Boxoffice Pro - December 2019

TOP WOMEN IN GLOBAL EXHIBITION
All the
grandchildren
going together to
the cinema with
my grandfather is
what I remember
the most. For
me, going to the
movies is more
about experiences
than the movie
itself. I remember
the fights between
us about which
movie to choose,
all of us wanting
the biggest box of
popcorn when we
knew we wouldn’t
be able to finish it.
I remember those
times with great
tenderness and
joy. Every time I
enter the cinema, I
have that feeling.
– Araceli Vaello on
her most memorable
moviegoing experience
term. It takes a lot of time and research for something
as complicated as 3-D to evolve, even though
we’re constantly improving our existing products
for a better experience.
Things like LED walls with high definition for
3-D will come very soon to the cinemas. With the
help of our colleagues in the industry (screen and
projector manufacturers, amongst others) the 3-D
experience will be improved, with more light and
brighter colors, due to laser projectors, for example.
Of course, the holy grail is 3-D autostereoscopic
LED walls for multiple viewers, referred to as
multiscopic 3-D. Or, in other words, 3-D without
the glasses.
We got a lot of nominations for the Top Women
in Global Exhibition list—and as far as individual
people are concerned, you definitely got the
most! People clearly enjoy working with you.
What advice would you give to those new to
our industry when it comes to networking and
cultivating professional relationships?
I try to get involved as much as I can and learn
everything possible about the company I’m working
in. I always try to stay real and be who I am. I place
a lot of importance on ethics at work. I’m loyal,
and I think that’s why people trust me. I’ve made a
lot of friends in this industry, which instead of an
industry, seems like a small family to me.
The only advice I can really give to anyone is to
be passionate about their work. Passion is everything.
If you love what you do, then everyone feels
it and believes what you’re saying. You create a
bond. Another very important thing is to try not
to stay in your comfort zone. Step outside of it and
take risks. Comfort zones are usually for people
who do not want to thrive. This means you’ll always
stay where you are. You won’t evolve. Taking risks
can sometimes go wrong. They’re very scary. But in
the end, what you get back is always positive. You
always learn something from failure.
Who have been your mentors in this industry
since you joined Volfoni?
To start with, [my former colleague at Volfoni]
Alain Chamaillard, who is now head of cinema
EMEA & CIS at NEC. Apart from being an
amazing man, leader, and friend, he’s always trusted
me implicitly and pushed me to improve ever since
I met him. He’s always shared his success with me
and celebrated when I’ve had [success]. He always
promoted me when he thought I deserved it,
fighting for my rights without my even asking him
to do so. I’ve learned so much from him, from this
industry, and from my job. I’ve grown so much
personally that I can’t thank him enough.
Apart from Alain, who is still acting as my
mentor even though we’re not at the same company
any longer, I have Francisco Lafuente, CEO of
CinemaNext Spain, who supported me when Alain
left. He guided me when I asked for help or was
lost and has been there whenever I needed his help
or advice, always wanting me to shine and succeed.
Finally, within Volfoni, I can also highlight
mentors like Fabien Gattault, who was the CFO
of Volfoni and one of the brightest people I’ve
ever met in my life. And also my dear Bertrand
Caillaud, current COO of Volfoni, who is always
thinking about me and actively involving me as a
key player in the future of Volfoni.
What’s your ideal movie night?
Very simple! My husband, the little cozy cinema
in my neighborhood, a huge box of popcorn, and,
of course, a very good 3-D movie.
CHRISTIE
SUSIE BEIERSDORF
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES,
CINEMA – THE AMERICAS
>> There are few people in the exhibition industry
that need no introduction, and Susie Beiersdorf is
one of them. Currently the vice president of sales
– the Americas for Christie, Beiersdorf has a long
history in the cinema business dating back to her
childhood when she worked at her parents’ drive-in
theater in Southern California. She began working
her way up the corporate ladder at Cineplex Odeon
before becoming director of sales at DTS, where
she helped secure the adoption of digital surround
sound. Before Christie, Beiersdorf worked at Sony,
where she helped with the rollout of the company’s
4K digital cinema projection systems.
Early in your career, you worked in a
management capacity at Cineplex Odeon. How
did your time there help when you moved to the
technology side of the industry?
I was fortunate to grow up in a theater family.
Three of my siblings and I continue in the business
56 DECEMBER 2019