After eight months with the Palace Amusement Company, I’ve screened a little over 80 movies at 2 cinemas for I can only assume thousands of patrons. With that I’d like to celebrate with, 8 things I’ve learned from working for Douglas Graham and his corporate movie exhibition company.
1. Sometimes you have to leave your personal issues at the door. In a service oriented job, it’s less about you and more about the patron’s experience. For every mis-step, mistake or ill-handled situation you have an audience that’s lost out on a perfect experience.
2. The perfect experience is marked by a job well done, and an audience that doesn’t even realize that you were a part of their night out. They enjoy the movie and you can often tell during and after, by the smiles, laughter and laid back gestures. They seem right at home, with everyone else.
3. Those perfect shows make it worth it. I genuinely find satisfaction in the idea that each time a patron has a good experience with us, I was a part of it. Certainly working in the shadows/backgrounds means I don’t have to handle irritated patrons, but that’s the way I like it.
4. I am more certain than ever that I thrive in work that includes hands-on activity, and minimal human interaction. I’m okay with that, despite the reality of the limited number of jobs that have either, or both of these above mentioned components.
5. Honest work, is good work even if you’re not making a fair wage. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches. I’ve had a number of jobs since I was 16, and I’ve never had to be so frugal. Every day I relearn my priorities and better understand where my heart and mind is with regard to money.
6. I am officially a movie buff. It comes with the territory. I enjoyed movies and cinematic art before, but the fact that I still like watching and analysing the genre on my days off really means something.
7. Life isn’t much like the movies. You have complex and irritating relationships and situations in life that are beyond repair. Sometimes no amount of hard-work, luck or providence will fix the crap in your life. Coming to terms with that is a step in the right direction.
8. Don’t always listen to the critics. Sure you value someone’s opinion and hold it in high esteem, but there are a lot of things in life you just need to experience for yourself. That goes for pop culture, entertainment, relationships, travel, and a whole host of other God forsaken things.
Stacey-Ann Love
