Table Service Tips
Table Service Tips
An educational/instructional film dealing with the proper methods of table service, restaurant presentation, and management. Emphasis on the importance of the napkin in good table service.
Table Service Tips
Film opens with waitress talking to customers (out of frame) non-sync VO introduces us to the waitress, Diane. CU of a man placing a napkin on the table, zoom out to WS showing man seated with woman at table, waitress approaches with bill. Very few other people in restaurant. CU man slips $10 bill under a saucer at a dining table. The couple leaves their table, pleasently acknowledges the Maitre'd as they exit. WS of waitress at empty table, collects her bill, pushes chairs in. Cam. zooms in to empty table, dissloves to another shot of the same table, bare, unset, in empty restaurant.
Table Service Tips
Zoom out to WS or bare table in restaurant. All other tbales have folded napkins and tablecloths. Diane, our waitress, demonstrates how to properly set a table: She brings tray to table. CU hand pressing on table padding. Unfolds tablecloth over table. VS of her handling the tablecloth. VS fancy folded napkins. Then she demonstrates how to fold them - 3 separate versions. CU of her hands, napkin, as she folds. She sets each one on the table. CU of the dinner setting. "the beauty and thoughtfulness of well-folded napkins"
Table Service Tips
Overhead MS waitress properly setting up a table: places folded napkins next to bread plates. VO lists the order in which you should palce each item. Places silverware. CUs: placing silverware on table, water glass. WS waitress at table, zoom in to set table.
Table Service Tips
MS waitress folding napkin at a table - garish floral curtains behind her. CU setting folded napkin down on set table. VO: "How does your restaurant measure up?... Are the carpets clean...?"CU carpet in front of doorway, a woman and man walk through - MCU on her sandals, his slacks. MS three identical towel and soap dispensers over sinks in a public bathroom in the restaurant. MS young woman (in bright yellow outfit) washes her hands in the bathroom. Tight LS of a young couple entering the establishment, talking to the maitre d'. LS of the couple sitting down, Maitre'd still assisting them - CU as he unfolds a napkin and hands it to the sitting woman. Waiter enters frame an clears two extra place setting. MS on man seated at the table - goofy, somewhat rakish smile - the female narrator telling us to "notice how they enjoy the crisp feeling of a clean and neatly folded napkin" (includes CU of woman's hand caressing the tablecloth). Shot-reverse shot dialogue between couple - cheesy. LS waiter clearing tray from table, waitress approaches the couple. She hand them each a menu.
Table Service Tips
LS couple at table, waiter sets up tray stand, waitress places tray of food down on it. CU setting plate of food down with napkins as "serving cloth...neat, attractive and sanitary...". CU napkin on the serving tray. CU of white wine (wrapped in a napkin of course) being poured into a glass tableside. LS same. "Oops! Spills happen!" CU woman's hand knocks over wine glass. Waitress is right there with her handy napkin. LS couple talking at table. CU waitress cleans up crumbs from table. CU ashtray with smoulderingcigarette. LS Waiter replaces it with a clean ashtray. LS couple gets up from table (he assists her) and leaves.
Table Service Tips
LS waiter clears table. CU faces of other customers. VO instructs order in which items should be removed. Napkins first, then glass ware etc. CUs of removing items. CU removing table cloth. CU wiping chairs. LS and CU waiter unfolding tablecloth and resetting table. Waiter carries loaded tray away.
Table Service Tips
MS of linen disposal containers in back of restaurant house. Waiter throws linin into it. LS waiter carrying loaded tray to bin and loads it up with linens. CU placing linens in bin. MS waitress removes plastic wrapped fresh linen from shelves. CU hand wiping grill with napkin. Waiter gives kitchen cook a towels rather than the napkin. Montage of shots just seen including high angle MS of ornate serving tray with well-presented and appetizing food. Repeat of CU of guy leaving a $10 tip under an ashtray. In a nutshell this film is breezy and/or cheesy.