Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Technicolor Request for Projectionist Names

This is topic Technicolor Request for Projectionist Names in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 11-24-2004, 03:12 PM:

Received a fax yesterday from Technicolor stating something that the studios want to recognize projectionist at theatres.

They request the following:
All Projectionist names
Email Address
Phone number

I'm like, I don't think so. The only email / phone number I would think about providing is the theatres. This to avoid spam and allow us to screen calls.

This fax was pretty vague. I will see if I can post it.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-24-2004, 03:28 PM:

Crazy stuff. I think I could conceivably be listed for seven different venues (of which three are commercial cinemas), even though I only do film work on an occasional basis.

If a theatre lists "Brad Miller," does that mean that they will be guaranteed to get only pristine prints? [Smile]

Seriously, what would be the point? I can see that they might want to do this for venues which regularly get rare or archival prints, but I don't see the need in the case of a typical multiplex.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 11-24-2004, 07:14 PM:

Employers should not give out personal information about employees. If it's not a law it's certainly something that might subject them to potential liability. But it's a bit premature to speculate, not having seen the request. It may not be unreasonable to have a contact name of someone who actually works the booth so if there is an issue they can get beyond layers of management and talk to someone who actually knows something. But the name of everyone on a booth staff...hmmm...I don't know about that.

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 11-24-2004, 07:43 PM:

Could this be something like the Disney - film done right thing? Is there someone you can call to find out why they want the information?

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 11-24-2004, 10:31 PM:

Here's the projectionist names I would give out:

Will B. Goode

Buster Hymen

I. Slipp

Fuller Bull

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-25-2004, 12:11 AM:

Just give out the Booth Manager's name, the theater's address and the movie hotline (recording) phone number.

If/when they can convince us that they aren't goin to develop some kind of blacklist or use it for marketing crapola then we'll give them more information.

I'm not totally against giving people information. After all, anybody can look our names and addresses up in the phone book. No? It's just odd to have people ask for lists of names and addreses right out of the blue... Especially in this day and age.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-25-2004, 12:15 AM:

Maybe it's an anti-piracy attempt in disguise. If a theatre is suspected of being a source of illicit vids, having the projectionist names would give "them" one more avenue to pursue.

Posted by Chase Hanson (Member # 2779) on 11-25-2004, 04:23 AM:

Agree with Randy,

They want to speak to us (the projectionists), they can start with the Booth Manager, its his job...not ours.

Posted by Edward Jurich (Member # 1787) on 11-25-2004, 12:19 PM:

Technicolor might start checking their own quality control first. First run of a brand new print of "National Treasure" found reel 6 with a scratch running down the right side of the picture, only reel 6.

Posted by Jason Gazaille (Member # 2846) on 11-26-2004, 11:58 PM:

I called Technicolor today and they told me that they didn't know why they are asking-only that it was at the request of the actual studios. She said that she thinks the studios want to recognize projectionists for good print handling. While I won't say that all projectionists handle prints well, I know that studios do reward occasionally. Miramax sent us 2 sets of dvd's for free one time. Each set had Scary Movie, Pulp Fiction, and Jackie Browne. They sent them as a reward for placement of their trailers. Of course I have no clue either what this is about, but it may actually not be such a bad thing. After all, 'tis the giving season!! [Big Grin]

Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 11-27-2004, 12:37 AM:

I got those same DVD's. Not going to do anything until we hear from corp about what they want. If they want to reward projectionist. Send the item to the theatre, attention to the name that is already on the cans and say "We caught you giving a perfect presentation on ... Please forward this gift to your staff that was on duty at that time". Now for me, which one of my two that are always on would I give this too.

Posted by Jason Gazaille (Member # 2846) on 11-27-2004, 01:38 AM:

That wouldn't work at my theatre. First, the guy who somehow ended up on the cans was nothing more than a floor assistant manager that got fired. Second, with our current management, anything that comes would be pilfered and not given to the projection staff that deserves it, whether that be myself, the projection manager, or the other projectionists.

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 11-27-2004, 02:50 AM:

I take it the DVDs were for checks on Kill Bill vol 1?

We got those and my manager gave them to the other managers for christmas presents if I recall. I'm the booth manager and all I got was a hat.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-27-2004, 07:02 AM:

quote: Chris Hipp
We got those and my manager gave them to the other managers for christmas presents if I recall. I'm the booth manager and all I got was a hat.

How NOT to build the morale of your projection crew. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Jason Gazaille (Member # 2846) on 11-27-2004, 08:46 AM:

Chris,
Not really sure how they determined this. We got ours a long time after Kill Bill vol. 1 was gone. Miramax does strange things sometimes, but for whatever reason they sent those, I surely appreciated it. [beer]

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 11-27-2004, 10:43 AM:

It seems like a slap in the face if all a multi-billion dollar studio gives out for spot-checked perfect presentations are cheap hats and/or DVD's. What about a rewards program along the lines of something like Wal-mart, in which three good checks equal a share of stock in parent companies, or even a cash payment of $50. The details would all have to be worked out before the program goes national, but if certain managers can get a concession bonus from the theatre, or floor staff can compete against each other for certain bonuses, where does that leave the projectionist. I've never bitched about not being included in certain contests to raise per-caps or or get more customers through the door more effectively, but it would be nice to have some type of rewards program exclusively for the booth.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 11-27-2004, 04:38 PM:

This is certainly strange. I'd be afraid they'd start sending FBI agents to raid projectionists' houses to see if they've been bootlegging.

I think it's a general understanding that if you provide information to someone like an employer, that information will be kept confidential and only given out if the police or courts ask for it in regards to a criminal investigation. And it's got to be criminal, not civil, IIRC.

Heck, I even get mad when managers post everyone's name and phone number on the schedule. That's all I need is morons calling me on the weekends to cover their shifts. [Roll Eyes]

=TMP=