Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Consolidated Theatres in NC

This is topic Consolidated Theatres in NC in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 02-12-2007, 11:47 AM:

I am looking for any info on the Consolidated Theatre Chain that is based out of North Carolina (not the one in Hawaii).

I have done the Internet searches. I am looking for anyone that has serviced their theatres, or works there. Just looking to see what type of company they are. Herman Stone is the CEO, I know he sold his original company to Regal a number of years ago.

Thanks.

Posted by Mike Fitzgerald (Member # 1304) on 02-15-2007, 09:11 PM:

I had applied to them for a position before i obtained the job I have now. If you wish to email me I will be glad to email you the information i have

Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 02-16-2007, 08:58 AM:

I know they just built a huge 14 screen complex here in Wilson County, TN in the Providence Marketplace in Mt. Juliet. Gorgeous theatre... although it does resemble a big box.

Kind of put a big hurt on our local independant 10 screen theatre here in town. Surprisingly though... didn't affect my drive-in at all.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 02-16-2007, 10:12 AM:

quote: Barry Floyd
Surprisingly though... didn't affect my drive-in at all.

Not suprising Barry. Drive-ins sort of have a niche that everybody sticks to. It's different than sitting in a movie theatre jammed up by a bunch of people.

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 02-16-2007, 03:07 PM:

Dennis:

I knew of two managers who left the company I worked for and were employed by Consolidated.

From what I heard, they were a good company to work for. There pay scale was higher than my old company and they also had a better bonus program. I would almost swear that they were paid a concession bonus off of per/caps and profit.

I know that they were adamant that no one was allowed in the booth. I tried to get a tour a timne or two.. and even knowing the two persons I did, it was a no go. Perhaps becuase they all knew I worked for the competition.. whow knows...

They also spent a decent amount of money on equipment in the new builds back in the late 90's early 2000's. Our PM tech also serviced a few of Consolidated locations..

Good luck in your research...

Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 02-19-2007, 06:49 PM:

What would you see in the booth that would work for or against the competition?

I'll never understand some chains. Whether you have a Century projector and we have a Christie, it still runs the same show if you service them well enough. It's no major secret. Grrr.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 02-20-2007, 08:07 AM:

quote: Scott D. Neff
What would you see in the booth that would work for or against the competition?

Hmmm, let's see: Dolby or Panastereo processor vs. some other off name sound processors? QSC amplifiers vs. other brands. Actual sound racks vs. projector consoles that have the entire sound system in it. Mono vs. Stereo sound (yes there are mono houses out there still).

There is a lot. Yes- whatever equipment involved needs to be taken care of. Even the cheapest equipment can run a film. But the picture and sound does make a difference. We all know it.
The follow-up is preventative maintenance - which when you walk into a booth you can tell whether or not they take care of their equipment.

Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 02-20-2007, 03:23 PM:

But you can walk into an auditorium as a paying customer and know whether or not all of the above is true.

I don't need to see the projection room to know whether or not they're cleaning their projectors or maintaining their sound equipment.

The only people who don't allow access to the projection room are people that aren't proud of their operation. -OR- people that have had insurance issues letting non-employees into the booth.

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 02-21-2007, 03:31 AM:

What would you see in the booth that would work for or against the competition?

Clean ports, but you can spot that one in the auditorium! to me that shows how serious the projection staff are.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 02-21-2007, 09:35 AM:

The question was - what would YOU - meaning I - would see. The average customer doesn't even know what a projection booth is. I just had a conversation with an 'average joe' the other day and he was surprised everything wasn't running off of a DVD player at every major theatre in the U.S. He thought this whole D-Cinema thing was a controversy over theatres wanting to upgrade from a VHS (or tape format) to a DVD (or digital format). When I told him that most theatres were still running 35mm film - he said, and I quote "Damn you guys are really behind the times" - at which point I gave up on the conversation.
[Roll Eyes]

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 03-06-2007, 12:09 AM:

Everything I've seen has been first-class.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 03-11-2007, 08:14 PM:

quote: Dennis Benjamin
When I told him that most theatres were still running 35mm film - he said, and I quote "Damn you guys are really behind the times" - at which point I gave up on the conversation.

Actually, at last to some extent he is quite correct! 35mm film is old hat, obsolete, and relly very archaic. Todays average film print has even gotten to a point that it is very "unreliable".... you just don't know any longer if what you get will look acceptable or not, many prints look awful. Todays average booth monkey just can't deal with film and theater owners obviously don't care either as long as the cash regester goes ka-ching. I certainly don't see D-Cinema as a cure all but perhaps some other system in a couple of decades might advance to a point that it is.

Mark