Job Posting – Summer Administrative Assistant

Temporary Position Available

Administrative Assistant

Metro Cinema Society

 

Job Posting – Summer Administrative Assistant

Metro Cinema Society

Metro Cinema is Edmonton’s community movie house, dedicated to the presentation of film and video in many forms. We program and host a thousand events each year at the historic Garneau Theatre. Metro is seeking an engaged and passionate student to spend a summer helping to shape the future of Metro.  This position will run approximately 16 weeks, starting on or around July 20th.

The Administrative Assistant will be working directly with the Executive Director and board committees to plan, coordinate, and execute future film programming, fundraising initiatives, outreach to community stakeholders, and daily operations. They will assist the staff in adapting many longstanding processes to the circumstances of Covid-19. Exact duties will be tailored, as much as possible, to the successful applicants’ specific skills and interests.

The successful applicant will be comfortable with both self-directed and team-based work environments, possess strong oral and written communication skills, and have experience with creative programming and event management. Familiarity with the film industry, marketing and communications systems, event management, and customer service are all assets but not required.

This position will be funded in part through the Canada Summer Jobs program. Special consideration may be given to applicants between the ages of 15 and 30, and to full-time students returning to studies in the fall.

Cover letter and resume may be sent in confidence to director@metrocinema.org.  The deadline for applications is July 13th 2020.

 

Click to download a PDF of the job posting.

 

Metro Cinema Relaunch Statement

As you may know, cinemas around the province have recently been given the guidance to light up their screens and start welcoming back moviegoers as our province launches into Phase 2. We here at Metro Cinema couldn’t be more excited to open our doors and start showing films again. It is important that when we open, we provide a safe, sanitary, comfortable, and enjoyable environment for all our patrons and staff, so we are now working to implement all of the guidance from Alberta Health Services. Community safety will be a top priority as we move towards our re-launch. For now, our screen will remain dim as we work towards an opening date that works for all involved.

Our new operations and procedures will include:

  • At least 2m of distance between seats, with accommodation for family units and cohorts
  • Cashless and no contact payment options
  • Staff PPE and enhanced sanitation procedures including regular disinfecting of auditorium seating
  • Reduced capacity to allow for ease of social distancing
  • New packaging for Edmonton’s best theatre popcorn
  • So much hand sanitizer!

The support from our community through this time period has been amazing. Edmontonians have shown a level of generosity and care for one another that we can all be proud of and we are glad that we can once again open our doors as a community hub and celebrate film with everyone. We will be announcing our official re-launch date and upcoming programming very shortly and we look forward to seeing you all out at the movies. Until then our top priority is making sure that our venue is safe for everyone.

 

Sincerely,

Dan Smith
Executive Director

Download Metro Cinema Relaunch Statement

Support Metro Cinema! COVID-19 Emergency Campaign

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Metro Cinema closed its doors on March 16, 2020. Our utmost priority is the safety of our community, patrons, volunteers, and staff. At Metro Cinema, our mandate is to bring people together through film and media art, and while our physical space is closed to help “flatten the curve” of transmission, we will continue to promote great movies and a sense of community, any way we can.

These recent events have given us time to reflect on what community means to us. Our shared spaces and experiences carry a new level of importance. Though we are now apart, isolated from one another, we do believe that it is kindness, community, and human connection that will carry us through this. We also believe that this new appreciation for community is not a fleeting moment, but that it will form the foundation of the “new normal” we find on the other side of this. We are certain that Metro Cinema’s role in the community will be more important than ever in the months and years ahead.

When it is safe to do so, we hope to open our doors and help bring a sense of normalcy back to daily life but we will need the community’s help to do so. This interruption in our operation puts a significant strain on our finances and threatens our future. We are seeking emergency support at this time, so that we can continue to be Edmonton’s home to gather, and share great film experiences for many years to come.

You can contribute to our emergency funding campaign here. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Donations of $100 or more, as well as Silver Screen passholders, are also eligible for Metro Cinema Society membership!

If donating isn’t an option for you at this time, there are still ways you can help us!

  • Attend one of our Virtual Screenings. We’ve partnered with distributors to bring art house titles to you at home – 50% of the screening fee goes to us. 
  • Book our marquee for a special message! It’s a unique and safe way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Email info@metrocinema.org if you’re interested! 
  • Purchase passes from our online store. Our passes have no expiry and come in Adult or Student/Senior options. 
  • Purchase a Silver Screen Pass, which will get you single non-transferable admission to more than 800 Metro screenings each year, and some screenings by partners and renters of the Garneau. 
  • Amplify us on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Like, comment, and share our posts. Tag us with the movies you’re watching and what you’re doing to stay busy. 
  • Purchase a Metro Cinema t-shirt from Print Machine, whose #HereforGood campaign helps small business in Edmonton. Our shirt features a custom design from poster favourite Borys Tarasenko – it’s the perfect fashion for self-isolating or video calls!

Your support will not only help us to continue to bring community through cinema, but it also lets us know that cinema is worth fighting for.

Time Enough Vodcast

The Time Enough Vodcast is an opportunity to meet some of the staff, volunteers, and board members that make Metro Cinema what it is. While we observe the current recommended social isolation and quarantine conditions, we’ll also be checking in on a few folks and discussing the various ways in which we’re all filling our time during this unexpected hiatus. Keep your eyes peeled on Metro Cinema’s social media channels for updates, but otherwise, stay safe, and enjoy!

We’ve put all of the vodcast episodes into a single playlist, so you can skip to whichever video you like through the top right icon.

Give Yourself a Break! COVID-19 Diversions

It can be tempting to try and fill all of our newfound time at home with productivity. Downtime is crucial to your mental, emotional, and creative well-being, though, which is just as important as your physical health. Share your suggestions or the diversions you’ve been up to!

Metro Cinema Crosswords

Fun Stuff

 

Keep Yourself Informed! COVID-19 Resources

Community is more important now than ever, and even though our doors are closed, we’re still here to support you. Here are a number of resources for your physical, mental, and financial health and well being.

Local Resources

Provincial Health Resources

National Health Resources

International Health Resources

Economic Resources

Metro Cinema Presents… Close-Up – Episode 16 – April 2020

NOTE: Due to developments regarding COVID-19 following the recording of this episode, we understand that many of the films discussed, if not all, will not be screened in the month of April. Instead, we urge our listeners to find these films and watch them in the midst of our current social isolation, if at all possible. Many streaming services can be accessed with a free 14-day trial, including criterionchannel.com, which is currently streaming both Safe, and Come and See, and First Reformed can also be found on Crave.

Otherwise, we hope that we are at least able to provide informative discussion and opinion in light of circumstances beyond our control.

 

 

A monthly roundup of films and events coming soon to the historic Metro Cinema in Edmonton, Alberta. As well as an overall look at the calendar for April with some of our regular contributors – Owen Armstrong, Heather Noel, Talicia Dutchin – this episode also features interviews with Panorama: Latin American Cinema curator Andrea Barragán, and Sally Poulsen, who brings Seeing The Unseen in acknowledgment of World Autism Day.

Throughout the episode, you’ll also hear music from local artists Mark Templeton, Soft Ions, excerpts from Leonard J. Paul’s excellent procedural film score to Beep – A Documentary History Of Game Sound, and also Brighton’s Mighty Lord Deathman. Follow the links below to hear more, and enjoy!

https://leonardjpaul.bandcamp.com/releases

https://pseudolaboratories.bandcamp.com/album/soft-ions

https://marktempleton.bandcamp.com/

https://mightylorddeathman.bandcamp.com/

Metro Cinema is Temporarily Closed

May 6, 2020

The Government of Alberta has announced its relaunch strategy, and we’ve received many excited comments about the prospect of our reopening! Venues such as ours fall within Stage 2, with its date to be “determined by the success of Stage 1, considering health care system capacity, hospitalization and ICU cases, and infection rates.” We encourage everyone to continue to keep the safety of those around us in mind by maintaining physical distancing whenever possible.

March 17, 2020

Alberta Health has detailed new mass gathering restrictions, stating the following:

  • Albertans are prohibited from attending public recreation facilities and private entertainment facilities.
    • This includes gyms, swimming pools, arenas, science centres, museums, art galleries, libraries, community centres, children’s play centres, casinos, racing entertainment centres and bingo halls.

We will continue to monitor these updates, and look forward to the long-term health of our community.

March 16, 2020
Effective March 16, Metro Cinema is temporarily closed in order to help “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 transmission. Our utmost priority is the safety of our community, patrons, volunteers, and staff. This is a trying time for all of us, but our community has the strength to get through this. Take care of one another. As much as you are able, find safe ways to support your family, neighbours, local businesses, artists, and charities. When the time is right, we will see you out at the movies again.
If you’ve pre-purchased tickets to any upcoming shows, you can email info@metrocinema.org to request a refund. If if you are able to do so however, consider making your ticket purchase a donation to Metro Cinema as this will help us greatly to get back up and running.
Here are some resources to help you until then:

March 12, 2020

Following Alberta Health‘s directive to cancel mass gatherings, we are restricting attendance at all of our screenings and events to 250 people. We continue to monitor the rapid evolution of novel coronavirus news and are committed to supporting public health measures to limit its spread.

We also need your help to keep Metro Cinema safe for everyone:

  • Stay home if you are sick, or you are in one of the following high risk categories:
    • 60+ years of age.
    • With underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes.
    • With weakened immune system
    • Who are pregnant
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  • Use a hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol if unable to wash your hands.
  • Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and dispose of tissue without contaminating other surfaces.
  • Avoid contact with people who are ill.

Refer to Alberta Health for updates on COVID-19, or phone 811 if you are experiencing symptoms.

March 11, 2020

At Metro Cinema, we take our slogan of “Where Community Meets Cinema” to heart. We value the health and safety of our customers and staff. While Alberta Health has stated that the current risk to Albertans of contracting novel coronavirus is low, we are taking the following precautionary measures to prevent its spread.

  1. Enhanced practices for sanitary handling of food items.We are suspending all self service of concession items. Napkins and straws will be kept behind the concession counter for staff to dispense, and disposable gloves will be mandatory for popcorn and beverage service.
  2. Enhanced hygiene of high contact surfaces.Our staff will disinfect “high-touch” surfaces such as table and counter tops, door handles and handrails, and electronic devices such as our Point of Sale machines regularly.
  3. Suspended usage of reusable cups and containers.Concession items will only be served to our customers in Metro Cinema cups or bags.

We have also reviewed hygiene best practices with our staff, including frequent, effective hand washing and staying home if feeling ill. We greatly appreciate the patronage of our loyal customers, but we ask that if you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms to follow all Alberta Health recommendations and consider enjoying our programming at a later date.

We continue to be committed to our programming and support our devoted patrons and staff during these delicate times. We are monitoring local updates from Alberta Health and we encourage you to do the same; we will provide additional information in the event of any subsequent changes to our scheduling or processes.

 

Metro Cinema Presents… Close-Up – Episode 15 – March 2020

A monthly roundup of films and events coming soon to the historic Metro Cinema in Edmonton, Alberta. As well as an overall look at the calendar for March with some of our regular contributors – Owen Armstrong, Heather Noel, Talicia Dutchin, Nick Keating, & William Latham. This episode also features interviews with Bring On The Extra – Terrestrials curator Professor Robert Smith, Cardboard Carnage curator Ryn Climenhaga, and proprietor of The Lobby DVD Shop and curator of The Lobby Presents…, Kevin Martin.

Throughout the episode, you’ll also hear music from local artists Mark Templeton, Soft Ions, excerpts from Leonard J. Paul’s excellent procedural film score to Beep – A Documentary History Of Game Sound, and also Brighton’s Mighty Lord Deathman. Follow the links below to hear more, and enjoy!

Be a Guest Programmer

Have an opinion about a film, genre, or series that you think we should be showing? Here’s your chance to take on some of the programming at Metro Cinema. Every year Metro works with many people who are passionate about a filmmaker, a genre, a new way to think about films, in order to bring a diversity of perspectives to our screen. Some people choose to suggest recurring monthly or bi-monthly series, while others create festivals and miniseries, or a single multi-faceted evening at the Garneau Theatre. Submissions should not include self produced work. If you are interested in seeing your film on the big screen, feel free to contact us any time throughout the year here!

Applications for our 2020/2021 season closed on April 30, 2020. We will review submissions begin working with those chosen as early as September 2020. If you have any questions about our curatorial program, email curatorialsubmissions@metrocinema.org or call us at 780.425.9212.