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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Topic: Fundraiser for Projectionist Documentary!
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Martin Brooks
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 900
From: Forest Hills, NY, USA
Registered: May 2002
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posted 10-03-2003 12:45 PM
I didn't see the original postings about this film, but I'm quite intrigued with the prospects for such a documentary.
I see this as a "Standing In The Shadows of Motown" for projectionists.
From my viewpoint, I think the most important aspect of such a documentary is to demonstrate how the loss of craftsmanship and professionalism in the booth negatively affects the way that we present our cultural heritage in film, just as the advent of mass merchandisers and shopping malls has destroyed much of the art of craft in this country.
Therefore, I think the film needs to be about more than about projectionists who are involved in obscure ventures. If the film is only about them, it's just a freak show.
In one point in your clip, it's stated that the old (palace) theaters were works of art. That's certainly true, but if that's all that is said, the implication might be that since theaters are no longer works of art, that we don't need films presented as if they were art. I think it also needs to be said that the projectionists of that era, especially in first-run houses, achieved the highest standards of presentation. Maybe there should be some interviews with some of those people. Perhaps there should be an explanation of how Cinerama required at least four operators.
There's also a statement in the clip that because of automation, there's a lot in the booth that no longer needs to be done. While there are certainly some aspects of automation that are positive, if that's all that is said, a viewer might come to the conclusion that it's no longer necessary to have a true professional in the booth....that a projectionist is nothing more than an elevator operator and is no longer necessary. I think the point needs to be made that it's absolutely necessary.
While I realize that you don't want to put words in the mouths of the subjects, documentaries certainly have points of view and I'd love to see this one have such a point of view as well.
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Martin Brooks
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 900
From: Forest Hills, NY, USA
Registered: May 2002
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posted 10-03-2003 05:42 PM
quote:
My POV is that projection is an art form and one that will be sorely missed when it is gone...in fact, one that is missed now, as far as my cinematic experience is concerned.
Perfect!
quote:
So, I hope to make people appreciate that in the rush to develop technology, quality is iften sacrificed.
I don't think technology has that much to do with it. IMHO, like many industries (radio is another example), it's the fact that in American society, almost the only way we now measure success is by shareholder value and therefore, we cut costs to the bone no matter what the sacrifice in quality.
And those at the end of the chain get screwed the most. So while it's not unusual for films to have budgets of $75 million and above and for A-list actors to receive upwards of $20 million for a film, the studios and distributors then screw the theaters by demanding 90% of the take in the first weeks of a film's release.
Since the theater chains, in turn, have had incredible capital costs (and resulting debt) in building their giant multiplexes and overscreening many areas, this has resulted in theaters in which the only real profit center is the snack stand. Theater management is willing to sacrifice presentation quality and put the popcorn kid in the projection booth where he/she is operating 20 screens for 30 to 50 cents each per hour.
And the reason why they're willing to sacrifice that quality is because to them, what presentation means is a perception of quality, not the actual implementation. So what's important to them is stadium seating, rocking chair seats, digital sound (regardless of its quality) and fancy signage over the concession stand, not pristine prints, quality control in the booth, aligned projectors, properly equalized rooms, etc. And that's all aside from such aspects of presentation such as curtains, light shows, ornamentation, star ceilings, etc.
What they don't see is that in the medium to long term, this will drive customers back into their homes, especially as the prices for HDTV comes down and the theater to DVD window gets shorter and shorter.
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