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Topic: alt.stupid.projectionists.rant

Tom Kroening
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 214
From: Janesville, WI USA
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 01-30-2000 04:57 AM

I couldn't agree more. I knew there would probably be people with that opinion about automation out there. And i can see exactly what you mean. Im sure if i hadn't been started on it i wouldn't want to change. It kind of prooves the point that once you are taught something its not likey you'd want to change. Some may look down on that view, but i do not.As for my equipment? Sure some of it is not in working order (undisputed fact) But im perfectly happy with it(as well as where i work and with what i get paid), it gets the job done. In no way have i talked bad about my place of work- every theatre has broken stuff. Well except the one you work at Brad. But getting back on subject, as much as i have reguards for the older systems, i also am very interested in the digital ones even though they may replace us someday in the far far nonexistant future (hey maybe they will keep us around for a few laughs - can't beat projectionist humor!).

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-30-2000 10:45 AM

Regarding automation: I can certainly see that it has its purpose in certain environments. There's no way that any human (except maybe Brad!) could run anything more than a couple of screens without it.

That said, my experience has been in all-manual single-screen houses with films changing at least weekly. In that sort of environment, platters and/or automation would be more trouble than they're worth. I like the idea of actually "running" a show as opposed to spending a lot of time on Thursday night assembling prints onto a platter and placing the automation cues and then spending the rest of the week just threading and hitting "start"--how boring would that be?

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Chris Erwin
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 195
From: Olive Hill,KY
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 01-30-2000 11:24 AM

I've got a great idea. Wouldn't be cool to institute "performance bonds" with the less than inept projection staff. If it's their own cash that has to fix something due to blatent operator error/negelct, I bet those switches get thrown and those xexons turned off!

I was always taught to take care of the film (i.e. it aint yours) and the equipment (also i.e. it aint yours either-it's the company's)
and all I'm to do is correctly utilize it to put on a good show. I work at a small town theater and booth access is a right that is earned,screw up and it's popcorn duty for the rest of your career there.

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Jim Bedford
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 597
From: Telluride, CO, USA (733 mi. WNW of Rockwall, TX but it seems much, much longer)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-30-2000 11:44 AM

RANT

At the Nugget and Opera House we have a projectionist named Buff (I call him Biff, a la Back to the Future).

I am convinced that Biff has what I call "Mechanical Munchausen's Syndrome By Proxy." This is where he finds ways for things to go very rong in the booth so he can fix them and save the day.

He "got a cleaning rag caught in the shutter" that broke the intermittent shear pin; breakers pop on him and stop shows; there's "no sound, no matter what I do;" etc.

I know, I know, but I'm not his boss, my partner is. I have warned her tho, it will continue 'cause Biff just needs the attention, and to be able to save the day.

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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 02-03-2000 09:17 PM

Hear! Hear!

Chris, that's the best idea I've heard in a loooong time!

That's the problem all too much today, there are no consequences.

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