|
This topic comprises 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
|
Author
|
Topic: Ridiculous customer/show scheduling
|
Mike Spaeth
Phenomenal Film Handler
![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubbmembers/524b.jpg)
Posts: 1129
From: Marietta, GA
Registered: Jul 2000
|
posted 09-27-2000 04:13 AM
So I have this old guy come in around 7:30 and ask me when "Way of the Gun" starts. I kindly inform him that the next show isn't until 10:20. When he asks when the previous show was, I tell him 4:25 (it's alternating show's w/ the Replacements). So he proceeds to cuss me out, "No one goes to a 10:20 movie on a work night..." Then asks when my showtimes are tomorrow. I tell him the same thing. He gets pissed off and tells me that I should alternate those every day (i.e. show Replacements at 425/1020 and Way of the Gun at 730). I explain to him the way that show scheduling works, yada yada, only to cringe when I hear his next question "When does it show next week" (knowing that my bookings next week call for last show only - the magical 10:20 show). This really ticked him off, he was basically threatening that hell to consume my theater because my showtimes weren't to his liking. Question: If you wanted to see this movie THAT badly, why didn't you see it during the first 2 weeks, when I had a full round of shows? Kind of like the people that got pissed at me when "I Dreamed Of Africa" went to last show only for the second week of it's engagement (which also happened to be the last).A second question: for all you managers out there: do you write your own show schedule or have corporate office mandate one for you? That's one thing I like about my company - the show scheduling is 100% up to me. If their is a problem with it, my booker advises me otherwise (i.e. you need to fit 5 shows over the weekend, which is VERY rare) I think it would take 75% of the fun out of my job, as the bookings are my favorite management activity (sure beats inventory).
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mike Spaeth
Phenomenal Film Handler
![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubbmembers/524b.jpg)
Posts: 1129
From: Marietta, GA
Registered: Jul 2000
|
posted 09-28-2000 12:29 AM
Basically, I have 2 rules when writing a show schedule. First, no 2 movies start at the same time, always spaced 5 minutes, plus I make sure that there is a 30 minute intermission plus 5 minute spacing between drop times, so that I can more efficiently schedule staff (i.e. spread things out so that I only need 2 people working 8 hours, rather than 3 working 7.) BTW, 10:20 is my last start of the night, and, being a college town, my 9:30-10:20 round is the largest of the evening, beats the 7's.
| IP: Logged
|
|
Zach Zagar
Film Handler
![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubbmembers/379.jpg)
Posts: 45
From: Jefferson City, MO
Registered: Mar 2000
|
posted 09-28-2000 10:18 AM
One problem I've had with shutting off my Xenon bulb after I start the movie, the hour meter still goes (at least on the Christie, Xetron and Strong lamphouses I've worked with). What's the point of shutting it off if your eter runs? (unless you log hours you didn't run it). The way I've found around it, is if someone's in the theater, or we sold for it, I press start. However, if its a no show, I will simply flip on the motor and it goes. Then if someone shows up, we/I press start, it then overrides the motor and we can flip off the manual motor start and then the lamphouse meter is only logging ACTUAL hours, not just hours that the start button was pushed.Only problem is those cashiers who forget to tell you if they sold a ticket. Once I fix that problem, there's no flaw whatsoever, I guess. ------------------ If ya smell, what the Zach is cooking. Zach Zagar, the most electrifying man in theater entertainment today.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler
![](/ubbmembers/14l.jpg)
Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99
|
posted 09-28-2000 02:54 PM
I was raised to respect punctuality. If I wasn't on time there was hell to pay. Last night was my day off, in theory. One of our employees was sick so I came in to close the theatre.Our schedule is such that all our films save one get out by 10:45 PM. The other film gets out at 11:30 PM. It has the last start time at 9:15 PM. 9:15 came and went without a ticket sold. You all have had this happen to you. 9:25 two ladies come in and ask for tickets to the show that I am not running. I tell them that it is cancled and please come again tomorrow. They start whining and saying that they drove here from Petaluma which is 25 miles away. I relent and start the show at 9:30. This means that I am here one more hour on my day off. Why is it that people can be on time for the train, plane and symphony but they are always 5 to 10 minutes late for a film? I have to go. My staff is due here in one minute.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Russ Kress
Expert Film Handler
![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubbmembers/461.jpg)
Posts: 202
From: Charleston, WV, USA
Registered: May 2000
|
posted 09-30-2000 10:51 PM
Jesse, Lighten up!!I personally don't care who your boss is! (LOL) You advertised that you were showing a movie. A customer was late. Believe it or not, that customer is more important than the person who signs your paycheck. If you really have a problem with this, you might want to apply for that position at the bank. I hear that their hours are much more structured. "A waste of your time?" You are definately in the wrong line of work. Thank you for creating such a pleasant customer experience that will eventually affect us all. God help me! I just agreed with my boss! Start every show! Even if it's empty. Russ
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
All times are Central (GMT -6:00)
|
This topic comprises 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
|
Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM
6.3.1.2
The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion
and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.
|