This is topic Picketing in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=002496

Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 05-23-2011, 04:24 PM:
 
So, I am picketing CInemark Strongsville for paying me $7.84/hour to run 175,000 feet of film around upstairs, now that they've kicked my union brethren out of valleyview.

Any advice for snappy signs?

My first one reads:

175,000 Ft. 35M/M
$32,000 FILM
14 Scrns 950 TKT
$7.84/hr TO DO IT!!!!

Obviously that's TMI. Please help me shut these cock-0suckers from Plano down in Southaprk!
 
Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-23-2011, 04:56 PM:
 
Keep the message really simple, don't confuse the dumb ones. ("Smile & Wave, Boys, smile and wave.")
 
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 05-23-2011, 05:45 PM:
 
Well, if you want to go with the film angle for your slogan then keep it as simple as possible.

33 MILES OF FILM but only $7.84/hr.

Remember this: Regardless of HOW WRONG the other guy is, if you yell and scream and call people names, it will be YOU who people will look at as the bad guy.

My best advice is to make your point, make it short and make it sweet.

The thing that I think is good about the slogan above is that it will make people ask you what it means. Most people don't realize the sheer magnitude of equipment needed to operate a modern multiplex theater. When you tell them that you are in charge of 33 MILES of film, many people will be utterly flabbergasted.

A movie projectionist has one of the most misunderstood jobs that I know of. The general public doesn't understand that there is a little more than a mile of film for every hour's worth of movie. They don't understand the responsibility you have. Many people literally think that all you do is press a button and walk away. When you put it in terms they can understand, people are more likely to understand the work you actually do and they are more likely to see things your way.

But, stand there and shout rude slogans and all people will think is, "Yeah, yeah... Another bunch of a-holes bucking for more pay..."
 
Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 05-23-2011, 06:22 PM:
 
How about something like '$7.84/h to make Hollywood look like a $1m'. More people should know the importance of the Projectionist as the final link in the chain to getting that $100m blockbuster on the screen.
 
Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 05-23-2011, 06:57 PM:
 
1) Keep it simple.
2) Inform the public at the location you are picketing, but do it professionally. Never look like a group of Mad men.
3) Make a Fact Sheet on the Pros and Cons of having experience in the the booth. And of what could happen with their Movie going experience with non-operators running the booth.

Many union operators have seen this before.
 
Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 05-23-2011, 07:04 PM:
 
I hate to say it, but it's the way of the theatrical world these days. My suggestion is to do what I did: Quit and find something more lucrative. Maybe it sucks but that's the way it is.

On the bright side, I volunteer at a non-profit theater now. I have much more fun and satisfaction working there FREE than I did when I left the big chain. Plus working with carbon arcs and change-overs is just cool.

I guess my overall point is to go somewhere that you can make a difference if that is what you really want to do (like me) as long as you can live with the modest stipend that they call a paycheck these days. But you won't be able to change the top of a multiplex corporate structure mindset from the bottom. It will not work because there's way too much pressure from all sides. If you're looking to earn a living, working in the booth at a multiplex is becoming less and less of a way to do it.

Either way, I wish you the best of luck.
 
Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 05-23-2011, 08:49 PM:
 
If you don't like the pay why did you take the job. Working as a projectionist hasn't been a career job in 40 years.
 
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-23-2011, 08:49 PM:
 
As much as Cinemark detests unions, I'm shocked to learn they didn't convert their union locations to digital first. I mean, really? They didn't think of that?

I'm with Mark on this one. 35mm is about to be gone REAL quick. It isn't worth the hassle to fight for a job that will end soon.
 
Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 05-23-2011, 08:55 PM:
 
I have yet to see a movie at the Strongsville Cinemark bit we go to that mall all of the time. I am surprised that booth isn't digital since it just opened like two years ago. I too have worked many booths for minimum wage and that is just how it goes. This is not a trade anymore and you are lucky to even be working in a booth with digital rolling out. I worked at Macedonia in a split union booth and I knew some of the people at the Vally View location. The Cleveland union has been dying a slow death for years. Time to move on and find something else.
 
Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-24-2011, 01:34 AM:
 
Assuming you wrote the sign exactly as you posted it, are you expecting the average person to decipher what you wrote and know it's about projectionists being paid little?
 
Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 05-24-2011, 06:34 AM:
 
Good luck with the strike. I have to agree with Brad on this though. Your fighting a losing battle friend.

On a side note talking about people once they understand what we do.

I got in the elevator to head up to the IMAX booth the other day and a man came in to go the second floor. I pushed the button for him then put my key in and hit the 3rd floor button. Its marked with an M on the elevator and he asked me, "Oh going to the Managers floor huh?" and he laughed. I laughed and said no, heading up to get your movie ready and make sure you have a good time watching the movie. The elevator stopped and before he got out, he set his drink down and asked to shake my hand. He said "I've never met a projectionist in my life, thank you for what you do. I really appreciate it." I was flabergasted, I managed a thank you as the door was closing. This wasn't a young guy either, he was in his late 40's early 50's.

See we are appreciated [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 05-24-2011, 07:01 AM:
 
I did quit the job.

The booth is non-union.

And, ironically, I think you are right that not being able to unionize it actually DID keep 35mm there the longest.

Like I said, they spent $3 million to digitize the neighboring Valley View, spending the equivalent of 133 years wages to put in digital projectors that I simply cannot see being operational still in ten.

My strike is personal. It is about costing them as much money as possible and giving the two neighboring fair-wage (one of which is NOT union, but is run by the former owners of Strongsville Cinemas who suddenly stopped getting prints when the assholes set up shop) theatres business and taking it away from Cinemark.

The goons called the cops on me the other day> Don't know who it was in particular, but like me or not I fucking worked side by side with you for TEN MONTHS!

Are you REALLY going to crack open the chapter on picketing in the corporate handbook (I am sure there actually is one) and try to jail throw the picketers under the bus after working with them side-by-side all that time?

It is just me and a couple of signs. You are right I need to keep it simpler. Have another two-sided sigh:

FAIR WAGE PROJECTION

HICKORY RIDGE 8
6 MI.
MDBGH. 16
5-1/2 MI.

As far as 35mm being gone real quick, that is right, but until it is, the cock suckers pay my friends HALF of what they should make.

If they would've just paid me the fuck ten, I never would've complained, fought, not worn their uniform, gotten pissed off and ended up in not one but two IATSE locals, and never been the film loader on the movie in town this past summer.

So by exploiting the fuck out of me, I actually have to hand it to them.

I got to see Usher's dancing girls in teh buff, Lady Gaga drunkenly prancing around, Miley Cyrus, Carry Underwood, Michael Buble all thanks to the Projectionist's Union and their relationship with the Stagehands' Local #27 here in town too.

Have gotten plenty of $20+/hr. jobs working for live theatre as well.

Thanks for all the advice guys. Please do not patronize Cinemark wherever they may be. Those Nazis really are the scum of the Earth. All the chains are evil, but none as evil as cinemark, at leas out of the big 3.

In fact, from now on, cinemark gets no capitalization, an I think I am going to post all the dirt I know on them to the wiki article on projecitonists, and maybe give them their own!

What does Colonel Nathan R. Jessop say at the end of "A Few Good Men?" Jeffry, Staci, Kati, Jessie, that's for you, especially whichever of you tried to get me a DISORDERLY CONDUCT for peacefully picketing on a sidewalk at 11PM in the rain.

Whichever of you drove by with your lights off, have the courage to at leas tlook me in the eyes in the pouring rain.

Whichever of you took a picture for the corporate goons, you should have just manned up and asked for one I could've provided myself.

And whichever of you thought it was a good idea to pay $7.84/hr. when the POLICE OFFICERS there mak,e $35/hr. you just took the bar down SO FUCKING LOW that there is a STORM OF SHIT THAT IS GOING TO SWEEP BACK ONTO YOUR PLATE :-D
 
Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 05-24-2011, 08:47 AM:
 
Sadly, as far as the chains are concerned you are disposable. And as far as the audience is concerned, you are invisible. Movies happen by magic, right?

I proposed in a post a while ago that projectionists start working strictly for tips. Have a card with your name on the screen before the movie and be at the door when it gets out. I'm sure you would clear more than $10 an hour. Maybe a step above begging, but it would at least put a human face on the job.
 
Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 05-24-2011, 09:39 AM:
 
Martin I like that.

As the owner of Ohio's only motion picture processing laboratory (shameless plug!) which, formed in 2011 has the dubious distinction of probably being the LAST new movie lab in the U.S., I'd be happy to provide this service.

What, 22 feet of 35mm oughta be good enough for the title card?

We could even personalize it, saying "If you see a scratch, you don't have to tip me!"
 
Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-24-2011, 09:45 AM:
 
Hey! What's wrong with BEGGING? (Sales guys do it all the time!) Louis
 
Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 05-24-2011, 10:34 AM:
 
Being a projectionist as a career is long gone. Picketing is a waste of your time, the public DOES NOT CARE, most will ignore you.

Just as employers sell their goods and services, we as employees are selling our services. If many people are willing to do a job for less money, then sooner or later they will be. Trying to maintain a job that is no longer needed by attempting to hurt a companies business is not a sustainable employment model.

Move on, be happy.
 
Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 05-24-2011, 11:01 AM:
 
This is all about HURTING Cinemark at that theatre, helping the two fair wage theatres nearby (Union, and non-union) and getting some of those little turds fired for poor sales.

I'd estimate I already turned away 100 cars in two days, by myself. And that's with TMI signs.

I'm making new ones now :-) Then I will be back. Tomorrow I am starting up with teh 16 hour days of picketing every day except when I absolutely have to be in the office.

It's like Star Trek III, but instead of the ship being "run by computer" my business is "run by crackberry" :-D

Oh, so wehn the cops showed up Sunday night (four of them lights lit up, plus a pair f all security trucks), I say "Hey guys, IDK if they are doing this intentionally or not, but tell mallies thanks for the free LIGHT SHOW :-) Then we spent 10 min. BSing about fair wage, the Fraternal order of Police the International Association of Theatrical and Stage Employes, and what happened to police, coal miners, firemen, projectioniss, and autoworkers BEFORE Unions.

Funny how projection booths are going back to being unairconditioned at night, reminiscent very much so of the early days of hand-cranked nitrate projection. Hot stuffy highly flammable environments are on their way back.

Unbelievable that my chapter of IATSE would let this basic grievance, from teh days of old, slip by unprotested at our AMCs.

I'd had to work topless at leas a couiple times last summer. White shirt and tie is more my style than Patrick Swayze ;-)
 
Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 05-24-2011, 11:50 AM:
 
Better be careful, if they decide that you are hurting their business, they can, will, and should sue you for the damages. The cars you think you are turning away are probably just using another entrance so they won't have to deal with you. Give it up.
 
Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 05-24-2011, 12:33 PM:
 
THey can get fucked. All I am doing is stating the truth.

And I can and will hurt their business. People have a right to know the SHIT conditions those cocksuckers in their unfinished bgooth still pay the minimum wage poor souls working there.

I have been picketing two half days now. 29 FULL days remaining, 16 hour days.
 
Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-24-2011, 12:44 PM:
 
Are you picketing on their property or at the entrance to it? If so, that's why you're getting the cops called on you.
 
Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 05-24-2011, 12:47 PM:
 
THey can get fucked. All I am doing is stating the truth.

And I can and will hurt their business. People have a right to know the SHIT conditions those cocksuckers in their unfinished booth still pay the minimum wage poor souls working there.

I have been picketing two half days now. 29 FULL days remaining, 16 hour days.

Just like Happy Gilmore getting in shape for hockey season, I am getting in shape for feature film production season
!

@Chris: No, out on the sidewalk in front of hte mall main entrance.

I WQAS picketing inside the mall Easter Sunday, thought it'd be safe, unfortunately I'm pretty sure a vagina with 3 kids called the cops on me thinking I was passing out movie ticket coupons or Jehovah's witness papers. Womoen who can't be bothered to read the fucking sign and pay attention drive me NUTS!

I have more stories to tell, after 100PM. Now I alm on my way back with new signs freshly spraypainted, a 16mm movie camera witha 1200 foot magazine (not a prop!) and righteous anger.

I'm going to drive thsoe money changers the fuck out of my temple (35mm projection room)!
 
Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-24-2011, 01:12 PM:
 
If this thread is just going to be "these guys are cocksuckers" can someone please lock this?

quote: Jonathan Smith
I WQAS picketing inside the mall Easter Sunday, thought it'd be safe
Why would you think that? The mall is private property and they are well within their rights to have you removed from said property.
 
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-24-2011, 01:19 PM:
 
Jonathan,

Seriously, all you are doing is busting your ass trying to make them look bad. Sure maybe a handful of their customers care, but better than 99% of them DON'T. You are essentially working for free, you aren't even making a dent in Cinemark's profit at that theater, and everyone at Cinemark is laughing at you because at this point, you are only hurting yourself.

That picketing time would be better spent finding another job. You know what is happening with the digital conversions. Even if you DID manage to somehow win this battle, I can GUARANTEE you that they would be so annoyed at you they would IMMEDIATELY order the next batch of digital projectors to be deployed to your location and you would be out of a job 2 weeks later.

I get that you are angry and were mistreated, but this is reality speaking. Go take care of yourself with another job. Don't let them get the best of you.
 
Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 05-24-2011, 01:26 PM:
 
I feel your pain Jonathan but you'd be wise to take it down a notch. You have put yourself in a position for a lawsuit for libel against Cinemark. Its one thing to picket a location in a peaceful non-violent way, but to issue inflammatory statements such as:
quote: Jonathan Smith
This is all about HURTING Cinemark at that theatre, helping the two fair wage theatres nearby (Union, and non-union) and getting some of those little turds fired for poor sales.
leaves little doubt that you are putting yourself at risk. My advice --- Give it up, move on and let Cinemark run their business as they see fit. You have nothing to gain there and you are doing yourself more harm than good.
 
Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-24-2011, 01:39 PM:
 
And Jonathan, hopefully you're not using the kind of language in your communication with people that you're using in this thread. It just makes you look juvenile.
 
Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-24-2011, 01:52 PM:
 
quote: Brad Miller
I can GUARANTEE you that they would be so annoyed at you they would IMMEDIATELY order the next batch of digital projectors to be deployed to your location and you would be out of a job 2 weeks later.
Or at the very least they'd look for any small (albeit legitimate) reason to fire you.
 
Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 05-24-2011, 02:08 PM:
 
quote: Jonathan Smith
I did quit the job.
The booth is non-union.

Let's see, you are not an employee, and this is not a unionization effort. You have publicly stated that your goal in to hurt Cinemark. Since you are not covered by any labor law, if you annoy them enough their lawyers are going to eventually crush you. If you are unhappy now, wait until you are spending your days in court and your money on lawyers. Once they get a judgement, they can seize anything you own at their leisure.
 
Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 05-24-2011, 02:16 PM:
 
THey DID fire me, after I failed to Unionize their booth.

And, I am young enough that calling me a juvenile isn't an insult, more a statement of fact :-P

But no, I don't have any signs with profanity on them, although someone who STOPPED to talk to me last night said "Fuck Cinemark!" when I told them of their treatment of employes (trad. sp.).

I was tempted to make a "CUCK FINEMARK" sign, for kicks, but decided against it.

Libel is making statements that are damaging and untrue. No problem here guys! I couldn't make the bullshit up if I wanted to!

Brad, at my b usiness, I rate my time at at least $20 per hour (billing double that sinc ea lot of time working is done to FIND work).

So 16x30 = 480 x 20 = $9.600 of picketing.

Beauty of owning your own business, gents, and a blackberry and a mailorder photofinishing outfit is that you don't have to keep regular hours :-)

No doubt, this is a strain on my family and friends. I appreciate all of them for putting up with me, but the old song goes "You Always Hurt the Ones You Love" for a reason [Frown]

A city of 45,000 That means I can change the minds of 450 people. I estimate though I've already hit 100 so I am aiming for 10% of the populace educated.

Rush hour in the morning and evening is a great time to hit up the junction nearest the mall and interstate.

But, have no fear folks, I am multitasking like a secretary while I am getting my picket on!
 
Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 05-24-2011, 02:26 PM:
 
450 is only 1% of 45,000.
 
Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 05-24-2011, 02:35 PM:
 
quote: Jonathan Smith
THey DID fire me, after I failed to Unionize their booth.

Have you filed an NLRB complaint. It's unlikely to get you anything, but it will be an annoyance to Cinemark.
 
Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 05-24-2011, 02:44 PM:
 
Adam I I may be a projectionist, but I am not an idiot. Reread the post above mine please before you go criticizing my math skills. I'm not a "Full Monty" steel worker :-p

I am saying even 1% is 450 ppl. but I want 10% (4500).

Martin, thanks I'll jus do that.

I think I need to take some of my writing skills to press releases for newspapers as well. I remember just TEARING APART the local college for dismantling their darkroom.

As a studio owner, I wrote it was disqualifying all of their graduates from any possibility of entering into my employ; we still roll 35mm film every day here.

Gotta get back out there guys. . . See you at 11:30EDT :-)
 
Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 05-24-2011, 03:33 PM:
 
Brad was too kind in his last post..and since Jonathan is on my shit list anyway I'll speak out and say what I'll bet a lot of you other guys are thinking:

Jonathan, you are without a doubt the most immature person, with serious anger management issues, that I have ever seen. You would never get employed by anyone with your attitude and on one hand I could feel sorry for you, but based on past experience with your posts I don't.

The economy is in the toilet, so why are you digging yourself into a deeper hole and shitting where you eat?

Do you realize that employers frequently do Google searches by name before hiring? And since we all use our real names here that your tirade here can easily be read by a potential future employer? I promise you that you will NOT be able to schmooze your way past this thread no matter how hard you try.

I won't ever be employed by anyone doing D-Cinema installs because of my stance on this site. I sometimes regret how I have come across here on D-Cinema but I say what I feel is right and suffer the consequences. Which means in my case once film is truly gone, so is my career in cinema.

Sad to say it but Jonathan is the Charlie Sheen of Film-Tech.
 
Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 05-24-2011, 03:51 PM:
 
It seems that Jonathan is a classic case of an employee being unwilling or perhaps unable to be retrained to work with new technology. Film is dying fast and they don't need film projectionists in any numbers anymore. The thing to have done is to learn all there is to learn about D-Cinema and thus be of long term value as an employee to the company. The opportunity was probably offered and as you have said many times in thee posts "fuck you". If it wasn't offered, your obvious bad attitude is what they didn't want any more of.
 
Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 05-24-2011, 04:26 PM:
 
Jonathan, I am confused. On page one of this thread you say you quit the job, but on page 2 you say you were fired. Which was it?
 
Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 05-24-2011, 04:57 PM:
 
quote: Jonathan Smith
Libel is making statements that are damaging and untrue.
You'd best check Webster's on that one. You might also want to check out the definition of "slander per se".
 
Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-24-2011, 05:27 PM:
 
Webster's says that to be slanderous or libelous, the statement must be false. But the dictionary definition doesn't always apply to the laws, as we have stuff like "defamation per se."

And what can be considered defamation can vary between jurisdictions...
 
Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 05-24-2011, 06:35 PM:
 
That's a fine point I wouldn't want to argue because I believe damaging statements could be actionable.

Chris: I don't see where the definition of libel says the statement must be false.
 
Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 05-24-2011, 08:07 PM:
 
Historically, going back to my history of journalism classes, originally the crime of libel did not involve a false statement. In fact, the standard was, the greater the truth, the greater the libel.

That changed in the US in 1735 with the trial of John Peter Zenger (thank you wikipedia) which ruled truth was a defense against libel.

Then in 1964, in a case from right here in good ole Montgomery, Alabama (Times v Sullivan) the Supremes ruled that falsehood wasn't enough to win a libel suit involving a public figure, actual malice aforethought and reckless disregard for the truth was necessary.

Cinemark probably counts as a public figure and actual malice has been shown, but if there are no factual inaccuracies, he'd probably win a libel suit... if his pockets are deep enough to fight one in court.
 
Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-25-2011, 09:28 AM:
 
The "rule" for investigative journalism is that what you publish/broadcast must be true.

Otherwise nothing "bad" would ever see the light of day! Louis
 
Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-25-2011, 10:25 AM:
 
quote: Rick Raskin
Chris: I don't see where the definition of libel says the statement must be false.
From Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Defamation is "the act of saying false things in order to make people have a bad opinion of someone or something." And libel is simply a form of defamation.

And its for libel says "the act of publishing a false statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone."

Although in the regular Webster's dictionary it only states that libel is published "without just cause" rather than necessarily being false.
 
Posted by Edward Havens (Member # 4715) on 05-25-2011, 11:48 AM:
 
Jonathan, is there a tipping point of how many people tell you your Quixotic battle is a bad idea before you finally see it?
 
Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 05-25-2011, 12:56 PM:
 
Well, since I'm broke from getting paid minimum wage, where are they going to take the money if they win, out of my asshole? Too bad there's no such thing as debtor's prison anymore. . .

I should bite my tongue and sit on the truth with hopes of getting, what another minimum wage projection job?

Tony: If you really believe all the BS you just spouted, you are a real coward sir. Like me or hate me, I am not going to let the truth go unknown.

"The Last Samurai" isn't one of my favorite movies for the explosions and the costuming, it's one of my favorites for the message. Better to go out in a blaze of gunfire (or bows and arrows and katana swords) than slinking through life. Feel shame if this is how you make your money, by being agreeable!

In an interesting development last night, the GM came out and spoke with me, which takes some huge balls on his part. Not sure if it's entirely legal doing that, but he gave me the contact number of someone at corporate.

If I can win a fair wage for the poor boys that are still there (most from my era have all left, like 75% are gone) I will put the signs away.

I had my picture taken by the mall cops four times yesterday. This is perfectly legal, but bothers the hell out of me because it's not on their property. They gave them to the GM I think too.

He didn't have a problem with teh signs, I even offered to revise the figures to reflect them only having 10 film screens now (or 11, I forget). He didn't take me up on it.

But I am going to continue to exercise my important free speech rights (or deep seeded anger management issues?) But I sure as F___ am not going to tuck my tail between my legs. $15/hr. is the minimum I pay anyone I employ that touches film, these guys work with one whole hell of a lot more with it for 60¢ an hour above minimum wage.

Again, I am surprised at this development, as it was less than 20 hours of picketing at this point out of my planned 480. I will continue to picket but am really looking forward to winning the projectionists (not FUCKING BOOTH USHERS) there some better wages, and recognition for their dying craft.
 
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 05-25-2011, 01:24 PM:
 
Johnathan,

No matter how you slice it, you face a long, steep, uphill battle. It's going to take a lot more than picketing to get your message across. This isn't a physical battle nor is it a battle of wills or morals. It is a battle of communication. The question is, "Who will get their message across in a way that people will understand and agree with?"

I gave you some pretty direct advice and one example of how to present your case. Others have, too, but you chose to ignore it. This is your main problem and, if you continue on the path you are on, you will be on the losing side.

You have the right to your feelings and you have the right to express those feelings but nobody is going to listen to you for more than a minute if you continue to present yourself as a disgruntled kook. You've got to chill out a little bit and think about the way you present yourself to the public.

The truth is that the public doesn't care about how they get their movies. They can just as easily watch movies at home on TV. The future of the entire movie theater industry as we know it is in jeopardy. It's not just the jobs of theater workers and projectionists. It's the whole industry that is going through changes. Nothing is going to be the same and there's probably little we can do to change it.

Regardless of whether you believe me, your attitude, as the public sees it, is key to making substantive changes in your career but, the way you are presenting yourself, even to people on this forum who are, at least ideologically, on your side is not doing you any good.

If you keep going the way you have been, nothing will change for you and it will even get worse.
 
Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 05-25-2011, 01:34 PM:
 
After browsing through your 201 posts, Jonathan, I was hard-pressed to find much that wasn't a complaint or confrontational, quite often with other forum members. As such, I have disabled your account. Please consider coming back in the future when you're not pissed at the world.
 




Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM 6.3.1.2