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Author Topic: Rant On Bad Tech's Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-20-2004 04:36 PM                     exactly what happened here one company doing the sound system and a different one doing the projection  |  IP: Logged Bill Enos Film God Posts: 2081 From: Richmond, Virginia, USA Registered: Apr 2000 posted 07-20-2004 05:18 PM                     Ever known a tech who didn't think he knew everything? I was a tech and trainer in another field for 27 years, the most difficult trait to find in a tech trainee is the ability to recognize that you don't know and to stop and get assistance. Too many will blunder on.  |  IP: Logged Jeremy Fuentes Mmmm, Dr. Pepper! Posts: 1168 From: Corpus Christi, TX United States Registered: Jan 2004 posted 07-20-2004 06:07 PM                     Thanks Mark. I am looking for an extensive training type deal. More like a tech apprentice position. Thanks for the info. Edited by me. [ 07-26-2004, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: Jeremy Fuentes ]  |  IP: Logged Edward Jurich Master Film Handler Posts: 305 From: Las Vegas USA Registered: Jul 2003 posted 07-20-2004 07:38 PM                     I'm just helping out this theater installing 3 new screens. I'm not a tech service (although there may be a need for a good tech service in the area after experiencing this). I didn't think I had the time to install another projector and sound (I had already installed 2) in the time frame they needed. The people installing the projector also sold the theater the projector, the other 2 projectors came from another source. I know there are times when a tech may come across a problem or two but I find no excuse for doing an install and not even check to make sure the sound in the projector is working. And selling a projector that is stated as "completely gone over" implies everything works, not that it has a bad slit lens and a missing fire shutter.  |  IP: Logged Mike Babb Master Film Handler Posts: 250 From: Norwich UK Registered: Jul 2002 posted 07-20-2004 09:02 PM                        I agree with Bill regarding trainees and on the other end, an experienced tech or trainer with an open mind is pretty nice as well.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-20-2004 10:16 PM                     I don't think this specifically applies to the question above but I mention it because I was in the situation: There are companies (who shall remain nameless) that don't put a lot of effort into overall care of their equipment and depend on one or two techs to take care of virtually all problems that occur in several locations all at once. I went into my job with a lot of high ideals and a lot of zeal for the work I imagined I would be doing only to find out that my real job was doing "Meatball Surgery". After a time, the implicit instructions, "Keep the theaters on-screen at all times", overtakes the ideals of "Film Done Right" and it takes a toll on your work ethic. After several months of trying my hardest to do good work, only to see the machines literally torn apart in front of my eyes, I started doing the minimum necessary to just keep the machines running. A quick A-Chain, a simple adjustment and I was out the door to drive on to the next theater where some teenage punk just disassembled a sound head into 1,000 pieces on the floor. That ACTUALLY happend to me! I came to a theater that simply claimed to be off-screen with "sound trouble" to find the sound head rent assunder, down to the nuts and bolts. There was another time when the GM had a film wrap and tried to untangle the film by beating on the shutter with a ball peen hammer! Finally, the last straw happened when a guy actually caught a Christie rectifier on fire by putting the diodes in all catty wompass! I admit there were plenty of times when I didn't do my best work but, working under conditions like that, can you blame me? When I realized that my work was going down the tubes and there was no end to the trouble in sight, I decided to get out of Dodge. There are plenty of times when I wish I could get back into the business like I used to be but I REFUSE to do it for a company that doesn't back up its front-line techs. Therefore, I can see where some techs would do substandard work at times. However, if you're talking about a guy who's running his own business and is supposed to make a living on his work and reputation, I can't see how he'll be in business much longer unless he's got the only game in town.  |  IP: Logged Jack Ondracek Film God Posts: 2348 From: Port Orchard, WA, USA Registered: Oct 2002 posted 07-20-2004 11:24 PM                        quote: Bill Enos Ever known a tech who didn't think he knew everything? I've personally known two of them, Bill, and I respected them all the more for their ability to be open to new ideas. Sadly, they're no longer with us, but knowing them was certainly good for me.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-21-2004 07:42 PM                     "Ever known a tech who didn't think he knew everything?" Most of the techs that I've known with the exception of a few were pretty open minded. The others that I work with now are very open minded Anyone that can't admit to not knowing everything or a tech that doesn't learn something new every day is just not being honest with him/herself. I would generally classify them as a bullshitter. Mark @ CLACO (Live from Elko, NV!)  |  IP: Logged William Uhlhorn Film Handler Posts: 12 From: Schertz, Texas, U.S.A. Registered: Sep 2003 posted 07-28-2004 12:46 PM                     It is a shame some of you are bashing Cliff. Especially Mark. I think your "funny walk" remark was way off base. If you are ever injured in an auto accident and both of your legs are crushed perhaps you to will have a "funny walk". And William Parr talking about someone he has never met. Amazing. Cliff has been my service tech for over 20 years. He is also my friend. There are always two sides to every story. I tend to beleive my friend. And Jeremy why did you delete / edit your posts?  |  IP: Logged Jeremy Fuentes Mmmm, Dr. Pepper! Posts: 1168 From: Corpus Christi, TX United States Registered: Jan 2004 posted 07-28-2004 01:03 PM                     Because I wanted to. Edit: And because I felt that it was a mistake on my part to bash someone that has many years of experience over me. I was mostly speaking out of frustration with the position that I am currently in, when it comes to my job. Thats why. I feel like I owe Cliff an apology for even mentioning his name here, and thats all that I will have to say on this subject. You can tell him that I said that.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-28-2004 02:33 PM                     "Because I wanted to." Must be nice to be able to slam someone and then just make it go away Maybe Brad should find an archive and put those posts back and lock it so every day you can look at why once you say something youve said it  |  IP: Logged Jeremy Fuentes Mmmm, Dr. Pepper! Posts: 1168 From: Corpus Christi, TX United States Registered: Jan 2004 posted 07-28-2004 02:43 PM                     Posted a negative comment about Gordon, then deleted it because I realized it was a mistake. And I am able to admit to it, twice in the same thread.  |  IP: Logged Rick Mort Film Handler Posts: 8 From: Post Falls, Idaho, united states Registered: Jul 2004 posted 07-28-2004 03:30 PM                     Paul Thompson was my wing man. I just started doing projection when I first meet Paul. He showed up to do some work and ended up literally having to train me at projection. I have nothing bad to say about him except he reamed my ass so bad the week he trained me that I'm still walkin funny.  |  IP: Logged Steven Jantzen Film Handler Posts: 30 From: goodwell, Oklahoma, USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 07-28-2004 08:27 PM                     my theatre has had a number of bad techs, but the new one we have now is absolutly awesome.Gary stanley from colorado. I'm a rookie at projecting, and he was able to teach me some really great things. I personally am glad to have a good tech around. One thing I do want to mention though is that from a professional standpoint.(that being that I do some free lance computer and website work on the side) Being able to admit that you don't know something shows that you have integrity, accountability, and if your willing to learn about what you don't know, a sense of honor. It takes a big person to admit that he doesn't know everything, especially when your job could very well be on the line. It also shows that you are willing to grow professionally. no one know everything, there is alway something new to learn.  |  IP: Logged Edward Jurich Master Film Handler Posts: 305 From: Las Vegas USA Registered: Jul 2003 posted 08-03-2004 09:01 AM                     UPDATE: Well, after a few emails from the company in question stating in so many words the job was done right, they finally agreed it was not and came yesterday to install the missing fire shutter and power supply. At one point I suggested to the theater they write the Kansas Attorney General and file a complaint, that may have gotten someones attention. Or perhaps they saw this post and don't want bad press (no names mentioned but not hard to figure out who). Whatever the reason, at least it got resolved.  |  IP: Logged

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