Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Uniforms

This is topic Uniforms in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-10-2000, 12:09 AM:

Survey time...

What are everyone's feelings towards uniforms? At one point, Cinemark had what must've been the worst projectionist's uniform around. It was a pair of slacks, white long sleeve dress shirt complete with "plasticware" (aka: plastic suspenders and plastic bow tie). Another theater had a similar uniform, but with a long tie (for getting caught in the projector).

What are the dress code policies among all the projectionists here? Is a dress code really necessary since customers don't see the projectionist?

Speaking of dress codes, this picture came to mind.

Posted by Andrew D'Vrey (Member # 285) on 01-10-2000, 12:40 AM:

I used to work for a theater that wanted me to wear a long tie in the booth. My buddy, who is a law student, and I wrote up this little document we wanted them to sign...basically stating that I alerted them of the dangers of wearing a tie around such equipment and if anything should happen to me they will be sued for negligence.

Never had to wear a tie again!

My current employer simply cares that I show up with shoes, pants and a shirt...underwear optional I guess.

------------------
"And the monkey flips the switch."
- Major Don West, "Lost In Space"

Andrew D'Vrey
IATSE Local 219

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 01-10-2000, 01:04 AM:

At Landmark we had to wear a white shrit and a tie.

At UA They wanted us to wear the staff uniform. At first we had a "mechanics" jump suit. That didn't last too long because there was no place to strap your leatherman. The I came up with the black polo shirt that said United Artists Projection & Sound on the back in gold letters. That lasted 3 or 4 years untill sombody decided that we should go back to the staff uniform. I lasted about 6 more months after that. Joe lasted one more month and Erika lasted the longest by staying on an additional month.

Now that we are opening a new theatre, we will not have a uniform for a while. Eventually we may get company tshirts.

Posted by Christopher Duvall (Member # 284) on 01-10-2000, 02:58 AM:

The Regal theatre that I am at, I require the projection operator to wear management attire or staff uniform. However, since I used to be a projectionist at one time, I do not require the long tie when in the booth.

I had a friend who is now a GM for another Regal theatre get his tie caught in a 6000' reel when building up. It sucked him right into the reel and his face took a brutal beating. He never wears a tie when in the booth now. I laugh now, but it wasn't funny when it happened.

------------------
Chris Duvall
General Manager
Regal Cinemas Harrisonburg 14

Posted by Anthony Matarazzo (Member # 63) on 01-10-2000, 03:46 AM:

My uniform is just a "Greater Union" t-shirt with shorts or long pants and shoes
Thats it. It's great for summer as the air-con does not work in the box.

Posted by Michael Cunningham (Member # 210) on 01-10-2000, 05:17 AM:

Regal standard policy is that non-management booth staff wear the same uniform as everyone else on the floor (i.e. black slacks, white dress shirt, black socks and dress shoes, long black tie and Regal vest). I guess the idea is they can sucker you downstairs to help. At my theatre, we require the removal of tie and vest when in the booth for obvious safety reasons (see above post, ouch!!!).

-Mike

Posted by Gordon Leslie (Member # 139) on 01-10-2000, 05:37 AM:

Down here the standed dress policy for the booth used to be white overalls, this used to be rigidly adhered to years ago, no excuse for not wearing them then. Now its seems what ever is presentable,for me its jeans in winter ,shorts in summer.I'll have to speak to the boss about that new front of house uniform you've featured there Brad.!!

Posted by Stephen Jones (Member # 16) on 01-10-2000, 06:40 AM:

Gordon, I remember haveing to wear those white overalls especially at the drive-ins in the middle a hot Aussie summer without any air con in the box. These days like you casual is the go.When I was tech manager it was a shirt and tie and I hated that.

------------------

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 01-10-2000, 08:27 AM:

Generally, around here there really hasn't been much of a dress code for projectionists. Back in my K-B theatres days, the projectionist was to wear a collar shirt and long pants (without holes). If that operator was to be in the public eye (ie there are several booths and the operator must walk in the public areas) then they had a stricter dress code since they should look like they work there.

I should note, some operators did come up with their own "uniforms" with a shirt that had their names and company on them. Believe it or not, this made a nice impression on the supervisors. It showed employee spirit and a desire to look professional.

Steve

------------------
"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 01-10-2000, 09:56 AM:

Brad:
That girl should be required with all Brenkerts!

But seriously, ain't no one gonna get me to wear a uniform. It's hot and sweaty in the booth--you get dirty mopping up oil leaks from the projector and if you are like me, you get stuck with fixing the butter machine which suddenly stopped working and you know how gross they can be!

All you really need for a 'uniform' is some clean, presentable, comfortable clothes just in case you should need to go downstairs. Just don't look like a slob when you're around the public.

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 01-10-2000, 01:06 PM:

Back when we were a three screen, ushers doubled as projectionists so I wore the white dress shirt, black straight tie (clip), black pants, and black dress shoes. When we went to seven screens, a staff projectionist was chosen and he was told to come dressed for comfort in booth. I remained in the usher uniform during the time I spent as Chief-of-Staff, and continued to operate dressed like this until I turned down the management position. At that the head projectionist was promoted, and I got his job. During this time one operator would come dressed in sweats and slippers. THAT ENDED REAL FAST when I took over the booth, and our present uniform policy became maditory: red polo shirt, beige pants, black tennis shoes.

Posted by Reeve Byrne (Member # 295) on 01-10-2000, 01:56 PM:

Back in ACT III days in was black slacks and THX, Dolby, DTS, or SDDS shirt, black shoes. Now with regal it depends on who the head projectionist is and the GM. I get away with black pants and a nice shirt most days. But on the weekends if I go downstairs to help I'll put on my uniform (black pants, white long sleeve shirt, black tie, maroon Regal vest). Our GM is pretty cool about it now, half the time he wears t-shirt and jeans when he come into work.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-10-2000, 03:32 PM:

I hate the uniforms I have (had) to wear at Cinemark! It started w/ the afformantioned white shirt and 'da-glo' bowtie. Now it's the black and purple checkered 'bowling shirt'. Besides making us look like clowns there's no breast pocket for your pen (or more importantly, CIGARETTES!)

It was probably somebody's wife picking out the uniforms. ("OOOh! That's CUUUUUTE!)

If it were ME picking out the uniforms, it'd be a solid color polo shirt and black "Dickies" w/ black shoes. (The shirt color to match the 'company' colors.)

The ALL TIME BEST uniform would be a red Star Trek shirt!

Posted by Ari Nordström (Member # 288) on 01-10-2000, 03:42 PM:

I have a friend who got fired by his employer, SF Bio in Göteborg, Sweden, when he refused to wear the tie that came with the uniform. Other projectionists were threatened with the same when the union finally got the madness to stop.

Myself, I usually wear a black t-shirt and blue jeans, and that works fine at the revival theatre I work at. Thankfully. I hate uniforms.

Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 01-10-2000, 05:18 PM:

Randy, If I heard right Tandy Michell (the owner's wife) DID design the uniforms. Fortunatly the manager that I had was pretty lax about it, we usually got away without having to wear the bowtie-suspenders (damn things popped off all the time anyways). Only time we HAD to wear them was a DM came in. Advance warning over the radio gave us plenty of time to hide.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-10-2000, 05:33 PM:

Booth ppl. didn't have to wear suspenders. We 'politely' brought up the safety issue. Plus, as you say, they kept popping off.

I used to wear a tie at MH College 'cuz it's supposed to be a 'classy' affair but now I just wear 'nice' slacks and a button down shirt, or something like that.
When I was working on the build-up/screening, the day before, I'd wear any old thing. On the 'money show' I'd dress up. When I thread, etc. I'd tuck it in. There was a couple of times when something bad happened (Phantom of the Opera)and I'd just shuck the thing off and toss it. The boss saw me do that and asked my why. I told him I like my neck the way it is and he loosened up about it. (Not that he ever made a big deal of it.)

Ya' know, when things are new, people get all fussy about things like that. After a while they don't care.

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 01-10-2000, 05:53 PM:

I used to have to wear plastic-wear Brad. In fact I was just cleaning my apartment and was going to throw them out. Now Cinemark adopted a new logo and we have to wear black pants, black shirt that says "Cinemark Crew" on the back and has purple and black checkers on it. I don't mind it that much except that I am 6'-4" and all their sizes are for average people and everytime I bend over to thread a projector I have to tuck my shirt tail back in. By the end of the night I just let it all hang out. no pun intended.

Joshua

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-10-2000, 06:48 PM:

Our GM told us that we have to wear our bowling shirts buttoned all the way up to the collar. When everybody complained, she said we don't have to button them up IF we wear a black T-Shirt underneath. I think somebody's pulling my chain, here!

Generally, MY method of rebellion is to come in wearing the shirt all the way unbuttoned. If anybody says anything, I have it buttoned up before the first show starts, or IF I go downstairs. I pretty much stay in the booth, except to go get a Coke. (.... or is that POP-OIL?)

Posted by Carl Welles (Member # 59) on 01-10-2000, 08:17 PM:

At my theatre we are just required to dress "presentably". So that just means nice shirt, pants, underwear, etc...

Ken, what are you doing looking at the projector in that picture, anyway??

Posted by Robert Saba (Member # 259) on 01-10-2000, 08:45 PM:

Cinemark Legacy in Plano -- the original idea was that if we were caught with the top button of our uniform undone, we were sent down to concession. Projectionists should be comfortable. Wearing a uniform makes me feel like an usher...

Posted by George Roher (Member # 91) on 01-11-2000, 12:53 AM:

In my own opinion, a projectionist should not look like theatre staff or management. He/she must be invisible and totally free to quickly fix an emergency situation without customers distracting him/her with questions and business not related to the booth. He/She must not look messy, but must be as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Projectionists lift and transport very heavy objects, get covered with grease and sprocket oil, constantly run up and down stairs, and are required to spend up to 18 hours in a row in hot, dusty areas that are uncomfortable to begin with.

Not wearing a standard uniform, and getting to be yourself is supposed to be one of the perks of the job.

Posted by Nic Margherio (Member # 273) on 01-11-2000, 01:45 AM:

AMC requires me to wear a company-logo polo shirt (in a variety of pleasing colors), khaki pants and "dress" shoes. Its very casual and I couldn't be any happier with it. At my theatre, however, I could probably wear just about what ever I wanted and nobody could say anything about it. This dress code, of course, only applies at the large theatres with dedicated projectionists. At the smaller ones where booth staff work the floor, they are required to wear the floor staff uniform.

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 01-11-2000, 02:27 AM:

I've never had to wear a uniform for projection work, except at one place that did insist. Ironically, that was the lowest paying venue ever.

My preview theatrette job, whilst not stipulating a uniform per se, do like me to look 'well dressed'. Once I turned up directly after my graduation ceremony in quite a nice suit; the response from a couple of audience members who were curious about the booth was something along the lines of, 'well, you must be VERY serious about this!'.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 01-11-2000, 04:51 PM:

I was once told by my chief projectionist many years ago, that I would HAVE to wear overalls if I wanted the job. I said OK, got the job and never wore them once. In fact, he ended up dumping them as well.

In olden days with messy carbon arcs etc, ok... but nowadays?

I go by the stipulation that you should look at least as good as the average patron but no t-shirts with advertising on it. You are still, after all, a representative of the company.

-------------------
"It's not the years honey, it's the mileage"
Indiana Jones

Posted by Charles Lubner (Member # 157) on 01-11-2000, 11:58 PM:

At Marcus Theatres, the majority of projectionists in the Milwaukee area are Asst. Managers. Depending on the GM, uniforms range from dress shirt and tie to anything casual. In the Chicago area Marcus is all union, and I would assume they are free to wear what they want.

Floor staff at Marcus are required to wear a full tuxedo with a red bowtie. When everyone is wearing one, a theatre can look quite classy. Managers generally wear sportscoat and dress pants/shoes, or a pants suit or dress for women.

Posted by Stephen Jones 1 (Member # 114) on 01-12-2000, 03:02 AM:

I'm the Booth Manager at a Cinemark theatre and I tell my usher-bs that they should be in full uniform whenever they're on the floor (Black Cinemark shirt buttoned top button, name tag, black pants, black shoes). As for the booth I tell them they shouldn't 'look' out of uniform if I see them through the prothole. If other employees see 'em then they complain about being in uniform... blah blah. I do like the short sleeves much better than the suspenders and damn long sleeve white shirts.

Posted by Masao Garcia (Member # 184) on 01-12-2000, 04:12 AM:

My Cinemark usher-bs complain about the top button making them choke if they button it up. I tell them that if they're in the booth, I don't really care. But if they're downstairs, it's the GM's call, and she's really strict about having the top button buttoned. She even went so far as to tell them to wear a rubber band around their neck if the collar was too tight to button. That didn't last very long. I think the new Cinemark uniforms are 100x better than the plastic-forms. I canna count how many times patrons would make a smart comment about their colorful bowties....hahahaha, I'm glad I never had to wear that crap. I'm in the booth a lot (being the Booth manager), and I wear a tie and long sleeve shirt. The tie doesn't get in the way of anything (we have P35C Christies, so no oil). My cuffs do get dirty, though, from cleaning platters, doing maintenance, etc. and I usually roll them up. Back before we became a Cinemark, we used to be owned by Pacific Theatres and Metropolitan, and we had a union projectionist (who kicked so much ass in the booth, BTW) and he came to work in jeans and a T-shirt. It was so lax back then...

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-12-2000, 08:11 AM:

I'll ask the obvious question: WHO'S THE GIRL?!

Uniforms for projectionists are ridiculous. Booth work is dirty and good clothes will only get ruined. Besides, nobody SEES the operator anyway (or shouldn't).

Posted by Nicholas McRobert (Member # 205) on 01-12-2000, 06:31 PM:

Two LOGICAL steps for putting uniforms on projectionists: Don't make them wear ties (yeah, they might get in the way because you have oil-less projectors, Masaio, but they are a safety hazard as far as any kind of moving machinery is concerned!) AND make the colours of the uniform *dark*......there's nothing worse than making someone wear a white shirt when it's gonna be covered in crud half-way thru a shift.

Why are all of these people intent on making their employees resemble hamburger chain workers?

Posted by Rick Long (Member # 213) on 01-12-2000, 08:42 PM:

Am carefully searching the Brenkert manuals for the number of that part featured in the photo.

If it is part of your job, as projectionist to appear in view of the public, then I suppose management has the right to request that you wear whatever uniform they dictate. Keeping such a uniform clean, while changing a broken inner belt on a Cinemeccanica Vic 5, however, can prove quite a challenge.

An investment in a mechanics shop coat, hung by the booth door, might be well worth considering. Use of large elastic bands around the sleeves while working on unusually dirty equipment will prevent soiling of a long-sleeve white shirt. Fastening the buttons on the front of the coat will prevent a tie from falling into the equipment. Be sure and keep some hand cleaner handy as well.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-13-2000, 09:56 AM:

<Am carefully searching the Brenkert manuals for the number of that part featured in the photo.>

Rick, let me know if you find it. I hope it's not obsolete!!!

Posted by Robb Johnston (Member # 239) on 01-13-2000, 02:25 PM:

At the three locations that I oversee Booth Operations, I have the projectionists wear the standard black uniform pants that all staff wears, and a red polo shirt with the company logo on it. I wear "Dickies" work pants and polo shirts other than red.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-13-2000, 04:28 PM:

Actually, that picture was taken and given to me by Chip Gelmini. Aside from working as a projectionist and his hobby of a changeover Super 8mm theater he is a photographer.

It's a special order item. Brenkert does not stock it.

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 01-14-2000, 12:48 AM:

My company requires all staff to wear black dress pants, black and shiny dress shoes, a white dress shirt long sleeve and a black tie full length, and they provide a wonderfully colerful BLACK vest. The only exeptions is myself who gets to wear whatever the hell I want to, because who the hell would take this crap for the cheap ass pay I get.

------------------
"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 01-18-2000, 03:43 PM:

When I started all sound engineers had to wear a tie and jacket on the job as did most projectionists. And heven help any operator or engineer that wasn't in a tux for a preimer event. But then also people lost there jobs if a downtown theatre went off the screen over a weekend too.
I still often wear a tie and jacket with a shop coat on the job. I have noticed over many years far more respect is given by the others when a person is concientious of there dress and respect of the job they do

Posted by Christopher A Kerr (Member # 151) on 01-18-2000, 05:09 PM:

Around here the rule is :

1. Company uniform shirt and khaki pants
2. Shirt and tie

If I expect to spend most of my evening in the booth, i will wear khakis and a t-shirt or sportshirt so that i don't get too messed up.

Posted by Chris Wootten (Member # 283) on 01-21-2000, 06:50 AM:

I have to wear a uniform all the time as I am in the miltary. The idea of a uniform for film handlers is outdated, and noncense. Dress in a manner that is comfortable and with a regard to safety should be the highest priority. No-one sees the projectionist normally anyway.
Uniforms for the Ushers and Candy-bar staff is a must tho as it shows a more professional approach, and also makes staff more readily identifiable to patrons.

Posted by Greg Mueller (Member # 17) on 02-05-2000, 05:20 PM:

Speaking of uniforms...
Anyone know where I can get an usher's uniform? I'd like to get one that ressembled the one the old man wore when he give the kid the magic ticket in "Last Action Hero"

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 11-02-2009, 05:14 PM:

It has been 3557 days since the last post.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-02-2009, 05:14 PM:

BUMP.

For no other reason than THE GIRL ON PAGE ONE.

I just happened to stumble upon this thread tonight while searching for something else, although I well remember this girl's picture.

Enjoy. [Cool]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-02-2009, 06:27 PM:

If you are required to wear a company uniform, do it. If it gets all dirty and oily and whatnot from doing regular booth work, let it be. Then simply wander downstairs and make sure customers see your soiled-from-booth-work uniform. It can't really be avoided. Customers will think the theater allows employees to have soiled uniforms. If it doesn't come out in the wash, whatever. The company will need to pay to get it dry cleaned or replaced and the customers will still think the employees are encouraged to be sloppy. If the management tries to keep you out of customer view due to your dirty uniform, then simply ask them what the point is to be wearing a uniform in the first place. They won't have a logical answer for the whole thing... they are managers after all.

Booth attire should be decent, but not super-nice clothes without rock bands or other nonsense applied to the shirts and without holes in the pants. And it should be comfortable. The end.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-02-2009, 06:57 PM:

The girl, Joe! THE GIRL!!

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-02-2009, 07:28 PM:

Yeah, I downloaded that to my desktop 9 years ago. It's probably still around somewhere. Dunno... she's above average but not WAY above average or anything. [Wink]

Posted by Matt Young (Member # 5327) on 11-02-2009, 08:48 PM:

Our district manager wanted projectionists to wear a "uniform", I said ok, as long as I could pick it out/design it.

So I went to the place where they get uniforms for our popcorn servers and dust-pan commando's downstairs and told him I wanted black t-shirts with our company logo on the left front chest and "projection" on the back. The end.

They look nice AND they're comfortable. Since they're black, if we get oil or grease or whatever on them it's not as noticeable.

[beer]

Posted by Edward Havens (Member # 4715) on 11-03-2009, 02:43 AM:

When I was with UATC in the late 1980s, the company provided us with some really crappy looking breakaway ties to wear. I don't know why that was a better alternative than just tucking your tie in to your shirt... but then, that's what us new wave kids were doing anyway at the time.

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 11-06-2009, 06:55 AM:

Now, here are a couple of appropriately attired projectionguys!

. . . and a nice clean, uncluttered booth too!

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 11-06-2009, 07:05 AM:

Yeah, and check out the venting of the arc lamp.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 11-06-2009, 08:16 AM:

Must be a shift change, as one of them is wearing evening clothes [Wink]

Posted by Jon P. Inghram (Member # 4125) on 11-06-2009, 10:40 AM:

Our theater said they couldn't afford to get us shirts that say "Projection" so we wear the same black, button-up shirts with our theater's ugly logo that the rest of the underlings wear. The managers of course get to wear whatever they feel like.

Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 4255) on 11-06-2009, 11:04 AM:

I have no uniform, and I usually just wear black band t-shirts. I was thinking of getting some shirts made with huge Cinemeccanica logos on them, just to show how big a fanboy I am.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 11-06-2009, 02:42 PM:

Tim.

At the foot of THE GIRL'S photo is the legend "Tina W."

A quick Google seach narrows that down to about 30,200,000 Tina W's.

I reckon I'll be busy tonight. [thumbsup]

Cheers
Ian

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-06-2009, 05:02 PM:

Jim, just look at those guys in your photo. Ug! I mean, NO NAMETAGS! Everyone needs a nametag to be part of the "big team" that corporations so desperately want.

Martin -- LOL!

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 11-06-2009, 05:40 PM:

I think Marty over at the widescreen museum might be able to come up with some interesting uniforms for projectionists considering his usherettes attire on his site [Big Grin]

Posted by Bob Koch (Member # 1062) on 11-06-2009, 07:03 PM:

Regarding Jims picture, years ago one of the projectionists at the old Capitol Theatre in SLC named Lou Hoffman, known far and wide as "The Count" would come to work in a Vicuna overcoat and a Homburg hat.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-06-2009, 07:18 PM:

quote: Ian Parfrey
A quick Google seach narrows that down to about 30,200,000 Tina W's.

LOL! ROFL, Ian! [rofl]

quote: Jim Cassedy
here are a couple of appropriately attired projectionguys

Isn't that a still from one of those Vitaphone demo shorts? There's some 3-point lighting going on in that booth.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-06-2009, 08:12 PM:

The Vitaphone photo looks like it's from a 4x5 negative (see the handwriting at the bottom, which is clearly from the negative), so it's not likely an actual film still, but maybe it is a production shot.

What is the round thing on the wall in the center of the photo? Is it a fan? What about the round thing at the top? Part of a light fixture?

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-06-2009, 09:08 PM:

That's what I meant, Scott. A still, as opposed to a frame blowup. [Smile]

The big round thing in the center is a monitor loudspeaker.

The little round thing at the top is a microphone (for recording the dialog in the scene being filmed).

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 11-06-2009, 09:15 PM:

Bet the round thing on the wall is a speaker. No idea what's up above it. If it's a staged shot (most likely) it could be anything.

We get our stuff from Queensboro Custom Shirt Company. They have great stuff and the logos are embroidered. You upload the logo and then there is a program on the site that allows you to change thread colors at will so if you choose a shirt that's navy blue, you can have the logo look one way, but on say red shirts, you can choose diffent colors so it will contrast well on the background shirt color. Plus the shirts are very good quality and of course embroidering is much more long-lasting that stencil screen. And the prices are incredible -- our last batch of polo shirts with collar and were $10.00 each -- you can't get shirt of that quality WITHOUT the logos for that price. In fact, I personally bought a half a dozen shirts for myself without logos. And get this -- you can order as few as FOUR shirts and the first logo set-up is free. Different logos after that cost a one-time set-up fee of $25.

And no, I am not affiliated with this company in any way whatsoever, other than a very happy customer who works for a nearly broke non-profit so the good prices were the diffence between having an identifying "uniform" or having them dress in all manner of cloths.

Here's our embroidered logo:

One of the venues I work hasn't seemed to yet know that air conditioning has been invented yet. I am always sweating in that booth, but it has that wall-to-wall glass window instead of ports, so I have to wear a lot more than just a tee-shirt. I saw a chef's jacket in a uniform store and they have to deal with heat yet look "dressed" same as my glass wall booth. What they have a very light jacket. In the back, it has a mesh so even tho the front looks very dressy, you're practically naked in the back. I was thinking of getting one in black, but thought I would just be laughed at or asked if the theatre hired a sous chef.

Posted by Bob Koch (Member # 1062) on 11-07-2009, 01:34 PM:

This booth looks like pre-Vitaphone to me. No reproducers, turntables or the like. I agree that is some sort of a monitor speaker in the center, but it probable connected to the stage pa.

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 11-07-2009, 04:06 PM:

Roger that on the Queensboro Shirt Company. We recently had 60 shirts made for our WWII vets at an incredible rate.

On that Vitaphone booth picture: Isn't that a reproducer to the left of the projector? The free-standing thing with the book on top. Looks like a tone arm hanging on the right side. And the guy on the left appears to be holding a disk. It is probably pre-vitaphone because AFIK later machines had the reproducer attached to the projector base.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 11-08-2009, 12:07 AM:

Its good to see the ports in the above picture have fire shutters but its a pity they forgot to put a hole in the wall.

Thats gunna be one hell of a bright picture! [thumbsup]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-08-2009, 12:16 AM:

Guys, I've already identified the photo. It's a still from a Vitaphone demo short (which I have on video - I knew I recognized it). Look in the lower right corner of the picture. It says, "Vitaphone 189". The guy on the left is indeed holding a disc, to show the audience how to cue it up. Just beneath him is a freestanding Vitaphone turntable, between the rear of the projector and the chair.

Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 4255) on 11-08-2009, 12:40 AM:

Tim do you think you could put said video on youTube or some such, I'd really like to see it.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 11-08-2009, 05:45 AM:

Tim.

Vitaphone? VITAPHONE!?!?!? VITA [sex]

What about Tina W [Confused]

Let's get this thread back onto the important things.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-08-2009, 12:22 PM:

Heheheh! I don't know what came over me, Ian! I'm losing my mind. [Wink]

Damien.. I'll see if it's not on DVD now from where I originally got it. I have no way to capture video.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-08-2009, 05:55 PM:

Nope, they're gone. Got it from Video Yesteryear about 1995, and it looks like they're out of business now. I guess they didn't make the transition to DVDs. [Frown]

Too bad, they had a LOT of great silent titles.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 11-08-2009, 07:22 PM:

How fitting this has come up...

Event Cinemas

Candy stripe cinema uniforms not so sweet

Saturday, August 15, 2009, 2:36 pm | Reported by Ingrid Rubie
No candy canes were harmed in the making of these uniforms

Event Cinemas’ recent take-over of Birch Carroll and Coyle Chermside has stirred tension among current staff members because the new-look, compulsory uniform “resembles a candy cane”.

Staff were informed that the take-over would include changes to the cinema complex, including a revamped movie store – soon to be ‘Scoop Alley’, but little could prepare them for this wardrobe malfunction.

Duty manager at the Chermside cinemas Mansoor Noor had spoken to fellow employees about the new dress code.

“While some staff were excited by the concept of the new uniform when put into context…inside Scoop Alley, however, the majority did not respond well to it,” he said.

While it may seem like a fun take on the movie experience, some staff simply cannot see the sweet side.

“Many staff have threatened to quit because they refuse to wear the new uniform due to their own opinions of the outfit and how they they might feel in public being seen in something that may be made fun of,” Mr Noor said.

“They feel their safety may be compromised, especially when taking public transport.”

Employee William James, 20, agreed catching a bus to or from work in the new uniform may attract unwanted attention.

“It would be embarrassing to get on a bus in that uniform…people might think I’m a paedophile!” he said.

“Plus, imagine working late night (Thursday’s) surrounded by all those teenagers… You’d feel like a walking joke.”

It may seem like an overreaction, but the staff at Event Cinemas Chermside have confronted senior management with their concerns.

Business manager at Chermside Gary Heidke has listened to his employees over the past weeks and agreed that the new-look uniform is just not practical.

“The management team have indeed taken on board some of the staff’s views and criticisms…and have now convinced head office to re-evaluate the new uniform to something that is more practical, appropriate and acceptable,” he said.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 11-08-2009, 08:24 PM:

John

Yet another case of those who make the decisions being just too far removed from reality. Dopey [sex]

wits.

All that is missing are straw boaters and handlebar moustaches a la barbershop quartet.
"All together now!...By the light...of the Silvery Moon..."

Good one! [puke]

NOT

And to think this was once Greater Union!

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 11-08-2009, 08:29 PM:

If those guys are so scared of the uniform couldn't they just... oh I don't know, get into their uniform at work? Or just wear the uniform minus the candy-cane shirt and stick that on once you arrive?

And the kid who said someone would think he was a pedophile for wearing a candy-cane shirt is plain moronic. Right... pedophiles regularly go around in a uniform a nametag on. Idiot.

Oh and he also will feel emasculated by being around teenagers who'll laugh at him for having the uniform? I'm amazed that by age 20 he hasn't realized that people will find all sorts of reasons to laugh at people. Again, idiot.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 11-08-2009, 09:16 PM:

Agreed people can change after the travel...but those uniforms belong on Main Street in Disneyland...not at a cinema that's trying to show off how wonderful the cinema experience is now with them.

[Roll Eyes]

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 11-08-2009, 09:22 PM:

Well from Hellezapoppin we have this uniform

and the state of the art booth

Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 4255) on 11-08-2009, 09:35 PM:

jeez, what a rake.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-08-2009, 10:07 PM:

No keystoning on those screens, for sure!

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-08-2009, 10:36 PM:

What is it with well-dressed operators and the lack of proper lamp exhaust?

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 11-08-2009, 10:41 PM:

They're prepared for their funerals?

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-09-2009, 12:07 AM:

quote: Gordon McLeod
from Hellezapoppin

SHEMP!!

quote: Joe Redifer
No keystoning on those screens

It was probably tilted back. A lot of vintage houses were built like that.

quote: Scott Norwood
What is it with well-dressed operators

I knew several old timers who came to work dressed like that, and sporting dress hats and jackets. They put on overalls if they had to do any dirty work. Different era.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 11-09-2009, 09:03 AM:

It may actually be a faked soundstage as well
Many older booths particualrly in studios and labs didn't have a connected flue to the lamps but a large hood over the operating area
They were very concerned with arc flicker from the draft

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 11-09-2009, 01:15 PM:

quote: Tim Reed
I knew several old timers who came to work dressed like that, and sporting dress hats and jackets. They put on overalls if they had to do any dirty work. Different era.

This is not necessarilly something very unique for that time period. I was looking at a book of old photos of Brooklyn streets and it struck me that EVERYONE in those pictures wore dresses with suits, ties and hats for the men and formal dresses for the women. Evidently people just didn't go out in public unless they were dressed in formal attire.

There was a picture of the Flatbush Juction (the intersection of Flatbush and Nostrand Avenues) where I walk every day and it put a smile on my face knowing how people dress today as compaired to those in the picture. I think you could stand on that corner for 12 hours and not see a single person in a suit and tie. Just different times; not particularly unique to the projectionist profession.

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 11-09-2009, 02:01 PM:

That old photo with the fancy projection guys was
a VITAPHONE publicity photo. The man holding the
Vitaphone disk is E.B. Craft, who at that time was
the Chief Engineer of Western Electric. He later
went on to become the head of Bell Laboratories.

The picture is from the AT&T photo archives.
(The original "AT&T" not the basterdized
company put together by SBC that exists today)

Posted by Karl Borowski (Member # 5424) on 11-09-2009, 05:43 PM:

I bet the reason for the tux in the photo was that he was giving a presentation. If I recall correctly, a lot of people wore them for sales pitches, presentations.

I honestly don't get what the hell the big deal is with the tie phobia here; I like ties, and would rather have one on with a dress shirt than not wear one, unless I were going for the "Scarface" look ;-)

I suppose they can kill you if you get one stuck in a projector, but, just like some of the misthreads damage I see at other theatres, I'd have to *TRY* to fuck up that bad!

In a situation where I'd have a tie hanging down over something that could catch it, I would just tuck it in to the shirt, or put something on over my dress shirt to keep it out of the way.

Corporate polo shirts are about as appealing to me as having a brand mark or a tattoo with the company name exposed to view on my arm.

I'd wear a polo shirt every time though, if I were playing cricket or polo [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 11-09-2009, 06:11 PM:

quote: Karl Borowski

I honestly don't get what the hell the big deal is with the tie phobia here

I don't think its necessarily a "phobia", but rather erring on the side of caution. Its a liability for the company. Not every one has the sense to use a tie tack, bar, chain, or tuck it to hold a long tie back from dangling.

Posted by Karl Borowski (Member # 5424) on 11-09-2009, 07:21 PM:

I can understand their use not being required, Jeremy. I am personally not required to wear one.

I'm talking about some of the attitudes in this thread and by individuals I'm personally in contact with, not corporate policies. It's not as if a tie-wearer is teathered to a 50-lb. anchor, and ties look nice.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 11-10-2009, 12:14 PM:

In my hippy days -- late teens & 20s -- I wore the symbols of the youth of that generation -- long hair, ripped jeans, tie-dyed tee shirts, walking around bearfoot half the time, etc. Silly stuff the adults claimed, and no question that was the "uniform" and the symbolic trappings of my generation at the time.

But likewise, we pointed out that the adults also had a uniform. The commonly held belief among us was that the sole purpose of that most functionless and useless of all male apparel -- the business tie -- existed only as an overt symbol of a man's desperate servitude and submission to corporate greed and power. At all times he had to literally display a noose around his neck or he'd be out of a livelihood and out on his butt.

There may be some truth to that.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-10-2009, 12:39 PM:

I actually have no problem with ties, but I also don't see the purpose for a job that does not require interaction with the public.

I find the older pictures that have been posted in this thread curious. The types of booths pictured tend to be dirty (from carbon dust) and oily (from older projectors that do not recirculate the oil through the mechanism). These are not good places to wear a suit or white shirt, especially if any of the equipment needs to be serviced. Even if one wore nice clothes to get to work, it would make sense to immediately change into something less expensive and more disposable, or at least to put on one of Gordon's lab coats.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-10-2009, 12:54 PM:

Scott, donning dress shirts, coats, and vests were just the way people dressed in those days. It was everyday attire, and just as common as button-downs or t-shirts today. When I was a child in the early and mid 60s, I can remember my father wearing a hat (dress hat) everytime we went out anywhere.. to the grocery, to the movies, for a drive - anywhere.

The older operators I knew who still dressed this way, often had other clothes in the booth, like overalls or shop aprons, if they had to work on something. Some just changed into the overalls when they got to work. I saw that in the Houston booths a lot.

Up until maybe the last thirty or forty years, everyone dressed in jackets and such whenever they were out...

Posted by Geena Phillips (Member # 3726) on 11-10-2009, 07:08 PM:

Our company recently started making me wear the same uniform as normal, even when I'm doing activities like print-building. On the plus side, I don't have to worry about soiling my own clothes.

Posted by Tony Gallimore (Member # 5358) on 11-10-2009, 11:07 PM:

At the last theatre I worked before retiring, we didn't have a designated attire. The manager wore a complete suit w/ tie; the rest of us gents wore dress shirts & pants w/ tie. The ladies mostly wore dresses, no jeans and definately nothing out of taste with a family operation. It was pretty much just understood and accepted without any enforced dress code... a standard we all set for ourselves and everyone voluntarily complied. When I had a "dirty" job (oil change, bulb rotation or such) to take care of I usually just hung the dress shirt and tie on a chair and worked in a tee shirt, then redressed before I went out among the patrons again. Everyone had pride in our appearance while working... that was until the theatre was sold. Soon the vests and draw string pants arrived in the mail, and pride pretty much left with the mailman. I don't even go there to see a movie anymore, the atmosphere is gone. The floors are filthy, drapes torn... they don't even use the waterfall curtains anymore. Pretty shoddy operation now-a-days. I might also mention we had few high schoolers working... our staff was made up of three teachers, two electronics technicians in the booth along with the other projectionists and other professional people who loved the business enough to work there part time after working a day job. A couple of the employees even held their wedding in the main house there. Needless to say, payroll probably took a bigger chunk of the profits, most likely prompting the sell out... don't guess I'll ever see an operation like that again.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 11-10-2009, 11:50 PM:

quote: Geena Phillips
On the plus side, I don't have to worry about soiling my own clothes.

You might want to get that checked out by a doctor... incontinence at your age indicates bad things.

[Wink]

Posted by Karl Borowski (Member # 5424) on 11-11-2009, 03:17 PM:

This probably sounds like a mixed message, but, I like wearing dress clothes only without being required to do so.

I think uniforms have their place, but too many organizations design uniforms that look silly. (Ads for movies printed on the back to the highest bidder anyone?)

Personally, if I owned a theatre, I'd take every new hire out, have them pick out an outfit that they wanted to wear, that was considered attractive to 90% of strangers, and buy it for them.

That is what dress clothes should be, not all of these tired cliches and bullshit about conservative and appropriate. Prison uniforms meet those two criteria; would anyone on here want to wear them?