Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Questions you get asked socially

This is topic Questions you get asked socially in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Andy Muirhead (Member # 712) on 09-09-2001, 06:38 PM:

Don't you hate those questions you get asked when people find out you work in a cinema, as a projy etc..? For instance, my pet hate is-

Q. Oh, you must get to see all the films then?
A. Actually, i'm too busy to watch the films

(and the answer i'd like to give, and occasionally do)..

A. Eh, well actually i'm so busy working my ass off that if i want to see a whole film properly i have to come in on my day off, and i really don't want to do that, i prefer to have a life, plus if i do i'll either spend the entire picture running up to the booth to get the picture just perfect for me, or i'll end up getting called to some disaster in another screen.

That's an example, but i'm sure you all have more
What questions do you get asked, and what do you answer (but, more importantly!, what would you LIKE to answer!)

Not relevant to this post, but something i just remembered-
My old Chief was onced asked if he watched films at home, his reply was-

"Well, sometimes, but after about 20mins i get up to see how the rest of the house is getting on!"

Classic, i love that one!

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-09-2001, 08:48 PM:

Here's how it goes with me:

Q: I bet you get to see all the films, huh?

A: You bet your ass I do. I watch em all twice.. 'cept for Freddy Got Fingered... or any movie with that goatee guy in it. Every once in awhile I'll get up off my ass and do some work, but usually I am too lazy. And yes, I can get you and all of your friends and family into the movies for free without prior notice, with free popcorn and drinks.

Posted by Rachel Carter (Member # 693) on 09-09-2001, 11:01 PM:

The 2 comments that annoy me the most.

(People thinking its a big ol' VCR)

"Why would someone pay you to push a start button?"
&
"You must have a real easy job, sit upstairs and watch movies all day long."

These are 2 comments that have been made by my friends and I wasn't only a projectionist but a GM also. YEAH, REAL EASY!

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 09-10-2001, 12:06 AM:

My stock answer is, "It's my JOB so I see so many damn movies I'm totally SICK of them!"

If you REALLY want to mess with somebody's head you make something up about a movie... "Did you see that scene in <some movie> where you can see that girl's bare butt in the background?"
The more obscure, if not totally made up, details you can toss in the more fun you can have.... "Right after the opening credits, this car drives by in the background and there's a girls butt sticking out of the car window! The story is that the movie was shot on location but these people slipped by security. The director didn't cut it out because nobody noticed it until after the film was sent to the duplication lab."

Really play it up and mess with them!

Posted by Christopher Duvall (Member # 284) on 09-10-2001, 03:42 AM:

Here is the one I get all the time..."Can I have a pass or two?" Like I fricken carry passes everywhere I go when I am not working. It is amazing how passes become gold and everybody starts to cozy up to you get something out of you. I am going to stop here now because I feel a seizure coming on if I still ttttttttyyyppyppoueegjeyddg.....aaahh crap.

Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 09-10-2001, 08:30 AM:

My response is to the "You must get to see a lot of movies!" is usually something along the lines of:

When I was a GM:
"Yeah, I do, but I see so damn many of them I don't really care what they are anymore. The only way I enjoy movies anymore is if they make a lot of money so they keep my theatre busy so my staff doesn't have time to complain about it being too slow."

or:
"I see so damn many movies that I don't care what I'm watching anymore. As long as I can sit down, and have the movie exceed my expectations, I'm happy. Because when you're watching some horrible family film, you just have to hope that it's better than you thought when you walked into the theatre. As long as it's better than I thought it was."

Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 09-10-2001, 10:49 AM:

The one I always get is..."What movies are showing" and even worse! "What time do they start!"

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 09-10-2001, 12:14 PM:

This is a good thread - long overdue!

When people ask what I do and tell them I'm a projectionist, I've had people ask me what that means. Often, they don't seem to have any concept of what it means, let alone what's involved. When I tell them what a projectionist is, they say, 'Oh...', and immediately lose all interest in the conversation.

Either that, or they become excited and ask you that ubiquitous question about getting to see all the movies and of course, asking if they can come in for free. (If she's attractive, I usually tell her that I can take someone else in for free anytime!)

It would have to be one of the most misunderstood vocations out there! Generally, I have found that people do not seem to look at projection as a serious job (even though they may have never heard of it before). Perhaps that's because they don't understand what it is, or don't think it's important enough, or because it has been 'deprofessionalised' (I love that term!). You get the feeling that they would be more impressed and take you seriously if you said that you...did almost anything else. It can't be a money thing, because they wouldn't know how much I get paid. But there's that unmistakable sinking feeling that accompanies the reply of 'Oh...'.

Posted by Paul Turner (Member # 832) on 09-10-2001, 03:05 PM:

Q: What do you do for your day-job?
A: Clean up after people like you, book movies, try to get adverstizing materials, work on the projectors, order supplies, pay bills, and orgainize protests and letter writing campaigns for "Exhibitionists Against Stupid Patrons."

Q: Could you show me how to run a movie?
A: This ain't like poppin' in a tape of "Little Mermaid" for your baby sister. This is actually a technical skill -- you know, like where you have to know something before you do it. Not like what you do for a living . . . .

Q: Why do you charge so much for snacks?
A: Greed. Unrestained Greed. It's really just that simple.

Q: Do people sneak in a lot?
A: Yes, but they never leave. If you ck the revised stautes for our fair state, theater owners are granted immunity to prosocution in the event they kill non-paying trespassers. Bounties are offered for that species too cheap to even pay for a matinee.

Q: Do you ever get tired of seeing all those movies?
A: No. I'm legally blind.

Q: What's your favorite movie?
A: Milk Maids from Mars or Amazon Women from the Avacado Jungle.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 09-10-2001, 04:18 PM:

Here's another one...

When you ask someone out on a first date don't say what your job is. Just give some vague description. Say you are a "technician" or a "machine operator".

Of course the usual first date outing is to go to the movies. Take your date to the theatre and when you get to the head of the line say, "Hi!", to the box office person, get your tickets and sign-in on the pass log. Hand your ticket to your date and make for the lobby.
Don't say anything about it unless your date brings it up first.

It's a great way to "score points" on a date!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-10-2001, 05:19 PM:

Randy, that works much better if you call the manager ahead of time and arrange for them to pamper you when you arrive and to use phrases like "yes Sir, Mr.Stankey, right away". I've done this for friends and even brought in a couple of good humored employees in on the joke. The would see him enter and rush up ahead of him to the auditorium door to hold it open, then rush around and dust off his chair and take the concession order, which would of course be brought to his seat with no mention of money. (They would give us $20 ahead of time and would pick up the change later that night or the next day.) Further phrases such as "will you be requiring anything else Mr.Stankey?" also work wonderfully. The look on the date's face is hilarious. Just make sure you only do it on a very slow weekday and they arrive early for their show so no other patrons see anything.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-10-2001, 06:09 PM:

The only bad thing about that is it gives the impression that you are too cheap to pay for a real date. I think movies are a lame first date. There is next to no interaction at all.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 09-11-2001, 12:07 AM:

OR.. if you REALLY want to mess with somebody's head...

Call ahead and let them know you're comming but THIS time tell them to completely IGNORE you. Then you take your date on a short drive which just "happens" to be right by the theatre. You get a sly look on your face and say, "Hey! Wanna' sneak into the movies?"
You say, "Just act natural..." You casually walk in the front door and stroll right into the theatre.

If you REALLY want to F*** with them, when the movie is over you stand up, walk out of the auditorium and say, "Lets sneak into the projection booth!"

Posted by Gordon Hedges III (Member # 863) on 09-11-2001, 12:25 AM:

I usually tell people that I am a "PRODUCER" and "DIRECTOR"...

I PRODUCE your tickets...
and I DIRECT you to your auditorium...

But people just look at me now and ask if they know me from somewhere... Then realize I am from the local movie theatre.

Or when I work at multiple theatres in a short period of time... "Didn't I see you at the other place?"

Posted by Alan Plester (Member # 852) on 09-14-2001, 03:47 AM:

Just remembered the daftest thing ever asked by someone in my local pub, when they found out that I was a projectionist.
" Can you see the screen from where you are? "
Absolutely true.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-15-2001, 06:46 PM:

My (least) favorite social question:

"Is (fill in movie name) good?" Like I'm going to say "No, it sucks, don't come and see it!"

Or,

"When are you going to get some good movies?" As if we have any control over what gets made!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-15-2001, 07:26 PM:

"Is (fill in movie name) good?" Like I'm going to say "No, it sucks, don't come and see it!"

Mike, I've said that to people a record number of times this year. Granted I am not working in a box office selling tickets, but let's admit it...movies have SUCKED this year.

Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 09-15-2001, 07:45 PM:

Yes, it is true. Movies have sucked this year. "But" If we buy garbage they will produce more "garbage".

However if we " spend our money on other entertainment items " the sooner quality entertainment returns.

The quality was much better in the fifties and sixties when product wasn't as plentifull but quality was superior, They did not produce as many films but the quality was far superior.

Am I wrong?

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 09-15-2001, 08:07 PM:

I will usually say something like, "If you like to watch <insert genre here> movies, you'll like this one."

I think a lot of movies are targetet to one particular kind of audience. Obviously, the movie companies would like to have EVERYBODY pay to see ALL of their movies but, in reality, that's just not going to work.

We have War movies, Teenage movies, Comedies, Adult Dramas, Action movies and a hundred other categories or sub-categories of movies. I think that almost every movie has its merits IF you can correctly identify it's main audience.

For instance: People who didn't like the movie, Clerks, are probably NOT going to like Jay and Silent Bob. People who like Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob are probably NOT going to like Princess Diaries. However, families with pre-teen girls are likely to love it. (BTW: I think Princess Diaries is an EXCELLENT movie for pre-teen girls. It goes back to the old familiar Disney "formula" we all know and love.)

When I am asked the question, "Is it good?", the answer I want to give is, "I might not have liked it but there's got to be somebody out there who will, otherwise it wouldn't have been made."

The scattershot marketing techniques the movie companies use nowadays is only serving to confuse movie goers. When they come in to see two or three movies in a row that they didn't like they are more likely to pass on that one movie that they definately will like. Their marketing only serves to shoot themselves in the foot.

Thus, it is up to US to help people figure out which movies people will like to watch to keep them comming back. Like I said, if they keep comming to the movies and seeing things that they don't like, they are more likely to stay home and watch DVDs.
We, the people who work in the movies should start thinking of ourselves as sales people, just as if we worked in a clothing store. You wouldn't want to sell somebody a pair of pants that doesn't fit them, would you? Why would you try to sell them a ticket to a movie that doesn't "fit" them either?

Posted by Jan Kisluk (Member # 868) on 09-16-2001, 12:18 AM:

My favorite question is "Is it supposed to be good?" Nope, they spent all this money making a film that they hoped would be bad.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-16-2001, 06:54 PM:

I'll be the first to agree that many of this year's movies have SUCKED, but...I got a bank payment to make, and besides, one man's trash is another's treasure, so who are we to judge. After all, somebody at Fox must've liked "Freddy Got Fingered."

Posted by JC Cowles (Member # 914) on 09-16-2001, 11:03 PM:

It's hard to believe who that would be...but you are right. The mere fact that Tom Green continues to find employment is beyond my comprehension.

Most of the questions I get asked is...who was that guy in the movie about the thing having to do with y'know...??

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-17-2001, 02:47 AM:

Damn. Just when I had almost forgotten about "Freddy Got Fingered" it had to be brought back up. I literally forgot what Tom Green's name was... I just referred to him as "that unfunny goatee guy". Now I know his name again. Damn. Everytime I see him, though, he is always portraying the exact same personality. The morons of the world will get tired of him soon and he should go away. At least let's hope so.

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 09-18-2001, 08:35 AM:

For some reason, I have found that many people seem to think there is one person at each projector the whole time!! For example, when I was talking to my uncle about my job and I told him I was the Booth Manager, he, under the impression that there was a projectionist at every projector, seemed to think that I could tell people which movies they were going to "watch" and I could pick the one I wanted to watch. Yeah, right!

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 09-18-2001, 01:39 PM:

Ken said: "I could tell people which movies they were going to "watch" and I could pick the one I wanted to watch. Yeah, right!"

One person responsible for 12 to 16 screens means they "watch" about 40 movies during an 8 hour shift. Probably an impossible task, so theatres trying to "do film right" need to train and empower their floor staff to monitor the picture and sound quality and report any problems immediately. Likewise, my suggestion of adapting the SMPTE Theatre Quality Evaluation Program by enlisting a group of technically-saavy movie buffs to be your "eyes and ears" in return for free admission.

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

Posted by Joshua Lott (Member # 240) on 09-18-2001, 05:20 PM:

John,

What is the SMPTE program? Do you have a link describing it?

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 09-18-2001, 06:29 PM:

OK, here is one to laugh at.

We had a small theater chain here in Washington State that hired a local film critic to advertize the movies being run in Mount Vernon. Well, the critic blasted most of the movies so bad over the local radio stations that nobody would watch them. Then the critic would say what theater had the movie.

The theater business owner seemed to be at a complete loss as to why the grosses for a specific movie were worse than everyone else.

The critic finally lost his contract - when the theater chain went bankrupt.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 09-19-2001, 02:33 PM:

Joshua asked: "What is the SMPTE program? Do you have a link describing it?"

The SMPTE Theatre Quality Evaluation Program (TQEP) provided an evaluation form that SMPTE members attending movies could use to help theatres identify and correct presentation problems. The original technical paper and evaluation form are in the Film Tech "Manuals" section under "Instructional Documents".

The original TQEP had limited success, since SMPTE members were not uniformly distributed throughout the country. For example, theatres in the Los Angeles area often received multiple evaluations for each screening, whereas theatres in rural areas never received evaluations. The principles of having technically-saavy theatre-goers subjectively evaluate presentation quality were later adopted by the Lucasfilm THX Theatre Alignment Program (TAP) and the Kodak ScreenCheck program.

I'm suggesting that the TQEP evaluation form could be updated and modified, and that technically-saavy moviegoers could be enlisted by theatres to evaluate presentation quality on a routine basis, perhaps in return for free admission.

Posted by Joshua Lott (Member # 240) on 09-20-2001, 12:54 AM:

John,

Thanks for your ever flowing fountain of knowledge. I will see if I can work something out here.

Josh

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 09-20-2001, 02:51 AM:

I think that my company should expand its mystery shopper program to cover a little bit more on the presentation quality.

Posted by Gracia L. Babbidge (Member # 582) on 09-29-2001, 01:52 PM:

Heh, I've run into plenty of people that were completly oblivious to what a projectionist does. My answers would vary with my mood and level of intelligence possessed by the person asking the question.
Possible responses:
~I start movies at the movie theater.
~I play with film and projectors, so that people can see movies at the cinema.
~I'm the poor sod that spends several hours locked in a long, dark, dungeon-esque room in the upstairs of a cinema, with ten very noisy, finicky machines, with thousands of feet of polyester film flying through the machines at 24 frames per second; making sure that all the shows start on time, with a pristing presentation, so the general public can see their frickin entertainment.

Another odd question I've gotten:
"So, if you work at a movie theater, where do you go when you go on dates?"

Replies I've given:
~Who says I go on dates? Do you think they let me have any leisure time for that?
~What a narrow scope of socializing you possess.
~To the movies of course. I'm a cheap date like that, but as annoying as all hell, because if I get bored with the film -which can happen a lot, I'll start criticizing the presentation, and/or the elements of the mindless drivel on-screen. ( )
~I'll have to get back to you on that. I forgot what a social life is.

~GLB

------------------
In some cultures, what I do is considered normal.

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 09-30-2001, 01:40 PM:

Gracia: If someone asks you where you go out on dates if you work at a movie theatre, tell them you head for the nearest office building and shuffle papers around on a desk for a few hours...

Posted by Anthony Reid (Member # 1009) on 10-11-2001, 04:44 PM:

One of the most common questions that I am asked is

"Whats..(insert movie title here)...like?" or
"When is..(inset movie title here)...released?"

and once after a sound problem on a performance a customer asked me

"Can you rewind the film back, so we can see what we've missed?"

and that was a long conversation!!!

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-11-2001, 08:11 PM:

What is truly sad is that one of the managers at my theatre DOES rewind film by unthreading the projector, dumping the film on the floor and feeding back through the brain onto the payout platter. Yikes!

Sorry boys and girls, NO we CANNOT rewind the film!

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 10-11-2001, 11:27 PM:

I like it when I explain to someone about changeover marks, and they say they never saw them before.

Then, a few days later, they come back in and say, "I wish you never told me .... I see those damn dots all the time now!!"

Posted by Kristin Wahlund (Member # 922) on 10-12-2001, 11:36 PM:

Reffering to that rewinding business, a couple months ago I was watching some movie on the disney channel about a "phantom in the megaplex" and the stupid 17 year old manager kept telling audiences that he would rewind their films, and they were using platters! They also couldnt figure out how one trailer kept repeating over and over, and then they showed the film running from one platter to another. Duh! There are probably 20 of them on there, oh it made me so mad. If youre gonna make a movie, make it right. Grrr... This is where people get those stupid ideas from!

------------------
Kristin Wahlund
Regal Cinemas
Eagan 16, MN

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-13-2001, 12:05 AM:

Do you mean they showed the film running from one whole platter system to another platter system???

Posted by Kristin Wahlund (Member # 922) on 10-13-2001, 11:49 PM:

Yes, they did. It made me angry. How can anyone be that dumb. Thats why the public is so uneducated, the media ahem ahem disney is feeding them bad info. i almost stopped watching, but i kept on watching to see how many other things they did wrong and I just developed more and more anger towards disney.

Posted by Ben Wales (Member # 92) on 10-14-2001, 04:03 PM:

I was once asked if we can show B/W films.

A: yes we can by just turning this switch on from Colour to B/W.

Q: That's a big camera.

A: you just wait and see the size of the projector!.

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-14-2001, 05:58 PM:

Why do people think there are cameras in the booths? I know most people don't know much about projection (that's obvious by reading this thread!), but is it THAT hard to tell the basic difference between a camera and a projector? A camera TAKES the pictures, a projector SHOWS them. It ain't rocket surgery!

Posted by Bob Healey (Member # 1003) on 10-14-2001, 09:58 PM:

The oddest question I've been asked:
The room on campus that is used as a theater is really a lecture hall, and the favorite one to adminster tests in. A friend who was taking a test in there with me asked if I could put the sound rack on some timers/remotes to start playing the theme from jaws or the Imperial March in Dolby surround as the professor was handing the tests out.

Posted by Frank Rapisardi (Member # 435) on 10-16-2001, 08:50 AM:

Ken; most people have no idea how a movie is presented. At drive ins where people could look into booths;I would get comments like,"I was late for the first feature,could you rewind the tape?" "Boy look at the size of those cameras!""Why do you need two cameras?"(Carbon archs) Again I would explain to them about carbon archs and change overs etc. And still get stupid questions. What are the bells for?What are those spots in the coner? Wasn't that other camera on a few minutes ago... I could go on and on. If wasn't so hot in the booths in the summer;I would just shut the projection booth door. I guess the question is "What can you do?"

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

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 10-16-2001, 04:36 PM:

Oh! And don't you love it when you are looking for a part in a local hardware store? Let's say, you are looking for a fuse... Your basic "AGC-n", for example.

You spend 10 minutes looking for the section of the store where the fuses are and you finally button-hole some salesperson. The FIRST question out of their mouth is bound to be, "What is this for?"

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-16-2001, 10:52 PM:

I understand that the general population has no concept of how a movie is presented. I didn't either, before I saw a booth for the first time. I was awestruck at the size of the "projector," which of course I know now is the console, and the projector is actually pretty small. And look at those shiny UFO-looking thingys next to the projector! I thought film was wound from reel to reel and rewound after each show.

But what I don't get is how in the world someone could confuse the definition of "camera" for that of "projector." Anyone with half a brain should know that. Rewinding, subtitling "machines,"...common misconceptions. Fine. But the idea that a camera projects an image? No! A camera captures the image. Is it just me, or is that common sense?

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 10-16-2001, 11:16 PM:

That's OK Ken. I've had performers call my followspot a "camera." You would think that people who work in the business (even if it is onstage instead of backstage) would have the basics down, but no. Such behavior just re-enforces the sterotype about "dumb lounge singers"...

Paul

Posted by Bob Healey (Member # 1003) on 10-16-2001, 11:55 PM:

Before I actually saw a real booth, I assumed there was just a scaled up version of the 16mm classroom projector in there, since i had seen plenty of them in use /used them. Turns out I was half right - the booth I am in still uses reels

Posted by Freddie Dobbs (Member # 915) on 10-17-2001, 08:20 AM:

When someone calls a projector a camera I start looking around and ask them where it is? They point to the machine and I start looking under, over and all around goin where? I dont see a camera......

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-17-2001, 12:18 PM:

Oh, BTW...How could anyone be so selfish as to think that even if rewinding were possible we would do it just because *they* missed part of the movie???

Posted by Kristin Wahlund (Member # 922) on 10-17-2001, 10:42 PM:

Quote:Oh, BTW...How could anyone be so selfish as to think that even if rewinding were possible wewould do it just because *they* missed part of the movie???

Answer, because obviously the whole world revolves around them. What were you thinking?

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-17-2001, 11:52 PM:

Of course! You're right. My bad.

Posted by Gary Martin (Member # 1053) on 11-28-2001, 04:56 PM:

what i would like to say

Q why do you charge so much for stuff
A because we have to pay for a team of cleansing experts to clean up after 5oo poeple stuff crap into seats throw shit onto floors and onto the screen. to pay for the 50 sacks of rubbish to be disposed of weekly left by you now *""$ o££ $£$ 5%$%£% %$^%^$%^%

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 11-28-2001, 08:58 PM:

Yes, most people don't know that we charge so much at the candy stand, because after sending 90% of the ticket price to Hollywood, there's little left for us!

One thing people would ask me is "Oh, you get to see all those movies" to which I reply (with an annoyed look "Yes, endlessly.."

"*""$ o££ $£$ 5%$%£% %$^%^$%^%" Cool! Swearing in proper English text! In America we would say: "Pick up your trash, you @#*&#?%!!"

Posted by Betsie Beadling (Member # 591) on 01-25-2002, 06:38 PM:

Today a Elderly Lady asked me how Old is This Theater??

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 01-25-2002, 07:11 PM:

John Pytlak said way back in this thread:

quote:
...my suggestion of adapting the SMPTE Theatre Quality Evaluation Program by enlisting a group of technically-savvy movie buffs to be your "eyes and ears" in return for free admission

I'm available, willing to cover the entire Eugene/Springfield metro area for Regal and/or Cinemark.

------------------
- dave
Stay away from the meadow...

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 01-25-2002, 07:35 PM:

Dave said: "I'm available, willing to cover the entire Eugene/Springfield metro area for Regal and/or Cinemark."

Then go for it!!! A .pdf of the SMPTE Theatre Quality Evaluation Program form is in the "Manuals" section of Film-Tech. You may want to update the form for digital sound and the particulars of your theatres. After watching a movie, fill out the form, and turn it in to the theatre's manager. Introduce yourself, and offer to help monitor their presentation quality in the future. It's up to them if they value your input enough to reward you in some way.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 01-25-2002, 08:39 PM:

John,

Locally, for first-run mainstream movies, there is Regal Cinema World 8, and Cinemark 17:

Regal corporate does not reply to comments, either positive or negative, ever. Locally, the Regal staff usually gives me a look of exasperation if I mention a problem. Mind you I am always polite and non-confrontational. I can cite many examples, and their reaction is always the same. Seems to be a dead end there. Auditorium #8 there has had a problem with daylight infiltrating the booth and washing out the screen for 6 years. I've mentioned it many times, and they have done nothing to correct it. (Their booth is open to the lobby, which faces south and gets direct sunlight in the afternoon). Several of their screens exhibit travel or shutter ghosting, have mentioned it many times, no change. I think my name is "red flagged" in Regal's system as "Probable Nut Case, IGNORE!!", and they are hoping I will go away.

Cinemark is a little more receptive, or at least they were for a while. Comments made on their web page generally seem to be forwarded to the local manager (although I have sent in several comment cards with nothing but praise, but nobody responds to those). For a while now, I have communicated directly (email) with the local mgr, who seemed receptive to my input at first. I have made a point of mentioning when things are essentially "perfect", as well as when there might be a problem. But recently, there has been no response to comments, either positive or negative, which probably means I've worn out my welcome and they are tired of hearing from me.

I honestly don't care about a reward (I won't turn down free passes though!). But if they don't want objective input, there doesn't seem to be a lot of point. I will continue though, whether or not they respond. BWAH HA HA! I won't give up that easily.

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- dave
Stay away from the meadow...

Posted by Paul Harnden (Member # 1034) on 01-25-2002, 11:20 PM:

"Oh so you're a projectionist! Do you splice the single frames of porn in like Fight Club?"

You don't know how many times I've been asked this. My reply was always, "Yeah didn't you see her?" This was always followed by a smirk to let them know I'm joking.
I've also been asked, more than to my liking, about rewinding the films. I just replied that I would be more than happy doing it if they and the rest of the patrons in the auditorium wouldn't mind waiting an hour and a half while I fast-fed from platter to platter...that usually shut 'em up

.
And my personal favorite was when I overheard a parent pointing to the platters through a window from the lobby, "Wow look honey, look at the projector! What a fine piece of equipment!" Oh well....

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 01-28-2002, 11:37 AM:

I said:

quote:
recently, there has been no response to comments [from the manager of Cinemark 17], either positive or negative, which probably means I've worn out my welcome and they are tired of hearing from me.

DUH! Reason I haven't received any replies from Cinemark is the manager has been on vacation! Just wanted to clear up that issue.

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- dave
Stay away from the meadow...

Posted by Evans A Criswell (Member # 381) on 01-28-2002, 04:16 PM:

quote:
Regal corporate does not reply to comments, either positive or negative

They occasionally do. Every now and then (every third or fourth one), I do get a, usually canned, email response to the comment cards I send in. They have probably labeled me as a "nut case" and just respond occasionally. They probably figure "Who else but a nut would evaluate our presentation quality and put the results on a WWW site?"

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Evans A Criswell
Huntsville-Decatur Movie Theatre Information Site

Posted by Robb Johnston (Member # 239) on 01-28-2002, 08:09 PM:

My usual response when asked admiringly if I see all the films is simple. "I do, but it isn't so great. Two words; Battlefield Earth." Previously "Two words; Knock Off," or more Recently, "3 words, Freddy Got Fingered."

My theatres screen every new release and I usually am the one to jump on the grenade, otherwise the crap flicks would never be screened.

Posted by Michael Brown (Member # 890) on 01-29-2002, 03:41 PM:

(I'm cleaning the projector)

"Woah thats big ,what's that?"

"The Projector"

"I thought you used tape now?)