Motion Picture Theater Management (1927)

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THE FUNCTION OF PERSONNEL 121 machine, or play a violin, not only as a recognizable man or woman, but in a recognizable way — the theater's way, the management's way. Then the first thing the management must do is to obey the ancient injunction: Know thyself. What is the policy of my theater? To what audience am I appealing? What do they like? What might they tend to like? What are the resources of the industry ready to supply the demand? What new resources must I create? If I aim at a metropolitan attendance, I must create a reputation for exquisite, precise service. If I seek a neighborhood attendance, I must establish a warm and friendly reception for them. If my patrons are poorer folk from the humbler walks of life, I must not oppress or repel them with a solicitude they are likely to mistake for a condescension. Then the management, not vaguely, but sharply aware of its aim, must break it up into convenient divisions. This much I assign to my uniformed staff. These duties will be cared for by my production staff ; these, by the housekeepers ; these, by the bookkeepers. Since I cannot run after each and every page boy or drummer or porter, this man will be my house manager, this other, my production manager. I choose them because each is fit for his field, and all are fit to instruct, to lead. I gather them about me; I charge them with the success of my venture; I confide to them my plan and my dream. I set them to their responsibilities, I lean on them, I guide. They, in turn, select their aids and subordinates and, passing my wishes down to the last and the least, reflect my visioned theater in many minds and many hands. They not merely teach me to my employees, but they return again and again to relearn the lesson from me, to reapply it down the line, till the perfection of practice and supervision and constant checking makes my theater shine from the face and the acts of every one of us. For this I reward performance with promotion, bringing the lowly up from the ranks to lead in their turn. Before my ideal I am humble to learn — I listen and observe, as well as show the way.