This is topic experience not valued. in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Alan Plester (Member # 852) on 04-23-2001, 03:50 PM:
Hello Everyone
My name is Alan and I live in Oxfordshire in England and was in the cinema industry for 14 years and now wishing to return to it, but evey position I have applied for has been turned down.
Reading one of Brads comments the other day about how poporn pushers could almost run a booth, what with all the automation etc, and real projectionists ran changeovers etc got me thinking, am I over qualified.
I entered the trade and ran a twin with towers, but so hungry for knowledge was I, that on my days off, I could be found hawking myself to other cinemas to learn other bits, and was taken on part time at a single screen with c/o & carbon arcs,sheer magic.
I have pictures of all the gear Iv`e used neatly presented in a folder with all details alongside, yes Iv`e tried hard with presentation, & it shows the employer what I am capable of doing.
Went for a position the other day after they sent me an email to see if I was interested,
( yea, and the worlds flat ).2 HOURS I spent there, then we got to meet the chief.
I enquired how long he had been in the game,"6 years" was the reply........my hopes started to fade from that moment on. A week later a letter arrived & I secretly knew I had lost out again.
Bog standard reply, thanks for coming,standards were high,difficult decision but will keep you on file.
I would value your comments as to what I might be doing wrong or am I over qualified.
Fear of treading on peoples toes etc?.
In the mean time thanks to everyone who contributes to this site, it really does make my day plus I get a good laugh out of some of the replys.
Regards to everyone in the game
Alan x senior projectionist Banbury oxfordshire------------------
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 04-23-2001, 04:27 PM:
Alan - we're looking for a full-time (40 hours per week) projectionist here in York. I'm moving on (to the Northern Region Film Archive in Middlesbrough), and the chief's job is being filled by internal promotion, so we will have a vacancy for a 'number two'.I can't promise anything (for one thing it won't be my decision who we appoint), but if you're interested and would be willing to relocate, please send your CV to:
City Screen (York) Ltd.
13-17 Coney St.
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 9QL
Or e-mail it as a file attachment (plain text, Word or PDF please) to leo.e@picturehouse-cinemas.co.uk.
Posted by Ben Wales (Member # 92) on 04-23-2001, 04:28 PM:
Hello Alan,
Sorry to hear your problems in getting back into the industry have several questions to ask that may be some help.Are you familiar with modern Patter systems and current sound systems and modern day projection issues?, they like this at interviews these days.
Have you contacted City Screens (Picture house) in Oxford?, they are sometimes looking for projectionists at their sites.
Also it might be worth while to send a CV to Odeon Cinemas at their Mansfield office as there may be vacancies in your area.
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 04-23-2001, 04:32 PM:
Actually can I revise the advice in my previous post: for City Screen it would probably be best to send your CV to the head office person who deals with personnel:Alastair Oatey
City Screen Ltd.
The Coach House
Church Lane
Witnesham
Suffolk
IP6 9JD.
He would know about Oxford (which has Westars and Westrex towers, so you'd be totally familiar with the equipment) or any other site that needs help.
For more on the City Screen chain go to www.picturehouse-cinemas.co.uk and click on 'jobs'.
BTW, what is a 'patter system'? Hiring a rap artist to work in your projection box, perhaps? 
Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 04-23-2001, 07:13 PM:
Leo, now you are being picky.It is incredibly obvious that what Ben meant to type was 'pitter system'.
Posted by Ethan Harper (Member # 472) on 04-23-2001, 08:15 PM:
Alan-just because operators like me use platters, does not mean I am not a "real" projectionist.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 04-23-2001, 08:46 PM:
And just because people run manual booths doesn't make them "real" projectionists. I've worked with a few people in such a booth who were total morons and shouldn't have been allowed near anything mechanical or electrical.
I also know some very talented people who run platters, although they all have experience with manual setups as well.
I've run both systems (2000' with carbon arc, 6000' with xenon, platters with automation) and each one has its own purpose. Platters would be silly for a single-screen art-house where films change once or more per week, but they're totally appropriate for a multiplex where films play for weeks at a time.
Posted by Linda Learn (Member # 562) on 04-23-2001, 10:15 PM:
Gee, and I was patting myself on the back because I can now troubleshoot an AW3. (after only 2 weeks there's very little I don't know about the insides of it and why it does what it does when it does it)
Oh well, maybe someday I'll be up there with the "real projectionists".
Posted by Chris Wootten (Member # 283) on 04-25-2001, 07:21 AM:
Well there you go............. I really love all the friendly rivalry between the platter booths and the hands-on change over people. As long as the "customers" get what they pay for...who cares....we are all mostly doing a job we enjoy and get satisfaction out of in some way...????? 
------------------
"No matter what...!"
Keep Smiling......Chris
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-25-2001, 07:44 AM:
A "real projectionist" uses whatever equipment is in the theatre (whether it be a platter, changeovers, or digital cinema system) to provide an enjoyable experience for the audience. This requires a person with good technical skills and the ability to learn new skills specific to the equipment being used. But more importantly, it requires a person who really cares about the quality of the projected image and sound, and does everything possible to optimize presentation quality. The projectionist is the "Unseen Showman" at the heart of every good theatre.------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
Posted by Alan Plester (Member # 852) on 04-25-2001, 10:39 AM:
Thanks for all the replys and have taken all of advice onboard.
Please note that I was not being derogatory to any of you, it was after all, someone elses words, not mine.
I know, you all do a good job.
Alan.
------------------
Posted by Joe Schmidt (Member # 822) on 04-26-2001, 08:42 PM:
I'm heartened to see projectionists are still wanted on the Continent.But what does one do here in the Colonies, where if one is so foolish as to approach the likes of carmike, et al and is told "We Do Not Hire Projectionists."
While I am retired, and thus what I say might be irrelevant, apart from those here on film-tech who have good skills and are employed as tech folk at [I hope] decent salaries; a prudent person will leave this ailing industry as soon as something better can be found, and before the US economy implodes in on itself. [this discussed in other posts previously.]
A severe shakeout in exhibition is inevitable and, I believe, is Coming Soon. The Writer's Guild strike, if it happens, could dry up a lot of production and be the trigger. No first-run product, nothing for the screens to show.
Mom and Pop well-run single-screen houses, some of which are represented here, should continue to do well. Wish we had one in Billings; a bit of a chore to drive 90 miles to Forsyth to see a movie, altho I've been invited & looking forward.