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This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
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Author
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Topic: Hired at Regal Sacramento- should I take it?
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Jesse Skeen
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1517
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-30-2000 12:12 AM
I've been working at a 6-plex in Davis for nine years now, having started out on floor staff and have been a projectionist since late 1992. During that time I've gotten full experience with booth operation and can run and make up films at least as well as any union operator; in fact sometimes I've been known to be more picky than some union people. I could use a little more technical experience but that's mostly due to the union people there keeping everything in shape. I'm sure I could do more if I HAD to though.
While they've treated me pretty well there, I've been itching to move on to someplace bigger so I applied at the Regal Natomas 16 theater in Sacramento which opened a year ago. While I know the company is in trouble, this theater has been doing rather well- it's the only theater in its area so it gets almost every film that comes out. I figure the worst that could happen would that they'd sell it to someone else, it's certainly not going to close anytime soon.
I'm going to be in charge of the projection booth full-time there (if I take the job), right now the most experienced person they've got up there is a kid who can only work 20 hours a week because he's going to school; I was impressed with his knowledge and attitude and certainly has a decent amount of experience, but the rest of the people they have running the booth I hear haven't been that great, and they can certainly use me.
The bad news is that they've offered me $7.75 an hour as a starting wage, with no benefits. This is only 50 cents more than what I make at my current job running less than half as many screens with not nearly as much responsibility. The union projectionist I work with says they should pay me at least $12 an hour, I don't know what they pay the rest of their people. I really do want to work at Regal but I will have to drive a few miles to get there and I was planning to move closer if the job works out- both of those cost money obviously.
I have until next week to decide whether to take this new job or stay where I am; right now my plan is to accept their starting wage but let them know that I'm going to have to be paid more after I've been there a few months and they're happy with the job I'm doing. Does anyone here think this will work, or should I ask for more up front, or stay away altogether? I hate to sound greedy, but I do need to make at least enough to live on and to make relocating worthwhile.
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Dave Williams
Wet nipple scene
Posts: 1836
From: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 08-30-2000 01:25 AM
You never want to pass up a good thing. However you have to wonder if this is a good thing. For the Sacramento area (which I am from) you would not be doing well on 7.75 an hour. Absolutely insist on a higher wage, and inquire about when benefits would be available. If you are a full time employee you should generally be qualified within 3 to 6 months for whatever company benefits that are available.I have been long involved in the process of negotiations for higher wages. It really all depends on how you approach the request. Never take anything at face value. You have to believe in yourself. If they see an ounce of weakness they will eat you alive and you will never see any dramatic increases in pay. Regal is in trouble, and they are holding on to thier assetts, cash and whatever they have. That wage may be all they have to offer. And with bankruptcy looming for them, they may not be able to increase wages for sometime. So my advice is to tell them that you would love to take the job, but you would feel more comfortable with a higher wage compensurate for the job, and some outline of when you qualify for benefits. This strategy does not say you wont take the job for the wage they offer, but lets them know that you would be more loyal if they reciprocated that loyalty with cash and incentives. And now back to bed. Good luck. Dave
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Scott D. Neff
Theatre Dork
Posts: 919
From: San Francisco, CA
Registered: Oct 1999
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posted 08-30-2000 01:46 AM
DEFINITELY TAKE IT.Being able to say "I ran a 20-Plex" looks good to ANYBODY as far as theatre work goes. And besides - the new equipment will amaze you for at least three months. The Holiday has some nice equipment, but I'm sure you'll love all the stuff Regal has. Give it a shot - the worst that can happen is you'll want to come back to Signature -- and what're they gonna do? Turn down an experienced projectionist? I DON'T THINK SO. Better still - move to Sebastopol - work for us. :-) (Wait - I should check with our Tech before offering jobs...) ------------------
Scott D. Neff
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www.cinema-west.com
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Dave Cutler
Master Film Handler
Posts: 277
From: Centennial, CO
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 08-30-2000 10:22 AM
Jesse, first of all make sure you know exactly what you are getting into. Running a 16-plex is not an easy thing to do, I know I run a 24-plex. There is a lot on maintenance, repair and just keeping staffed properly can be a pain (unless you have a great staff). Ask for more money upfront, it's a hard job and you should get atleast 10 an hour. I don't make that much running this 24-plex, and it just means that I will always be looking for something better. It wouldn't take that much more for another theatre to lure me away.If they can't give you more money then you have to decide if it's something you really want to do. That's really the only reason I stay at my 24-plex. I love it, I love the work. Not being in charge, but working with the staff, and equiptment is fun for me. Running a Multi-plex or Mega-plex booth is definately an experience that I am glad to have had, but now that I have been doing it over a year I know how much work it takes. It's a fun jub, but it is also hard at times, and theatre's need to realise that it is, and pay appropriately. Ask what a starting Manager at Regel makes, because that is what you should be. A Booth Manager, because that is the type of roll you will be filling. Not trying to scare you away, just letting you know that it's not an easy job. It sounds like a great opportunity that could be a great experience.
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Kevin Crawford
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 207
From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: May 2000
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posted 08-31-2000 01:52 AM
Jesse, I would be wary of Regal. Steve talked to a former tech of theirs. He now works for Xetron. They did not pay him a lot, and only gave him 8 cents a mile for gas, no wear and tear on the car. Does not sound like a company that looks after their employees. From what I heard from the ASC tech that did the install there, they only have 1 tech for all of California. So you will be on your own. Steve and I would help you through stuff on the phone, but the Union does not want us doing work for them. So you would probably be on your own.Besides, I have seen the equipment. All Strong. Including the platters. You will soon wish for the joy of the AW3s in Davis. But should you change your mind, Julie would probably hire you back. But I doubt there would be extra money in it for you if you came back. By the way, this probably would not have come up had you not passed up the opportunity to work for the Union. You could probably be at the Crest now.
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Tom Kroening
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 214
From: Janesville, WI USA
Registered: Oct 1999
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posted 08-31-2000 07:33 PM
I think that you should probably think about it. I moved to FL from WI and needed a job that paid at least 10 bucks an hour. I looked everywhere, and descided to put an app in at regal as a back up. I wanted to be a projectionist but since there are no projectionist, only managers, i was hired as a manager. I trained at a 20 plex, and now work at an 18 plex. As for the equipment, its ok. We do have some strong platters which is a definate plus, (don't like christie or nuemades at all). I don't really get paid enough for the work I put in (like today, i worked the morning shift. I had to build 4 and a half prints, break down two, and thread 36 movies - i got some help thank God), and its barely enough to live on (kinda going into debt in fact) but its a job none the less. I'm getting management experience though. There's pluses and negatives of any job. Just weigh them and descide accordingly.
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