Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Blog 24: Last Presentation Reflection


1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why? 

People came up to me afterwards telling me how much they enjoyed my presentation. They all said it was very entertaining and very casual. Which, is kind of what I was going for, because I wanted people to be as interested of my project as I was. So, I think I succeeded in that aspect.


(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation?  Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

I think I'd give myself a P. I would of gave myself an AE if I would of talked longer and didnt screw up my 2nd answer. But I made time and people learned a little about movies so I think that deserves a P.

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project? Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

AE       P        AP       CR       NC

I think I deserve a P, I did everything that was asked from me and I had a great time doing it.

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

People seemed to really enjoy the activities so that definitely worked well. And I felt like I was talking very loud and enthusiastic the entire time so I feel that really helped people stay interested and because of that, they learned about my topic.

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project? 

I would beef the hell out of my 2nd answer. I only talked for 5 minutes which is not very good. because of that I had to extend my third answer longer than I anticipated in order to make time.

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples.

My dream is to one day own my very own movie theater so this was very helpful to my future endeavors because I got to know a movie theater owner and I got a job at a movie theater.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Exit Interview




(1) What is your essential question, and what are your answers?  What is your best answer and why?


Answers:  
  1. Show a mixture of smaller independent films and bigger blockbuster films. 
  2. Hire employees that will create a positive film viewing environment. 
  3. Create a environment that will make your customers feel comfortable.

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

I came up with these answers though a ton of mentor ship and going to a lot of different movie theaters and watching a ton of different movies. I also read and watch a lot of film reviewers who's opinions on the theater experience have helped me with this project. John Campea, Kristian Harloff, Alicia Malone. All of these film critics are ones that i follow online.

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them? 

finding research was a huge problem for me. Not only did I hate finding research, but I didn't feel it was very necessary because going to the movies and having an actual movie viewing experience, I felt, was much better research. But I had to get my research done so I just started writing about the you tube video I watch on a day to day basis that were related to movies.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why? 

  1. Collider Movie Talk: They do a daily movie talk show and I used it for research more than a few times. They talk about the film industry, upcoming movies, past movies, pretty much anything to do with movies. I've been watching them for years.
  2.  Mentorship: I have about 200 hours logged but I have a lot more mentorship hours that I never logged. Working at a movie theater has given me a lot of knowledge about what makes a good movie theater and how we can keep them alive. 

P.S. Can you put Miriam in my presentation? 

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Blog 22: Independent Component 2

LITERAL
(a) Include this statement: 

“I, Isaiah Leon, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 34 hours of work.”

(b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component.


I would like to thank my friends for going with me to some of these movies and pointing out things about the theater that I could put in my log. 

Miriam
Jonathan
Carlos
Jose
Omar
Jordan
Chris

And to the wonderful people at Laemmle Claremont and Pasadena for allowing me to watch movies for free, making this project just that much easier.


(c) Update your Independent Component 2 Log (which should be under your Senior Project Hours link)


Independent Component 2 hours log

(d) Explain what you completed.   


I watched a total of 19 movies at 9 different theaters, I went in with the mindset of a critic of film as well as a theater critic. After visiting the theater and watching a movie or two, I proceeded to come home and write about my experience at the theater. Similar to a traditional yelp review. Then I gave the experience a rating out of 10 based on how I felt the theater provided me with a movie viewing experience.

(e) Defend your work and explain the component's significance and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.   

Harkins Theatres Chino Hills 18 - Chino Hills, CA, United States. The longest ride
My favorite theater that's near my house
Harkins Theatres Chino Hills 18 - Chino Hills, CA, United States. The best theatre in the region.
Harkins Chino Hills 18 at night
Cinerama Dome ticket
Pacific Theatres Cinerama Dome - Los Angeles, CA, United States. The Signage & lighting

ArcLight Cinemas - Los Angeles, CA, United States. CINERAMADOME Sign

 
Krikorian Redlands Cinema 14 - Redlands, CA, United States. Frist time
Krikorian Redlands 14 
El Capitan Theatre - Los Angeles, CA, United States. Special Party finale... yur name in lights!  Wahoo!!!
I don't know who Dave is but Lady and the Tramp was awesome


 

(f)How did the component help you answer your EQ? Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped. 



I'm going to be totally honest with you, I decided to do this for my independent component because I knew it would be easy and fun. But after writing my yelp reviews for the theaters I went to, It actually helped me with my third answer to my essential question which is to hire helpful and friendly employees. That really makes the experience of going to a theater that much better. And I realized how much I love Harkins Chino Hills. If I had a theater of my own, I would want it to be very similar to that.


Thursday, April 14, 2016

Blog 17 - Interview 4 Reflection

Photo credits: Omar Osornio 

My Interview with Isaiah leon

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview?  

The person I interviewed was really smart, he made me realize that as much as I love formats like IMAX and 3D, they have kinds started to ruin the Film Exhibition Industry. Smaller films that don't have the budget to release their films in this format

2.  How will what I learned affect my final lesson?

I haven't made my third answer for my final presentation yet so this interview will probably influence what I end up going with.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Blog 20 - Fourth Interview Questions


1. Who do you plan to interview?  What is this person's area of expertise? 

I don't think I will interview any more managers, their boring. For my last interview I'm just going to talk to one of my coworkers. I thinking Christina because she has worked at dozens of theater in the heart of LA.

2. Intro Questions 

  • Whats you name? 
  • How many theaters have you worked at in the past? 
  • Why do you continue to apply to theaters? 
  • What's your favorite color? 
  • What's your favorite tv show? 
3. Legit Questions 
  1. Do you believe in miracles? 
  2. Do you believe in the reptilians? 
  3. What's your favorite things about working art Laemmle? 
  4. What is your favorite theater you worked at, and why? 
  5. What's you favorite positions at the theater? (Box, concession, door) 
  6. Do you want to continue working at theaters or do you want to do something else with your life?
  7. When was the last time you had to pay to go to the theaters? 
  8. Have you ever been to a press screening? 
  9. Would you fire me if you where a manager? 
  10. Do you want a raise? 
  11. Are you a movie fan or do you just like working at theaters? 
  12. Where were you born?
  13. Do you want to work in the film industry one day? 
  14. Who's your favorite manager to work with?
  15. What's your favorite movie?


Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Blog 19: Third Answer

Soho House West Hollywood (rich white people only)

  • EQ 
    • How can an independent movie theater manager preserve the movie viewing experience while maintaining profitability. 
    • Answer #3 (Write in a complete sentence like a thesis statement)* 
      • Make your customers feel comfortable by providing them with comfortable seats, proper lighting, easily accessible restrooms and approachable employees.
    • 3 details to support the answer
      • people like watching movies at home because they are comfortable there, but if you make people feel comfortable at your theater, they will want to come back.
      • comfortable seats and proper lighting are crucial especially when your dealing with old folks. They don't want their scoliosis kicking in right before the plot twist. And lighting is also because if the theater is too dark before the movie starts they are going to have trouble finding a good seat and might even trip on something.v
      • if a customer has an issue and needs assistance, you should make them feel like they can easily ask someone without feeling awkward or having to wait in line at the box office.
    • The research source(s) to support your details and answer 
      •  mentorship (lots of it)
    • Concluding Sentence 
      • I'm a huge nerd who likes weird movies. So a lot of the time I go to the movies by myself. Most people don't like to do this because they feel awkward. And even though I may seem like a handsome, confident, young man, I also feel awkward on occasion. So, when I go to the movies by myself, I will usually go to the theaters where I feel comfortable at. Theaters that make me feel comfortable usually have friendly employees, a lobby with warm lighting and cool standees, comfortable seats, fair prices and easy to find parking.

    Wednesday, February 24, 2016


    1.  What is your EQ?

    • How can an independent movie theater manager preserve the movie viewing experience while maintaining profitability?


    2.  What is your first answer? (In complete thesis statement format) 

    • Show films that your intended audience will enjoy.


    3.  What is your second answer? (In complete thesis statement format)


    • Hire people that enjoy working with each other.


    4.  List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each. 


    • If your employees enjoy working with each other then they will be happy and their happiness will be reflected on the customers. 
    • Teamwork is a huge part of working at a theater and its a lot easier to work with you team when you have a good relationship with them. 
    • Customers will want to come back if they feel the theater is filled with cool people who love movies.


    5.  What printed source best supports your answer?


    • This answer was made from experience.


    6.  What other source supports your answer?


    • My third interview. I realized that people love our theater because we genuinely love working there. And we love to get to know each other and our customers. That is all because of our chemistry with one another.


    7.  Tie this together with a  concluding thought. 


    • There is a lot of down time at my theater where were just chillin with each other. So, if you don't enjoy hanging out for hours with the people your working with, then your going to look bored and angry. And customers don't like bored and angry faces, they want to feel happy. Because a theater should be a happy place where people can go to escape your shitty lives.