Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Best chains to work for. Mostly morale related.

This is topic Best chains to work for. Mostly morale related. in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Kevin Wale (Member # 1851) on 12-11-2003, 11:18 PM:

I'm curious to hear from our big chain employed forumers on what the morale is like in thier theatres.

Are there chains that have an overall good reputation as being a fun and positive environment to work in? Or chains that have a decided tendency to have ill tempered managers who throw hissy fits and could turn coal into a diamond?

I know Crown in Kansas had a reputation of being a supportive and positive company to work for if you were in management. They would send even assistant managers to trade shows and conferences. District managers were known on a first name basis and were accessable and took a mentorshiip role on.

Is Regal per say generally similar? Or does thier managment structure tend to be "it's all about me and how good I am" in mentality?

Sometimes we hear the negatives about the big companies that it makes you wonder why anyone would want to work for them at all. Yet many of them have really good people who enjoy working there.

I can see this one getting a bit heated so just try to be as unhateful as you can in your rants. LOL

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 12-11-2003, 11:45 PM:

Kevin,

I'm not sure what sort of responses you'll get with this thread, as many will be fearful to respond with their TRUE feelings for fear of retribution on behalf of their employer.

While I love my job, and the theatre business, I can't say that I have the same feeling for the company I work for. Morale, for the most part, is generated soley at the descretion of the on- site manager(s). For example, I have many employees whom have remained under my employ for upwards of 8 years. I routinely have staff stay through high school and college, until they enter the real world... OTOH, morale from our corporate office, is, for the most part, non-existent. Our company is very micro-managed due to, in my opinion, too many unqaulified managers out in the field. [Frown]

I won't delve any deeper, as you mentioned mainly morale. Dustin, what do you think? You pretty much read the same memos I do....

Posted by Travis Hubrig (Member # 1745) on 12-12-2003, 12:01 AM:

I agree with Jason, 100%.

For my company, it all depends on local management.
I like my job and the theatre I work at.
There are times I get frustrated with higher ups, and sometimes other managers. I know many who get thrown into a theatre with little or no training. I have experience with different District Managers and I think that makes a difference also.
Each of the District Managers I worked for had their own advantages and disadvantages.

Overall I am happy with my company and plan on staying in this industry for a long time.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-12-2003, 01:36 AM:

I have found that locally owned independent chains have a more relaxed atmosphere.

Posted by Adam Wilbert (Member # 1184) on 12-12-2003, 01:47 AM:

Paul,
That isn't always a good thing. Remember, "relaxed atmosphere" translates to "siezed intermittent due to lack of oil" or other such problems. Too laid back is bad. Being professional, accountable, and responsible can create a better work environment. Personally, I can't stand picking up the slack of someone who promotes a "relaxed atmosphere"

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-12-2003, 09:41 AM:

There is in my opinion a diifference between a relaxed atmosphere and an unproffesional one.
Many independents have terrific loyalty because there is no later on layer of bureocracy.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-12-2003, 10:18 AM:

I'm not afraid. I'm out of exhibition now anyway, so what the hell?

My Best Experiences:
Chakeres Theatres - Felt like a valued employee. Treated like family by the late Frazee brothers.
General Cinema - the old GCC, before ex-AMC people seized control (way before the AMC buyout).
Carmike - I was only contracted to service with these guys, but they treated me like gold.
Goodrich (service only) - Great people, all the way around.
Kerasotes (service only) - They ran hot and cold, I mostly have good memories of them, though.
GKC Theatres - same as above.

Worst (all service work) [flame on]:
National Amusements/Redstone - What a whiny bunch of self-important, overbearing, bureaucratic titty-twisters! They have nothing better to do with their days than think up new titles for themselves, to place a false prestige on their jobs.
Cinemark - 'We're important! We're in the movie business!' Please! How can you take any company seriously that believes CFS, Peavey, and Speco are top-of-the-line!? These dolts were so enamoured with being in the movie business that they wouldn't listen to reason. They insisted that I set up their equipment INCORRECTLY, just because their inexperienced head tech guy said so. Losers. The best thing about this outfit was the people that came with the Premiere Theatres acquisition Mike Campbell, Neal, Bobby, and the rest... later of Regal.
Hoyts - [edit] Died a merciful death, I suppose. (Am I getting paid this week, or never?)
AMC - Does ANYONE believe this outfit is good to work for?! Too paranoid for my taste. Always looking over your shoulder for a reason to fire you.
Loews - Can't show up for appointments. Tech service was an interupption to their day or something.
[flame off]

As with everything, of course, your mileage may vary.

[ 02-13-2004, 09:43 AM: Message edited by: Tim Reed ]

Posted by Emma Tomiak (Member # 1862) on 12-13-2003, 03:36 AM:

The GM at my theatre is great, and I love it there. I do think morale has a lot to do with your location and its environment.

Posted by Christopher Duvall (Member # 284) on 12-13-2003, 04:37 AM:

I have been with Regal for almost 9 years now and have almost nothing but good things to say...however, I have been in the good graces of some great people in the company. I can start on a propaganda type rant and try to steer you to Regal but that may not be fair to you in your area. You may be in an area that has bums for GM's and a worse DM. Then again you could be the right place as well with perfect managers. I have heard horror stories from ALL chains including ours and I have great things as well from all chains including ours. The best advise I can give is shop around and get to know the somebody at the different locations in town and see what suits you. Or you can come to Vegas and work for me at Regal here. I try to keep it fun but professional. I will also plug Dennis over at the Crown at Neonoplis. He is someone that gives a damn about the business as well. I will not talk about the other chain here...that usually leads to longs rants of profanity...

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 12-13-2003, 01:45 PM:

For my part, I enjoy working for Carmike. Our district manager is great, my current complex manager is great, the service tech Carmike contracts with (Dan Jorgenson) is great...not much to complain about.

That being said, I have heard plenty of negative things about Carmike, quite a few coming from the district just to the west of us (Montana). In the end I think I'd have to agree with Christopher, it all depends on local/district management.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 12-13-2003, 11:00 PM:

I have said a lot of things about companies that I have previously worked for. It is always the same thing "6 in one or a half dozen in the other". All of them are pretty much the same. It depends on what stage the company is in when you go to work for them.

I worked for Cobb Theatres for 5 years, I think Mr. Cobb (Bobby and his father) are great guys. I worked for Regal for 5 years, and I have the upmost respect for Mike Campbell. It is all the people underneath the head guys who mess everything up for us people in the field. When the companies start out - they are all 'independents', eventually they get bigger and more people are hired - and everyone becomes numbers.

My advice is to start out small - and work into a bigger company later. Maybe you will luck out and get in on the ground floor of the next big thing. Then when you get promoted, people can come on this forum and complain about you.

:-)

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-14-2003, 10:53 AM:

Btw, I've gotten a couple of private messages echoing my sentiments about Cinemark. Guess they haven't changed after all.

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 2038) on 12-16-2003, 02:19 PM:

Back in the 70s everything around here was Walter Reade (except for a couple small single-house indies) and they really weren't too bad to work for. The local managers dreaded visits by the brass. I hear they were brutal, but those old guys couldn't be bothered climbing way up into the sky to the booth so they left us alone. As long as our shows looked like they should have we never caught any grief from them.

Reade closed and Music Makers and GCC took some of the houses. Again, not bad as the visiting brass never climbed up to see us. They ran a tight ship but kept the terror to a minimum, as far as the local managers were concerned.

I work for a single-house indie now and the owner is the manager. We have our moments of course, but he is great to work for. Since we are so small, 11 employees total, we really are more like a family than most places. Dysfunctional perhaps, but still family.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 12-17-2003, 03:09 AM:

quote:
I have been with Regal for almost 9 years now and have almost nothing but good things to say...however... You may be in an area that has bums for GM's and a worse DM.

Good point, Chris.

Before our drive-in owners' association was established, I only knew of a very few of Regal's districts; all of them in the West. I can't speak at all for management, but these areas are a mixed bag as far as the level of service they give their infrastructure (read: how often they change the oil in their projectors, among other things). Some theatres seem to get very good service, while others can have screens down for some time before they get service.

The Eastern side of the country, from what I hear, seems somewhat more stable. In any case, I know of one senior tech that supervises a LOT of their theatres. They're on maintenance schedules, actually have a preventive plan, and there's an effort to teach the local operators enough about what's happening in the booth so they understand how much they can mess up a sound system when they get the urge to take a screwdriver to a CP65.

Even with a chain, it seems there's a lot to be said for where you're at, and how far it is from corporate headquarters.

In any case, I'm with Paul on this one... Per capita, Indies are best! [thumbsup]

...not that I'm biased or anything! [Big Grin]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-19-2003, 11:59 AM:

I've always only worked on Independent Chains and smaller mom and pop theatres and plan on keeping it that way. They easily excell at the exhibition end of things far better than the chains ever will, and these hard working people deserve good service!

Although I really like all my customers the nicest ones by far are up north in Idaho, Montana, and over in Wyoming and Colorado. We have a customer in Wyoming whose theatres would make Hollywoods finest look bad! I'm always treated like family where ever I go out here and I treat my customers the same way. I also had very nice customers over in western Wisconsin and my customers in Northern Indiana gave you the Hoosier treatment when ever you were doing work for them. Those Hoosiers don't seem to have a worry in the world!!

I'd have to add that in 22 years now of being in this buisness I've only ever dropped servicing two customers due to rudness, wanting to own every minuite of your time, or just plain stupidity. One was a large Independent Chain in the Western Chicago burbs and the other was an independent in LaGrange, Il. I also walked off one film in Philadelphia at the mid point of production. "Twelve Monkeys". It was all politics on that production and the Film Editors projectionist didn't get hired and so on and so forth...... Interestingly I service the Star of that films theatre!

Mark

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 12-19-2003, 06:17 PM:

quote:
Interestingly I service the Star of that films theatre!

Bruce Willis!? Alright gotta tell us what he uses. [thumbsup]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-19-2003, 07:41 PM:

Ok, Its the Liberty theatre in Hailey,ID. Bruce literally owns a square block of Hailey plus the threatre and his ranch. There is a Night Club called the Mint, and a diner called Shorty's(where I eat breakfast every morning when I'm there). The construction(actually call it re-construction) block at the top center of the building housing the Diner and The Mint has the name B.Willis and the remodel date on it....can't remember the date exactly but I think early 90's.

The booth has a pair of Christie P-35GP's mounted on Christie SLC consoles. Kelmar Deluxe automation has been adapted to do automated x-overs and they do run one hour reels there. No platter was installed. A DTS 6D feeds an Ultra Stereo Proccessor driving QSC 1400 Amps. This in turn feeds the speakers. A 35 foot wide Harkness Roll down screen hangs above the stage and is lowered from either the booth or on stage. The booth originally also had an FP-18 installed as well but its no longer there.

Being in the proximity of Ketchum which has 7 screens and the Sun Vallry resort with theor single screen booking films into Hailey just 11 miles to the south of Sun Valley is a bit of a problem sometimes. This theatre actually does more live theatre than it runs film. I think it runs film about 20 weeks out of the year. The rest of the time its live. Bruce has been in quite a few of the plays and such. The Live Theatre Production Companys name is "Company Of Fools". BTW: Demi signs the checks for all the service work we do there and all of Bruces new films open there. The folks that manage the theatre also manage the live part and are very nice to work with.
Here is a link tot he Cinema Treasures listing with a photo.
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/2757/
Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 12-21-2003, 11:42 AM:

Friends...don't let friends...install Christies? Hehehe...j/k.

Re: Sun Valley: That reminds me that time we watched Sun Valley Serenade on TV while on some out of town installation job and puzzling about about the black ice in the skating scenes. I think we concluded it may have been black under the ice but mostly it was a reflection of the backdrop caused by a very thin layer of liquid water on top of the ice (could see the ripplies behind the skaters) which made it reflect like a mirror.

Seems to me a thread about best chains to work for and morale ought to merge with the thread about the in-theatre staff orgy awhile back. [Big Grin]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-21-2003, 12:58 PM:

Actually the P35 really does put out a very decent picture. As long as it has the single blade shutter conversion with the hardened steel pulleys....well, I've converted all but Bruces projectors out here in the Mountain States. Of course we make ALOT of money keeping all those Christie P35's out here running the very dry air out here calls for very frequent bearing replacement. Even rubber sealed bearings last only for about a year or a little longer. The projectionist at one Christie location made an interesting observation to me the other day....he said...before you guys were servicing these we had to shout in the booth to be heard over the racket of the machines when all the theatres were running....now, finally, I can sit and read a book and hear myself think.....

As for the black ice in Sun Valley Serenade.... It is indeed a thin layer of water over what ever ice was there. That part was done on a sound stage under very controled conditions. Sun Valley actually owns the negative, and rights to the film and you ought to see the 35mm print being run. WOW! It really looks great...more like what high quality B&W dailies would look like since their print is directly from the nitrate neg. The water over the ice is quite noticable in the 35mm version. Perhaps this film was made before Zamboni invented his ice finishing machine.

As for the actual resort...except for the main lodge it looks nothing like it was in the film. Its an entire small village in its own right now. There is a fishing pond stocked with huge trout...catch and release only though. They have their own post office and Zip code. Many really nice stores and reataurants. The outdoor swimming pool is still there pretty much as it was but the ice rink is now a huge indoor affair. The whole place is covered with huge pine trees and is not visible from the road like it was in the wide shots in the film. The resort still employs much but not all out of country help in all areas which makes for a nice touch. SOme end up staying in the states and some go back home. Sadly, the steam train has been long gone, but the right of way and many of the bridges still exist. The right of way is now a path for skiing,walking, or whatever and exists fomr Ketchum to several miles south of Hailey, probably about 18 miles worth. The resort just completed a year and a half long replacement of all outdoor sidewalks and they are now heated so no snow removal is required.....cost.... a mere 7 million bucks. Its been owned by the same family that owns Sinclair Oil since the late 70's, the price paid back then for the entire operation was only about 8 million!
Mark

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 12-22-2003, 08:30 AM:

Interesting background, Mark. As a Glenn Miller nut I had to have a print of the film, but all I've been able to find so far is an ex-TV 16mm NTA print with, surprisingly, somewhat indifferent sound quality. It's an original, but somehow the VD track is less than crisp. Good film except for some of the "over the top" bits with Uncle Miltie and Joan Davis.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-22-2003, 08:44 AM:

Gee, you're lucky that you've got that print. Since they own the neg and the rights its about impossible to find any film related stuff on it. It can be purchased on DVD though at the store there in Sun Valley. That might be a better route to go than running the 16mm. The 16mm print up there also sounds somewhat muffled and its not the projector. The 35mm sounds great. BTW: I wonder if "Orchestra Wives", another Glenn MIller film...with no less than Jackie Gleason as a vacuum cleaner toting musician is available in any format? I seem to remember it was also a pretty interesting film.
Mark

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 12-22-2003, 10:16 AM:

Mark: Actually, I have Orchestra Wives on 16mm also, and personally like it better than Sun Valley. In addition to the amusing cat fights between the "orchestra wives", it has some of what I consider better music including "At Last", "Kalamazoo", "Bugle Call Rag", and a real wartime flag raiser called "People Like You and Me" with Betty Hutton, Tex, and the Modernaires which opens the film. OW also has more interaction between the actual band members, although they do use George Montgomery, Ann Rutherford, and Lynn Bari for most of the dramatic stuff. This is another old NTA print, but for whatever reason the sound is great. I got both from an old doctor in Oklahoma who had them listed in Big Reel as a "best offer" deal for the pair (including Sun Valley). After nearly 2 hours on the phone I got them both for $150 and wouldn't part with them for any rational price!

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-22-2003, 09:38 PM:

WOW! Thats a good deal Jeff!! Wish I at least had O.W. on DVD. I think that was Jackie Gleasons first film role. Somehow I can't resist the music on those films either. The Big Bands were really great. That musical number in "Stormy Weather" with Cab Calloway directing his orchestra and the Nicholas Brothers dancing on top of the piano and such, almost taking off one musicians head in the process..... Now that is definately one number that no one today could ever pull off again. Makes any Astaire or Kelly number look like childs play by comparison.

Mark

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-22-2003, 10:31 PM:

Why hasn't anyone said anything good about Madstone yet?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-23-2003, 07:42 PM:

Well, I don't do any work for them and judging by the platters they use I'm not sure really HOW qualified their one stop shopping technical folk are either. However their theatres furnishings are very nice indeed and the concessions selections are awesome. They reopened a closed down Cineplex 4 screener here last summer called Trolly Square. VERY nice place to see a film as long as there are no brain wraps....

On another note they pretty much run all Art stuff there and the other local Art Cinemas seem to be keeping all the good stuff for themselves. The pisser is the other independently run Art locations in SLC really suck big time...actually they are worse than suck! Not sure if I should post what ever that word is on this forum. Doesn't Madstone have any booking power?

Mark

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-23-2003, 10:31 PM:

Hey, I LOVE swing music! And Tex Beneke was too cool! Kids today, they have no idea!
[Big Grin]

K-A-L-A-M-A-Z-O-Oh-what-a-gal!

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 12-24-2003, 08:05 AM:

Tim: what really makes it is those Nicholas brothers running up the walls in their tail coats and then dropping 20' to the floor into a split. OUCHHHHHHHHHH! It's a wonder either of them had kids.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-24-2003, 11:29 AM:

Ooh, yes! I've seen that! Amazing.

Now, THAT was entertainment! I can think of nothing today that compares.