posted 12-30-2011 07:45 PM                    

quote: Sean Weitzel

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I can never figure out the best way to safely get a loop running without it shredding or getting in the way of the lens.

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I set this up for Telluride, although only the projectionists used it. The rollers are not in the way of normal projection. (The lower roller exists to pull the film out of the way of the lens.)





You must have enough length at the bottom to almost touch the lower takeup shaft so that weight will pull the film out of the soundhead. Don't make the loop tight!

This is also the ONLY way to run a "scratch test". Without guidance rollers, trying to run a scratch test with a loop is a complete waste of time.

posted 12-30-2011 09:34 PM                    

quote: Jim Henk

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....I put a new head to soundhead interface gear on a head I have, and pounded it onto the shaft. Mentioned it to someone, and was properly berated for pounding anything onto anything. May have done damage.....

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Wonder who berated you for that one?

On topic, Jim, I disagree with your position for one main reason:

So far, the vast majority of "wannabe techs" of the current generation I have encountered have the attention span of a gnat. They are unwilling to TAKE THE TIME to learn how to do ANYTHING properly. They are too quick to dive in and start fucking with settings without a clue as to the effects and how they affect other things (like possibly blowing out speakers, etc.)

Without actually meeting someone face-to-face and assessing their background and capabilities it is very dangerous to give advice over the internet. Would you trust a doctor who is getting instructions on your gallbladder operation via a computer?

Also, a lot of the unwillingness of technicians to share their knowledge is from the simple fact that the knowledge was gained by a lot of time, hard work and financial outlay. The current attitude of entitlement rampant with the current generation is another factor in this.

The services of a good technician are like any other commodity, it has an actual cash value and should not be arbitrarily given away for free..(unless said tech is independently wealthy and retired or has too much work to handle.)

Finally, would you be willing to tell me how to do your job?

posted 12-31-2011 03:07 AM                    

quote: Tony Bandiera Jr

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Finally, would you be willing to tell me how to do your job?

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posted 12-31-2011 12:55 PM                    

quote:

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Actually, gladly. Of course, in my engineering support field, we work with transparency as a goal. That way, the developers and management who work our tools and services understand how each of our work compliments each other. We work hand and glove, each understanding the big picture, and everybody's productivity rises. Of course the company is tanking because they make phones that *aren't* iPhones, but that's another story.

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quote: Jim Henk

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... And yes, eager-beavers screw things up. In other fields, (engineering included) grabby hands are terminated...

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quote: Jim Henk

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...(Did you *never* screw something up on something that you shouldn't have been? C'mon... never??? Okay, you can stop with the private guilty grin now)

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quote:

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Of the flip side, when things go south, the operator on duty (assuming that there is one) is expected to *fix it*. Now. Otherwise, why are we paying the operator instead of some minimum wage kid to babysit the machines once in a while when he's not inventorying cups? (Don't say it... that's exactly what happens... I know. Gee, maybe lack of perceived value was at least one of many factors - possibility?)

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quote: Jim Henk

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Management wants them out of the booth while the tech is there? Then no complaints are warranted when the show has a bad hair-day. But anyone who blocks their own people from gaining knowledge that will assist them in their job, in any field, needs therapy and our pity.

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Management is management for a reason, and they are well within their rights to set whatever policy they want. I can tell you after working for RCA Service for many years the main reason management doesn't allow operators in the booth during tech calls is because they KNOW for a fact that some (most) of them will suddenly become "hands on" in the worst possible way.

As a projectionist, my job was to present the show as management orders. If they want me to start early, start late, run the reels out of sequence, run the film backwards, then I am expected to follow the order whether I like it or not. It was not my position to question it. As a tech, my job was/is to make the repairs or adjustments as needed, to point out any potential problems and let management decide if they wanted those issues fixed. If not, I note it on the service report and they sign it. If it goes tits up later despite my advance notice, then they are on the hook for any costs/liability involved.

I agree that no complaints would be warranted, but again, that is management's call, not yours or mine as the technician.

They need our pity and therapy? Don't be a drama queen.

quote:

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Again, somebody wants to learn. People don't work out no matter what you're doing. Is it wise to tell them no, because others didn't do so good? Or do you point them in good directions, or maybe even interview them, check references, etc. if you're in a potential teaching position yourself. (And if they don't work out, you move on to someone else who will, if you want to.)

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quote: Jim Henk

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How would you feel if you asked a question here, and someone said for you to go away, little boy - call a professional. Hell would have no such fury...

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An ill-thought out comment Jim...mainly because I have enough contacts in the industry, many of whom are here on this forum, who know (or know of) me and my experience and qualifications.

And I haven't been a little boy for over 40 years.

I am glad you brought up this discussion though..