Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1942)

Page 24 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW June 20, 1942 Theatre Operation and Maintenance Organizer Complete Manual for Efficient Operation by Systematic Periodic Servicing Beginning with the installment herewith presented, STR offers the theatreman a complete chart for efficient theatre maintenance and operation with the various operations necessary thereto set down under the headings of the several general departments of the theatre, and the operations which should be carried out on a daily, weekly, monthly, or semi-annual program. , The basic concept of this organizer is the efficient system developed years ago by some of the most successful theatre operators, who so organized the work of theatre plant up-keep that the same functions were carried on in each of the several houses under their direction by means of a card file which the manager consulted daily in deputizing work, supervising its proper conduct by those under his direction. The most efficient operation of this system was by those who entered the many duties on cards for daily, weekly, monthly and semi-annual care of the many articles of equipment, furnishing and supplies used in the theatre. Of all the success formulae in existence "Organize-Deputize and Supervise" leads the parade as the creed of those who have climbed to the top in commercial enterprise. And, there is probably no business where strict adherence to the formula is as necessary to proper procedure and as certain to bring major reward than the realm of theatre operation. To properly organize the myriad tasks and infinite duties of the average theatre demands that the executive in charge be thoroughly familiar with every nook and cranny of the establishment; that he possess a comprehensive knowledge of the importance of each unit of the operation as it affects the impressions of patrons and reflects the character and purpose of the institution; and an appreciation of the fact that favorable impressions, once made, can only be held by constant attention to detail, appropriate and timely changes, and immaculate cleanliness. Given this understanding it is not a difficult task to arrange for the delegation of definite duties to selected employes. Intelligent employes really enjoy responsibility and will respond readily to patient instruction and constructive criticism and checking. It will require a little time but it is possible for a capable and well informed manager to thoroughly organize house duties in departmentized order and train members of the personnel for supervision of the work in each department in a surprisingly short period of time and with very little effort. The plan to follow is really simple. There should be a list of the duties for each department of the operation complied with relation to the importance of the particular task and the frequency with which it should be attended. The selected head of each department is provided with one copy and the other is used each day by the manager in calling for detailed report of accomplishments in the respective departments. If this is practiced regularly it will only be a short time before each department head comes to realize that he is to be checked on each duty and will so arrange the work that no detail is ever neglected. The following chart will more than likely prove of assistance in setting up a list of essential duties at your theatre. Front and Box-Office Daily (Cashiers should be instructed to keep lock chain on door fastened and to admit only those employes permitted by manager) • Is front neat, clean and properly lighted? • Wash display frame glass. • Polish all metal fittings. • Check connections of all hanging signs. • Wash display frame borders and ornamental designs. • Wash box-office glass and woodwork, polish all metal fittings, dust curtains or drapes. • Wipe off bulbs in box-office with damp cloth. • Wash sidewalk in front of theatre. • Sweep sidewalk in front of theatre whenever necessary — Keep gutter in front of theatre clean. • Overhead display across front should be kept clean. • See that only current attraction copy is used on front. • Check price signs, schedule frames, drape ties, etc., in box-office; sign for time of opening is put up before closing at night. • Examine safety chain and lock on box-office door. • See that attendant is assigned to warn pedestrians if lift doors from basement are used. Attraction Cliange • Clean frames of hanging signs. • Overhead display frames should be washed. • Check display panels for spelling, eye-appeal, neatness. • Front billing should be changed after closing of box-office on last night of current show. Weekly • Check ticket machine thoroughly and oil or adjust if necessary. • Check all electrical connections in box-office. Monthly • Dry clean all box-office drapes. • Repaint "No Parking" letters on sidewalk. • Touch up paint on box-office. Semi-Annually • Repaint display frame borders and orna mental designs. • Repaint hanging signs. • Repaint overhead displays used across front. • Repaint bicycle racks. Marquee Daily • Check soffit lights, replacing dead bulbs. • Check that marquee and attraction board lights are turned on and off in accordance with daylight conditions and time of boxoffice closing — don't waste current. • See that valences or other special marquee decorations are clean, neat and attractive. • If neon is used check for flicker or breaks. Attraction Change • Check spelling, neatness, spacing and layout form of attraction board copy. • Clean letters of attraction copy. • See that one man is assigned to watch stand ards of ladder used by man assigned to change marquee lettering and hanging of valances, etc. PRESERVE THIS CHART It is recommended that ALL theatremen preserve this organizer chart — whether they be associated with circuit operations in a supervisory capacity or as managers and assistant managers in independently-operated houses. The data may be used for entry on cards for filing under "organizers" for "daily," "attraction change day," "weekly," "monthly" or "semi-annual" attention. Theatremen who use such a card system check off each required item for attention after it is reported done by the employee entrusted with the assignment, or after personal inspection. Thus, no matter of importance is overlooked, and "the record" rather than memory carries the burden of the many details involved in operating the average theatre. Weekly e Check electrical connections and thoroughly clean spotlights and other special marquee, and front lighting effects. Monthly • Check soffit light socket contacts. • Wash soffit reflecting surface. • Clean reflecting backgrounds of end and front attraction boards. • Check wiring, connections, bulbs and clean attraction board channels. • Wash marquee letters. • Clean bulbs of border decorations, chasers. • Make certain that bulbs used in units of front lighting are of lowest wattage commensurate with necessary display effects ; use low wattage (7W) on all chaser and ornamental designs wherever possible ; use stronger rim lights than those in balance of soffit area. Semi-Annually • Repaint soffit reflecting surface. • Repaint reflecting backgrounds of end and front attraction boards. • Repaint letter frames. • Repaint border decorations and ornamental designs. Upright Sign Daily O If neon is used check for flickering letters or breaks. Monthly • Check sock'^t connections, wash bulbs and re flecting channels and metal surfaces. • Check standards holding sign to theatre wall, a Check major electrical contacts from sign to main circuit. • Check flasher switch contacts and major switch contacts ; check flasher mechanisms and oil if necessary. • Make certain wattage . of bulbs is lowest consistent with desired display (7W bulbs in chasers, lOW inside frosts in decorative designs and ISW inside frosts in letter channels). • Make sure adequate weight tests are given the block and tackle rope assembly that swings seat for maintenance man. • Be certain maintenance man understands fully how to tie off his lines to secure his safetv while performing work on sign. (Continued on page 27)