OH MY! I was just contacted by a MSC offering trailer check, open check and screening jobs (I don't think they are mystery shops) but they don't explain what they are and you can't access the "rules" until you apply and get accepted for the job.

I am guessing that trailer check is just watching the trailer before a movie starts but does that mean you have to buy a ticket for a movie that you aren't going to stay and watch? And screening is actually watching the movie. But I have no idea what an open check is.

Can anyone explain what these three things are and if they are worth the drive/money? Thanks.

You go to the first screenings of a certain movie. You show a letter of authorization that you print out to the Manager. You watch and detail the trailers before the movie. You then go to the next screen( if more than one showing of the same movie). You don't stay to watch the movie, because you have to input the info within a certain time ( there are exceptions). Good luck, also big/mega openings may have 4 or 5 first screenings. so check the listings it may not be worth it.

They don't let you watch the movie. I just got a call from them to do an audit at a "local" store. They seem to define local very loosely. And they don't tell you which store in the voicemail. I just deactivated my account with them. It's the only mystery shop company I've ever done that with. The "purple" company.

When the theater staff gets to know you, they will let you stay for the movie....

Thanks everyone. But what is an open check? I assume they are not giving me a blank check for me to fill in any amount that I like. {Yes, I am being sarcastic!}

I've never done one, but I believe that you go into the theater and count the people. Sometimes you may have to ask viewers who are leaving some questions, alot of work.

Open check s when you go to the movie, count the number of patrons and get demographics. It may require you watching the movie and getting the audience reaction (where they gasp, cheer, scream and laugh). A.rare event is asking questions on the way out.

Usually you just watch trailers and leave the auditorium.

I was very excited to see the new MSC get the trailer checks. They pay much better and are so easy to work with.

That sounds like it would be an easy shop. I'd like to do it too. What's "the purple company"? I know we talk in code on here sometimes but I'm slow sometimes LOL!

I also deactivated my account with this MSC. Is it Market Force?

Yes, the purple company is marketforce.com.

You also need to know that on open checks you have to stay all day, count all patrons at all showings. This can be a very long day and the pay may not be worth it.

Thanks everyone. I think I will be passing on these types of shops. I don't have the time to stand around all day counting people. I barely have 2+ hours straight to actually watch a movie these days.

Ragdollteddy Wrote:
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> You also need to know that on open checks you have
> to stay all day, count all patrons at all
> showings. This can be a very long day and the pay
> may not be worth it.


Not all open checks are like that. It varies client to client. I have done tons of open checks and have never stayed all day.

I have done some where I have a team who must sit through the first showing of the movie on each screen and report demographics and audience reactions. This is usually for the summer blockbusters. My teens love these. They have friends lining up to assist.

When I did them before the MSP merged with other companies, they were heavily bonused because they were downtown and no one else wanted them. I did them monthly or every other month. In mine, I was undercover but it's hard to stay undercover in a small theater, especially when the security guy always hit on me and remembered when I came back. I just said I liked to watch movies as a getaway.

Anyway, I'd go in, count the number of people, whether they were men or women, their general ages, and previews shown. I could stay to watch the movie since they only had them showing in one theater. I'd buy a ticket for each showing but after I got the information, I'd go see a different movie and be done before the next showing of my audited movie. Most times all I needed was a head count for each of the shows, usually two or three.

Someone must've realized how easy those were because they started gettings scheduled at the regular fee. Bummer.

I've done the ones with the form you show to the manager, as well. I was able to watch the movie for those, too.

Shop2LiveinFL Wrote:
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> I am guessing that trailer check is just watching
> the trailer before a movie starts but does that
> mean you have to buy a ticket for a movie that you
> aren't going to stay and watch? And screening is
> actually watching the movie. But I have no idea
> what an open check is.
>
> Can anyone explain what these three things are and
> if they are worth the drive/money? Thanks.

The covert shops I've done pay for two tickets for each showing + $12 per showing. They are pretty easy. You just sit at the back and count heads. Sometimes they want to know the crowd reactions, but normally you only have to stay for the first twenty minutes.
If there is only one show, well you can either stay and watch it or leave after you've done your head count.
When there are two or more showings, we will do the head count and then stay for the first show. Then do the head count for the second show, leave and get something to eat, then return in time to do the head count for the third show.

The trailer checks only pay the shop fee because you get in by showing the manager your authorization letter.

They are pretty easy shops to do and usually entertaining. I wouldn't take on that had the same movie showing on multiple screens but that is only because I do not have a team of helpers to cover the other screens.

Give one a try, you will probably find it easier than going in trying on three outfits, and then having to do a return for the same shop fee as you get for a single screening at the theatre.

When I did a trailer check I had to sit in the back and write down every ad and trailer that played for 30 minutes before the movie, for 3 movies. I had introduced myself to the manager and employees so I did not need to buy a ticket. I ended up being able to sit and watch a whole movie for free because of the timings of the shows - I had 2 hours to wait until the next trailer started so I just stayed in the movie! It was great

Big chains always allow you to stay and watch the movie. Plus, if you time it correctly, you can watch the movie in between. Let's say for example they want trailer check for three movies that each one starts 20 min after the other. For example, you do the first one at 1 PM and then the third one at 1:40 PM stay and watch the third. When the movie is over, is almost time for the next screening of the second movie.(which previous showing was at 1:20PM) Other companies who do trailer checks do not require to do the first showing, just any one you pick. As for the purple portal, you just negotiate with them and tell them you can not go at 10am but can do the 2pm. When I used to work with certified I always went at the 9pm and after showings which was great as I went after the other shops were closed.

I've always enjoyed the trailer checks. They are a lot easier than trying to keep track of people coming and going to get an accurate head count. Additionally I get to see which upcoming movies might interest me, and also watch a free movie as well. The shop fee is a bonus!

I used to do a ton of trailer checks when my daughter was young and she wanted to come for movies with me. The managers were always very polite and would let me take my daughter and watch the movie.

Don't do them anymore as I am not interested in seeing a movie alone!

I never stay for the movies unless the paperwork specifically tells me to.

Most of the time the paperwork says you are not allowed to.

I know the managers and most of the staff at the theater by first name and would never put their jobs in jeopardy by staying to see a movie. Our job is to watch the trailers, ads or whatever is stated on the paperwork. I have never asked to stay nor would I. It is not in my job description for the day and I owe it to the theater client and MSC to do what is expected.

I did trailer checks because of the possibility of staying back and seeing the movie. I used to do it 8-10 years back so maybe the rules have changed. The paperwork during then used to clearly say that it was at the discretion of the manager to allow you to see the movie or not. I never had any problems.

For the partly sum they give, I would never go and do a trailer check if I cannot see the ensuing movie. It will be total waste of my time and money.

Actually theaters make their money on concessions anyway. It's never appropriate to ask for anything from a client, but if there are empty seats and the manager invites someone to stay and see the movie what's the harm?

kalfini Wrote:
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> I never stay for the movies unless the paperwork
> specifically tells me to.
>
> Most of the time the paperwork says you are not
> allowed to.
>
> I know the managers and most of the staff at the
> theater by first name and would never put their
> jobs in jeopardy by staying to see a movie. Our
> job is to watch the trailers, ads or whatever is
> stated on the paperwork. I have never asked to
> stay nor would I. It is not in my job description
> for the day and I owe it to the theater client and
> MSC to do what is expected.

Maybe there are different instructions for different areas. I don't recall ever seeing a directive stating I can't stay and watch the movie after doing a trailer check.

None of the trailer authorization letters say you cannot watch the movie.
Regardless, if the manager does not care, than do your check and watch the movie
of your choice.

LisaSTL: The popcorn profit margin is around 85% per dollar!!!
That is more than Apple's 60% profit on I Phones!!!
And they sell 16 oz. bottled water for about $4.50 which
you can pay about .40 each bottle per case on your own...

BUT they do make a decent amount of money from ticket sales including
the under reporting of their total grosses, that is why there are open and closed checks conducted for the studios. They also pay the studios 90 days thereafter
enabling the studio's money to acrue interest.

I just did a trailer check last Friday and the instructions did say we are not allowed to stay for the movie. It was in B I G P R I N T.

This is a perfect example for the need to ALWAYS read the shop instructions for each shop and each mystery shopping company. The one I performed yesterday said that I HAD to stay and watch the WHOLE movie and that they would be checking the video tape to make sure that I did not leave early.

Here's my question, if they are videotaping the number of patrons and theater checks, why did they need me?