Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Manager Fired for doing his job

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Posted by Jay Glaus (Member # 6011) on 03-13-2018, 08:01 PM:

http://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/theater-manager-fired-woman-charged-after-movie-theater-altercation-goes-viral/713 682899

NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. - A movie theater manager has been fired after an altercation with a woman and several teenagers that was caught on cell phone camera video went viral.

The incident happened at the Phoenix Theater in North Versailles last month.

According to police paperwork, a group of teenagers had been thrown out of the theater and went back inside. That's when police got involved and escorted them out of the building.

Melanie Carter started recording the incident with her cell phone -- more than 1 million people have seen the approximately 80-second video -- and tells Officer Christopher Kelley she was looking out for the girls.

The video shows the exchange of words and at one point the theater manager is heard calling the girls "animals."

Kelley tells Carter she needs to leave the property but the arguing continues, as she says her children are still inside the theater.

Video then shows Carter being handcuffed and saying, "Get off of me ... what are you doing?!"

In the complaint, Kelley wrote, "She was struggling with me and refused to put her hands behind her back, laying on them and pulling them away from me."

People who have seen the video wonder whether Kelley went too far.

"It was a lot of precautionary measures that he could've took to avoid all that, but he chose the route he did," said Drew White.

While it's unclear what happened immediately before and after the video, Heather Soto of Elizabeth said it shouldn't have ended the way it did.

"She wasn't doing anything and what they did to her was wrong," she said.
The theater has fired the manager seen in the video, saying, "We determined that the manager's conduct does not reflect our values, his training, or our policies. This is certainly not the way we treat people."

Carter is facing four misdemeanors including failure to disperse and resisting arrest.

And a follow up article...

http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13417128-74/viral-north-versailles-movie-theater-video-leads-to-new-charges-against-woman

A Wilkinsburg woman's video of a confrontation with a North Versailles movie theater manager went viral last week and prompted the manager's firing, but it has also landed her in trouble with the law.

Melanie Carter, 35, was charged Monday in an unrelated incident with disorderly conduct, harassment, interfering with transportation facilities, public drunkenness and alcohol violations, court records show.

The charges stem from a Feb. 13 incident in which an unknown woman – later identified as Carter – was kicked off of a Port Authority bus for "using obscene language, causing public annoyance and alarm," according to the criminal complaint filed against her.

As she left the bus, she threw an alcoholic beverage in the bus driver's face and called her a "five dollar bus ticket (expletive)," police wrote.

Still images from the bus security camera and from the camera at the ticket booth where Carter purchased her ticket were collected, but police could not identify the woman.

That is, until last week when Carter posted the video of her confrontation with a North Versailles police officer and the manager of the Phoenix Theatres North Versailles Stadium 18 cinema. The video, posted March 8 to Carter's Facebook page, allegedly occurred the night of Feb. 23.

The video shows a theater manager arguing with several teenagers who he'd removed from the theater for allegedly being rowdy. At one point he says they were acting like "animals."

The officer who intervened told Carter she had to leave the property, and she refused. The officer pulled out his handcuffs and attempted to handcuff Carter, who struggled against being cuffed. The incident led to charges of failing to disperse, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and trespassing against Carter.

Port Authority police used the same video to identify Carter as the woman wanted for the incident on the bus.

"Carter was identified by the matching face piercings as described by the driver," according to the complaint, as well as a hand tattoo and the still images from the bus cameras.

A preliminary hearing for the theater incident is scheduled for April 19 in front of Magisterial District Judge Roxanne Sakoian Eichler. A preliminary hearing for the bus incident is scheduled for April 9 in Pittsburgh municipal court.

Posted by Alexandre Pereira (Member # 9295) on 03-13-2018, 08:52 PM:

This happens at multiplexes because the company is too cheap to hire security guards or have pay duty cops on site. The ushers and the manager should not act as security when so called customers get out of hand. I do not know the back story on this situation but movie theatre crowd problems are continuous. I have had problems at the Kingsway Theatre and had to call the police several times - however, I only have two screens in an older movie theatre and I am forced by CP to clear the local multiplex QW. With first run here at the Kingsway there would be no question in having security and or pay duties on busy nights. The QW multiplex does on their busy nights and always has at least security during the week. It is disgraceful for the company to fire the manager - typical exhibitor gutless behaviour. Interesting how the woman filming managed to get herself arrested on unrelated charges - typical sociopath. Of course she was on private property - the manager had every right to tell her to leave. That is why the police arrested her at the theatre.

Posted by Jay Glaus (Member # 6011) on 03-13-2018, 09:09 PM:

I guess the company policy he did not follow was let a few disrupt the viewing of the other patrons. I don't see what he did wrong.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 03-14-2018, 10:39 AM:

Sounds like a stupid level of overkill firing the manager. All that just for saying the girls were "behaving like animals?" I'm certainly getting a mental picture of girls behaving like rude, loud-mouth bitches.

I can't help but wonder if this is a little bit of social media culture bleeding over into real life. Far too many people have no filter, much less any sense of manners on social media. That bleeds over into other areas. I was watching a discussion on one TV show a few days ago where they were talking about how so many camps have militarized the act of taking offense at something. The whole nation has a giant stick up its ass. No group or side is exempt from that fact. All are looking for the opportunity to be triggered by something and use that to fuck up someone else's life. It's cultural hysteria. A manager getting fired for using the term "animals" sure fits that description.

quote: Alexandre Pereira
This happens at multiplexes because the company is too cheap to hire security guards or have pay duty cops on site.

All it takes is for them to get robbed a few times. Of my late friends went through that shit at our former Carmike 8 theater. He got held up at gun point after closing on 3 different occasions, once in his office, once in the theater parking lot and while making his drop-off deposit at the bank. After losing enough money to robberies (who gives a shit about the trauma suffered by the manager) they finally paid for armed security and at least one other staffer to be present thru closing and at bank deposits.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 03-14-2018, 01:17 PM:

From that video, it looks like if anybody should be fired it would be the cop, who was pretty unprofessional-acting, what with the dangling cigarette and all.

This is one of those instances where people are passing judgement on what happened, when nobody has seen what happened.

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 03-14-2018, 04:55 PM:

It sounds like the narrative on the manager was that he called the girls animals rather than said they were behaving like animals. It is a huge distinction, especially in the situation of a white manager vs black teenagers.

I have had situations where I had to eject kids where I actually had to stop my self from getting physical. Once specific incident was a group of 3-4 kids who were acting like punks. As I was escorting them out they kept running around and one of them came up behind me and tapped me on the head. That was a moment where it took all my restraint to keep from decking the kid. Obviously I would have been wrong for doing so, even if it might have been partially justified.

Posted by Mike Croaro (Member # 3123) on 03-14-2018, 05:07 PM:

If this involved white kids, it would be a complete non-event.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 03-14-2018, 06:10 PM:

quote: Justin Hamaker
especially in the situation of a white manager vs black teenagers.

And that is exactly why he lost his job. He may not have had that 'implication' on his mind when he said these words, but unfortunately, he is judged by the impression he gave in that situation. Against white kids, he would have gotten a 'Mind your words next time!', but against a crew of black teenagers, it is impossible to ignore the racist implications. While actually feeling sorry for the manager, I'd go as far as saying that they had few alternatives to firing him under these conditions.

- Carsten

Posted by Jarod Reddig (Member # 6363) on 03-15-2018, 12:26 AM:

Such overkill firing him. Bobby your spot on.

Posted by Alexandre Pereira (Member # 9295) on 03-15-2018, 12:49 AM:

Large chains are the most cowardly corporatocracy F##KS ever. CP here in Canada is pure evil. At least Famous Players paid nothing but would not let their managers down. But of course this is across the board - all transnationals show nothing but contempt for their staff. Cubicle plants of the world revolt!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 03-15-2018, 11:57 AM:

They're just covering their butts. Besides, we know nothing about the backstory, or how events unfolded inside the building.

That manager may be a guy they were hoping to get rid of anyway due to other minor infractions.

If somebody decides to sue them, "we fired the manager" is a good defense because it's the most decisive thing they could do, short of coughing up a bunch of cash. Big companies can say things like "We're reviewing the situation to make sure it doesn't happen again" but by firing the guy, they insure THIS guy won't do the same thing again.

Not that I agree with the firing, I wish he could have kept his job, but the sad fact is there are a million people waiting in the wings to take that job.

Posted by Alexandre Pereira (Member # 9295) on 03-15-2018, 01:53 PM:

That is a weak response. Whether they fire the manager or not the company can still be sued by an aggressive lawyer -frivolous action or not. As for the manager being a problem with other issues that is not relevant nor demonstrated. By firing the manager the company has created an even bigger deficiency internally - this is the typical reactionary move by large multinationals who see everything and everyone as disposable.
Clearly these people were not customers - customers are interested in watching the show not being disruptive. Other management and employees will see the company reaction as a catch all to any problem - now the seed of doubt is sown and morale level begins to rapidly drop.
Running a movie theatre is difficult work for one reason - dealing with customers - the carnival atmosphere and continuous hours bring out the worse in some of the public. The general trend in the west toward narcissism and consumerism has lead to lowering of civil behaviour - especially when large groups are involved. Ultimately the fact that it came to this shows that the company did not have proper procedures in place - those kids show never have been sold tickets to begin with and the crazy women filming the event should not have been on the property at all.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 03-15-2018, 08:17 PM:

I can see Mike's point, for I was thinking on that also..

..so the company can keep their interest protected.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 03-15-2018, 08:27 PM:

Almost your entire post is based on assumptions.

quote: Alexandre Pereira
Whether they fire the manager or not the company can still be sued by an aggressive lawyer -frivolous action or not.

Well, sure -- anybody can sue anybody for anything. But if they took an action, such as "firing the manager who didn't follow policy," that's a better defense than "We're still investigating."

quote: Alexandre Pereira
As for the manager being a problem with other issues that is not relevant nor demonstrated.

I never said it was, I just said it was a possibility...and it is. Like I stated, nobody knows the backstory of this whole event.

quote: Alexandre Pereira
By firing the manager the company has created an even bigger deficiency internally - this is the typical reactionary move by large multinationals who see everything and everyone as disposable.

Companies HAVE TO watch their backs for just this reason. People see a big company as deep-pocketed.

quote: Alexandre Pereira
Clearly these people were not customers - customers are interested in watching the show not being disruptive.

"Clearly" you have never dealt with teenagers or 20-somethings. It's entirely possible these people were normal enthusiastic moviegoers on the way in, and something got under their skin...maybe somebody snuck in some booze, maybe somebody did a little meth in the bathroom, maybe somebody's boyfriend showed up with another girl...the possibilities are endless. I've seen it a thousand times. A teenager's mood can turn on a dime.

quote: Alexandre Pereira
Other management and employees will see the company reaction as a catch all to any problem - now the seed of doubt is sown and morale level begins to rapidly drop.

The other employees will see that "getting in a customer's face" and referring to people as "animals" is not a good idea and has consequences. You can tell somebody they have to leave without demeaning them. The lady with the camera was a complete bitch but the guy did not handle it well. Maybe he needs replaced with somebody more even-tempered.

quote: Alexandre Pereira
Ultimately the fact that it came to this shows that the company did not have proper procedures in place - those kids show never have been sold tickets to begin with and the crazy women filming the event should not have been on the property at all.

You don't know what the company's procedures were. Just because a company has "procedures" doesn't mean the employees are going to follow them. The kids may have been acting totally fine when they bought their tickets. And the lady filming was out on the public sidewalk or in a common area, or at least that's what it looks like in the video.

Were those people out of line? Absolutely. Would I have done the same thing the manager did? Possibly something like it, because nobody can predict how they'll react in any given situation. Should the guy have been fired? If he really violated company policy, yes. I haven't read their policy manual though. He should never have talked to the camera lady since she was not a customer.

Posted by Alexandre Pereira (Member # 9295) on 03-15-2018, 08:54 PM:

Speaking of assumptions!

Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 03-24-2018, 09:03 PM:

Somewhat similar situation:

Couple of years back I had a group of 4 guys (all African-American) show up to buy tickets for an R rated movie. They all looked 17 -19ish but one of them didn't have their id. The three that did have ids bought their tickets and the one said he was going somewhere to get his id. Later, all 4 were in the theater even though my boxoffice person did not remember the one guy ever coming back to buy a ticket. Should note that this was a late show and we were fairly slow and didn't have a ticket taker.

Even though I recognized how it was going to look, I didn't have a choice but to go in and check all 4 of their tickets (and I did explain to them quietly why I was checking). All 4 did have tickets and I decided to leave it at that even though it was a good bet that the one with no ID probably had someone else buy their ticket for them. But of course some lady follows me out of the theater and DEMAND to know why I checked the tickets of the only black guys in the theater (with the obvious insinuation) and now one else's. I think she also said that she knew one of them. I had to very carefully explain what the situation was and she did seem satisfied with the explanation as I didn't hear anything later like a social media posting.

It does suck that these days people will make assumptions without knowing what the situation is and even to the point of ruining lives ie an out of context social media posting going viral.

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 03-24-2018, 10:35 PM:

It's an unfortunately reality. I have been called racist before for checking ID for an R rated movie, for checking a large bill to see if it's counterfeit, for asking someone to turn down vulgar music at our drive-in, and for a few other situations where I was just doing my job.

I try my very best to treat everyone equally and with respect. However, I am very much aware that when I am dealing with minorities I have to be careful about what I say and how I say it to be sure I am not misinterpreted.

This works against the very point of having a more inclusive society where everyone is treated equal.

Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 03-24-2018, 11:45 PM:

I believe that most of it is upbringing and atmosphere, regardless of race or really any other factor than the way they are being raised and what's going on around them.

Some of the reserves around here occasionally bring all of the kids to a show -- they just load up a school bus with all of the kids on the reserve and everybody comes to the movie. With every reserve but one, this is a really great thing. A lot of those kids don't get out much and it's a huge thrill for them to come to a movie. And it's fun to see them here and watch the excitement; it's really one of the good things about having a movie theatre.

But one of the reserves seems to have a bunch of juvenile delinquents instead of what I consider to be regular kids. This bunch shows up, slouches into the theatre, "Fuck this, screw that, why are we here man"... Well, it's a terrible experience really. But since it's just one reserve I figure there must be something going on there that causes these kids to have such a terrible attitude and to act so tough. Whenever they show up I know that I'm in for a night of having to closely supervise everything, to make sure everyone stays quiet and make sure nobody punches a hole in the wall in the bathroom, and on and on. Sigh... I don't know if these kids really even enjoy the movie and it's sad that way. Yet another thing on the list of many things that it's not my problem to solve, though.

The other kids are really great, though.