Holy Moses! All the horror stories. I admit there were times when I regretted accepting a theatre assignment. That was usually because I was not organized enough. But I have accepted theatre shops not only from CFA but a few others. I was reimbursed for my ticket and a combo of concession items. I paid for my companion's ticket. And we had a choice of the movie to watch. It was a relaxing time and all I did was report on the theatre's cleanliness, interaction with the staff. There was also an evaluation fee. Then on to an upscale restaurant shop in the vicinity.
Don't get me wrong, not all theatre assignments are created equal. Not all MSCs are all created equal. So I accept theatre assignments when I want a relaxing time or I am well organized and I like the MSC. It is really personal preference.
There are various types of movie shops, and I think I have done all of them. Just to try them out. These are on the list: Auditing, Blind checking, Lobby checks, Open checking, Theatre checks, Theatre evaluation, Theatre Installs. I have tried each and every one, mostly in my rookie days and I have never had anything rejected. But I would never do Installs again. This requires physical labour. Maybe there are more theatre shops that I don't know about.
Blind and Open checking, as the names imply are overt or covert. The overt, you require the manager's cooperation. Covert, of course, you have to observe, count the patrons, evaluate the show etc. without anyone knowing it. Most of the time, your fee includes reimbursement of your ticket and your partner's, depending on how many screens are showing the movie. And of course, not all shops are the same. Others require more data and following the Guidelines is not that difficult. I had been involved in a group assignment were there were a number of people assigned (overt) and I was the leader. The shop required patron counts, evaluations, etc. The fee depended on how many details were needed. The report must also be mailed out together with all the tickets and filled out forms.
There are other types where you just have to count the patron, demography, etc. and the movie tickets are not included, therefore, you are forbidden to watch the movie. And this is clearly written in the Guidelines or on the Letter of Authorization. Which really does not bother me.
All the other types also do not include viewing the movies free. When I like a movie, I buy a ticket after my work is done. Even
when I am invited to view the movie by the manager, I decline. I stick to the Guidelines.
Now, speaking of the Trailer Checks. These are the easiest to do and really quick money. Not including the fact that you keep abreast of the coming attractions, if you are a movie fan. The First Shows are quick and easy. $10 a piece. Report by telephone and you are out of there in less than 20 minutes. You have to ask for the manager's signature of course and that would be about 5 minutes delay. The $2 additional screen usually does not happen. What confuses a shopper is the idea that it is per screen. It is actually per print. Most of the time, the theatre has only one or two prints of the same movie shown in different screen. One just has to record the trailers for that showing, not all the showing on the different screens. You have to verify with the manager. If the Guideline specifically require data on each screen or auditorium, regardless if there is only one print, then that is another story.
Trailer checks are my Friday relaxing time. Since they are scheduled in advance, I line up my shops around the area anticipating multiple screens/prints. Although upscale shops are supposedly my specialty, I never, ever line them up with movie shops. Why, because I do not want to be all dressed up in heels. lol Mind you, one still has to be dressed properly when conducting a movie shop, as per Guidelines.
Most of the movie theatres I do are usually within the subway line. If I could avoid cars, I do. I am lucky I live in a city where the public transportation is very accessible. That is the reason I did airport shops. Outside of the GTA, I may have to use a car or use VIVA etc. That had not stopped me.
During winter, at the start of the major snowstorm, I had a covert theatre assignment. I could only do one print/auditorium
as I left my place in darkness and I was afraid the power outage was not resolved yet. It was the worst theatre shop I ever experienced. I had someone pick me up and CFA paid me for what I completed.
I am very picky with the shops I take but somehow, I find trailer checks are my relaxing shops. Since they are usually on Fridays, I like the fact that I don't even have to do much. So at times, I also get another theatre shop around the area. But
organization is very important. If this helps, well and good. But as always, to each his own.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2014 08:58PM by risinghorizon.