Cinema and Theatre Manager - Career Advice - Leisure and Entertainment- On The Job

Ticket Collector or Usher
Ticket Seller

Cinema or theatre managers organise and supervise the operation of cinemas and theatres where films and live performances are shown/exhibited. They manage staff in areas such as the box office FutureGrowthModerate and front of house, behind the candy bar, and ushering. They train and supervise staff to ensure their work is undertaken correctly, and perform a range of administrative duties such as coordinating rosters and payroll. They also choose and schedule performances and decide on the screening times of films. Cinema and theatre managers work mostly in cities and towns where there are large enough populations to attend regular performances and screenings.

ANZSCO ID & description: 149912: Organises and controls the operations of a cinema or theatre. Registration or licensing may be required.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A cinema or theatre manager needs:

a passion for film and/or performing arts
good organisational skills
strong leadership and motivational skills
excellent time-management and scheduling skills
good communication skills.

Theatre Gift Shop

Duties and Tasks

Create and manage operational budget and all accounts payable and receivable, including payroll
Hire, train and create employee work schedules as well as maintenance staff and supervise their performance
Maintain stock or store room supplies, taking inventory and ordering supplies and services as needed
Plan and oversee the daily running of the facility, ensuring that appropriate staff are scheduled and ensuring everything is prepared for operations
Provide exemplary customer service to all customers and guests, getting feedback from customers and handling all complaints to guarantee customer satisfaction
Understand applicable health and safety regulations and ensure that all employees adhere to the same standards

Working conditions

Cinema or theatre managers work in cinema complexes, and independent theatres. They often work in both the office and the front of house. They usually work regular hours, but these hours often include late nights and weekends. They are often required to wear a uniform.

Popcorn

Tools and technologies

Cinema or theatre managers use cash registers, computers, calculators and EFTPOS machines. They may need to be familiar with word processing or data management programmes. If they work in a large cinema complex that carries large quantities of stock (in the candy bar for example) they may also use equipment that measures stock. In some cases, and although they are not technically required to use such equipment, it can be useful to have a basic knowledge of projection equipment, or stage lighting and audiovisual equipment.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a cinema or theatre manager without any formal qualifications, however, you can also complete a traineeship. A retail manager (franchise) traineeship usually takes 12 months to complete.

Did You Know?

Cinema History in Australia
(Screen Australia, 1901 -1932)

In 1906, T.J. West was the first Australian to construct a purpose-built hall for exhibiting motion pictures. Before this, films had been exhibited at a range of alternative venues, including converted shops, rented halls and tents (Shirley & Adams 1983, 15; Collins 1987, 5, 10).

Also in 1906, Australia produced what is believed to be the first feature-length fictional film in the world, The Story of the Kelly Gang, directed by the Tait brothers. The film was released the same year, becoming a success in both Australian and British theatres and recouping its reported budget of £1,000 many times over (Shirley & Adams 1983, 16-19; Murray 1994, 7, 10).

Do you want to read more about Ned Kelly? Click here

Poster of The Story of Ned Kelly

Between 1906 and 1914 (outbreak of World War I), motion picture exhibition in Australia flourished.

In 1910, T.J. West controlled 14 permanent cinemas throughout Australia and his venues were estimated to attract a nightly audience of 20,000. By 1911, West’s principal competitor, Cozens Spencer, also had a string of cinemas across the country. Capacities of the West and Spencer theatres typically ranged from 2,000 to 4,000 seats. In these early years, ticket prices in Australia were comparatively high, around 12 times higher than in the US. Australian prices ranged from one to three shillings depending on the location of the seats and up to four for a reserved seat (Shirley & Adams 1983, 22-23; Collins 1987, 7; Sabine 1995, 33).

By 1921, cinema had become the most popular form of entertainment in Australia. The cinema made the largest contribution to entertainment tax receipts in that year, with 68 million admissions compared to less than 16 million for the next two most popular activities combined – live theatre and the horse races.

Cinema-going was also becoming increasingly suburbanised. In NSW, there were over 11 million admissions at suburban cinemas in 1921, compared with less than 8 million at city cinemas (Collins 1987, 3, 29; Sabine 1995, 36). It is estimated that, during the 1920s among a population of in a population of just over 6 million, there were 2.25 million cinema admissions each week, equating to an annual total of 117 million (Collins 1987, 17).

Ushers collect tickets or admission passes and assist patrons to their seats at a show or sporting event. Ushers may also sell admission tickets, promotional material and snacks and drinks to the Future Growth Static public prior to the show or event. If working in a cinema, ushers are also expected to check on sound and picture quality during the film and, if necessary, let the projectionist know if there are any problems. These workers will also prepare the venue before an event, clean up after patrons and may also lock up premises afterwards.

ANZSCO ID & description: 899921: Collects tickets or admission passes and ushers patrons to their seats at an entertainment, sporting or recreational venue, prepares the venue before an event and locks up premises afterwards.

Alternative names: Ticket Collector, Usher, Venue Attendant, Venue Attendant

Specialisations: Entertainment Usher, Gatekeeper, Turnstile Attendant

Knowledge, skills and attributes

An usher needs:

good communication skills

punctuality and reliability

the ability to work under pressure

good problem solving skills

a friendly and helpful disposition

Usher cleaning
(Source: Advance Cleaning NZ)

Duties and Tasks

Issues tickets to patrons, accepts payments and gives change.

Answers enquiries concerning admission prices, event schedules and coming attractions.

Keeps daily balance sheet of cash received and tickets sold.

Fills reservations by telephone or mail.

Checks ticket stubs and shows patrons to seats.

Distributes programmes.

Stores clothing, luggage and other articles for patrons and employees of an establishment, and issues claim checks or tickets for their return.

Working conditions

Working conditions depend on the type of venue you are working in. If there is a sold-out show or sporting event, ushers can be put under pressure to work fast and efficiently to ensure all patrons are cared for. Sometimes these workers may find they need to deal with angry or upset patrons, if there has been a booking error for example. At licensed venues ushers may also have to deal with intoxicated patrons. Most ushers are expected to wear a uniform. Most ushers work in casual and part-time positions, and may be expected to work evenings and on weekends.

Tools and technologies

Ushers use cash registers and EFTPOS machines when handling transactions with patrons. These workers may also use a torch when checking the cinema during the film and to ensure patrons are comfortably seated. They may also use a 2-way radio to communicate with supervisors and other staff members. They will also use ticketing machines, and possibly seating allocation software. Ushers at some venues may also use barcode readers to check ticket authenticity.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a ticket collector or usher without any formal qualifications and get training on the job.

You can complete a traineeship. The front of house assistant (small venue) traineeship usually takes 12 months to complete and is available as a school-based traineeship.

Ticket sellers sell tickets and make reservations for sporting and entertainment venues, tourist attractions and some travel arrangements. They may take tickets, issue boarding passes, or assist in the use of self-check systems. They may also work in call centres. Decline

ANZSCO ID: 639411

Alternative names: Box Office Seller, Ticketseller,

Specialisations: Booking Clerk, Reservations Clerk

Knowledge, skills and attributes

good communication skills
good interpersonal skills
able to work under pressure

Ticket Seller
(Source: Your Career)

Duties and Tasks

Ticket sellers may perform the following tasks:

Receives customers' requests, accepts payments, collects money, and issues tickets, receipts and change.
Answers inquiries about charges, routes, schedules, reservations, coming attractions and fares.
Check ticket availability and event times
Contacts customers to cancel or confirm reservations and arrange accommodation.

Working conditions

Most ticket sellers work in offices or at entertainment venues, while some work in cubicles at ovals or showgrounds. Shiftwork and irregular hours may be involved. Many are employed on a part-time or casual basis.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a Ticket Seller without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications in areas such as tourism, hospitality or customer service.

Additional Information

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Live Performance and Entertainment or Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Training Packages that will expand your career opportunities within these industries.

Employment Opportunities

Most ticket sellers are employed in the transport, sports and entertainment industries. Some work in ticketing companies or are contracted to agents such as music stores and newsagencies. They also work at showgrounds, betting agencies and tourism agencies.

The types of tickets sold include lottery, event and transport tickets (including bus, ferry and airline tickets). Many of the tasks of an airline ticket seller are very similar to that of a travel consultant. Ticket sellers may combine ticket selling with other sales activities.

Actor	Choreographer	Cleaner	Director
Entertainer	Makeup Artist	Marketing Officer	Music Director
Photographer	Set Designer	Stage Manager	Theatrical Costume Designer