Volunteers Archives - The David Lean Cinema

DLC Projection Survey July

Volunteers’ Week 2020

Although our volunteers are not able to take on their usual roles with us at the moment, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their contribution to date. The cinema could not function successfully without them. We look forward to working alongside them all again when the cinema reopens.

THANK YOU ALL!

Volunteer Handyman

‘Handyman’ Volunteer

Please note: the terms ‘Handyman’ and ‘Handyman Team’ have been used in order to avoid any implication that members of the team have taken over aspects of Croydon Council’s maintenance responsibilities. Female volunteers are of course equally welcome and we may reconsider the term in future.

Duties and Responsibilities

Although the David Lean Cinema (together with the rest of the Town Hall and Croydon Clocktower) are the property of Croydon Clocktower, and thus are maintained by the Council, we have Council approval to take responsibility for certain miscellaneous tasks, although more substantial ones will need specific Council approval. This will enable us to undertake certain non-specialised repairs and improvements – that the Council might consider a low priority – much sooner. We can also consider repainting furnishings and areas that the Council would only get round to very infrequently. The result should be a more pleasant environment and a sense of greater efficiency in certain respects. This will help us to convey that the David Lean is a cared for venue, enhancing its appeal to patrons. Most work is likely to be in the cinema auditorium; the lobby area between the inner and outer doors; the Arts Bar; or possibly the projection box. Enthusiasm will be valued as well as:

Familiarity with the use of various tools
Carpentry skills
Painting skills

Time Commitment

Unlike most of our roles, this will be highly variable as the work is bound to be irregular, and we will try to match the skills of team members to the tasks that arise. Therefore, you might undertake a job that’s very useful to the Campaign, but only takes 30 minutes, and this might be your only involvement in a particular month. Alternatively, a painting project might involve several hours of work in a particular week. The ‘Handyman Team’ could therefore be a good option for people keen to offer skills, but without necessarily wanting to take on regular or more time-consuming responsibilities.

Desirable Qualities

In addition to having one or more of the skills indicated, a willingness to work as part of a team is needed. Attention to detail is desirable as ongoing approval from the Council will depend on the work being of a reasonable standard. Awareness of safety issues in a public place will also be needed, especially as some tasks may be undertaken at times when members of the public are passing through the Arts Bar. We can expect (e.g.) use of ladders to be very restricted, if allowed at all, so expect some frustrations!

Training

We don’t currently propose formal training other than a meeting at which certain operational guidelines will be mentioned, but there will probably be scope for some team members to pick up skills while assisting whoever oversees a particular task.

How will it work?

We anticipate that a Team Leader (yet to be appointed) will plan work in consultation with the Campaign Director. He/she will notify team members of opportunities when they arise, inviting volunteers. Work involving particular team members will then be scheduled, once approved (if necessary) by the Council.

What to do now?

If you would like to help and/or know more, simply click on “Contact Us” in the website menu and give us some brief details about yourself, including your phone number, stating that you’re interested in joining the ‘Handyman Team’. Please include “Volunteers” in the subject line. We’ll get back to you.

Volunteer Arts Bar

Arts Bar Role Description

Duties and Responsibilities You will perform an important role as the public face of the Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign before a film screening, ensuring that our customers have an enjoyable and positive experience. Our volunteers are vital in enabling films to be shown at the David Lean Cinema.

Preparing the arts bar and equipment ready for service
Welcoming patrons in the arts bar area
Serving drinks and snacks
Taking payment and recording sales
Being aware of hygiene requirements and care of equipment
Clearing away when patrons have gone into the cinema
Being vigilant at all times, with regard to the safety and security of customers, colleagues and yourself and reporting problems quickly and clearly

Time Commitment Opportunities for the arts bar exist during evening screenings as per the film programme. Film times are usually 7.30. Volunteer arts bar staff should arrive by 6.15 at the latest to set up and be ready to serve at 6.30. Once the patrons go into the film you will do all the necessary clearing away and storing of equipment.

Desirable Qualities Experience of working with the public, experience in food service and an interest in film are useful. You need to be reliable, punctual, friendly and polite. Volunteers must wear an identifying David Lean t-shirt.

Arts bar volunteers will be given training, which will cover all necessary information relating to the role. New staff shadow the role with an experienced volunteer during their initial shifts.

How does it work? Our Volunteer Co-ordinators ask volunteers for their availability on a monthly basis and most do 1 or 2 sessions a month. Sometimes a volunteer is unable to come for their duty, for a variety of reasons, and then the person doing the monthly schedule will contact others who were available and ask if they could fill in.

What to do now? If you would like to become part of the team, simply click on “Contact Us” in the website menu and give us some details about yourself including your phone number and the role you are interested in. Please include “Volunteers” in the subject line. We’ll get back to you.

Volunteer Projectionist

Volunteer Projectionist Role Description

Duties and Responsibilities Our projectionist volunteers are vital in enabling films to be shown at the David Lean Cinema. You will perform an important role ensuring a high quality of presentation at the cinema and ensure that our customers have an enjoyable and positive experience. You will need to:

Be available to check equipment and programme at least 30 minutes before the screening
Set up the digital projection equipment
Operate projection and sound equipment to provide the best possible presentation quality
‘Ingest’ content, films, trailers etc. into the cinema server
Make minor last minute changes to the programme, such as changing trailers, as may be required by the Campaign Director
Be vigilant at all times, with regard to the safety and security of customers, colleagues and yourself and report any problems quickly and clearly.

Time Commitment Opportunities for projectionist duties exist during all scheduled performances as given in the film programme.

Film times are normally 11am, 2.30 and 7.30pm. We ask projection volunteers to arrive at least 30 minutes before commencement and remain throughout the screening.

Desirable Qualities You must be willing to learn and have good spoken communication skills. Some experience with IT and/or AV equipment would be an advantage. You need to be reliable, punctual, calm, friendly and polite. Most of our volunteers have an interest in film.

Projection volunteers must wear an identifying David Lean t-shirt.

Training Projectionists will be given a general introduction to volunteering at the cinema, all relevant training regarding the projection procedure and several sessions shadowing an experienced volunteer. If you are suitable for the role you will be scheduled onto the projection team.

How does it work?

Our head projectionist asks volunteers for their availability on a monthly basis and most do 1 or 2 sessions a month. Sometimes a volunteer is unable to come for their duty after the schedule is compiled and then the head projectionist will contact others who were available and ask them to fill in.

Volunteer Box Office

Box Office Volunteer Role Description

Duties and Responsibilities You will perform an important role as the public face of the Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign prior to screenings and ensure that our customers have an enjoyable and positive experience. Our box office volunteers (BOVs) are vital in enabling films to be shown at the David Lean Cinema.

Be available to check and print reports 2.5 hrs prior to a screening – this can be done from home/work
Set up the box office and be ready to sell tickets 1 hr prior to screening
Sell tickets online using TicketSource software and print tickets
Take payments, record sales and report those sales to the treasurer
Be vigilant at all times, with regard to the safety and security of customers, colleagues and yourself and report any problems quickly and clearly.

Time Commitment Opportunities for box office duties exist during all scheduled performances as given in the film programme. BOVs must be available to print a seating plan 2.5 hrs (or less) before screenings.

Film times are 11am, 2.30 and 7.30pm. We ask box office volunteers to arrive 1 hour 15 minutes before commencement. We ask volunteers for their availability on a monthly basis and most do 1 or 2 sessions a month.

Desirable Qualities You must have customer facing skills, IT and money handling skills. You need to be reliable, punctual, calm, friendly and polite. Most of our volunteers have an interest in film.

BOVs must wear an identifying David Lean t-shirt.

Training BOVs will be given a general introduction to volunteering at the cinema, all relevant training regarding the box office procedure and a session shadowing an experienced volunteer. If you are suitable for the role you will be scheduled onto the box office team.

How does it work?

Our volunteer co-ordinators ask volunteers for their availability on a monthly basis and most do 1 or 2 sessions a month. Sometimes a volunteer is unable to come for their duty after the schedule is compiled and then the co-ordinator doing the monthly schedule will contact others who were available and ask them to fill in.

Volunteer Steward

Volunteer Steward Role Description

Duties and Responsibilities You will perform an important role as the public face of the Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign before, during and after a film screening, ensuring that our customers have an enjoyable and positive experience. Our volunteers are vital in enabling films to be shown at the David Lean Cinema.

Directing customers to cinema facilities
Providing particular assistance, if required to customers with specific access requirements, including use of the assisted hearing system
Checking tickets and showing customers to their seats
Assisting latecomers and remaining in the auditorium throughout the film
Assisting customers after screenings, checking for lost property and litter
Being vigilant at all times, with regard to the safety and security of customers, colleagues and yourself and reporting problems quickly and clearly.

Time Commitment Opportunities for stewarding exist during all scheduled performances as per film programme. Film times are usually 11am, 2.30 and 7.30. Volunteer stewards should arrive 45 mins before commencement and stay until the patrons have left the cinema.

Desirable Qualities Experience of working with the public and an interest in film are useful. You need to be reliable, punctual, friendly and polite. You must be willing to take responsibility for seeking assistance/acting during any emergency and keeping calm. Stewards must wear an identifying David Lean t-shirt.

Training Stewards will be given training, which will cover all necessary information relating to the role. New stewards shadow the role with an experienced steward during their initial shifts.

How does it work?

Our Volunteer Co-ordinators ask stewards for their availability on a monthly basis and most do 1 or 2 sessions a month. Sometimes a volunteer is unable to come for their duty, for a variety of reasons, and then the person doing the monthly schedule will contact others who were available and ask if they could fill in.