Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Goodrich Savoy 16 by Ryan Sumait

Savoy 16

One of the oldest examples of commercial recreation is theatre. In ancient times people gathered in open spaces to watch plays and musicals. The only difference today is the type of medium being used to showcase theatre. Movie theatres are a popular form of commercial recreation. I visited Goodrich Savoy 16 theatres in Savoy, IL before I left for Thanksgiving break. This movie theatre fits Bullaro and Edington's definition of commercial recreation perfectly. It possesses the two basic characteristics; it creates and distributes leisure services by providing films to watch, and other amenities for its customers and it's primary goal is to make a profit.

When I went to the theatre I met with the cinema manager on duty, Dan T. I asked him about the theatre's history and background information. Goodrich Quality Theatres operates in small to mid-sized cities, usually on the outskirts. This is true in the case of Savoy 16, as it is located in Savoy on the outskirts of Champaign-Urbana. It was built in 1990 to provide a place where people in the CU community could enjoy movies. The exterior aesthetics are pleasing to the eye. For me it invokes a feeling of an older or classic theatre with its muted colors and simple design. The interior has a nice layout and good lighting.

There are numerous employment opportunities available at Savoy 16. I picked up a job application and asked the manager what the process to get a job was. First a written application is filled out, then if Savoy 16 calls you back there is an interview process. Finally you will be notified if you are qualified for a job and begin training. The different positions are the typical ticket booth jobs, food service (concessions), technical jobs (machinery maintenance), and cleaning labor (janitorial positions).


The current trends and key issues are not too different from other businesses in this industry. Despite the economic downturn, the movie theatre business is still profitable. People are still willing to pay for movies. When I asked how the economy affected Savoy 16 I was told that though there are a little less people going to the movies, there has not been a significant drop off. This could also be due to the fact that Savoy 16 is one of two theatres in this regional area and they are moderately priced ($6-8.75). They also offer rewards cards and other incentives for consumers. The key issues they face, are that they are in direct competition with Carmichael Beverly cinemas in Champaign. With the economy the way it is, it could also get worse and ticket sales could be affected. Finally the indirect competition with pirated movies or online movies could affect this theatre, but for now people are still going to theatres for movies.

I asked Dan what Goodrich Quality Theatre's definition of leisure was. He replied that it was "to provide an entertaining experience for the people of the greater Champaign-Urbana area." The main benefit it provides is a quality venue for people to have a good movie going experience. It achieves this through the features of the theatre. The theatre caters to the Americans with Disabilities Act by having special closed caption showings, free assisted listening devices, and wheelchair accessible building and seats. There are 2600 stadium seats, and I was going to take a picture of the theatre, but wasn't allowed to due to copyright laws. There are acoustic panels on the wall, dolby digital speakers, cup holders, and comfortable seats. The picture was clear. I also learned that a megaplex, which is what Savoy 16 is classified as, means that it has more than 15 screens. This allows it to accommodate more patrons. Other amenities include a party room that can be rented out and a game room.


Overall I had a good experience in Savoy 16. The theatre delivered on its mission to provide a good place to watch films. The entertainment provided, however, was not so great (New Moon). The pros to working here would be that you're in an industry that wasn't hit too hard by the economic troubles. It is very easy to move laterally in this company, you can diversify your work experience and it provides a fun and friendly atmosphere to work in. The cons are that it is hard to move vertically in this company without working there for a long time. Even higher up, the pay scale is not on the higher end, and you are confined to one area almost all of the time you work. A career here would be difficult to develop, unless you had a degree and obtained a upper level corporate position. The agency fits in the leisure delivery system by providing a nice place for people in the community to enjoy movies. It is very important, because sometimes people need a place to lose themselves and relax. The movies are a great place to forget about your busy work for a few hours and slip away to a different place.

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