I've been working at a 6-plex in Davis for nine years now, having started out on floor staff and have been a projectionist since late 1992. During that time I've gotten full experience with booth operation and can run and make up films at least as well as any union operator; in fact sometimes I've been known to be more picky than some union people. I could use a little more technical experience but that's mostly due to the union people there keeping everything in shape. I'm sure I could do more if I HAD to though.
While they've treated me pretty well there, I've been itching to move on to someplace bigger so I applied at the Regal Natomas 16 theater in Sacramento which opened a year ago. While I know the company is in trouble, this theater has been doing rather well- it's the only theater in its area so it gets almost every film that comes out. I figure the worst that could happen would that they'd sell it to someone else, it's certainly not going to close anytime soon.
I'm going to be in charge of the projection booth full-time there (if I take the job), right now the most experienced person they've got up there is a kid who can only work 20 hours a week because he's going to school; I was impressed with his knowledge and attitude and certainly has a decent amount of experience, but the rest of the people they have running the booth I hear haven't been that great, and they can certainly use me.
The bad news is that they've offered me $7.75 an hour as a starting wage, with no benefits. This is only 50 cents more than what I make at my current job running less than half as many screens with not nearly as much responsibility. The union projectionist I work with says they should pay me at least $12 an hour, I don't know what they pay the rest of their people. I really do want to work at Regal but I will have to drive a few miles to get there and I was planning to move closer if the job works out- both of those cost money obviously.
I have until next week to decide whether to take this new job or stay where I am; right now my plan is to accept their starting wage but let them know that I'm going to have to be paid more after I've been there a few months and they're happy with the job I'm doing. Does anyone here think this will work, or should I ask for more up front, or stay away altogether? I hate to sound greedy, but I do need to make at least enough to live on and to make relocating worthwhile.
Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 08-30-2000, 01:25 AM:
You never want to pass up a good thing. However you have to wonder if this is a good thing. For the Sacramento area (which I am from) you would not be doing well on 7.75 an hour. Absolutely insist on a higher wage, and inquire about when benefits would be available. If you are a full time employee you should generally be qualified within 3 to 6 months for whatever company benefits that are available.I have been long involved in the process of negotiations for higher wages. It really all depends on how you approach the request. Never take anything at face value.
You have to believe in yourself. If they see an ounce of weakness they will eat you alive and you will never see any dramatic increases in pay.
Regal is in trouble, and they are holding on to thier assetts, cash and whatever they have. That wage may be all they have to offer. And with bankruptcy looming for them, they may not be able to increase wages for sometime.
So my advice is to tell them that you would love to take the job, but you would feel more comfortable with a higher wage compensurate for the job, and some outline of when you qualify for benefits. This strategy does not say you wont take the job for the wage they offer, but lets them know that you would be more loyal if they reciprocated that loyalty with cash and incentives.
And now back to bed. Good luck.
Dave
Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 08-30-2000, 01:46 AM:
DEFINITELY TAKE IT.Being able to say "I ran a 20-Plex" looks good to ANYBODY as far as theatre work goes. And besides - the new equipment will amaze you for at least three months. The Holiday has some nice equipment, but I'm sure you'll love all the stuff Regal has.
Give it a shot - the worst that can happen is you'll want to come back to Signature -- and what're they gonna do? Turn down an experienced projectionist? I DON'T THINK SO.
Better still - move to Sebastopol - work for us. :-)
(Wait - I should check with our Tech before offering jobs...)
------------------
Scott D. Neff
----------------
www.cinema-west.com
Posted by Dave Cutler (Member # 515) on 08-30-2000, 10:22 AM:
Jesse, first of all make sure you know exactly what you are getting into. Running a 16-plex is not an easy thing to do, I know I run a 24-plex. There is a lot on maintenance, repair and just keeping staffed properly can be a pain (unless you have a great staff). Ask for more money upfront, it's a hard job and you should get atleast 10 an hour. I don't make that much running this 24-plex, and it just means that I will always be looking for something better. It wouldn't take that much more for another theatre to lure me away.If they can't give you more money then you have to decide if it's something you really want to do. That's really the only reason I stay at my 24-plex. I love it, I love the work. Not being in charge, but working with the staff, and equiptment is fun for me. Running a Multi-plex or Mega-plex booth is definately an experience that I am glad to have had, but now that I have been doing it over a year I know how much work it takes. It's a fun jub, but it is also hard at times, and theatre's need to realise that it is, and pay appropriately.
Ask what a starting Manager at Regel makes, because that is what you should be. A Booth Manager, because that is the type of roll you will be filling.
Not trying to scare you away, just letting you know that it's not an easy job. It sounds like a great opportunity that could be a great experience.
Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 08-30-2000, 12:51 PM:
Thanks guys, I didn't expect this many replies already! I think I will take it but I will tell them that I won't be able to stay long if they don't increase my wage later.
Does anyone on this forum work for other Regal theaters and can say what they are paid for similar work? I don't even know what they're paying the other people at this theater now; that's another thing I'm going to find out before I definitely say yes.
And yes, I think I am up to running 16 screens, since at this point I can almost do 6 with my eyes closed! I certainly can't do any worse than the people they've got now!
Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 08-30-2000, 01:21 PM:
Annother thing to look for is, Does Regal pay Time + 1/2 for over time or just straight time for hours worked over 40hrs a week, In a larger theatre, particularly one where this alot of work to be done, there are plenty of hours to go around.
Posted by Daryl Lund (Member # 356) on 08-30-2000, 09:51 PM:
Go to school and get your realastate lisence. then you can be your own boss and as much as you put into it.
Posted by Kevin Crawford (Member # 469) on 08-31-2000, 01:52 AM:
Jesse, I would be wary of Regal. Steve talked to a former tech of theirs. He now works for Xetron. They did not pay him a lot, and only gave him 8 cents a mile for gas, no wear and tear on the car. Does not sound like a company that looks after their employees. From what I heard from the ASC tech that did the install there, they only have 1 tech for all of California. So you will be on your own. Steve and I would help you through stuff on the phone, but the Union does not want us doing work for them. So you would probably be on your own.Besides, I have seen the equipment. All Strong. Including the platters. You will soon wish for the joy of the AW3s in Davis.
But should you change your mind, Julie would probably hire you back. But I doubt there would be extra money in it for you if you came back.
By the way, this probably would not have come up had you not passed up the opportunity to work for the Union. You could probably be at the Crest now.
Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 08-31-2000, 07:33 PM:
I think that you should probably think about it. I moved to FL from WI and needed a job that paid at least 10 bucks an hour. I looked everywhere, and descided to put an app in at regal as a back up. I wanted to be a projectionist but since there are no projectionist, only managers, i was hired as a manager. I trained at a 20 plex, and now work at an 18 plex. As for the equipment, its ok. We do have some strong platters which is a definate plus, (don't like christie or nuemades at all). I don't really get paid enough for the work I put in (like today, i worked the morning shift. I had to build 4 and a half prints, break down two, and thread 36 movies - i got some help thank God), and its barely enough to live on (kinda going into debt in fact) but its a job none the less. I'm getting management experience though. There's pluses and negatives of any job. Just weigh them and descide accordingly.
Posted by Joshua Lott (Member # 240) on 09-01-2000, 01:35 AM:
8 Cents? It is actually a lot more then that. I know because I have been paid it. Regal has been a really good company to work for. I do enjoy working for them. Yes I only work at the theatre level but I don't hear to many complaints from tech's or other managers.I know people have personal grudges or just don't like certain chains for one reason or another, but unless you personally see something or know about it your self please don't post it like the truth. Just so you know there are a lot of people with in Regal Cinemas that come to this site, but they do not post any thing because Regal is really strict as to "representing" the company.
I am by no way representing any one other then my self.
Posted by Kevin Crawford (Member # 469) on 09-01-2000, 02:29 AM:
I am sorry if what I said was interpreted as truth. It is only what I have heard. However, it should be noted that the gentleman did not like Regal enough to leave and go to work for someone else.
All I am saying is that Jesse should go and talk to some of the employees that work there and see how they like it. I would not talk to managers, as they tend to be more biased.
Posted by Joshua Lott (Member # 240) on 09-02-2000, 04:08 PM:
Kevin,I totally agree that he should go and talk to employees at the theatre. Each theatre operates a little different from the next. Not just theatre chains, but theatres with in a chain.
A person should always research were they are trying to get a job. This should include the people he/she is going to work with and for, the type of rules and regulations, and the ability to move up in the company and make more money.
Posted by Kevin Crawford (Member # 469) on 09-04-2000, 11:59 PM:
Jesse, I heard from Julie today that you took the job. Good luck. Steve and I will miss you, even though you are a little on the picky side.
Kevin
Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 09-05-2000, 06:00 PM:
Well, it looks like I'll get plenty of raises after I've been there awhile and done a good job, so I'm willing to take what they give me right now just to prove to them that I'm worth it.
I just spent the last 2 days learning how to run their booth, I love it already! Yes, the platters aren't as good as the Christies but they say they've never had problems with them (I'll just wait and see about that for myself) but going from 6 screens to 16! It took me a day just to figure out the layout of the booth; it took a while to get one show started just because I couldn't FIND the screen it was on! I felt like that scene in "Spinal Tap" where they take forever to get onstage because they can't find the way out
What amazes me about this place though is they make up their prints with CLEAR splicing tape; not zebra-striped, and they don't have problems finding it while tearing-down. I'd still rather use the Zebra tape since it doesn't show onscreen if you have it lined up right, but I'll compare the two and see how they affect Dolby Digital dropping out.
Does anyone know WHY the heck Regal wants the green tags at the beginning of previews cut off though? It looks really amatuerish, the beginning of some of the soundtracks gets lost on a few of them too when they do this.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-05-2000, 06:12 PM:
How many booths are there? Hopefully only one or two...
Earlier this year, I had the odd experience of going from a single-screen with changeovers to a 10-plex with platters and autiomation...the biggest difference for me wasn't the job itself but the "rhythm" of how the theatre operates. I have a preference for singles, but the multiplex was definitely "interesting" to say the least.
Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 09-06-2000, 02:22 PM:
Everything's in one booth; 11 are on one side then there's a bit of space between where the other 5 are. Brenden has a 16-screener in Vacaville that has 2 booths; 8 on one side and 8 on the other, sounds like a real pain especially if they have stuff starting at the same time on both sides. In Davis we used to have to run a single-screen theater a block away at the same time we were running the 6-plex, that was a lot of fun but they closed it last year when they opened a new 5-screener in town which they have a seperate projectionist running.
One bad thing about this many screens is that there's little time to actually look at the movies; I like to at least be watching when the last preview ends and the beginning of the movie comes on, but with 16 screens there's not always going to be time to do that.
Posted by Zach McQuaid (Member # 613) on 09-14-2000, 03:18 PM:
In defense of Theatre Chains all over, and especially C---m--- and R----: You can tell a good theatre chain if it's policy is to cut off the dumb greenband.
Bankruptcy means Jack Squat. I heard Carmike "went under". So? Does that mean they no longer exhibit films? Or did they just throw away 2,000 some-odd screens?
Both C---m--- and R---- treat their employees very well. That's one reason they do so well. If any employee of those theatres doesn't like where they work, I would like to hear of your bad experiences.
Furthermore...for those of you STARTING out in the booth ...don't EXPECT no rediculous $10-12/hr wage unless you're in the IATSE.
Posted by Kevin Crawford (Member # 469) on 09-21-2000, 05:00 PM:
Point of order.Jesse is not starting out in the booth. He has been working in the booth for several years. He is a very good projectionist.
Regardless of whether someone is represented by the IATSE or not, they should be paid a living wage if they are good at what they do and it makes the company more money.
Posted by Joel Pantoja (Member # 1045) on 12-10-2001, 04:40 PM:
I know this is an old thread but I was wondering if Jesse is still working at the Regal theater and if it is still as great as he once thought. I have worked in theaters from singles up to 25 plexes and am currently working part-time in a four plex. Personally I like the four plex the best. Just enough to keep me busy although I do miss the high tech equipment at the megaplex.
Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 12-10-2001, 07:17 PM:
Ha ha, I got a great laugh when I saw this up at the top today! No, I'm not working there anymore, look up a post circa July 20th and you'll find out why- I'll try to put the story here later but don't have time right now (I'm at my NEW job right now!)
Basically the people in charge of this theater wanted the most mediocre presentation possible, and I was just ruining that for them, so I voluntarily left.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-10-2001, 07:53 PM:
When I had my short stint with Regal, I was told by the West Coast district manager himself that if I held a union card, I could not work for Regal. PERIOD.
Posted by Gerard S. Cohen (Member # 994) on 12-11-2001, 08:15 PM:
When I read of Jesse's being offered $7.75 per hour for running
SIXTEEN auditoriums, which is probably less than the cost of A SINGLE
MOVIE TICKET, and in California, to boot, which is no Lower Slobovia
and by no means our poorest state, I really felt depressed. Even
working a single screen cinema,, my lowest salary ever was $16 per hour.
Now we all know why workers form unions! The most I ever ran at
once was a 14-plex at $34 per hour, union straight salary, at a Redstone theatre. I worked many one-week vacations for the four IATSE
projectionists there, great guys who themselves invented and installed
booth improvements, and were well worth their salaries. Not to speak
of union working hours, vacations, sick days, overtime, collective bargaining, seniority rights to move up, grievance machinery, and PENSIONS!
Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 12-11-2001, 08:55 PM:
That was just my starting wages, I eventually got a decent raise and benefits, I had no complaints in that area. My main objection was being forced to have the automation set the masking to flat in between every show so the slides could be shown on "the biggest possible screen" (my response is if it's big enough to show the movie, then it's big enough to show the slides, period) and switching the lens turrets to flat as well so the large anamorphic lenses wouldn't bang into the side of the projectors when the turret is opened, even though I looked at these and found this to only be a problem on 2 of the 16 projectors, and even then a better solution would have been to install foam padding rather than unnecessarily change the lens to flat and back every time.
I enjoyed working there and I do miss it, but with that degree of idiocy going on, I was getting physically ill. I wrote one nice letter to the district manager explaining my objections to this "policy", which was promptly ignored (I never heard a single word back from him about it). I eventually found another job and that was that.
This theater is still in better shape now than it was before I came there though, I fixed several sound problems that somehow NOBODY had noticed even though the place had been open for a year- one auditorium had the amps set to mix the left-front and center channels together! The optics in the slide projectors were very dirty too resulting in the corners to be completely unreadable; after I started there I cleaned them regularly, so nobody can accuse me of not caring about the slides!
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-11-2001, 10:34 PM:
Jesse, I wish you the best of luck with Regal.
Posted by Mike Judge (Member # 558) on 12-13-2001, 04:25 AM:
Jesse, Story of my life! Well, wait, up until about three weeks ago. Woohoo! I went through everything you did; Regalitis. I've moved on to a much nicer facility recently and am much more happy.
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 12-13-2001, 10:14 PM:
Paul wrote: "When I had my short stint with Regal, I was told by the West Coast district manager himself that if I held a union card, I could not work for Regal. PERIOD."Isn't that illegal? Or was he saying it like ".. (not that I will ever admit to it), but if you held a union card... " etc.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-13-2001, 11:36 PM:
John, I thought it was illegal also. However, I didn't have the resources to pursue any legal action.
Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 12-14-2001, 02:58 PM:
Here's a link (scroll down to 334-41) to a June 2001 NLRB decision
regarding Regal and their decision to unilaterally convert existing
projectionist positions under contract to IA Locals 125, 364, and 370
to manager/operator positions (Regal is the Respondant):newsgroup alt.union.iatse
http://www.nlrb.gov/slip334.html
Of course the ruling only covers these specific bargaining agreements
but one could refer to this ruling if one must mount a challenge to
Regal in another location.
Cheers!
Paul
Mercenary film/video projectionist/engineer
On the road somewhere in northern New Mexico
"Otaku wa tsurai yo!" It's tough being a fan!
Posted by Jerry Chase (Member # 660) on 12-14-2001, 03:52 PM:
Paul, didn't Regal ignore that?
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-15-2001, 01:54 AM:
Jerry, I know you are addressing Paul Mayer's post, but I have also read the link you provided for us in this tread.If I recall correctly, Regal did not comply. I have not heard anything more about since then. Maybe Paul Mayer did.
If I would have had the financial resources at the time the district manager told me what he did, I probably would have challenged his statement. But as of today, I am outside the statue of limitations.
Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 12-15-2001, 03:37 AM:
I too haven't heard anything. Didn't know that Regal ignored the ruling, but it doesn't surprise me that they did. They're just playing by today's rules, i.e. when an administrative law decision doesn't go your way, ignore it. The Feds won't do anything--administrative law judges cannot issue contempt citations. Force your opposition to sue for enforcement--make 'em spend some money. If they can't afford to do that, you win. Gosh I love how business gets done these days! 
Paul
Vyizderzomanimororzizazzizzanzerizorzez?
Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 12-18-2001, 09:40 AM:
Well, I used to work for regal myself until i could no longer afford it. To be honest you can make some descent money if you hang in there long enough. The problem is that you wont be making the money until you become a GM... so you have to think about the path you want to take. Right now im a GM for a different company, and to be honest, I'd rather be back making crap pay and be the projectionist. I'm one that likes a booth to be perfect, and with all my other responsibilities and with school full time its really hard to keep everything clean and running well. Plus the fact that I feel like im babysitting the employees half the time... uggg. Oh well, I have a few more years left and i'll be out of school and ready to jump into the computer field... Good luck!