Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Projectionist's manual

This is topic Projectionist's manual in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Steve Beverly (Member # 4540) on 12-11-2007, 08:14 PM:

I just thought I'd share this (if it hasn't already been presented) for new people like myself or old hands to critique:

www.angelfire.com/pa/stevemahofski/projectionmanual.txt

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 12-11-2007, 09:31 PM:

btw:
It would be nice if it was formatted to fit on a normal screen margins rather than scrolling to the sides to read really long lines.

Posted by Steve Beverly (Member # 4540) on 12-11-2007, 10:00 PM:

Yeah, I was thinkin' the same thing BUT can't have everything, at least it's free! [Big Grin]

Posted by Paul H. Rayton (Member # 1817) on 12-11-2007, 11:22 PM:

If you copy the text of it out, and paste it in to a "Word" document, that should give you workable margins, etc. And you can print it out, for more convenient reference. (Truth be told, I haven't actually tried this process with this particular file, but it's worked with others ... so, it SHOULD work here)

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-12-2007, 12:18 AM:

[Roll Eyes]

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 12-12-2007, 05:13 AM:

Here's another instruction manual from that site, in case anyone ever picks up a second-hand model on Ebay and wants to experiment...

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 12-12-2007, 06:11 AM:

I'm sorry but that "manual" is laughable. I agree with Brad [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-12-2007, 09:42 AM:

That document (the original link in this thread) is just a collection of bits from other documents. Most of the info is already available on this site with just a search or two. Another [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 12-12-2007, 09:54 AM:

I like the last lines that said "The company I was working for when this was developed did not find it of use since they destroyed every copy they had of it upon my departure."

Posted by Paul H. Rayton (Member # 1817) on 12-12-2007, 12:35 PM:

Egads, Leo -- That's a "good 'un, ay-uh!" For those who haven't looked yet, check out that link Leo provided a few posts ago, and you'll find a user's manual for a device that is truly SHOCKING. Don't miss it ... you never know when you might need one! [Wink]

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 12-12-2007, 12:48 PM:

Large portions of that "projection manual" aren't remotely connected to projection.

Without him I wouldn't know that theaters should have "Refresbment" Stands or that they should be clean, organized, and efficient.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-12-2007, 02:03 PM:

Leo! [rofl]

quote:
Make sure the beam of light from the optic is hitting the soundtrack dead-on. If the beam is off to one side it will cause either a hum or "rollerblading." The lateral guide roller controls this. To readjust, loosen the set screw in the center. You may then turn the dial until the beam hits where you want it to. Then retighten the set screw. There is also a seperate "up/down" adjustment you can use if the optic fails to pick up the full frequency of sound.

??? They want BEGINNERS to make soundhead adjustments?! [Eek!]

And, what the heck was that bit about X-rated movies, and interview with the porn director? HUH!? What does THAT have to do with running a booth?

This has to be a farce!

So, who the heck is Steve Mahofski?

Posted by Ben Wales (Member # 92) on 12-12-2007, 02:45 PM:

quote: Tim Reed
So, who the heck is Steve Mahofski?

May be it was the Guy who brought and tested the device that Leo's link to the operation manual [Eek!]

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-12-2007, 02:49 PM:

As well-intentioned as it is, there's one thing you have to remember: VERY FEW people actually read manuals.

I have spent hours and hours, writing very detailed instruction manuals for operating everything from the 35mm system to how to record music with a Tascam CD audio recorder. I put in detailed diagrams and step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting charts and I made everything as clear and concise as possible so that anybody who needs them can refer to them when there is a problem.

I have YET to have anybody read them!

We have a Tascam CD recorder. You record your program right onto the disk and, when you're done, you have a playable CD in your hand. The caveat is that you have to FINALIZE the recording before it can be played in a regular player.

Even though the <FINALIZE> button is clearly marked in red tape and the laminated instruction sheet is readily posted RIGHT NEXT TO the unit, I STILL get calls from people who wonder why they can't play a disk in their CD player at home. When I tell them that the disk has to be finalized before they can play it, I get the same response: "I didn't know that!"

It's right about then when I want to take the goddamm instruction manual I spent all that time to write and shove it down their fuckin' throats!

So, go ahead and write a nice manual. It will help you to learn your craft and it will be a good tool to teach others with. But HAVE NO ILLUSION! Unless you use this as a study tool in a projection class that you teach, I can virtually guarantee that, maybe two people will actually read it... You and that one other person you beg to proofread it for you.

Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 12-12-2007, 03:18 PM:

Randy has hit the nail on the head of this one. I find no worse a way to learn something than reading the manual. Although, I must confess recently we had a shutter break mid showing, and if it werent for the nearby projector manual showing me how to fix it, we would have cancelled the showing.

So, although manuals are often put there and never read, occasionally if youre lucky, the right bit of info can pop up on the page infront of you and help you out.

I suppose manuals are a way to know that (by looking up now at my bookcase) whatever happens, the information is in there if you need it one day. [Smile]

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 12-12-2007, 03:57 PM:

"Roller-blading?"
If I catch any member of my staff doing that in my theatre, I will write them up. [Razz]

Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 12-12-2007, 04:12 PM:

ooh i dont know.... i can picture that working..... up until cleaning the screens and tackling the escalator... [Smile]

Posted by Steve Beverly (Member # 4540) on 12-12-2007, 08:15 PM:

Hey Randy, mail or email that stuff to me an I guarentee IIIII'LLLL read it! [thumbsup]

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-12-2007, 10:29 PM:

[Smile]

Do you have a Tascam CD-R 2000 recorder and a Mackie 32 X 8-bus mixer? They wouldn't do you much good if you didn't have the equipment they describe?

I could send you the movie projector manual I wrote but our C.E. automation is custom wired. Even if you had that same model, my manual wouldn't do you much good because if I told you to "Press button 'X.'" it wouldn't do the same thing on your system. A cross cue on my automation does something completely different that it does on yours.

Sure, if I can dig up my old files I might send you something if you REALLY want to read it. [Smile]

Posted by Steve Beverly (Member # 4540) on 12-12-2007, 11:15 PM:

Oh I thought you had written a general projectionist's manual. I can see how the stuff you wrote would be of little use for anyone who does not have the specific equipment they were written for but I do appreciate the offer, thanks much anyway. [Smile]

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-12-2007, 11:52 PM:

I wrote a lot of stuff that ended up in Cinemark's training manual.
Never got so much as a F-U for doing it, either.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-13-2007, 04:00 AM:

People like to see pictures on how any task is done for it's too complicated to read on how to do that task since they don't want to take the time (or desire in that fact) to think things out

- like Randy's "Finalize" story - and I know how that one goes when Audio CD recorders first came out and wonder why on earth their newly burnt CD's aren't playing in their players when it's clearly marked of that pre-play instruction...no pictures to tell them how it is ...

True, a laughable manual for booth clowns...(and you think that they'll read this...?)

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-13-2007, 03:39 PM:

I scanned pictures of the control panel on that CD recorder right out of the instruction manual. Then I used Illustrator to superimpose big red numbers on the buttons that the user needed to press in order to operate the player. I used red electrical tape, marked with a Sharpie marker to make labels on the control panel of the player itself.

To use the player, all you had to do was look at the instruction sheet and read:

To finalize a disk.
1) Press <FINALIZE> button. (A)
2) Press <ACCEPT> button. (B)
etc, etc...

Then you pressed buttons "A" and "B" just like in the picture. I went around to about a half dozen different people to ask them to read my instructions and try to operate the player without me telling them how to do it. They had to do it just by reading the sheet. I did have to change a few mistakes and clarify a few steps but, by the time I had the second or third person test my instructions, it was clear that anybody who could read and follow a simple instruction sheet could operate the thing.

Next, I went to Staples and had them laminate the instructions in plastic. I posted them right next to the machine. ANYBODY who needed to use that machine could simply read the instructions, 1...2...3... and produce a disk.

STILL, I got people who couldn't do it because they didn't read the instuctions!

It is always ME who has to interrupt my dinner and drive 20 minutes to work (and 20 minutes home again) just to push a little red button! This happens regularly, at least once or twice per month!

And people wonder why I seem like I'm barking mad! [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-13-2007, 06:32 PM:

..and talking to them over the phone on how to finalize doesn't work either? I'd be charging them time and fuel expenses for your evening interruptions.

...Don't blame you for being like a dog wanting to jump down their throats and rip their lungs out...

-Monte

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-13-2007, 11:19 PM:

No. It doesn't.

They'll just stand there and stare while you try to talk them through it.

Do you know how you have to press "Alt-F8" to get a laptop PC to switch its video output to the external port so you can display a PowerPoint show on a video screen?

I had to drive in to work, one night, just to press "Alt-F8."
I hit the button, turned around, walked out, got in my car and drove right home.

Posted by Steve Beverly (Member # 4540) on 12-14-2007, 12:56 AM:

I woulda charged overtime for that! [Mad]

What were you dealing with over there, chimps? [Big Grin]

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 12-14-2007, 01:00 AM:

(cough cough)...managers.

Posted by Steve Beverly (Member # 4540) on 12-14-2007, 01:06 AM:

OH so he WAS dealing with chimps [Big Grin]

(just kidding if there are any managers out there)

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-14-2007, 08:35 AM:

Actually, chimps probably could have done it by themselves.

It was two guys from the Navy. [Eek!]

I shit you NOT!

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 12-14-2007, 12:28 PM:

Problem with narrative manuals is that it takes a very special talent to write a manual well. Just knowning the equipment and a good command of the English language (which isn't as easily come by as one might think) isn't good enough. The big problem that is very difficult to overcome and which is the difference between a really talented techical writer and just an ordinary one and an excellent manual and one not so good, is that the writer must not assume anything. Knowing a procedure inside and out makes it difficult not to skip points that you are aware of almost unconsciously, know but that the reader does not. It really is a specialized talent. If you don't think so, just look at "Help" instructions in any Microsoft product -- perfect example of writers who haven't a CLUE how to write manuals well.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-14-2007, 04:54 PM:

I mentioned it briefly but Frank does allude to a good point.

You could write a good manual to teach YOURSELF something.
In order to write a manual for anything you have to know the subject forwards and backwards. The process of breaking down what you know so that you can put it on paper helps you fix the concepts in your mind.

It's not a complete waste of time to write a projection booth manual. You will gain something from it. You just need to have a sense of perspective about what you are writing and WHY you are writing it.

If you write a manual as a tool to teach yourself how to do your job better, that can only be a good thing. If you are responsible to teach others how to be a projectionist you can use it as a teaching aid. (As an adjunct to what you teach them.)

But if you're going at this as a catch-all manual that somebody is supposed to read and use you're probably better off pissing up a rope.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-15-2007, 04:48 PM:

I actually did this in high school, when I wrote myself a "manual" for running the Sky-Vue D/I booth, back home in KY. It was the second booth I'd ran and had to have been around 1976. It was just so I'd remember everything, more than to teach anyone else. Complete instructions from memory, on how to power everything up (and wait 2 minutes for the Altec 287-W mercury vapor tubes to warm up before applying plate voltage), to chemical splicing, to threading, to trimming the lamps, to making changeovers. I had forty-some-odd handwritten pages with diagrams. I still have it somewhere.

Last time I read it, though, I got a few laughs over some of the misconceptions I had and assumptions I'd made.

Much like I do today. [Razz]