Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: diploma for movie operator

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Posted by Kris Verhanneman (Member # 5562) on 06-05-2010, 04:11 AM:

Hello,

in france there is a diploma to be a 'real' movie operator. Without that piece of paper (CAP) you are not allowed to work alone in a projection room.

This year, in the practical exam, there is a big part on digital cinema. Problem is that most student did not touch any digital equipment before coming to the test (and don't know what is HDSDI, cinelink, DVI, ...).

Is France the only country where such a test is in place? Or are there other countries where it is also like that? And what is the level of the exam over there?

For what I saw during the tests, most of them are able to do an ingest of some sort, create a small playlist and run the show. The part on the dolby server s for the most of them not that complicated. The part DMA8, CP500, projector is for the most of them more complicated.

So I was curious if it was only in France they did this tests (written an practical).

Kind regards,
Kris

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 06-05-2010, 03:44 PM:

In the United States there is no national test to be a motion picture operator. Some states require it like The Commonwealth of Massachusette but it is pretty much a joke. Just some very outdated true or false questions. For example

It is ok to smoke in the projection booth if the manager allows it. (FALSE)

All machines must be bolted to the floor. (TRUE)

A Permit from the department of public safety is required to exhibit nitrate film (TRUE)

just stuff like that.

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 06-06-2010, 05:57 PM:

> All machines must be bolted to the floor. (TRUE)

In almost 40 years of running 35mm at many different locations across 4 states, I have never seen a projector "bolted" to the floor.

I'm not saying that it was never done, but what most people think are bolts are actually large leveling bolts.

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 06-06-2010, 07:01 PM:

Yeah, it is funny it is technically "the law" in Mass but I have never seen a booth there that had "machines" bolted to the floor.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 06-06-2010, 08:48 PM:

I've seen a few before I started doing it. But in truth, it depends on the system...for Kinotons, I recommend bolting to the floor. Even pedestal systems I recommend bolting.

If you don't the machine will settle and shift a bit..particularly when you have reel-to-reel...some folks are heavy handed and over time, the machine will shift.

Steve

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 06-06-2010, 08:48 PM:

Hi Kris.

The BKSTS in Britain run courses with accreditation similar to what you mention in your post and details should still be able to be found here -> BKSTS Course Accreditation

Here in Australia, and in Melbourne in particular, the Cinematograph Operators Board ran accredited courses until the early 1980's after which it was discontinued in favour of on-the-job training.

I hope this helps.

Cheers
Ian

Posted by Jonathan Bodge (Member # 4072) on 06-09-2010, 07:44 PM:

I used to thread up really bad Hollywood films on a V4 and it tried to run away so I had to bolt it to the floor.