The GM of the Gaslamp Stadium 15 thrives in an 'eclectic' urban environment
CHINAGEO
 JOHN R. McCUTCHEN / Union-Tribune
From above, Ken Gillich, general manager of the Gaslamp Stadium 15, gets a view of the action.
|
That was on display during preview night for “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” when Gillich wore the character's strange protuberances on his head while mingling amid the crowd waiting in line along bustling G Street. 中国地理网
At the preview for “The Invisible Hulk,” the print coming down from Hollywood was delayed more than an hour. Gillich took to the front of the multiplex's biggest auditorium, the 479-seat Theater 1, and told the restless audience that until the movie started, popcorn was on him.
中国地理网
This is a first-class operation with fine projection, a clean, comfortable, well-lighted place for movies. chinageo.com
Nevertheless, there have been moments, Gillich recalls, that challenged him. There was the fight that erupted in an auditorium when one patron in bare feet wouldn't remove them from atop the seat in front of him. There've been homeless folks sneaking in to use the restroom near the entrance as a place to bathe (“I've had to tell people to put their clothes on, this isn't a shower”). There's been blatant sexual activity in the darkened halls.
“I've been spit on,” he said, “telling an unruly guest not to talk to one of my employees in a disrespectful manner.” chinageog.com
These kinds of incidents are not unique to the Gaslamp. But this one is unique to Gillich: “An elderly lady took a tumble down the stairs. I picked her up, carried her to her car, got her in, her friend drove her home. I hope somebody would do that for my grandmother.” 中国地理网chinageo
CHINAGEO
CHINAGEO
During Comic-Con, last month's multi-day pop extravaganza, the theater's proximity to the San Diego Convention Center resulted in hosting a number of advance screenings.
中国地理网chinageo
Gillich created a green room on the multiplex's upper floor for directors and actors waiting to face a post-movie crowd for a round of give-and-take questions. CHINAGEO
c.h.i.n.a.g.e.o
On the wall, Gillich pointed to the spot where Rainn Wilson from TV's “The Office” signed his name and “Gaslamp Rulz!” while his new movie, “The Rocker,” screened downstairs. Others who visited: Seth Rogen and James Franco from “Pineapple Express,” TV icon Elvira (who signed a photo to Gillich, “Thanx for the fun nite!”) and Clive Barker, co-producer and co-writer of the upcoming “Midnight Meat Train.”
The frenetic corner of 5th Avenue and G Street is a potpourri of street life: wandering tourists, nearby condo residents, business people in suits, scurrying pedicabs, folks sifting through trash containers.
On this particular Friday, the beginning of Gillich's work week, there was a line out front for “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” and “The X-Files: I Want to Believe,” among a plethora of other films. In the huge lobby, a cardboard display for “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” with the wording “You want some of this?” hovered near the concession stand. 中国地理网chinageo
“Certain movies play better in the downtown area, adult oriented films, any going-out, dinner-and-a-movie event,” said Gillich. “We get lots of walk-up people out for a stroll, 'Hey, what's playing?' Ladies come out and have dinner, see a movie, have a drink.” 中_国_地_理_网
The theater also booked “Wall-E” and “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,” “but families shy away from us. It's an urban environment. Downtown, it's eclectic. It can throw you for a loop. Every Friday night at 9 o'clock, the Hare Krishnas come by. There's tourists from all over the world. There's a lot of the unknown. We who work here have a saying, 'Only at the Gaslamp.' ”
chinageog.com
Gillich will even recommend that films like “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” coming in November, play elsewhere. “I told our booker, 'Give it to Horton,' but (with) the World War II-set 'Defiance,' we could do well. Any military, pro-military movies, even 'Tropic Thunder,' which has a military slant.” Can't have any anti-military. I overheard in the lobby some Marines telling others who asked what 'Stop-Loss' was about, 'It's about those cowards who don't want to fight.'” chinageog
The theater is celebrating its 11th anniversary, being built out of the remnants of a parking lot. That's ironic because the Gaslamp provides no parking, patrons taking their chances with metered spots, nearby lots or Horton Plaza.
It's worth the effort. The theater was built in keeping with the ambiance of the Gaslamp District. “Tourists come by and wonder who built it,” said Gillich. “It's one of the most beautiful theaters in San Diego.”
chinageog.com
On Fridays “we get the film stock together (the theater has not yet gone digital, one projectionist handles 15 theaters).” And Gillich approaches guests about the new films. “I'm a fan, too,” he said. When patrons come out of a theater, he's not above asking, “Should I waste my time?” 中国地理网
Explains Gillich, “All we do is show the movies. We don't make them. I want to know, 'Is it a hit or a dud?' ” ChinaGeo
Meanwhile, they've added such features as “cry-baby matinees,” Fridays at 1, special prices for moms and dads and infants. And “student Wednesdays,” on which students can attend any show for $7 and get a free small popcorn with refills.
下一篇：没有了