I'll be doing my first one tonight (yay!) and was wondering if anyone has an "easy" way of doing the count (I'm supposed to be accurate within five patrons). My previous movie theater shops haven't required patron counts (different MSC).
NOTE: I'm not on the forum every day. If someone comments on my post, I might not reply right away. I've been a shopper since 1991. I've never done any work for a MS company in any other capacity.
I actually get there early and take the seat closest to the entrance so I can count people coming in the door, assuming of course that the theater only has one entrance.
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Some times you just have to turn around, give a little smile, toss the match, set the bridge ablaze, and walk away.
Silver Certified on the Carolina Coast. You want fries with that?
You can not go by the number posted as auditoriums are changed based on how the wheelchair seats are placed. When I used to do trailer checks, I had to count seats for some movies and they required to both report the posted number and the actual seat count, and most times it was different.
Invest in a hand-held counter (Walmart sells them for about $10). Count everyone entering on the counter and manually count anyone who leaves. Very accurate and easier to manage. And the cost is deductable on taxes as necessary equipment to do your job. I prefer sitting up near the entrance but with visibility of all entrances. Arrive early and pick a showing during off times - that will lower the total counts.
I always choose a move been out for longer than two weeks. The viewing audience is always smaller. It's also a good way to catch up on the Oscar nominees for best pic.