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Topic: Projection training - the road to engeneering

Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

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

posted 02-14-2003 03:36 PM

quote:
does it really matter what the term is

Evidently, it did to Cinemark.

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Gerard S. Cohen
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 975
From: Forest Hills, NY, USA
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 02-14-2003 05:21 PM

At one time there was a difference in usage between the term "profession" and "vocation."
One who professes, upholds a credo or code of ethics (such as the
Hippocratic Oath, sworn to by doctors.) In a profession the practitioner worked primarily with people (patients, students, clients, colleagues) rather than with tools or materials.
A vocation (as in "vocational training") was a form of employ in which one performed skilled operations using tools and materials.
However, the term "vocation " comes from a Latinroot meaning to call or calling. We used to say one had a "calling" to become a priest or other member of a clergy. But over time, it became used to denote a steady career that originates from an individual's preference, or emotional and intellectual enthusiasm for a field of craftsmanship.

I tend to think of my career as a teacher as a profession, and my career as a theatrical projectionist as a vocation. (Actually, my projecting career began in the classroom, developed into film teaching, and branched into theatrical projection work.)

In any case, I believe it takes a marriage of enthusiasm with skilled experience to bring career satisfaction. Otherwise, it's just a job!

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Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 02-14-2003 06:14 PM

pro-jec-tion-ist: n (1922) one that makes projections as a: cartographer b: one that operates a motion picture projector or televison equipment.

pro-fes-sion-al: characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession. one that is professional, one that engages in a pursuit or activity professionally.

as far as what Cinemark calls there people who run the booth...Usher-b's the b stands for booth. it's better than not even recognizing them. My feeling has always been you can call me what you want. In my heart I know what I am. I do my job with a professional attitude. I sign my ocupation on my taxes as projectionist. Of course now it will be assistant manager. But I am still very active in the booth. My statement as far as the term goes is that it doesn't matter what term they use so long as you do your job professionally.

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Aldo Baez
Master Film Handler

Posts: 266
From: USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 02-14-2003 11:04 PM

Does anyone have a website with info on the Dolby seminars? I would love to attend one.

To stay on topic I learned about this website during a Kodak seminar that was offered free by them awhile back. Up until that time I was sort of lost. I've learned many many things from this site that have saved me more time than I could imagine. To think when I saw the bar at the top of the screen I used to go all the way in the back and move the dang curtain for the masking down to compensate. Then I read a post about the adjustments you can do right on the turret.. geez what a timesaver. Now all the screens are perfect with no black borders at all. I've also begun to take some beginning electrical engineering courses at school to maybe get a grasp on the sound and all the dang wires in the projector.

Thanks to everyone here the booth I run has not had a tech come out for awhile, nor have we had a projection problems(subtracting any dts sound freeze ups) resulting in missed shows or refunds in about 14 months. I haven't had a bad splice since a sneak of Me, Myself and Irene Yay!

Now if anyone has any ideas to attribute this to my passion for Film Done Right (at least I hope I had something to do with it!) and maybe get a little bit more compensated for it I'm open for suggestions or tips since I am not good with people or asking things from them.

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Chad Calpito
Film Handler

Posts: 23
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 02-15-2003 10:07 PM

To Jonathan,

The film projection career is something that is hands on. My first time running a booth, I learned quickly and have since then refined my skills as an experienced projectionist. May I suggest to you that you also read the Technical Manuals on the projectors, platters and digital systems that way you can become more familiar with the equipment. Also, an Engineering Degree will help as well, but, nothing beats hands on experience.

Chad Calpito

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Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 02-15-2003 10:20 PM

If you are going to pay good money to get an engineering degree you might as well be an engineer with a high paying factory.

I would suggest getting some training in electronics at a vocational or tech school for added experience.

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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

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

posted 02-16-2003 06:21 AM

Darryl is right, this business is fast becoming de-professionalized; it's now creeping into the field service end.

Of course, that's not to say you're not a professional, Darryl. [Wink]

(I don't know whether you know it or not, but I'm from Lexington and I would love nothing more than to be back there running a booth again (or doing service), but my family and I have to stay where we are. Even if I could go back, it just doesn't pay enough to support a family anymore.)

Lookie what I had to do, and I'd been in the movie business for almost 30 years (the last 20 or so as an engineer): my new career. At least now I can't be automated out of a job, and I will be able to work wherever I want (or need) to live. Neither will I have to uproot my family and drag them halfway across the country every time a theatre circuit goes bankrupt or changes management.

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Bryan Kennedy
Film Handler

Posts: 5
From: GA, USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 02-17-2003 02:03 AM

Well, I'd have to consider myself a projectionist rather than an operator then. Luckily at the theatre I work in I get to be strictly booth. I hated every second of having to work downstairs. It just wasn't for me.

I'd like to know what you all think, but for the love of God I can't understand why people I have worked with or known can not seem to learn anything on there own. I'm always learning new things up in the booth. But, some people just can't seem to think to themself "hey, this doesn't look right" or "hey, I'm only supposed to use the framing knob to fine tune the on screen image."

Maybe it's just me and I'm not supposed to understand it. But, at least I know I'm not the only one who cares.

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