This article explains how to define Cinema constraints or settings like opening and closing hours as well as pre-show time and cleaning times.

To update Cinema constraints, select the desired cinema from the Cinema Listthen navigate to the Constraints page via the Constraints button on the top right-hand side of the Dashboard page. This button is also available at the top left-hand side of the Scheduling View page.

The Constraints page has several different tabs to configure settings.

Please note on the Constraints page:

Save will save changes for the week.

Save as Default will save changes permanently.

Restore Default will revert to the default settings.

Cinema Settings

The Cinema Settings tab allows you to set:

These times can be set for auditoriums for peak and non-peak hours for the largest and smallest auditoriums (CI will calculate how these times will be applied to all other auditoriums).

To define peak and non-peak hours, simply select appropriate timeslots in the grid for non-holidays and holidays:

Settings also allow a user to set a general drop percentage. The default drop is –30% for films. Drop percentage can be set for regular films as well as Children’s films.

If a user wants to set a specific drop percentage for a film, a user can do this in Film Settings.

Cinema Constraints

The Cinema Constraints tab details a list of constraints a user can enable and set for the cinema. When enabled, a cinema constraint will act as a rule that informs the scheduling algorithm on how to place film sessions.

Each constraint has a description, and some may be applied to only the auditorium or set of auditoriums the user indicates.

Cinema Opening Hours

The Cinema Opening Hours tab is where a user can set a Cinema's opening and closing hours by day of the week. The hours are split out for regular opening/closing hours as well as holiday opening/closing hours.

A user can set hours by scrolling the tab across the bar.

Opening Hours is how early the first film session can begin.

Closing Hours is the latest a film session can play, including cleaning time.

Times can be set as a default across all auditoriums or for specific auditoriums using the Auditorium drop-down. Please note: When setting hours for a specific auditorium, it will only apply to opening hours.

The last show time box is where a user can input the latest a film session can begin. No film will be scheduled past this time. Please keep in mind the average length of films to ensure that the last show time and the closing hours can accommodate for a film; cleaning time can go past closing hours.

Please note: time must be entered in military time (24 hours).

Children’s Films Playing Hours

The Cinema Children's Hours is where users can set a timeframe for children's films to play by day of the week. The hours are split out for regular opening/closing hours as well as holiday opening/closing hours.

A user can set hours by scrolling the tab across the bar.

Opening Hours is how early the first film session can begin.

Closing Hours is the latest the last film session can begin (this is different from how it's defined in the Cinema Opening Hours tab)

In Children's Film Playing Hours, users also have the option to disable children’s films from playing on a select day of the week.