A projectionist friend touring Australia sent me this postcard saying, ‘You’ll be glad that your patrons only throw popcorn on the floor. Here they blow up the cinema if they don’t like the film!’

DRIVE-IN WARNING SIGN- COOBER PEDY, South Australia.
This was once shown on the screen twice each night at the Coober Pedy drive-in. Local miners who drove their work vehicles to the movies needed the reminder.

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Greg Mueller
Amateur Astronomer, Machinist, Filmnut
http://www.muellersatomics.com/
 

If someone was knowingly inside my theatre with a gun, I would call the police and have him removed from MY property. In fact, I have done it before. That is my right, since it is private property. If I don't have a state law to back it up, I still have right to do what I want on my own property, right?
 

The signs must be at every entrance and exit into and out of the theater and they are MASSIVELY HUGE. They must carry the entire section of the law code on concealed firearms and the lettering must be a minimum of 1 inch tall letters on 100% contrasting background (white letters on black, or black letters on white). This makes for a ludicrously huge sign, almost the size of a movie poster. I've yet to see a place of business actually post the real signs.

Schools, bars, government buildings and such are automatically excluded from having to post the notation, but anyone else (including any theater) must post the real thing or it's not valid. Also if even just one single entrance into the building (rooftops excluded) does not have the sign prominently displayed (even if it is an employee entrance in the back or an "exit only" door), then the theater does not have the right to evict someone for carrying a gun.

Since UA is still using these signs and no manager for UA I've met realizes the actual law on this, I think it's safe to assume there has not been an instance of where a manger tried to evict a patron who was packing. Of course the first time someone gets evicted for carrying a gun (assuming the guy has a license), there is bound to be an interesting lawsuit. It's kind of along the same lines as a manager firing an employee the day after the employee refuses to have sex with the manager. Can't do it.

Proposed new law...
Require criminal background checks on all people wanting to buy box cutters.

I just love the assumption here. I live in Texas! Of course I know about guns!

1. Babies
2. Middle-school kids until they learn to siddown and shaddup
3. Cell phones
 

just kidding
 

Crazy isn't it?

By the way Jim, you have erased all of your info from your profile. Who are you hiding from?

Terrorists blow up pizza restaurants in Israel... Theatres, malls, schools, or anywhere else there is a large group of people, are justified in taking additional precautions... Preventing a terrorist attack is like preventing crime, you dont have to make your building impossible to hit, all you have to do it make it harder to hit than the one down the street.
 

Since you didn't take the hint earlier, please fill out your profile before you continue posting. Terrorists will not come and attack you solely on knowing what city and state you live in. You don't have to send in a picture (although most people I talk to take the guys here with pictures more seriously) or tell us specifically which theater you work at, but there is no specific personal information in the city and state you live in. We are not in Isreal. It's ok.

------------------

 

If I were rich, I would ban food. It's always a mess. However, I know I'd have to be rich, because usually the film alone doesn't pay for any kind of profit.
 

Ban typical Business Management graduates...they have proven that they just don't get to concept that a "show" is a valuable resourse that doesn't translate well to spread sheets so can't be quantified...

What typical Business Management graduates have proven is that they can drive cinemas (and other entertainment based businesses) to bankruptcy in mass.

Steve

PS...I will go on record that I disagree with JW's statement on operators...one per screen is ideal but they have to be the real kind that think they are actually being paid to work. This industry's most profitable years were with one operator per screen (or more actually).

------------------
"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

As far as one usher per auditorium, I don't think it's absolutely necessary, but I guess it would be a good idea.
 

Gerard, the secret to preventing those gunfights between gangs is for Hollywood to stop making those crappy "violent exploitation movies" that do nothing than to get the audience all fired up.

Steve, do you honestly believe that this industry had more profitable years solely because there was one projectionist working each screen? Have you forgotten about videotapes, satellite, DVDs and the basic fact that Hollywood can't seem to make a decent movie lately? Quantity of projectionists in relation to profits on a movie is absurd. One GOOD operator can run an automated multiplex by himself just fine without sacrificing presentation standards. Having two operators is extra icing.

You seem to think I am paranoid about a terrorist attack at my theatre.. You know what, you are partly right.. Do you know why I am concerned? Quite simply because it has already happended at my theatre, in August of 1999.

Terrorists, whether they are targeting a crowded pizza restaurant in Israel, or the London subways, pick a target for, typically, one of three (or sometimes a combination of the three) reasons: symbolic impact, disruptive capablility and potential body count. The WTC achieved all three.

Why hit a theatre? Simple. There is a large quantity of people, in a single room, and a successful attack would scare the American people away from social gatherings. Don't believe me? Compare how many people are flying now compared to before 9/11.

Now, can you totally prevent an attack? No. Something as small as a fragmentation grenade can kill dozens of people. However, the inablility to obtain 100% protection does not, in any way, excuse ignoring the problem. Had there been more dedication to airport security, perhaps the attack on 9/11 would have been prevented.

On a personal note, my removing my location has nothing to do with a fear that Osama will come after me.. My reasons for removing it were personal, and, frankly, I have to wonder why you care so much.. But since you do, I put it back. I would hate for you to loose sleep.
 

In reference to 9/11, it appears the only reason a 4th target wasn't hit was because a few members of the public decided to count on themselves. As it has to happen sometimes, public safety was defended by the public.

------------------
"Asleep at the switch? I wasn't asleep, I was drunk!" - Homer Simpson
 

The history of projectionists began with itinerant showmen followed
by "the Professor" with his magic lantern or stereopticon, then motion
picture projector. But always the patrons had the secure, comforting
feeling that someone of intelligence and authority was in charge.
This responsibility was recognized by civil legislatures; hence
the questions on the NYC exam.

I think it is unconscionable to profit by the congregation of large numbers of the public and then to deny responsibility for their
safety. The projectionist controls the lights and sound, and can
raise the auditorium lights and stop the show to permit the safe
evacuation of the house in case of fire, riot or other disaster.
Then the manager and his staff can use microphone, bullhorn or his voice,together with his ushers, to calm the patrons and lead them to safety.

I have had the experience of informing the manager and, in his temporary absence, the police and fire department of emergencies,
stopping the show and raising the lights to permit EMS workers to administer medical aid and to carry out heart-attack victims; I
also reported a man with a hunting knife threatening theatre doormen
and ushers, and one time two thieves.

Yes, Brad, I agree the nature of some films can attract gangs and
violent behavior. But the deployment of the theatre staff-- projectionist, manager, doormen, cashiers, ushers (and lets bring
back the Saturday morning "Matrons")--working as a team, with
practiced plans of coordinated response in case of emergencies,
can return to our theatres the moral responsibility we have to
the public who make our jobs and salaries possible.

 

No, I never claimed that one operator/screen is what made or broke this industry of anything. My claim is that taking away the "show" and the enterainment and turning it into it's most basic form...we are in business to charge as much as possible and give you, the customer, the least possible is what we are striving towards nowadays.

Entertainment can never survive long-term on that premise...sure the business has to make money to survive but the customer has feel they are getting value. Even Disney is finding that out at their theme parks...they charge more, give less...sooner or later people figure out the value isn't there. I do say that this industry did and could survive on one operator/screen. Best bang for the buck, probably not but, in my opinion, ideal. Increasing floor staff to properly monitor the theatres, you bet. Ya know, once upon a time you were the top if you were a Roxy usher. Now you can't find one. There is no money on the showmanship, the theatre experience...it is all on the concession stand. Now we have ads and slides. Slides that are often dimly lit and not even made to look like they are part of the show...just merely clicking away and thown up on the screen. Hey you want to run slides? No problem...do it right though...Keep the grand drape closed on the main screen. For the slide pre-show...have your roll down screens drop down or slide curtains pull up and have slide screens sized and masked like they were ment to be there...it will make the ads even look better and sharper but make a show out of it. A customer should be entertained and enticed all the way from the newspaper ad to the theatre and left with a desire to return.

Steve

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"
 

To keep a "real" projectionist interested in his job, (I feel) the job must be at least a little interesting, and the operator paid a wage consistant with a career, not a low-level job. In the general New York City area (where I live), I think $40,000 a year is the *minimum*.

There is no way a 6-plex could afford six $40,000 operators. I do think many theaters are too cheap on employee pay, but $240,000? No way. Imagine a 24-plex. Even if there were one operator for every two screens that's almost a half millon dollars payroll. You thought ticket prices were high now!

Many years ago, New York did away with projectionist licensing. So if theaters are less safe (because less operators are allowed, and those are not tested), it was at the specific approval of the state government.

While it's true anything can happen at anytime, theaters are probably safer than when there was one operator who looked out the port once in a while. The only way an operator could help was bringing up the house lights, and that can be done from any panic switch. Better fire-proofing, smoke, heat and fire detectors hooked to panic lights. Theaters are smaller; If there's a gunfight, there will only be 200-400 people running for the exits. Of course, that's still bad news, but it's better than the 1200 to 2600 of old. Yes, you could put on more ushers to watch things, but ticket prices would go up. It's the same old story: People want low taxes but big fire departments- you can't have it both ways.
 

As far as those who have CWP's and carry a weapon, I do not support that ban. The people who have CWP's are not a danger, as they have had some form of stiff screening to qualify for the permit. The ones who carry a weapon without a CWP could be the real danger.

I do carry mine at times if my job suggests that I do. That happens mostly if I have to go out of town and perform some work in remote areas.

Since I am totally responsible for that weapon, it stays with me and not in the car if I elect to see a movie while I am out of town. I am certainly not willing to hand it over to some Ding-A-Ling theater manager who is off his rocker to begin with.

I don't know about some of the other states, but there are more people that are legally "packing heat" up here that you might want to know. And, check our status. People feel very safe up here as compared to other locations throughout the US.

more like....dont send in a picture and get a stupid one instead
 

Jim, you may not want to believe this, but there is no conspiracy against you. This was explained on page 2 of the thread "my picture" in the Yak forum 2 weeks ago, long before you voiced your opinion regarding a manager's absolute totalitarian power of everything in the theater including customer's rights in the state of either Kansas or Missouri (you failed to specify, and in this discussion that could mean a BIG difference). I don't have any beef with you regarding your feelings on customers and handguns, yet you seem to think that I do. The only beef I've got with you is your accusations that I suddenly went to all of the trouble to create you a sketch since you are unwilling to send in a picture and your smart ass comments in general. Lighten up, Jim. It's just a discussion of what management can and can not do per the law. I've never said you are incorrect in your statements regarding your particular state (because I do not have that knowledge and am assuming you are correct), but when you don't have a location in your profile to see where the comments are coming from...well, surely you're smart enough to figure it out from there.

Paul, what are Washington's laws regarding proper signage for entry into a private business that does not have the correct signs posted? Are they similar to the Texas laws that I mentioned earlier? Like I said, I only know the law as it pertains to concealed handguns in Texas. I'm sure every state differs. I'm also surprised our resident Link Master has not yet provided us with a link. (Just kidding John. )

This whole discussion, however, has become pointless.
 

Ask and ye shall receive:
Texas Weapons Law
http://www.haynesboone.com/leading/pistol.htm

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Two chlorine gas bombs were set off during the 7:00 round on Friday, Aug 20, 1999. The first one was placed in a trashcan at a "T" junction of tow hallways. When it went off it started a fire in the trashcan and quickly filled both hallways with smoke and chlorine gas. The second was placed next to the fixe exit in our largest auditorium, which was packed at the time. Luckily, that auditorium was evacuated before the device went off, or there would have been signifigant injuries. Since we had been previously warned of the possibility of such an attack, the staff was prepared to deal with it shoudl it occur. The theatre was evacuated with no injuries to customers, and only minor injuries (inhalation) to theatre staff.

Immediatly afterwards, the FBI and the Dept. of Labor sent invesitgators. The investigation, which has still not yielded a conviction, focuses on elements of the Chicago projection union, which was having a labor dispute with the company. This was not the first gas attack on one of our theatres, several were hit over a couple of months. However, since the FBI got involved after we were hit, the attacks did stop. This attack was also linked to the attempted murder of one of our managers in the Chicago area.
 

Private business can post a sign prohibiting CW's on the premisis if they so desire, but I never saw any. However, I have seen signs on county court houses, jails, etc.

I just spoke with the County Sheriff on this issue, and some places would provide a safe place to "check in" your weapon upon entering the premisis.

It was told to me that if a theater or any other private business posted a sign prohibiting CW's, they should at least have a facility to check in the weapon for safe keeping, but it is not required for them to provide that courtesy. (Besides, I would not trust them anyway). Basically, you would have three options:

1. Lock it up in your car. (which I would not do)
2. Go to another theater to watch a movie.
(I hate movies anyway, so why do I want to do that?)
3. Carry it in anyway. (but that is sleezy, and if you got caught, you could lose your permit).

It is also my understanding that if a private business does not allow CW's, it has to be posted in plain view.

I think you will find that almost 100% of the CWP holders would honor the posted signs.

The ones who do not hold a CWP probably will not honor the signs anyway. So, what's the difference? Why even post it? The ones who are intent on shooting someone are going to carry one in come hell or high water, and you are going to stop them with a sign or anything else short of a "BCS", and that might even fail.

There is one important thing I should add here to this post. If a friend knows that I am carrying a CW, and that friend tells me that a weapon like I might be carrying is not allowed on their property or in their house, I feel is is my moral obligation and responsibility to honor their request and keep it off their property and out of their home if I am invited in.

I don't carry a CW outside of Washington State. This state does not honor out-of-state CWP's, and we don't honor theirs.

In Washington, will any old "no handguns" sign be breaking the law, or is there a specific one. That's my question.
 

Here is the protocol the police departments I talked to would use for CW and businesses here in Washington State.

1. If there is a sign on the business establishment that states "No weapons allowed" and someone with a CW enter anyway, and the staff in that store or business saw that person had a pistol holstered or a handgun in a little old lady's bag, the business owner/manager would probably call the police. (so would I)
2. The police would respond, and would check to see if the person carrying the pistol has a valid a CWP on their person.
3. No permit, you are in trouble.
4. If the person has a CWP, the store owner/manager would have three options:

A. Let him or her continue to shop in the store (I would allow for this one)
B. Tell him/her to remove the weapon from the premisis, and come back and finish the shopping.
C. Tell that person to shop somewhere else.

5. The person carrying the weapon might have four options at this time:

A. Leave the business establishment and return without the weapon if requested to do so by the business owner or management.
B. Continue to shop if the business owner/manager allows him or her to do so.
C. Go shop somewhere else.
D. Refuse to leave.

If option "D" is selected by the person who has the weapon, then the police will have a couple of options and will probably use all of them.

A. Dis-arm the person.
B. Remove that person from the premisis.
C. Cite that person for trespassing.

Hope that answers Brad's question.

Paul

This was early 1999

Paul.
 

Thanks for checking. Very interesting indeed.

Several theatres got hit in 1999... From what I heard, one even got hit twice. Unfortunately, the one we had shut the building down for 6 hours and cost over $3000 just to get rid of the smell...
 

Battlefield Earth comes to mind....
 

Brad: The UA Union Square in NYC doesn't say anything about guns on its "no such-and-such" sign. I made a special point to look for that on my most recent visit.

quote:

---

5. The person carrying the weapon might have four options at this time:

A. Leave the business establishment and return without the weapon if requested to do so by the business owner or management.
B. Continue to shop if the business owner/manager allows him or her to do so.
C. Go shop somewhere else.
D. Refuse to leave.

---

E. Use it.
 

In Sudan an engineer of my aquintance was called to a remote desert location because "screen no speak no more"

After checking the exciter lamp and cell, amplifier etc he climbed a ladder leaning against the painted "ride in" screen to find several bullets lodged in the one speaker!! The cone was painted white and was fixed in a hole in the centre of the screen.