New Year’s
Resolutions
For Exhibitors
The
year 2003 has been another successful year for theatre
owners. As we look into 2004, perhaps a menu of possible
exhibitor resolutions is in order. This obviously does
not constitute any NATO policy or agreement of members.
It simply reflects my own “wish list” as
I look back through 2003, and forward to 2004. In no
particular order, here are some ideas:
“I will take renewed steps to ensure
that the theatre managers and staff in my company enforce
the rating system, by checking ID at the box office, by
posting ratings information for our patrons and by placing
ratings information on my company’s Website and/or
call-in service.”
“I will see to it that my company has
an active ratings compliance officer and that the officer
participates in
the ratings compliance activities offered by NATO.”
“I will attempt to provide assistance
from my company for the ratings appeals board activities.”
“I will include anti-piracy responsibilities
in the description of my staff’s job duties, and will provide anti-piracy
employee training.”
“I will post notice informing my patrons
that the use of camcorders or other recording devices violates
the law
and may subject the patron to arrest and prosecution.”
“I will program trailers for the best
marketing potential for all future films, and will resist
the pressure of any
particular studio calling for an inappropriate trailer
mix.”
“I will train my staff to maintain
a friendly and clean theatre environment.”
“I will adopt or reaffirm theatre security
policies that are appropriate for the current environment.”
“I will undertake renewed efforts to
train my staff to be sensitive to patrons with disabilities.”
“I will instruct my staff to check
the batteries in all assistive listening devices (ALDs),
and to make sure that
all staff know of the existence, function and location
of ALDs.”
“I will examine the InSight open-captioned
film program to see if my company can offer additional
captioned shows
for our deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons. And I will work
with the staff to market these shows effectively.”
“I will install red-light readers in
all my theatres to address the cyan dye track issue, to
save water and protect
the environment, and to accommodate new studio releases
utilizing the new format.”
“I will work with my theatre managers
to check the technology in all auditoriums, and to train
staff on the proper operation
of those technologies, so that my theatres provide the
best quality possible.”
“I will endeavor to learn as much as
I can about digital cinema technologies and to provide
volunteers to the many
NATO efforts at specification and standards development.”
“Speaking of NATO, I will volunteer
to serve on committees of interest within the organization.”
“I will work to build relationships
with my elected representatives at the federal, state and
local levels, and will coordinate
with national and regional NATO units on policy issues
of concern to exhibition.”
“I will support the new NATO federal
political action committee when it is formed later this
year.”
“I will communicate news about my company
to NATO for publication in the association’s magazine.”
“I will give NATO feedback and constructive
criticism on the ‘good and bad’ of the organization.”
“I will know that NATO and my fellow
NATO members appreciate all I do for the industry!” 
