7 April 2013

Who is Dendy cinema's target market? the unemployed and kid-less?

| Evchung89
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Who is Dendy cinema’s target market with this session times:

Not yet rated (Subtitled)

I’m trying to see if they are flexible before i draw a conclusion. Will keep Canberra posted.

Email trail:
1.
Date: Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Regarding: Premium session for “saving general yang”

Message:
I have a group of friends who would like to watch “saving general yang” on monday night after 6:30pm. I noticed there are no premium session for this movie and no evening sessions. Is it possible to run a premium session on monday 8th april? How many customers do u need for the go ahead?

2.

Dear General Manager Canberra,

I’ve emailed yesterday in regards on running a premium night session for “saving general yang”. As I haven’t received a reply, I’ve followed up with a phone call today. The gentleman who answered the phone said that the only option is for me to book out a cinema but this option is not financially viable for us. ( > $1300)

My situation is that I work during business hours and have kids on the weekend, hence the current session time of 12.00 and 4.15pm is impossible for me. Most of my friends are business owners and they are not able to leave their businesses during the day either.

The gentleman on the phone has informed me that the session times are recommended by your Sydney head office but the Canberra general manager has the final say on the session time.

Dendy Canberra is our first choice in cinema and we’ve been a loyal customer. It’ll be greatly appreciate if you guys can confirm whether or not you are able to be flexible with your session times. Otherwise, we may have to make other arrangements with your competitors.

Kind Regards

Me

3.

Hi Me

Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately, we have no screenings of Saving Private Yang scheduled in our Premium Lounge and our sessions for Monday night are already programmed and on sale.

Special screenings in Premium Lounge can be organised, but we need a little bit of notice so we can fit it into programming. If you would like more information on holding a Private Screening, please contact Brendon Morris at brendonm@dendy.com.au for more details.

Kind Regards,
Brooke Pearson
Duty Manager

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DrKoresh said :

devils_advocate said :

Wrong.

Children = biggest entitlement complex in the history of the world, ever.

Oh my goodness 😀 Sorry JB, but I think this is the truest statement ever to published on RA. Maybe even the entire internet!

But do they mean the *parents* who have children, or the children themselves? I’m confused, again….

devils_advocate said :

Wrong.

Children = biggest entitlement complex in the history of the world, ever.

Oh my goodness 😀 Sorry JB, but I think this is the truest statement ever to published on RA. Maybe even the entire internet!

I could understand the complaint if the sessions were only Mon-Fri, as that would rule out all 9-5 office workers/public servants, etc, of which there are many in Canberra. But it’s hard to understand why the OP can’t go on the weekend. Clearly, Dendy doesn’t consider the movie popular enough to occupy the prime time slots of Saturday night, etc. It’s a fair enough business decision.

I wonder how the OP, if truly only available in the evenings, ever manages to see a doctor/go to a government shopfront/get their car serviced/go to medicare, and all those other far more essential services than Dendy, that mostly completely ignore the plight of a full time worker.

devils_advocate2:40 pm 10 Apr 13

BSB said :

The fact that you have children makes me think that you would have more important things to be worried or complain about that what times Dendy is showing a film.

Wrong.

Children = biggest entitlement complex in the history of the world, ever.

The fact that you have children makes me think that you would have more important things to be worried or complain about that what times Dendy is showing a film.

devils_advocate12:56 pm 10 Apr 13

Stevian said :

If you’re refering to “Falling Down” it’s really the only sane response

I thought in Falling Down, Michael Douglas’ character rocks into the local burger joint to order a burger, and then complains because it is falling apart and crappily presented, and he compares it to the juicy burger in the picture above the counter, and then (justifiably) goes nuts.

But maybe before this he wanted breakfast and they refused to give it to him.

The important thing is, the Foo Fighters reprised this classic cinematic moment in one of their music vids.

RE: the post about maccas not having enough eggs, that doesn’t figure. Maccas has both teh scale and vertical integration to the point where it is either a market in itself, driving the supply side; or it simply integrates into the supply side. If maccas needs more eggs, the market will allocate production resources in order to achieve this. If not, maccas will set up its own egg farming operations.

In summary, give me my goddamn post-11am sausage and egg mcmuffin.

pierce said :

Here’s your next logical step Evchung89 – hope they can help you.

http://www.un.org.au/Contact_Us.aspx

hahahaha…bravo 🙂

devils_advocate said :

I am ambivalent about the OP’s issue, but totally support the above comments about Rocky III.

RE: forcing mcdonald’s to serve the breakfast menu, I reckon this should be legislated, but only if you can prove that you totally meant to get there on time, but you were heaps hungover and it was a real struggle getting out of bed, and your whole day is going to be ruined if you don’t has sausage and egg mcmuffin. In this case mcdonalds should be legally obligated to serve you breakfasts.

hell yeah!!! maccas breakfast whenever we want!!! that started as a joke response but now it has got legs…i won’t stop the progress!! 🙂

Here’s your next logical step Evchung89 – hope they can help you.

http://www.un.org.au/Contact_Us.aspx

Holden Caulfield11:05 am 10 Apr 13

Evchung89 said :

Just received this email:

Date: 10 April 2013 9:18:08 AM AEST
Subject: RE: Dendy Canberra: Website Contact Form: Premium session for “saving general yang”

Unfortunately General Yang was a limited release for Dendy Canberra and will be finishing up with its sessions today. My apologies for not contacting you sooner – This is due to session times not being confirmed until Tuesday afternoon. Please let me know if I can be any further assistance.

Kind regards

Assistant Manager

Dendy Cinemas Canberra

I think this should be your reply:

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.

devils_advocate said :

I am ambivalent about the OP’s issue, but totally support the above comments about Rocky III.

RE: forcing mcdonald’s to serve the breakfast menu, I reckon this should be legislated, but only if you can prove that you totally meant to get there on time, but you were heaps hungover and it was a real struggle getting out of bed, and your whole day is going to be ruined if you don’t has sausage and egg mcmuffin. In this case mcdonalds should be legally obligated to serve you breakfasts.

I personally am a fan of the Mighty Morphin’ Mega Muffin, bacon, sausage and egg with ketchup. If only I woke up before 11am moar frequently! But the reason they stop serving brekky is something to do with the eggs, and not having enough for the whole day or something. The missus was a sub-manager at Macca’s for a while a couple years ago.

Just received this email:

Date: 10 April 2013 9:18:08 AM AEST
Subject: RE: Dendy Canberra: Website Contact Form: Premium session for “saving general yang”

Unfortunately General Yang was a limited release for Dendy Canberra and will be finishing up with its sessions today. My apologies for not contacting you sooner – This is due to session times not being confirmed until Tuesday afternoon. Please let me know if I can be any further assistance.

Kind regards

Assistant Manager

Dendy Cinemas Canberra

EvChung, your children will certainly survive three hours without you without damage. What is more likely to damage them is if you work yourself into angstiness and spend hours communing with the cinema. btw all this email correspondence – is this being done during those work hours you can’t spare, or during your “quality time with your kids”?

IrishPete said :

zorro29 said :

hmmm am i reading correctly that you expected them to run a session for you but don’t want to pay for it?

wow…that would never have occurred to me. i need to be more selfish.

next time i am at maccas: “i don’t like your daytime menu, make me hotcakes and hash browns now!”

There’s a movie about that…

IP

If you’re refering to “Falling Down” it’s really the only sane response

Holden Caulfield12:23 pm 09 Apr 13

Gismondo said :

how long before the XXX parody is released…”shaving general wang”

At least that might generate a crowd for a special premium session.

how long before the XXX parody is released…”shaving general wang”

devils_advocate11:57 am 09 Apr 13

I am ambivalent about the OP’s issue, but totally support the above comments about Rocky III.

RE: forcing mcdonald’s to serve the breakfast menu, I reckon this should be legislated, but only if you can prove that you totally meant to get there on time, but you were heaps hungover and it was a real struggle getting out of bed, and your whole day is going to be ruined if you don’t has sausage and egg mcmuffin. In this case mcdonalds should be legally obligated to serve you breakfasts.

Holden Caulfield9:56 am 09 Apr 13

This thread encapsulates one of the many things wrong with society today.

Me, me, me, meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Quite why it needed to be shared publicly on Riot ACT I’ll never know. It’s such an insignificant issue, and from the material presented by the OP so far Dendy’s management seems to have handled the matter quite well.

Society and people in general often do a lot of good, they don’t deserve to be dragged down by the inane nature of this tripe. The only thing this person deserves is The Mully Award.

Postalgeek said :

I’m wondering if the OP is aware of the developments in home cinema in the last thirty years?

Yeah, but they would still have to go to JB HiFi and complain non stop till they got a system for free.
Otherwise, no dice. That’s how they roll, apparently (boom, boom!)

“Being a responisble and caring parent, I choose to spend as much time as possible with my kid as possible. This includes during the day on weekends.
Evening is a more suitable time for us because when the baby is a sleep; all I need is to get a baby sitter. I don’t actually miss out on any time with my child.”

Pretty sure your baby won’t be emotionally scarred for the rest of it’s life if you miss 3-4 hours for one day….

I’m wondering if the OP is aware of the developments in home cinema in the last thirty years?

ITT: Movie times in Dendy Cinemas is a human rights issue.

Um… Yeah. They offered you a few options. Start a facebook group and see how many people you can get to come to this cinematic wonder that isn’t available when any sane person would be looking to watch it.

When you bring 100 people to the session your ticket will surely be free and the cinema will provide champagne and gold-leaf caviar to thank you for bringing the high paying audience to the movie they assumed would tank.

Just noticed that the film became ‘Saving Private Yang’ in the message from the Duty Manager in the OP. That’s quite a demotion!

OP is one of those people you learn about at the orientation night of your first retail job.

I can only ask. If I don’t, the answer is a definite “no”.
(this is learning from experience, most of the time, i can get a discount or something)

zorro29 said :

hmmm am i reading correctly that you expected them to run a session for you but don’t want to pay for it?

wow…that would never have occurred to me. i need to be more selfish.

next time i am at maccas: “i don’t like your daytime menu, make me hotcakes and hash browns now!”

There’s a movie about that…

IP

Evchung89 said :

Latest correspondence:

On 07/04/2013, at 8:29 AM, xxx wrote:

Hi Me

Unfortunately, we would not be able to screen General Yang in the Premium Lounge unless you could organise a group of thirty or more to see it (at $29 per head) – This is also contingent on whether or not we could gain access to a 35mm print. At the moment we are running this film in digital and our Premium Lounge projectors do not play digital content. If you are able to find the 30 people willing to go, please let me know and I will see if I can chase up a print for you. Alternatively, you could choose to attend a traditional screening and I would be happy to arrange a good price for yourself and your guests. Please let me know how you would like to proceed.

If you would like to discuss further before making a decision, please do not hesitate to contact me

Kind Regards

xxx
Assistant Manager

08/04/2013 – I followed up with a phone call as I have not received a reply

I got the standard spill about legal obligations, head office requirements, session’s time compliant with the film etc (although I’ve seen Hoyts in Sydney showing at evening times).

I told them my 1st preference is to watch the film in Premium in an evening session. If not, 2nd preference is in a normal theater in evening session.
They have advice me that the new screening times are out tomorrow for the following week but did not promise if an evening session time will be available.

Being a responisble and caring parent, I choose to spend as much time as possible with my kid as possible. This includes during the day on weekends.
Evening is a more suitable time for us because when the baby is a sleep; all I need is to get a baby sitter. I don’t actually miss out on any time with my child.

I’m not sure if I’m a niche market but from the initial session times, it appears that their target market are a niche group anyways.

Will keep you guys posted

Think we may have just jumped the shark with this post.

Holden Caulfield5:11 pm 08 Apr 13

NellyBean said :

Surely this is satire?

Let’s hope so.

Evchung89 said :

Latest correspondence:

On 07/04/2013, at 8:29 AM, xxx wrote:

Hi Me

Unfortunately, we would not be able to screen General Yang in the Premium Lounge unless you could organise a group of thirty or more to see it (at $29 per head) – This is also contingent on whether or not we could gain access to a 35mm print. At the moment we are running this film in digital and our Premium Lounge projectors do not play digital content. If you are able to find the 30 people willing to go, please let me know and I will see if I can chase up a print for you. Alternatively, you could choose to attend a traditional screening and I would be happy to arrange a good price for yourself and your guests. Please let me know how you would like to proceed.

If you would like to discuss further before making a decision, please do not hesitate to contact me

Kind Regards

xxx
Assistant Manager

08/04/2013 – I followed up with a phone call as I have not received a reply

I got the standard spill about legal obligations, head office requirements, session’s time compliant with the film etc (although I’ve seen Hoyts in Sydney showing at evening times).

I told them my 1st preference is to watch the film in Premium in an evening session. If not, 2nd preference is in a normal theater in evening session.
They have advice me that the new screening times are out tomorrow for the following week but did not promise if an evening session time will be available.

Being a responisble and caring parent, I choose to spend as much time as possible with my kid as possible. This includes during the day on weekends.
Evening is a more suitable time for us because when the baby is a sleep; all I need is to get a baby sitter. I don’t actually miss out on any time with my child.

I’m not sure if I’m a niche market but from the initial session times, it appears that their target market are a niche group anyways.

Will keep you guys posted

It sounds like the management is trying to be as accommodating as they can, if your circumstances still prevent you and your friends from seeing it and you keep complaining I think most people’s response will be a justified “Tough titties.”

zorro29 said :

hmmm am i reading correctly that you expected them to run a session for you but don’t want to pay for it?

wow…that would never have occurred to me. i need to be more selfish.

next time i am at maccas: “i don’t like your daytime menu, make me hotcakes and hash browns now!”

I spent a good half-hour typing up a complaint on the Macca’s website when they screwed around with the Angus beef patties. I did get a response and presumably I wasn’t the only one to complain because they changed them back to normal shortly afterwards.

NellyBean said :

Surely this is satire?

Entitlement: The Movie.

I’m still surprised the I’m A Parent get-out-of-jail-free card didn’t work on Dendy. Maybe the OP should try again.

Surely this is satire?

hmmm am i reading correctly that you expected them to run a session for you but don’t want to pay for it?

wow…that would never have occurred to me. i need to be more selfish.

next time i am at maccas: “i don’t like your daytime menu, make me hotcakes and hash browns now!”

So did the Palace organise a viewing of the movie you wanted to see at the time you wanted to see it at a time that was convienient with you?

Because if so, I would like to see the original Back to the Future Trilogy with Eric Stoltz’s scenes cut back into the original and a live commentry from Robert Zemekis and the guy who played Randy Wilson. Oh and I like 6 icecubes in my Coke Zero this time please, for the love of God if you give me seven like last time there will be hell to pay. Oh, and my partner ordered the 1994 Two Ducks Shiraz, not the 93, the 93 is spittle.

Madam Cholet1:52 pm 08 Apr 13

I have been to the cinema once since my son came along over four years ago. Probably because I have never thought of asking the cinema to run movies at the times that suit my schedule better. I should have asked them if they could bring the cinema to my home so I didn’t have to find a babysitter.

It sounds like you really really want to see this movie. If thats the case take a sickie or unpaid leave and see it during the day lol.

Latest correspondence:

On 07/04/2013, at 8:29 AM, xxx wrote:

Hi Me

Unfortunately, we would not be able to screen General Yang in the Premium Lounge unless you could organise a group of thirty or more to see it (at $29 per head) – This is also contingent on whether or not we could gain access to a 35mm print. At the moment we are running this film in digital and our Premium Lounge projectors do not play digital content. If you are able to find the 30 people willing to go, please let me know and I will see if I can chase up a print for you. Alternatively, you could choose to attend a traditional screening and I would be happy to arrange a good price for yourself and your guests. Please let me know how you would like to proceed.

If you would like to discuss further before making a decision, please do not hesitate to contact me

Kind Regards

xxx
Assistant Manager

08/04/2013 – I followed up with a phone call as I have not received a reply

I got the standard spill about legal obligations, head office requirements, session’s time compliant with the film etc (although I’ve seen Hoyts in Sydney showing at evening times).

I told them my 1st preference is to watch the film in Premium in an evening session. If not, 2nd preference is in a normal theater in evening session.
They have advice me that the new screening times are out tomorrow for the following week but did not promise if an evening session time will be available.

Being a responisble and caring parent, I choose to spend as much time as possible with my kid as possible. This includes during the day on weekends.
Evening is a more suitable time for us because when the baby is a sleep; all I need is to get a baby sitter. I don’t actually miss out on any time with my child.

I’m not sure if I’m a niche market but from the initial session times, it appears that their target market are a niche group anyways.

Will keep you guys posted

This pales into insignificance when you look at how the Raiders treat their market audience

One game a week…and half of the time that is not even in Canberra.

Why are they not scheduling more games, with day, afternoon and night sessions every single day?

I emailed them wanting a Premium Game for me and a small group of my friends and they refused. Can you believe they treated me like that?

dtc said :

Tetranitrate said :

DrKoresh said :

It smacks of a business out of touch with one particular customer, you mean.

Are you joking?
Not having even one session outside of normal full time working hours is insane.

Surely ‘in the old days’ the adult films were all on at night and during the day you would have one session for the students and otherwise it was ‘women at home’ (as it then was) and kiddy films.

and, yes, if you have kids then Sat and Sun 8am-8pm are work hours.

Actually, all hours are “work hours” with kids. I assume you’re not leaving them alone without any care while you jaunt off to the movies, right?

Here’s your solution. You know how you’d have to pay for a babysitter in the evening anyway if an evening session was available?

Pay for a babysitting for a weekend afternoon instead. The film is exactly the same length no matter when it shows, so you’re paying the same number of hours for babysitting.

I really can’t believe this idea hadn’t occurred to you before now.

Tetranitrate said :

DrKoresh said :

It smacks of a business out of touch with one particular customer, you mean.

Are you joking?
Not having even one session outside of normal full time working hours is insane.

They have screenings on the weekend. The only laughable thing here is the idea of someone working during the hours of 12-4pm every single day of every single week, and that’s the implication of your comment, not mine.

Tetranitrate said :

DrKoresh said :

It smacks of a business out of touch with one particular customer, you mean.

Are you joking?
Not having even one session outside of normal full time working hours is insane.

Surely ‘in the old days’ the adult films were all on at night and during the day you would have one session for the students and otherwise it was ‘women at home’ (as it then was) and kiddy films.

and, yes, if you have kids then Sat and Sun 8am-8pm are work hours.

My favourite movie of all time is Rocky III.

Mr T is the most underrated actor of all time and Sylvester Stallone is a genius. The plotlines and script are a masterpiece of cinema.

Hey Dendy, do you think you could put a screening on for me and my friends, say next Saturday night at 7:30pm in the Premium lounge?

Normal prices of course, see you then, kthxbai.

A First World Problem, if ever there was one.

Depending on the age of your children, you could go and see it with them during the school holidays which are coming up very soon, if you are able to take some time off. Or on ANZAC Day if it is still on.

Probably not if they’re still at primary school, as I understand it’s one long battle scene.

Tetranitrate5:11 pm 07 Apr 13

oh wait… but they do have Saturday and Sunday. It’s still pretty poor form though on the week days.

Tetranitrate5:11 pm 07 Apr 13

DrKoresh said :

It smacks of a business out of touch with one particular customer, you mean.

Are you joking?
Not having even one session outside of normal full time working hours is insane.

Who cares?

Felix the Cat5:00 pm 07 Apr 13

Wait until it comes out on DVD and then you can hire it and watch it in the comfort of your own home and pause it while you go to the loo/make a snack. You also pay a lot less, don’t have to buy overpriced food or put up with other patrons talking or rustling chip packets

patrick_keogh said :

Indeed Dendy has gone so far lowbrow and downmarket since they opened that it is unlikely that I will go back there again.

While I have my issues with Dendy, it’s worth noting that Saving General Yang is a reportedly mediocre effort from the director of “Bride of Chucky” and a one-hit-wonder star most famous for being a pretty-boy gangster in “Young and Dangerous” back in the mid-90s.

It’s not arthouse just because it has subtitles. Dendy is to be commended for burying it…

Oh my god, I cannot believe the cinema is not bending over backwards to accommodate your needs! Have you told them you have CHILDREN? Maybe they haven’t realised that people with CHILDREN are the most important people in the world?

Just leave your kids in the car in the carpark while you go and watch the movie.

I used to go to Dendy a lot, but stopped checking the time-table when I got fed up with the lack of diversity in their screenings. With all those cinemas available, I just got annoyed that they would waste them by doubling up films – screening them in both 3D and 2D. It seemed at one stage that this doubling up meant there was only about 5 films playing across all cinemas. I just wanted to see an enjoyable film in 2D .. not a 3D spew fest. I now tend to go to Manuka.

justin heywood2:26 pm 07 Apr 13

A_Cog said :

Blub: OP has a point, and you’ve completely missed it. Seven straight days of the same two timeslots is bizarre, and smacks of a business out of touch with its customers. You’d recognise this, if your main interest wasn’t opportunistically picking apart a legitimate gripe with any criticism you can muster.

It’s you who have missed the point. The OP wants the cinema to run a session at a time to suit her/him. She even specifies what date, the time, and the ‘Premium’ theatre, thanks very much.

She is entitled to complain to the theatre that the times are unsuitable to her – I’m sure if Dendy had enough complaints they would address the issue.

But I think asking for a ’boutique’ screening just for her and her ‘group of friends’ is pushing her luck. Complaining that they didn’t do what she asks just smacks of entitlement.

A_Cog said :

Blub: OP has a point, and you’ve completely missed it. Seven straight days of the same two timeslots is bizarre, and smacks of a business out of touch with its customers. You’d recognise this, if your main interest wasn’t opportunistically picking apart a legitimate gripe with any criticism you can muster.

It smacks of a business out of touch with one particular customer, you mean.

patrick_keogh1:39 pm 07 Apr 13

We enthusiastically supported Dendy when they opened. We took out Dendy Club memberships year after year. However as soon as Palace opened their doors we stopped going to Dendy. Indeed Dendy has gone so far lowbrow and downmarket since they opened that it is unlikely that I will go back there again. Crap wine out of plastic cups, aisles strewn with popcorn, a crush in the foyer… yep it is just Hoyts with a liquor licence.

Blub: OP has a point, and you’ve completely missed it. Seven straight days of the same two timeslots is bizarre, and smacks of a business out of touch with its customers. You’d recognise this, if your main interest wasn’t opportunistically picking apart a legitimate gripe with any criticism you can muster.

OT: I understand that when you work for an organisation you represent them, but as you’ve taken your name out and used ‘me’ couldn’t you also have substituted the Dendy employee’s name with just a title. If you want us to respect your privacy, you should also respect other individuals.

I’m not affiliated with Dendy in any way, and can’t recall the last time I saw a movie there.

On your actual question, I presume movies are screened based on perceived return, and it’s just not a movie popular enough to get prime time screening. I don’t know what the big deal is, it’s screening weekdays and weekends, so most people who want go could see it. That your personal schedule is so tight that you’re blaming Dendy is odd to me.

Sorry to break this to you, but You’re not the centre of the universe.

Wellington Sludge9:52 am 07 Apr 13

Seriously, Evchung89, if you haven’t realised yet that the Dendy target market are the McMAFs (middle class, middle aged females) with their alternative-but-not-really-here’s-“HYDE PARK ON HUDSON” programming, mixed in with their bold-faced revenue-raising mainstream “we’re-alternative-but-GI JOE 2-will-also-bring-in-the-$” programming, then you’re deluding yourself.

Dendy is just another Hoyts. They have to program SGY because it’s distributed by their parent distributor company, Icon, and then (unlike the other Dendy cinemas nationally) they give it token, inconvenient session times, so it will bomb in the first week and they can justify taking it off and putting more sessions of GI JOE 2 on (they do this regularly with Asian films).

And, yes, you’re right, the session times are programmed by interstate people (although I suspect the contribution by the Canberra general manager is much less than you suggest above).

My recommendation? Tell Dendy to shove it, start going to see films at Palace (who will listen to what you say and make a better effort to bring REAL alternative film into the ACT. (No, I don’t work for Palace, and I was cynical about them after the Dendy Canberra experience, but they seem to be genuinely wanting to provide an alternative). Or even Arc cinema, at the NFSA (who regularly have great Asian films).

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