Q about the ones where you have to patron count at every showing. Besides it being boring to have to stay all day, how DO you stay? Doesn't security notice you've been there all day? Surely you'd get kicked out for theater hopping.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/29/2012 01:48AM by hudge95.

Dependent on the theater, you would either have to buy a ticket for each movie which would be reimbursed or you would have an authorization letter to show the manager which would allow you entry.

Never did them, but with the unrevealed shops, they ask you to use a partner.
Regardless, the staff will recognize the two of you after seeing you come and go after a few showings.

I have never understood the purpose of the patron count assignments. Well, the purpose is likely to ensure that the cash register count matches up with the patrons entering the movie. However I think this assignment would be very difficult. I know that I often enter a theater and then leave again to get popcorn or whatever. So, you have people going in and out and some patrons entering twice. I think it would be difficult to be counting, and then having to remember "hey don't double count the lady with the blonde hair, she is leaving and will re-enter, and don't double count the father taking his kid to the washroom, and don't double count . . . "etc. etc. etc. I am sure the the count is often inaccurate as a result. So does the theater then get in trouble?

all of the all day ones I have done have been revealed. Once I introduce myself that first time, they usually let me come and go as I please for that day. Yes, having to count at every showing but not reveal yourself could pose a problem.

The only ones I did you were revealed. Handed a letter to the manager. And you didn't get a ticket to the movie which is one of the reasons why I don't care to do them.

I've done several covert all-day patron counts. You need to plan your day to decide what amount of time you'll spend in the theater and when you'll go out and take a break and purchase another ticket to re-enter the theater. You'd be surprised at how many theaters don't monitor cross-overs either. You can stay covert by purchasing tickets at the self-service kiosks instead of going to the ticket booth and served by the same staff member multiple times.

I have worked only small theaters. No partner. I own a clicker counter but find it inconvenient for theaters. It is better for something such as how many are coming in to a ball game. I count "29,30,31...." Then I count on my hands the number of people who go out (so I don't have to think about it). If the number is larger, then I have to think. At the end, I deduct the backward count from the forward count. It still isn't perfect. I recount by standing at the back of the theater after the movie has been going for a while and, when the movie creates more light, counting heads. If I know a family came in and there is a missing head on a chair, then a child is either in a parent's lap or has slid down. I think I had one count that required me not to count small children but others haven't mentioned it. I count payers, if I can tell. I knew someone who sat outside the theater screen door (a bigger theater) and counted who went in and out. Covert work can't be done that way, though. If the flow of traffic is unusual, it helps to count when they leave, but even then there are front exits and back exits. In that case, I stand so I can see the people going past me but also count the shadows going out the front door when it opens. They usually leave as the credits are up, so the lights aren't yet on. Again, some of this only works in small theaters. I have to say "Hi!" to people who speak to me while still counting in my head. It is not as hard as it seems in this description, and I don't always feel that I need to recount, because the theater isn't full. Sometimes people are already in the theater even though I arrived early, so I count them then and later, just to make sure. The point is that the count should be very close or exactly the number that the theater has. If it is drastically off, then the counter probably made a mistake, barring any groups of teenaged jumpers. I have caught teenagers letting others in the locked fire door and alerted staff. One time, the theater owner, upon seeing my letter of authorization, asked me to also keep an eye on the refreshments crew because somebody had been pocketing money. I didn't see any wrong-doing there. This isn't just a job; it is a responsibility. Do your best always. I wish these assignments paid better.