The following comment was in the Wall Street Journal yesterday:

"I think that the economy will crash definitively in the end of this year. It will take 10-12 years before we are back in today’s status. 10-15 big telecom-companies are going to crash within two years. The car industry will be reduced to 50% in Europe and USA and 40% in Japan and Korea within 5 years. Unemployment is going to rise in USA to about 20% after the big crash in the end of this year."

The final outcome of a bankrupt cinema chain, such as carmike and others could be a complete shutdown of operations at least temporarily, particularly if the court decides the business is beyond repair. Then after a while, the better parts of the "bones" might be sold off if other chains are interested in buying, which will likely be only if the price is cheap.

That statement from the Wall Street Journel definately seems a bit heavy on the "doom and gloom"!

I try to keep an eye on the financial news shows as often as possible, and I never heard them put it that bad. The experts do seem to agree the the worst isn't here yet, but many analysts are optimistic for as early as 2002.

IMHO, I hope the optimists are correct. We don't need the 30's decade back again. I think that the economy has got to get better... I HOPE, for all of our futures!

Houses cost less, especially after they go into foreclosure. People seem to appreciate their underpaid job in the cinema more. We get a higher class of employee. The conversations become more interesting. The Artists move into abandoned downtown properties. The coffee house turns out to be the place to hang out. People start comparing bargains instead of comparing excess spending. Everybody rediscovers cheap entertainment, like going to the movies. The streets have more interesting life because; people park their cars and take the bicycle. Saving energy becomes a competitive sport. They start trading their BMW750ILs for Hondas. Consequently you can pick up a BMW750IL for 1/3 the going price. People invite you over for wonderful, home cooked meals instead of meeting you at an overprice restaurant. Cheap restaurants come back into vogue.

quote:

---

Some guy said: "Everybody rediscovers cheap entertainment, like going to the movies."

---

Movies are not cheap entertainment. Unless they plan on lowering the prices. Renting from BlockSucker Video is cheap entertainment.

 |  IP: Logged

 |  IP: Logged

Attacking people is not cool on these forums. You owe Mark an apology.

You know Mark then, do you Jerry? I suggest you don't mouth off about someone you obviously know nothing about.

Everyone is entitled to choose.

Jerry sounds like one of the many union guys that got absolutely burned by my theatre chain almost a year ago. We used to have around one union guy/gal? at every theatre. Then last year, suddenly we had to cut expenses fast cus corporate was spreading the B word. The powers wrote up a new contract and all but a handful of the union people got a letter saying they were no longer needed. It was signed insultingly, "I am <name omitted>"
But really, the union is not the holy mother, and while I love it when our techs come out to help me fix the noisy light making machines, they are expensive. Few theatre companies are going to look at a high paid professional and a minimum wage epsilon semi-moron and chose the pro for daily operations. Sign of the times, and I agree with Ian's outlook; economic shakedown is good.

I do not mean any disrespect for you, but I will say this exactly one time. Read the FAQ, inparticularly that last paragraph. No ifs ands or butts.

Kindest Regards,
Mark Gulbrandsen
Motion Picture Sales Manager
Lighting Systems Engineer
General Theatrical Supply
2153 South 700 East
Salt Lake City, UT