We still have two prints of Shanghai (till Friday at least). Apparently there was a problem last night (rookie projnectionist) and one of the Shanghai's had a 'bad spot' in it. Actually, I was told there was melted film in it (f*ching incompent goddamn morons). Ok, so I made a managerial decision. I called the early shows (1, 4, 7, 9:40) and decided to just run the late shows (1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:10). I wasn't going to run the 1:00 knowing it would break down at that point, that's just plain stupid-not to mention unproffessional. Considering that the film around the burn spot is beat up pretty bad, I decided we won't run it at all anymore, it does leave tommorrow after all. So I started tearing it down, about halfway through the projectionist-another rookie wouldn't you know-comes running up to me saying there is a problem with the other Shanghai. Great. I run over there and find....A WRAP AS THICK AS A F*CKING REEL!!!!! I haven't figured out how this happened yet, as the platter was engaged and the film wasn't wrapped around a peg or anything. Oh well. So it is 4:40 (was still in previews, I have no idea how it wrapped so fast). I try loosening the film to now avail. Now its 4:55. I finally have to cut it, pull it out of the center. Wind it up on a core. Put it on a reel, spin it onto a center ring, and plop it back on there. Worked pretty good except it took me until 5:15 to get it going again. By that time 2 people had demanded cash refunds and I just gave it to them. No cash refund policy or not, they were pissed.

Whew. So thats done now. I do a shift change box drawer check to see how we're doing-2.50 short. Now I gave $9 worth of refunds, how was she only 2.50 short?!?

Better spend the evening cutting the two prints together to make a complete one before you don't have the chance.

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1) It wasn't a 'possible' film break,' there would have been a film break. My manager told me that it was going to break the first show because there was a bad spot of film in it. The 'bad spot' of film was the length of film torn to hell in the projector during a brainwrap. This was left in the film for some unkown reason. We have two prints of this movie. I made the decision to not run the early show, making people only wait an extra half an hour. Not only would I have to shut down during that first show if I ran it, but there was considerable sprocket damage to the film around the burn and I wasn't sure if our Christie's could handle it. Are you telling me you would actually sell people tickets to a show knowing that it was going to break down? Knowing that the damaged film will probably pop a pad roller or the ultramittent shoe?

2) There is a no CASH refund policy for customers. This is a Carmike wide policy. We are allowed to give refund tickets however. If you read carefully you will notice that I gave cash refunds in this instance. I could get in big trouble for that but felt it was appropriate.

3) I do not do the scheduling. If I had it my way they would have a lot more training before being left alone in the booth.

Its funny Carl, Brad and Greg seem capable of reading. Perhaps this is a skill you should work on. You may now remove your foot from your mouth, or your head from your ass, whichever applies.

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ooouuuccchhh!!!

I once toured a scuziplex in MN where a brain wrap was in progress. of course this before I knew what brain wraps were, so I said , what's that, pointing to the offending platter(it was a 5 deck). The manager replied, Oh Sh*t. he ran and got his projectionist. I guess thats all for today.

Josh

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I feel for you, somedays nothing goes right. Last night an exec from AMC was at my theatre and wouldn't you know it, the projectionist forgets to switch two prints. UGH!! Yea, let's show "Me, Myself and Irene" to a house full of kids wanting to see "Chicken Run." DOH!!

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Dave Cutler

We just let a guy go for that. He had worked here for 20 years, but was always a poor worker. The DM was thinking about just sending him home for a week with no pay- but then he found out which two movies were switched. "Chicken Run" and "Shaft."

"Shaft" played to 8-15 year olds for about 15 min. before a patron came out and mentioned it. The DM hadn't seen "Shaft," and went in the next day to watch the first 15 min. for himself- to see what the kids saw.

Apparently, (I haven't seen it) there's pretty graphic sex going on during the credits, then Sammy Jackson is looking at a guy's bloodly head splattered over a sidewalk, swearing like crazy. That did it.

Sorry if I was a little harsh. I just hate the thoughts of cancelling performances unless it it absolutely required. I don't like Carmike's no cash refund policy. I believe that if a customer is not happy ( in our business or any other) he/she should get their money back.

We are all complaining from time to time about kid projectionists but if we stop for a moment and think back...weren't most of us kid projectionists at one time. I know I started in 1968 at 17 yrs of age and made my share of screwups. It is up to us "old hands" to make sure that the rookies are on top of things. If you find out how the rookie wrapped up the brain so fast let me know.

I hope your next shift is better.

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Actually, the guy that started the wrong movies I reallly didn't do anything to. I had a little talk with him about the importance of checking the show schedule for print moves. Usually when something like that happens I make the projectionist work down at mission control (Customer Service desk) on a Friday or Saturday night so that they can deal with all the complaints that they may have caused. Usually cures that right up.

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Dave Cutler