From: a0s5108@titan.ucc.umass.edu (Neal and Mara Priestly)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.movies
Subject: Re: free movies
Date: 5 Jan 1993 12:31:39 -0500
Organization: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
NNTP-Posting-Host: titan.ucc.umass.edu

In article <1993Jan2.074047.23261@Princeton.EDU> spencer@der.Princeton.EDU (S. Spencer Sun) writes:
>Am quoting entire article because the original article had limited
>distribution, and some of the ensuing discussion should be seen by
>everyone, IMO.
>
>In article <1992Dec31.183109.1195@scott.skidmore.edu> dbullard@scott.skidmore.edu (deryl bullard) writes:
>>To all the people who ever been taken for a ride at the movies.
>>After years in the film industry, I am now ready to reveal the deep
>>dark secrets that the theaters use to bluff and abuse the public.

I got to here the first time and marked the article.  Walked away, had
a cup of coffee and a cigarette.  Considered looking for a sharp item
but thought better of it.  Warmed up the flame thrower tho....

>>If you believe that you were given a song and dance about a problem,
>>or if you have a question about why prices are so high and why some
>>films look larger on some screens and small on others, you can now
>>find out the real reason. I can tell you the many ways and excuses
>>that are used to cover up the theaters mistake, and also when you are
>>entitled to a free pass, and how to get it. The following are standard

Entitled?  That's my call, not the movie goers.  I tend to shy away
from passes anyway...they have limitations.  When I screw up (or my
staff screws up on my behalf :) people get thier money back or get
a special ticket with no restrictions at all.  Entitlement to a 
pass varies wildly by company, a blanket statement like the one
above can be a little misleading.  And as I mentioned, sometimes a
pass is not your best bet.

>>examples that are used on the public, and if any of these have
>>happened to you, you were most likely a victim of theater abuse, and
>>deserve compensation.

Or you may also be being told the truth.  It could happen.  It does
with more regularity than I would like.

>>
>>                    "The film sent to us was bad"

                  I can think of 12 films in the past 5 years without even 
   trying hard.  Everyone makes mistakes, even film companies.  You just
   want someone to yell at and the Exhibitor Representitive does not 
   tend to stand in my lobby, but I do.  Shit Happens.  (pardon my French
   but there are a number of people who seem to have missed this most
   basic of lifes lessons.)

>>                    "This is the first time I've heard of that"  

                  Gotta be a first time for everything, pal.  Not being
   omnipresent, there are things you will find before I do.  If I knew
   it was wrond I would have warned you about it first.  That way you
   get to decide if you can deal with generic-problem-X or if you give
   the film a miss until it can be fixed.

>>  
>>  Yes, from bad focus problems, to scenes missing and sound going in
>>and out. I will tell you what theaters are best for certain types of
>>films, and what phrase puts fear in the heart of every theater
>>manager.
>>

Fear in my heart?!?!  I've been at this for quite a few years, I don't
scare easy.  My boss and two levels above him know me by first name and
trust my judgement.  The only time I have felt fear in the face of a 
upset patron was the guy who brandished a baseball bat at me when I
told him that his alchohol was not welcome in my theatre.  With the reach
advantage and his superior mass I was in a bad spot.  (Bonehead could
have at least tried to carry it in covered...gotta wonder about some
people.)

>>e-me !!
>
>As a theater manager, I'd be very interested to hear some of these
>"real reasons," "excuses," and phrases that will put fear in my heart.
>
>This does not belong in e-mail, because anything you have to say about
>cinemas deserves to be discussed in public, if you care about showing
>both sides of the story.
>
>I am also very curious about your qualifications.
>
>1. What exactly do you mean by "film industry"?  What position(s) have
>you held that entitle you claim knowledge about the operation of
>cinemas?  For whom do you and have you worked?
>
>2. Precisely how many years experience do you have? "Years in the film
>industry" could mean anything between 2 and infinity.
>
>3. What do you mean, "when you are entitled to a free pass"?  There are
>no hard and fast rules about giving out passes.  The manager exercises
>his or her judgement.  Usually if there is a legitimate problem there
>should be no difficulty getting passes.
>
>-----
>sss/PU'94 Dept of CS (spencer@phoenix.princeton.edu)/JvNCnet (spencer@jvnc.net)
>"I'm nice... He's nice... and we're both f---ing lunatics.  Can I
>come in please?"
>

Spencer was a little more polite than I.  The attitude of 'theatres are out
to f*ck you over' just really bends me out of shape.  With the advent of the
laserdisc, projection tv's, and home surround stereo systems there is not a
theatre on the face of the planet that can afford to abuse the patron base
they have.  With the availablity of home video and pay cable the only thing
that can keep people coming is the 'theatre experience' and the lions share
of that is direct and indirect customer service.  If you do the indirect
stuff well (extensive, exhaustive staff training, proper maintenance and 
preparation) the direct stuff is childs play.  When you blow the indirect
stuff you have to do the direct stuff too often.  If you don't do the direct
stuff right on a regular basis, you get replaced by someone who will get it
right or you go out of business.

My idea of the best customer direct stuff is to know about the movies, not
just what they are about and when new ones are due out, but why people liked
or disliked a film and why it got the rating it has.  I know my regulars by
name, I know before they get there what they will think of most films.  I
take a great deal of pride in knowing my job well and doing it to the best
of my ability regularly.  It's probably why attitudes like the original
posters get me so hot under the collar.  I also know I am not alone.

*FLAME OFF*

*User wipes brow*

my $.02,

-Neal
No, I don't speak for them while still in my bathrobe, and I'm not allowed
to speak for them when in uniform.  Nuff said.