Paul Goulet
Assistant Manager,Tri-Boro Cinemas
North attleboro, Massachusetts
Since 1992

Thanks!!

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1998-2000 ACE Audio Visual as an installer.
1991-1997 United Artists Greenwood Plaza as Head Projectionist where I worked with Joe Redifer. (All the rumors are true.)
1985-1990 Landmark Theatres in Denver, CO as Assistant Manager.

My position with the Nugget Theatre in Telluride, CO, is the god of hellfire...... co-owner with my wife, the lovely Luci Reeve, since 1985 and I also choose the films and call up the distributor and make sure the right films come here. I think that's the job everybody else pays way too much for, called "booker." It ain't rocket science folks.

Twenty-seven years ago, when the guy I wanted to hire me asked if I had experience running a movie theatre I did the great American thing, I lied and said sure. I had torn tickets for a friend at the Lambertville, NJ, Strand (now since burned down) for one night, so I guess there was some truth there.
 

Most Painful Mistake

Crappiest Company

Worst One Liner and so on...

I am Currently the Head Projectionist for The Studio Movie Grill. In a little town i like to call home in Plano TX (actually its a big town)

I started here on Feb. 28, 2000 (it was still under construction at the time) as seen under the pictures warehouse. .

i like long walks on the beach and conversation about the theories of how the ending of the cold war caused global wariming. i love brainless comedies and movies that are so bad they are good. .

my favorite pickup line
" if u were a platter would u be on the top or on the bottom?" that is if you use platters and are not one of those wierd people that dont.

me i would rather be in the middle. . hmmm maybe i shoudnt of said that?

message to Joe, no i wont bow down to you!

I've been an independent theatre owner for the past 32 years, but have been in the business for 35 years. We still ran newsreels when I first started working in theatres. I along with a partner aquired our first theatre when I was 19. We had 15 theatres together over the years, and I have had several more on my own. Mostly indoors, but there were three drive-ins as well. The indoors seated anywhere from 350 to 1800, and all were in Pennsylvania. In addition to exhibiting motion pictures, I have presented plays, magic shows, dance recitals and concerts of every sort featuring acts such as Peter Frampton, Melissa Manchester, Kiss, Blood Sweat and Tears, Hall & Oats, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel as well as hundreds more.

When I turned 18, I began my apprenticeship through the union local and after completeing the required 6 month training period took the state exam and became a licensed projectionist.

I have over the past decade relinquished all of my theatre holdings except for my one single screen art deco former vaudeville house in Northampton, Pa. I have operated it for the past 30 years and it shall continue to be my hobby for as long as I wish to remain active in this wonderful business.

I'm a true believer in oldtime showmanship and still run cartoons with some shows and always use my stage curtain before and after the show as well as closing and reopening it for the beginning of the feature.

I'm sure you see my posts at various times, and I always look forward to reading yours. I may have been in this biz for a long time, but I'm always ready to learn more. A tip of my hat to Brad for starting this site. (Brad...Don't forget to tell us how to identify the leader to the first frame without saving a frame!)
 

Even though my paid job is non-exhibition related, I spend a great deal of time behind the scenes in the theatre industry. My wife (Debrean) and I are avid supporters of indie exhibitors and spend a lot of time with owners of operating mainstreet movie houses and drive-in theatres.

In March 1999, Debrean and I worked with a group of drive-in operators to establish the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association, a trade association/business league for outdoor exhibitors. Nearly all of our waking moments away from our paid jobs (she's a medical technologist) is spent performing non-paid duties as the sole staff of the UDITOA. This includes handling day-to-day office administrative functions, assisting members, publishing the organization's newsletter, representing the drive-in segment of the cinema industry to other motion picture trade groups and the media and public, etc. The UDITOA is growing steadily and has been written about in BOXOFFICE and Film Journal International. Through our work with drive-ins we have been able to see first hand the spirit of community and cooperation that is developing among outdoor exhibitors these days.

Debrean and I are also affiliated with the projection booths of two vintage movie palaces that are now performing arts centers.
I am also currently working on an outdoor film series project in Hagerstown, Maryland. We are currently rebuilding two 35mm Simplex XL's which will be installed in the back of a truck to create a mobile projection booth.

Finally, both my wife and I do free-lance writing and photography regarding the exhibition industry. We've been published in industry trade journals, books, and non-industry related publications.

By the way, Debrean and I met Dick Wolfe years ago through the Theatre Historical Society and a few years back our friend Paul Geissinger of Shankweiler's Drive-In (Orefield, PA), took us to see Dick at his beautiful art deco theatre in North Hampton, PA. Definately a classy place!
 

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Before deciding to step out on my own, I was a buyer and area supervisor for a video store chain that operated 30 locations. We were in the top 20 of video chains in the US before the owner was wrongfully arrested and prosecuted for distributing soft-porn, a completely legal practice even in utah. After two costly and lengthy trials he was aquitted both times, but the company ended up in bankruptcy and the assets were sold off.

After that I decided to crash my car down a 200 foot cliff in a snow blizzard, have brain surgery then become a computer repair technician. After dealing with complete idiots for two years.... I decided to downgrade and deal with complete morons....

And here I am in the theater industry, but I do love it, and running movies has been a lifelong passion.

Dave

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

Previous gigs:
Landmark's Embarcadero Center Cinema, 18 months
UCSF Medical Center 4 years - all of them hellish
IU Med Center - 2 years
Indiana Repertory Theatre - as in plays and stuff
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park - as in plays and stuff
Assoc. Students of University of Montana Programming Office - 3 years - films, performing arts, and director.

 

Well, I was hired at the Carmike Cinemas Oakwood 6-now Oakwood 12-in Eua Claire Wisconsin in October of 1997. Thinking back to my interview the only reason I probably got hired was becuase we were adding on 6 screens at the time and they needed people bad. I worked weekends in the concession stand until July of 98, when I went off to a higher paying factory job for 2 months to help pay for school. I then went to the Milwaukee School of Engineering. That went badly. I came home in March of 99 with my ego badly bruised and went to work nearly full tiem at the theatre. In April I began my training as an 'usher' (at our theatre we have usher/projectionist-I know, not the best situation, but oh well). Over the summer I was gradually given more responsibility in the booth until I was basicaly second in command up there. Through the fall I moved up even further until I was unofficialy in charge. Then in March of this year one of our Assistant managers-the one who happened to be second in command of the theatre-left for a different career. Myself and another employee (non-booth) were moved up to replace him. Now after another manager left-on good terms-we are basicly running the show. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do. There is always opportunity to move up in the company, but I'm not sure if that's what I want.
 

The name is Hauberg, Per Hauberg. -In business since march 1971, when my request for a job as doorman in new-build "Biografen", Aarhus, Denmark was rejected, but a learners position in booth was offered instead. The cinema was single screen, a bit over 300 seats, running c/o on two brand-new Victoria 8's with 6000 feet reels and 1600 watt in Cinemeccanica "Zenith" lamphouses.
Soon substitute in most Aarhus cinemas, counting during the next couple of years: (All single screens - first danish twin cinema opened 1972 in Copenhagen, and the idea only spread very slowly)
Palads - 800 seats - Victoria 8
Kosmorama - 784 seats - Victoria 10 35/70 mm with Kalee Duosonic six ch. amps.
Allways beautiful presentation to be seen inside auditorium - but up there, everything was held together with rubber bands. Ran away screaming...
Regina - 1000 seats - Westrex "Westar" 2000 feet reels c/o - 4-track mag sound - 2500 w Zeiss Lamps. Not sure, the mag sound was used since "Around the World"
Astra - suburb - old, but cosy - 308 seats - Bauer U3 35/70 - Prevost 4-ch amp. Small screen, but boss eager to show 70mm, so we did, allthough U3 wasn't my best friend for that purpose. Still remember, how 15 year old, "very used" South Pacific print would split every every time.
Rio - also old suburb place - most running nasty sex films on nice Bauer B14s with 2000 feet
Park Theatre - suburb, build 1953 as first purpose-build WideScreen cinema in DK. 314 seats. Two Bauer U2 35/70, running the most effective repertoire in town from early afternoon to double feature, starting at midnight. -Lots and lots of 70mm. -Later, i got to own this place (1978-79-80)- in local trade slang "The Dollhouse Cinema".
Today a grocery shop (Sic !)

After the job at the Rio, running porno day and night for 5 months - only light in the dark, a short Peter Sellers - cavalcade, i decided it was time to chose the films myself, and after some searching, i found Solbjerg Bio - at the village inn of a 1100 souls community, some few miles outside Aarhus. The 150 seats were mobile, because the room should be used for celebration dinners and parties, too.
Booth contained one danish Bofa KM2 projector, build 1952 (from the famous Bang and Olufsen hi-fi factory) 4500 feet reels - 25 amps arc lamp - Bofa KV 15 tube amp. Open two days a week, running 3 shows a day. Wanna learn from buttom ? - This was the place. Great fun for one year in 1972-73. Next owner only stayed for two months, and that nice, little red projector ended up, almost like the mailbox on film-tech picture site, as memorial outside another small cinema. -Later got another KM2 for collection - not put together yet - but not scrapped either...
Since summer 1973 the owner of Malling Bio, -in another very small place (4100 inhabitants)a few miles from Aarhus (by the turist office often called The worlds smallest metropole wannabee)- surviving in defiance of those multiplex neighbours, and still making a living.
Originally 170 seats and two Bauer B5 with 2000 feet and carbon arc's.
Since november 1974 two Philips DP70 with Cinemeccanica CX900 lamps and (until 1992) Bang & Olufsen 6-channel Todd-AO tube panel.
In then came CP65 and MPU-1, and I had the nice job, explaining to interested custumers, why 3 screen channels is better than 5... I've been trying just since, but i still can't...! But at least, no more knockin' on relais for every c/o to make all channels play, as on the Bofa... In 1974, first 70mm feature was "Where Eagles Dare"; -in 1992, "Hook" was opening the dance.
1994 DTS came to Malling ("Speed", followed by SRD 1995 ("Crimson Tide") and D-EX in 1999 ("Star Wars"). Latest 70mm 1999: Baraka and Out of Africa - without any public interest whatsoever this time.
Matter rests..
JBL speakers, english 3G amps.

In 1976, the 1943 wooden chairs was released by 104 english "Viscount" chairs from the Rank Organisation, and a danish clone of the "Viscount" was installed july 2001 - this time decreasing number to only 88, giving enormous space for long legs.

During spring 1981, the teenie Bio-2 was born - just 39 seats in former shoe workshop. Originally equipped with one of the old B5's from Bio-1, later a Victoria 9 with RGB4000 tower. CP65 1994, DTS for Lost World 1996 (?) Beyma speakers, USA amps.
Both screens Kinoton platter ST-200 1997 - Love them !

Have been working together with distributors for so long, that my little place get spoiled with first-runs / premieres quite often, pulling quite a few custumers from outside, so that real long-runs also appears now and then, in spite of the few souls living here...
Top score: Lion King 8 months, Titanic 9½ month.

My almost eighty years old mother runs ticket office and video rental (same desk !), while i'm trying to cover the rest. We're closed every Christmas Eve and New Years eve and one night at mid summer (we call it holiday) Othervise 7 days a week, 14-15 hours a day - and still loving it...

Interests: Films and booth stuff, vintage trains(small is beautiful, especially East German narrow gauge steam), model railroading (not active at moment, but still collecting)
In storage, but without time for care: Bauer B5, two Bauer B11, two Ernemann heads with front shutter, Bofa KM1 - maybe some time the beginning of a small museum..?

Spare time: what's that ?

An then i almost forgot: 10 months 1980-81 running the cinema of my dreams (ask Thomas Hauerslev) Tre Falke Bio of Copenhagen. -976 seats purpose-build Todd-AO to conquer the London Empire, except for size.
Two DP70, 50 feet screen - what Todd-AO was all about !
Knocked out by newpaper-lock-out spring 1981. No adds - no custumers and absolutely no money. Malling Bio saved last moment from falling into the bankrupt of Tre Falke, due to good friends, - and here i am...

Believe, that's it - sorry for any inconveinience - knock my door when visiting Denmark... Will send in photos from here and there and everywhere, when i'm sure to understand Brads many rules.

Glad to follow the Film Tech Forums - lots of wise words and lots of entertainment. Thank You, all !

Per

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You'll find a slight squeeze on the hooter an excellent safety precaution,
Miss Scrumptious! - CCBB

1. I am the Booth Manager at an AMC mega-plex. BarryWoods 24 in Kansas City MO. Started with AMC in June 1999, took over as Booth Manager in late July 1999.

2. I am a projectionist for Union Station running an iWerks 3D 15/70 system. Started with Science City @ Union Station Extreme Screen in December 1999.

I have been in the business for only 5 years. Started as a concessionist but moved up into the booth with 2 weeks (some kind of record at that particular theatre).

1995-1996: Dickinson Cinema 6, Kansas City MO
1996: UA Continental 6, Aurora CO
1997: Back at Dickinson Cinema 6, KC MO
1997-1999: UA Crossroads 10, Portage MI
1999-Current: AMC BarryWoods 24, KC MO
1999-Current: SC@US Extreme Screen, KC MO

Yes I have moved several times in the last few years for various reasons. Family, school, and personal reasons. I am 22 years old looking forward to a long career in the theatre industry.
 

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Better Projection Pays!

I am Barry Floyd of Lebanon, Tennessee (25 miles east of Nashville). Currently I do not work in a theatre, but I do have a barn, garage and utility building full of projectors, platters, sound racks and concessions equipment.
My wife Dawn & I are in the process of opening a twin screen drive-in theatre in Watertown, Tennessee (pop. 1305).

I have a degree in Architecture, and am currently employeed with a local Engineering firm as the network & CADD administrator in Nashville. Since 1984, I have owned and operated a mobile DJ & Karaoke service in the Nashville area - primarily caterering to the thriving Wedding market in this area.

I have been married to my lovely wife Dawn for five years. She puts up with my "drive-in" stuff - although she frowns upon the fact that I used the kitchen sink as a parts washer for my RCA soundheads. I am also the proud father of my two boys, a two and a half year old, and a 3 week old.

Film-Tech has been a valuable resource to me and my efforts to edge my way into this market. The manuals have been priceless!!

Is that enough Paul?
 

Aaron was kind enough to introduce me earlier in the thread, a post that he kindly omitted the true facts of what a mean and irrational guy I am.

At any rate - I've been working for Cinema West for FIVE years now... and been working in a movie theatre for SIX. I worked my way up from usher at an old nasty 5-plex to the wonderful position I'm in now.

I'm in charge of operations for 40 screens in 10 locations, soon to be 11, 12, 13 and maybe even 14. (YIKES) In my spare time I run the Fairfax Theatre 4 in beautiful Fairfax CA (West Marin County) Check out the pics in the warehouse.

Part of my duties include maintaining our web-site (which I'm still learning), I maintain our Ticketing Systems, Audit the Theatres, monitor our uniform program, I do the recordings for all of our theatres.... the list goes on and on and on.

But hey --- thanks for giving me the opportunity to rant about my endless tasks.

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Scott D. Neff
----------------
www.cinema-west.com
 

I opened the projection booth at the UA Continental 6 during and right after the remodel. When did you work there? 1996 seems too vague for me to picture. I think I may remember a Dave, but am not sure. I only stayed about 2 weeks until the booth was stable, and then I went back to Greenwood.

After spending 30 years in the music business as guitarist and bandleader for various country acts (Dolly Parton, Lee Greenwood, etc.) I retired in 1993.

I went back to college and earned a degree in religion with an emphasis in church music (yes, you really can get a degree in that). I now am employed as director of music and arts at a medium-sized Methodist church in Franklin TN.

I have been a serious film buff all of my life. The equipment has been as much an appeal to me as the films themselves. My parents say that when I was 4 years old the neighbors would get out their home movie projector and I would become transfixed.

To this day I am fascinated and filled with wonder at the illusion of reality on a big screen in a darkened room.

Last Labor Day I went to the New Neon Cinema in Dayton OH, on a weekend quest to see Cinerama one more time. I got to know a few people there, and I was surprised to find out that many of them had 35mm and even 70mm in their homes. I asked around. I had conversations with John Harvey, the Cinerama Guru, and decided I was going to pursue this interest. Mark Lensenmeyer happened to be sitting next to me in the theater. We got to talking, and he told me about Film-Tech.

Well, as many regulars here know by now, I got my hands on a Super Simplex, I rebuilt my own RCA1040 Sound head, and I'm completely obsessed.

My wife thinks I'm a little crazy (no change from before) and my friends have no idea what's gotten into me. But this hobby fills a void that that used to be taken up by performing 6 nights a week and traveling on the road 300 days a year. And you guys have been very welcoming and helpful. I look forward to a long and enjoyable relationship with all of you.
 

I am the tech for a small audio-visual supply company here in Asheville, NC. We're the only game in town. We supply equipment to hotels for company meetings, etc, then after they finish, go pick it up. This job leaves me with plenty of time for collecting and rebuilding equipment as I am "on call" basically all the time.

I can work on cars and have rebuilt the engine in my truck, I have had jobs in the past where I worked on Washers, Dryers, Dishwashers, Exercise equipment, Garage door openers, TV's, VCR's, Camcorders (including BETA) Home stereo equipment, Heating (all types of home furnaces, oil, gas, forced air, hot water, steam) Cooling (Freon, and ammonia.) I prowl the city looking for window air conditioners, and other things that have been trashed to repair and sell for a small profit.

I am 43, eternally single. Who'd have me and all this collected stuff in my house, which, by the way, I own, and have rewired, replumbed, and installed all HVAC systems...

I have collected film since 1972 when I was given a box of TV "spots" for features that I loaded onto a 1600' reel and played to death. I was "geek boy" in high school. I had horrible eyesight and wore the thickest glasses. I tended to stay home alot.

Then, I discovered film companies that ran ads in the classifieds in photography mags. I bought TV shows from them. In 1976, I went to work in independent TV in Nashville where I became film director in 1980. My collection grew when I aquired the library of film as the contracts ran out and were not renewed. From May of 1977, until June of '82, I worked at the fabulous Skyway Drive-In theater where I got my first taste of 35mm, and carbon arcs.

I moved to Atlanta in 1982 and continued to piddle in TV. I had my eyes operated on while there. (Radial Keratotamy Surgery) The collection grew to over 450 features, and 60 TV series by 1993. I worked for Sears for 4 years doing in-home service, and ignoring the collection. In 1997, I found that vinegar had attacked the collection, and that some of the features and TV shows were fading fast. I trashed hundreds of VS films at the landfill.

In 1998, I discovered the internet and all you cool people. I unloaded the bulk of what was left of my 16mm collection and started collecting 35mm, a threesome of Holmes 8 35mm portables turned up... I got them, rebuilt them, and the rest is not exciting.

I currently have 118 features, and 3 TV shows and 3 cartoons (One is IB) on 35. I collect and restore old 16mm projectors (Victors, RCA's, Natco's etc.) and run them in the rare cases when we are required to supply projectors for clients.

My day job has me running LCD projectors for computer displays and demos, and my night life is the movies.

I'd work at a local theater, but I'd starve on what they want to pay!!!

I am currently reassembling 80 35mm features that were being trashed by the distributors. Each feature averages 3-4 hours of work. My Marble splicer (used, of course) is smoking! I could not be happier.

Of all the folk on this site, the only one I have met in person is David Koegel. He is one of the funniest people that I have ever known. AND He's more of a film junkie than I am, if that is possible!

Bruce McGee

PS: I have not worn glasses at all since 1982.

By the way, why are all corporate people assholes? It really is true!
 

I am Kevin Crawford. I am a projectionist in Sacramento, CA. Currently employed by General Enema, oops, Generic Cinema. Oops, General Cinema. I am also one of two technicians for Signature Theatres, based out of Oakland, CA. A small but ambitius company of about 200 screens. One of the few companies out there to still hire Union operators.

And yes most corporate people are assholes. But as with anything always avoid always, and never say never. They are not all assholes.
 

The only theater owner to invite all truck-drivers to see ''CONVOY'' again for free if they came with there big truck and did the parking in front of the theater were the film was to be shown! result the worst traffic jam in the history of the town Malling!

BTW Per is a 'true' Showman! when he runs 70mm ( which does happen, beleave it or not ) the c/o are flawless ( means excellent! ) i'll rater drive to his small village theater, than go to the ''Gorilla-Plex'' we have in town!

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It's the new small talk. You do it so awfully well! - My Fair Lady

I'm a total film fanatic and will travel great distances to see films.

I'm currently working for a production company we do some film work, but most stuff is video. We do have a nice digital imaging camera for making those advertising slides you all hate so much.

Changed over a bit too early - please read answer in topic "hmm"

xxl
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"A hole is hole is a hole"

Colonel Smith aka R. Burton during a vinter stay in Bavaria (-remember...?)

 

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Dave Bird
 

1995- Spend summer in Surfside Beach, SC on a leadership training program with Great Commission Ministries.
- Decide to pursue dream of making movies.

1996- Pack all my belongings into my '73 SuperBeetle and drive to Bozeman, MT to go to film school
- Get job as projectionist/concessionist/cashier at the PROCRASTINATOR THEATRE, an on-campus second-run out of a miniscule booth in an academic auditorium. (spend 8 hours untangling thrown print of "Courage Under Fire")

1997- Get another job at Carmike in Bozeman... concessions, ushering, and lots of free movies

1998- big promotion to cashier... no raise.
- spend summer in Carolina Beach, NC trying to work on films in Wilmington. End up as an extra in a tv-movie. Build swimming pools for "Darryl The Pool-Man" and work at a sea-food place that caters to the bad-tipping crowd... (I hate seafood.)
- return to Montana and find myself promoted to projectionist at Carmike.

1999- promoted to booth manager/relief manager at Carmike. Instituted an Adopt-A-Projector program in which each projectionist was in charge of a projector and submitted cleaning checklists weekly.
- This is the most employee initiative that's been seen at Carmike since the formation of the company, so they promote me to (music please) "Manager-In-Training".
- Graduate with honors and a degree in Media and Theatre Arts... Motion Picture & Video Production.
- Accept manager position at 6-screen Carmike in Missoula, MT (work 90 hrs/week for first month)

2000- Spend New Year's Eve at the theatre. No power failure. No chaos. No hang-over.
- Sell SuperBeetle (sob) and move to Vermont to run an independent theatre for an owner that actually appreciates the work I do and pays me for it.

I'm now paying off debts while writing the all-american screenplay in my "free-time".

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Scott A. Magie

scoooot@hotmail.com
"Anybody wanna peanut?"
 

Paul
 

Dave Huskinson just finished doing a dailies gig using an Arriflex Lockpro. Strange contraption. He sent me jpegs which I could post under a new thread, if only I knew how...
(Even though my title now is "Software Engineer" I'm still a newbie when it comes to working with images on PCs.)

 

I have been involved in projection since the fifth grade-16mm at school and 8-mm at home. I have been running 35mm (on our 1950ish Brenkert) since 1988. I do all of the maintenance and repairs on the projection systems as well as electrical work for the theater.

By day I am a PC tech. for Dona Ana County, NM. I have worked in banking (as computer nerd/manager), radio broadcast (as engineer and sometimes disk jocky), and television (as news reporter/documentary photographer). I've done a lot of things, but keep coming back to film.

That's it, next time I'm in Vegas I am going to make sure that he gets divorced.

Dave, if you are lurking here, Steve and I are going to get you in deeper trouble! And stick boy can still keep up with you in the race to eat a 40 oz steak.

And this time I mean it!!!!!

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My name is not written below so please stop looking there (I would have thought you could operate this darn thing by now! ) Please avert your gaze (my Lord) and take a gander over there at the left...that's right...well done.

I am one of four projectionists at the fabulous restored and added to Randwick Ritz in Sydney's Eastern suburbs. There I work many hours and get fed cakes and muffins by the great staff there.

MMMMMMmmmmmmmm...muffins....

Sorry... got a little sidetracked...where was I...Oh yes...

I also do some part time at the mighty Sydney IMAX (world's biggest screen) and at a local arthouse where I must do changeovers.

I collect (in a minimalist way) 16mm films and enjoy watching sport but not playing it as I need my limbs to work. (That's my reason and I'm sticking to it ) I also like Monty Python (d-uh!) and listening to my old 33 1/3's and 45's. (They're vinyl records you young 'uns!)

I started showing movies as a nine year old when my dad who was a projectionist also, took me to the drive in with him one night. I did dabble in television production for about six years doing on-air, production, editing, camera, directing etc. but always kept up casual projection work. I enjoy this work much more than TV and so went into this full time about 14 years ago.

The rest as they say is history...

I am Chief Engineer for SMART Devices, Inc., the premiere sound equipment manufacturer in the world! OK, now, no laughing!!

SMART is located in Norcross, GA, the technology center of the south, which is about 15 miles northeast of Atlanta, GA.

I have been at SMART for almost 17 years, having started out as a QC tech and moving quickly into engineering when the engineeer at the time left. When my boss asked if I could do the engineering, of course I said I could handle the job. I then went home and worried all night. But it has been a great job, and I have learned so incredibly much and worked with such great people over the years.

I do most of the engineering at SMART as well as administer our computer network and, along with my boss, do webmaster duties.

I have NEVER worked in a booth, but after being a Film-Techie for a while, I almost feel like I could do that job. This forum has taught me so much.

I am here to try to help you with any problems or concerns with SMART equipment, so don't hesitate to ask either here or by e-mailing me or by calling me at 1-800-457-6278.

Personal data:
50 years old (also a 6 bit quantity )
Married to a great lady who actually puts up with me
5 kids from 27 years down to 1 year (Yes, I don't know when to stop! No #6. At least, not yet!)
I live near Atlanta, GA

It has been great being here with all of you.

Best regards,

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Oscar Neundorfer
Chief Engineer
SMART Devices, Inc.

oscar@smartdev.com
 

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Rob

We just screen three films on 70mm DTS, two first ones are 3mins and a 30sec ad and the "Blackadder" film made for the Dome.
after 8 months showing the same film can get to grow on one selfs!.

In my spare time I have rebuilt a transportable 35/70 projector which is now at home and spend my time visiting cinemas meeting other cinema nuts and the odd cinema service.
 

Gordon forget his most important past time Beer tasteing!
 

Any truth to that? Also, any other theaters have that policy currently implemented?
 

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Rob

Send pics for the warehouse please. That is a very unique theater.
 

Why do you need to change out ads between prints and sessions? That's a bit odd...

...or maybe I just misunderstood you.

Val Morgan only sends us one copy of each film add. A particular film title may play once, twice or not at all on a certain day so we cant leave the adds on it. We split our available adds into 4 groups Cin 1 A and B, Cin 2 A and B, no adds in 3 or 4. When a show is running we remove the adds from the previous one and put them on the next one, it sounds confusing but here is an example (not a current day)
Cinema 1
Erin Brockovich 10.30 am Add set A
Keeping the faith 1.00 pm Add set B
Dinosaur 3.30 pm Add set A
Perfect storm 6.00 pm Add set B
MI2 8.30 pm Add set A
Then put sets A and B on tomorrow mornings shows.
In the meantime I am running three other screens and maybe building up a couple of prints as the day shift is the manager and he doesn't have time.

We only have one projector per booth so changeovers is not an option, plus I would probably be somewhere else at the crucial time as we have 3 projection rooms.

To move film within a booth we have hydraulic trolleys to push around and between booths have a homemade thingamigig. We keep the centre ring from our Specos in the film and then sandwich it between two wooden discs and bolt them together. Thankfully we dont go between booths that much.

Oh and to make things more interesting Cinema 3 and 4 both run off the same 4 deck platter and the same movie never replays straight after it has finished so we have to take it off and put the new one on between shows. This is not as bad as it seems because the storage is very close to the platter, just annoying.

John, the Americans are always complaining they only get short leaders, recently I've been getting quite a few prints with long leaders in excess of 100 ft, what do I need all that for?

Cheers Paul

Are you Aussie's happy now?
 

My interests include old movie theatres and their history, taekwondo, and art. I'm a graphic design major at UW-Milwaukee. I know Cory Johnson and John Scott from this site, and have talked to Aaron Sisemore and Dustin Mitchell via email several times. I really enjoy film-tech, and cannot thank Brad and Ken enough for all of the manuals on here. I've downloaded a bunch and learned all kinds of stuff from them. Thanks guys!!
 

Lesse, by day (kindof) i'm a geek. Working for Akamai Technologies in Cambridge.

By evening I play theater Owner of the Limelight Cinemas in Warwick RI. (discount house with nice fixin's) www.limelightcinemas.com

By Night I play film collector (altough on hold now since 3/4 of my home equipment is at the real theater while I wait for the rebuilds to come back).

--Chris

 

How's it going?? I live in Cumberland, Rhode Island but work in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.. I dont think we could live any closer!!

Welcome to FILM-TECH!
 

Actually i've been around Film-Tech for quite some time now, but rarely post and generally don't have time to look through it more than once a week or so. This week I happen to be working in San Diego so I actually have free time, which is a luxury I don't often get back home!

--Chris
 

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Bob Minge
Manager/Projectionist
Westridge Cinema 5
Fergus Falls, MN
 

...Yes...Now, we are happy. Thank you.

 

My interests are Football(soccer) Film(of course) Computers(playstaion is better than nintendo) i also like a drink at the weekend,
Favorite TV shows are Star Trek (any generation)X-files infact any thing sci fi
favorite films Star Wars and Schindlers list

thats all folks

ps if anyone has any comments about working the same company as me i would be interested to hear from you.
 

Don't be surprised that Hoyts is selling there European assets - In the U.S. We have not been owned by the Ausies for over a year now. Still carry the logo and everything of the nature but we are now owned by a private investment firm. Still a "great" company to work for - and At least I know that we are not in that bad of times, financialy, that is - for the choice of Hollywood's shit as of lately everyone should take cover!!!
 

I am currently a full time projectionist at a ten screen theater in central Maine. And I'm the lucky one that works on Thursday nights making up films. I've had this job since late in January this year.

At 22, with just about three and a half years of cinema experience under my belt, there is a lot that I haven't seen/worked with! Such as carbon arcs, changeovers or 70mm film... Though, in that short time, I've still had more than my fair share of hellish ordeals!

I used to work for Hoyts, and I can't say that I miss that change, although I may miss some of the people I used to work with. My first shift with Hoyts was during the opening weekend for the Special Edition of The Return of the Jedi, and there had been one nasty snowstorm the night before, making for a *lovely* drive that day...
About six months later, after pestering an assistant manager, along with insisting that I was not too short to work in the booth, I got 'trained' in the booth. I say 'trained' with a tinge of sarcasm. My curiosity had brought me to the booth on many occasions. I observed how the machinery got threaded, how the splicers were used, how the MUTs were used, etc, etc. So one day, the assistant manager decided that he'd "show me the ropes", because he was sick of running the booth. So I followed him to the booth. He asked me if I thought I knew how to thread the platters, I shrugged and answered "Maybe."
He told me to thread one of the platter systems. I hesitated a moment, then threaded as I had seen others thread. I got a nod of approval. He then threaded the film through the projector, explaining the process as he went, then told me to go thread the next platter system. I did so, he then told me to thread the projector. After giving him a 'are you nucking futs?!' look, I threaded the machine. He watched me thread three other machines, then said "Ok, I'm going back downstairs. Have fun," and scampered off leaving me on my own...
I spent many shifts in booth shortly thereafter. A few months later, I ended up getting a promotion to being a shift supervisor. (Whee! ) I eventually transferred to another Hoyts location within the state, and was there for over a year before a certain QSC incident caused me to go work for the competition!
And I like it better where I am now!

~GLB

I am Joshua waaland and I am currently not doing any projection work I had to leave the Cinemark I was at because I didn't have time to fit it in. I have about seven years experience in the projection field. I have worked at two Cinemarks, one Carmike, and one State Theater. I live in the Cleveland area.
 

Well, thats basically my background.

Steven Gorsky

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Projectionist

I became a journeyman projectionist in IATSE Local 252, Sacramento in 1976. I was fortunate enough to come along early enough to thoroughly learn what I call "traditional projection": carbon arc, 2000 ft. reels and cement splices, and no automation.

I was lucky to work full time for ten years, until UA and the other large circuits began wiping out all the jobs in the early eighties. I went back to school, studying TV production, and got a job in a local production studio. But, I've also worked regularly as a projectionist at the Crest Theater since 1987. The Crest was a 900 seat "traditional" theater when I started, but is now 3-screens with Christie AW 2's
in the twin downstairs, and either reels or AW2 upstairs.

I've been employed as a Television Specialist by the State of California since 1998. The job pays well, but running film is in my blood. There's something so relaxing about the sound of a nice clean print smoothly passing through a machine.
 

I am 27, and have 10 years' projection experience, a lot of it part-time while I was a student.

Apart from a three-month summer job at a UCI multiplex, all my projection work has been in arthouse, rep and second-run cinemas. I am presently working for City Screen, a small chain of 11 cinemas situated mainly in the south-east of England, but which is rapidly expanding at the moment (see www.picturehouse-cinemas.co.uk). The site at which I work in York (our furthest north so far - until Aberdeen opens this coming Friday!) has three screens and a large cafe/bar.

We aim to offer something different from the out-of-town multiplex. Our cinemas are in city centre locations, aim to offer more than film shows (e.g. gala screenings introduced by a film-maker, works by local artists on the walls of the bar) and combine mainstream and art/rep programming under the same roof. It's amazing to see the reaction of a full house in 'American Beauty' as they are shown the trailer for a new French film, or the re-release of a 1930s Hollywood classic, and vice-versa.

My long-term career aim is to work in archival film preservation and/or restoration (I have a masters' degree in film archiving), but I've found out the hard way that these jobs are notoriously difficult to get in to and so am continuing to work in projection in the meantime.
 

Cheers Thomas

In my spare time I run a small mobile recording studio (if your in Melbourne and want some recording done, drop me an email )

Chat to you all soon,

Frank.

My name's also on the left. Today happens to be my 5 year anniversary in the theater industry. I work for Regal's Bella Bottega 11 cinemas in Redmond, WA (near Microsoft).

I started out in concessions, on the theater's opening night (and I am now the only original employee left from that night, including management). Less than a year later, I began training in the booth, where I now work exclusively.

I am a full time college student studying for a mechanical engineering degree, though I am really working to be a pilot for the Air Force or a commercial cargo line.

Unfortunately, my pay is low, so I work for Costco Wholesale as my "main" part time job. I work for the theater only one day per week -Thursday- when I build, run the set, break down, and screen. I stay there not for the money, but because I love the job so much. In fact, I consider it a hobby more than a job.

Sorry this was so long, and I look forward to talking with all of you again soon!

Chris
 

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Greg Mueller
Amateur Astronomer, Machinist, Filmnut
 

I'm an Assistant Booth Engineer / Technician.
I regularly service about 10 theatres in the Southeast. (North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee) I can also be called to other theatres my company runs. Mainly in Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky and a few other places.

I spend most of my time on the road and Film-Tech is one of my main forms of entertainment. (Via Laptop computer.)

May 99 - Oct 99: Booth Manager Century 16 Corpus Christi, Tx.All Auditoriums are THX and Digital. The only All Digital theatre in Corpus at this time. These are also the first and only THX auditoriums in town as well. This was a complete Christie Turnkey booth with the 3Q automation with the que expander boards added.
May 99 - Jun 99: Installed a Ultra Stereo DSP60 Prosser and speakers in the Centre Theatre, a 1200 Seat Balconied theatre formerly operated by United Artist as a Sencond Run theatre. First Time since the late 60's early 70's this theatre has had a stereo system.
Mar 96 - Jul 96: Helped a friend build a four screen Theatre in Rockport, Texas. Was responisble for Installing Booth and Sound equipment. 1 Smart Mod V with a DTS, 1 Smart Producer Mod VI with a DTS, and 2 Smart Mod 2 center/surrounds. 2 Christie AW3 platters, and 2 ORC302 Platters. and a mix of various Consoles and Lamphouses. All projectors were rebuilt Super Simplex's.
Apr 92 - Feb 96 Asst Theatre Manager United Artist Padre Staples 6, Corpus Christi. All Strong equipment in the booth. Had two Dolby CP55's with SDDS units added, 2 Kintek Center Surround, and 2 Strong Mono houses (These were dinky auditoriums 103, 113 seats respectively. The two Big aud seated 500 and 490 the two mids had 196 and 172. UA Padre Staples 6 built 1985 closed 2000
Aug 90 - Apr 92 Projectionist United Artist Cine 6 Theatre, Corpus Christi, Texas. had 4 Dolby Stereo Aud, 1 Kintek Center Surround, and 1 Christe/Kelmar mono The two Big houses had CP65 and both SDDS and DTS 6, these seated 700 and 528. The rest of the Auditoriums were 225 seats each. The other two Dolbys were old CP50 with no Automation cards. This theatre was originally built as a twin and had two screens added at two seperate times to make it a 6 screen. Screen 2 (528 seats) was equipped at one time for 70mm playback. Booth equipment is a mix and match, I will send you some pictures later on of it Brad. Since I have left, one of the Small dolbys has had one of the DTS 6 units from a large Auditorium added to it, but is being played through the CP50 at this time. The Padre Staples 6 closed at the end of Aug this year and all equipment was removed and taken to Cine 6, maybe eventually they will install the two CP55's and the SDDS units there. Cine 6 built 1964 has yet to die
May 90 - Sept 90 Head projectionist at UA Cinema 4. 1 Dolby Stereo Auditorium, the rest were Christie/Kelmar mono's. Big house had 450 seat, the rest 228,234,250 all three were Tunnel Vision Auditoriums. All booth equipment were Christ AW3 platters, Century SA projectors with Manual Lens changes, and Christie consoles with Kelmar AM7E Automation.Built 1976 closed 1997.
Feb 88 - May 90 Cinemark Sunrise 7 Dollar Cinema: Head Projectionist. All booth equipment was ORC Optimax II consoles and Automation, SPECO LP270 platters and 3 Ultra Stereo JS200's and 4 Kintek KT1044 Center Surround processors. Projector were Century SATA's with auto lens turrets. Built 1986 still alive.

Currently I am helping a poor individual who bought an old UA theatre in the small town of Taylor Texas keep his operations going. This was a single screen with a balcony that UA twined in the early 70's so it has an upstairs and downstairs theatre. Both booths had Drive In (now SPECO) LP270 platters, 1 has a Christie console, the other a Christie lamphouse, both have Simplex 35 projectors and RCA soundheads, both Auditoriums had mono sound and Kelmar AM7E automation. Upstairs seats 130, downstairs seat 350.

William

Say hello to Jim. We may have met when I've visited your theatre, which is just two miles west of where I work at Kodak, at Ridge and Dewey.

------------------
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 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
 

Believe it or not Hoyts is not that bad of a theater company to work for - not even close. It's good to see another company mate at film-tech. If you are ever in the Syracuse area stop by Cicero 13. Ahh hell, the invite is open to everybody.
 

One day, one day...
 

I know hoyts isn't a bad company to work for, I got a hell of a lot of friends who work for other theatres around Rochester who despise their job, but us at hoyts all enjoy it, some hate our boss, but I think he's ok, never bothers me, but you got to admit we are pretty damn cheap, I know every Wed. when I go in to get my check I look at it and ask myself why I'm there. 40 hours a week, Booth person, Concession supervisor, box person, and I run Quikava. that's right I'm the only person in the building who is formaly trained on everything, even management yet after over 3 years I only make 6.25. I could go to Wegmans and push carts around and after 3 years I'd be upto at least $7 with no responsibility
 

BTW, does your theatre get recent 35mm prints, or are they well worn or 16mm or video? What booth equipment?

I recall that Entertainment Equipment Corporation (Gordon McLeod) has designed and installed several theatres for the US Navy.

------------------
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 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
 

I started out in this business almost 6 years ago (I'm 20) at Gloucester Cinema (a small 3 theater). I was there a little over 5 years, I started at concessions and made my way up to projectionist/manager.

Now I work at Museum Place Cinema (Patriot)as general manager/projectionist. It's a really nice "last" run theater (that's what the people around here call it) and the locals love it because it is only $1.50.

I'm very proud of my theater and the employees that work for me, they do a great job and we wouldn't have the jobs we have without them (no, I'm not sucking up to anyone).

My fiance Anthony Gilardi, works at the Gloucester Theater (he's not registered yet, tsk tsk). He is the Vice President/projectionist (don't ask). And, wouldn't you know, I GOT HIM THE JOB! Oh, the agony and pain (hehe).

My name is Peter Berrett and I'm a Public Servant (researcher) here in Melbourne Australia. Although my work does not involve the film industry I have written film reviews under my pseudonym "Fuzzy Rodent" for in-house publications at my work.

I have an interest in Drive-In Theatres and have just prepared an application to the National Trust of Victoria seeking to have the former Wantirna Drive-in site classified by the National Trust. It would be great if a major cinema chain here in Australia could buy the site and re-open the drive-in. It would be a guaranteed money-spinner as we have lots of young families in the far eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It is a pain having to drive to Coburg (a triple drive-in or Dromana ( a country double drive-in) which are both some distance from my home. Wantirna by contrast is 5 minutes up the road. With Dromana and Coburg doing good business you'd think someone would consider the venture worth the investment.

I love drive-ins and frequent them often. I also have my own web page at
http://www.drivein.ws

devoted to researching the subject of drive-in theatres in the south pacific islands. Yes there are/were drive-in theatres in these far flung islands.

Enjoy

cheers Peter

If film can survive being left outside in a dumpster, then washed in a bathtub with soap and water, then dried in a clothes dryer before being wound up on a homemade set of rewinds, it's even more durable than I thought! Just think if you had the proper equipment.

BTW, Kodak does specify a special "rewash" process RW-1 just for the purpose of cleaning damaged film and healing minor emulsion side scratches:
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/support/processing/operating7.shtml#rewashing

------------------
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
 

Manny Valencia here. Assistant manager trainee at Tinseltown U.S.A. in Oklahoma City, OK (and no I'm am not an okie, redneck, bubba, etc). I have been with Cinemark since June. I just got confirmation of my registration today and figured this would be the best time for my first post. You probably won't hear to much from me though, I am what most of you guys would call a young punk. So I'll leave the talking to the jedis.
 

Since you are in Oklahoma, you've probably heard the phrase, "Get in... Sit down... Shut up and hang on!" Well that's about the size of things, except for the "shut up" part.

Besides, we Cinemarkers have to stick together! We're just about the only ones left!
 

Creepy huh?

To make this quick, here goes:

1. Started running 16mm projectors in 4th grade in 1950.
2. Saw my very first 35mm booth in 1952. Capitol Theater, Manitowoc WI. Machines were taller than I was. Immediate obsession took place. Said to myself, "Somehow, somewhere, I'm going to learn how to run these things."
3. In 1956, Learned how to run the 16mm carbon-arc projector in Lincoln High School, Manitowoc, WI. Also was member of the Movie Projector Club in high school.
4. Worked at a radio station in 1957-1958 on Sundays setting and doing a remote broadcast from one of the churches in town.
5. Graduated from high school in 1958, joined the US Navy.
6. In 1967, I went to the Navy Motion Picture Projectionist's school in San Diego, Ca. My mentors were EMC John Frazer and EMC Charlie Fonner. Broke the school's record with a 98.25 average. Wash-out rate was about 50 to 60%. Lost track of my mentors. Anyone know them?
7. In 1968, local union invited me to become a member. I accepted the offer. Ran indoors and outdoors until I was transferred to the USS Orisany (CVA-34) in 1970.
8. Ran relief operator for Oakland Local while we were in port.
9. Returned to area in 1973, continued to run indoor and out-door theaters until 1980. Became local union president and initiated a merger with the Bellingham Local during that time.
10. Retired from the navy as a Chief Petty Officer in 1977.
11. In 1980, I went to work for MTS-Northwest Sound as a field service engineer. The very first booth I saw as a kid of 12 years old was now on my service route.
13. Left MTS-NW Sound in 1983.
14. Returned to area, designed and built a 5-plex booth in Mount Vernon, WA. Ran that booth until the theater was purchased by Island Cinemas. Continued to run that booth and service other theaters belonging to Island Cinemas, in addition, designing and building the booth for our new theater in Port Orchard, WA.
15. In 1985, I became a Chief Engineer of a local radio station.
16. In 1990, Plitt bought us. After 6 months, I told management I would sooner eat out of a garbage can that to continue employment with them.
17. In 1991, ran the booth in Port Orchard. (One of the orginal owners of Island Cinemas owned that theater).
18. In 1995, Regal's Enema bought us. I got along with the District manager and his buddy (the new theater manager) like cats and dogs. Six months later, I walked out on them. Also, in 1995, the local radio station was sold to another local radio station, so I became the Chief Engineer for two radio stations.
19. Fell out of the loop in the motion picture industry for the next two years.
20. In 1997, the manager from the orginal gang in Port Orchard purchased a theater, and is presently gradually building a small theater chain, which I am presently involved with.

I guess this is as short and point blank as I can get. Once this industry gets its claws into you, there is no escape. Doesn't pay worth a crap, but it is fun!

I am now 20 - YIKES! Have nearly 3 years experience in cinemas, and am the proud Chief Projectionist of the Film Centre, Bridgwater, Somerset, UNITED KINGDOM!

Its a 1930's twin screened cinema running 2x Westrex units (mid/late 70's), with both Dolby SR and Ultra Stereo, 1600w lamps, 2x 250 seats and not enough bums in the area to fill them but thats SHOWBIZ. Owned by Charles Scott Cinemas with 5 other locations in the sw of England. By the way, anyone holding a copy of "Bedazzelled", that mid reel 3 splice; I got rather too close to Liz, sorry! ;-)
 

Now I work for the State University of New York teaching projection, audio, video, and lighting to theatre and media study students. I also freelance about town as a service tech, stagehand, lighting designer, and systems integrator working on everything from kindergarten dance recitals to broadway tours.

In my spare time I restore classic cars and sail on Lake Erie.
 

I'm not a projectionist, but I am a total nut for movies an film technology. I grew up in the Dallas area, where I was lucky enough to see many movies in 70mm at the Northpark #1 and other fine theatres. (That's enough to turn just about anybody into a film nut, right?)

I'm 27 years old, I have a degree in physics, and work in the computer industry. I've worked at HP, Netscape, and currently work Apple. (I'm a software guy, so I have no idea when any cool new hardware is going to come out.)

Anyway, I've been reading the posts here at Film-Tech for a long time (nearly a year), and I'm amazed at the vast amount knowledge that can be found here. I probably won't post very much, since I'm not working directly in the film industry, but I've seen topics on occasion that I thought I might be able to comment on, so I'll chime in whever those come up.

Great to be here!
 

I am affiliated with Brian Potts, whom also plays within these forum walls.
 

I am 34 years old and just beginning to work at the Regal Cinemas Barn 14 in Doylestown, Pa. I've always had an interest in film and projectors since my middle school days (Grade 6 thru 8). Never really followed up on my interest and kinda took another path as a computer operator and later a computer programmer. I enjoy my work as a computer programmer but about a year ago, I decided to try and follow up on my interest in film which led me here. After some phone calls and talking to others, I can finally say I've Made It!! I've been lurking for a while but now that I'm official, you may see more posts by me. Thanks To Film-Tech!
 

For lot of us old carbon arc dudes, I wonder if it was the ozone and fly ash that did it too us?
 

Started working in theatres in 1992 and have worked at these theatres.

1992 Cineplex Odeon Promenade Square 6 (Demolished 1994)
1992-94 United Artists Prestonwood Creek 5 (now converted to Granada Movie Grill Prestonwood)
12/1994-1/1995 United Artists Lakepointe 10 (Assistant manager)
1/1995-4/95 AMC Prestonwood 5 (now converted into a nightclub)
3/95-9-95 AMC The Grand 24 (we called it the Grind) at the time of opening largest theatre in the world.
4/96- 12/96 Cinemark Hollywood USA 15 in Garland.
12/96-3/97 Cinemark Tinseltown USA in Plano, (Assistant Manager)
3/97-10/97 Loews Keystone Park 16 in Dallas
6/99-9/99 Loews Keystone Park 16 in Dallas
 

In 1998 I returned to Denmark and began looking for another Projection job. After 6 months in a small, but great single screen with automated change overs I got into a 7 screener with cinemeccanica Vic 5's and Vector automation. When our then boss left I was made chief (by default) so now I get to do all the fun bits like fixing light bulbs in hallways, kicking the ushers, reminding the boss that we are running film club every other sunday (he tends to forget that) and of course running the projectors. :-)

In my spare time I love NOT going to the cinema

Henning Anderson
 

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Kyle Abel
General Manager
Plano Movies 10

I'm a Wetired Lunatic who pwior to wetiring in 1986 at the age of 48 worked as a pwojectionist and sound specialist for many years... if you could call being a Pwojectionist "work," that is. First learned the craft as a teenager, back when the crust of the earth was still cooling. For me it was always very relaxing and enjoyable. You see, if you know the sound and electronics side of it, the rest is all mechanical; and nothing will ever break down on you because it "knows" it won't do it any good to break down, it will just get fixed immediately. Usually equipment waits for some poor relief guy to be on duty who doesn't know anything, then breaks down on him.

Since then I exclusively pursue all of my many diverse hobbies and interests, one of which is my private film library comprising thousands of titles. Enjoy a movie nearly every day.

I'm also a LP record collector; silent movie & theatre pipe organ enthusiast and have hundreds of theatre organ albums in my library. While most are in mint condition, a forthcoming project that I am desperately trying to get to is audio restoration of many of these and conversion to cd; then maybe reissue if rights & legalities can be straightened out as these titles are EXTREMELY hard to find these days if somebody wants one. It is a fact that even LP's in "mint" condition given the best of care and played only on studio equipment tend to pick up little pops and ticks over the years. Counting several other collections here including what's at Yellowstone Public Radio we guesstimate over 50,000 LP's and it desperately all needs to be put on computer, but when?

We suffer constantly from the "Librarian's Nightmare" of knowing we have something.... but where? Misfiled. My film library is in somewhat better shape but not perfect either.

There are no movie theatres where I live, in Billings MT.

My decision to ComPwetely Wetire was based upon the growing desire to pursue other interests, but mostly the way the industry seemed to be going downhill with all the automation and the virulent determination of managements everywhere to get rid of projectionists, especially the union guys.

For example, at the time I had been aware of the infamous Moyer circuit in the Portland OR area which instantly fired the union projectionist upon taking over a house and next day the automation went in. Thus, this became a part of the country noted for the phenomenon of film going in on reels in cans and coming back out in plastic bags.

Before discovering this site, I really thought that projectionists had gone the way of the dodo bird. It's great to read that many good film people are actually alive and well, working in exhibition.

j.

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Avalon Cinema
160 NW Jackson
Corvallis, OR 97330
541 752 4161

I will not stop until my projection is perfect, damn it.

See you around.

I am a Senior Research Associate at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where I have worked since April 18, 1988 (full time since September 19, 1989). I work in the Information Technology and Systems Center, which is a research center within the University. Long ago, we were a part of the Computer Science Department but part of our staff are still co-located with the CS department.

I'm also working on a Ph.D. in Computer Science here at UAH and am going for a concentration in computer graphics and image processing, since these are the areas of the field in which I'm the most interested. I got my M.S. degree in Computer Science back in the summer of 1989, and also have a B.S. degree in Mathematics which I got in December 1987 at Jacksonville State University (Alabama). Actually, for the B.S., I double majored in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Since childhood, I've had an interest in all types of audio-visual equipment, including film projectors, televisions, etc. My 7th and 8th grade years, I was the person responsible for taking the 16mm projectors to classrooms and setting them up, and I really enjoyed doing that each morning before school. I was always upset when no teachers at the school needed a projector that day. I got so good at getting those Bell and Howell (two autoload, one slot load) projectors to work when problems developed that sometimes, teachers would come and get me out of class rather than get the librarian.

During my younger years, I was deprived of going to movie theatres. I had parents that would never go to an indoor first-run theatre. Occasionally, they'd go to the Cedar Valley Drive-In on Highway 27 south of Rome, GA but all it showed were B-movies which were rated R. When I moved to Huntsville in 1988, I had been to indoor theatres on 3 occasions. After moving to Huntsville and getting out on my own, I was too bashful and shy to go to a movie theatre by myself, and would only go if a friend wanted to go see something.

In 1997 I decided I was going to start going by myself so I could see movies when they came out without having to wait for them to come out on video. Shortly afterwards, after I was going very often, I began to notice the widely varying quality of presentation at different locations and started keeping score. At that time, I had such a good memory of previous visits (there weren't many) that I included them in my lists as well.

On February 9, 1988, I wrote a letter to Regal about several successive bad experiences at Regal Madison Square 12 and the complaints listed in that letter for specific shows was reformatted and the format was used for each theatre's showing list and it became the first version of the movie theatre review site I now run.

Currently, I have seen nearly 300 movies at the local theatres and each theatre currently in operation has at between 45 and 68 visits, each of which has a grade assigned to the quality of presentation. At some point, instead of pounding the numbers into a calculator each time I added a movie to calculate stats, I wrote a Perl program to do it, and eventually, made most of the site be generated automatically. It's been a fun thing to do.

I discovered film-tech back in 1999, I believe, and lurked for a long time before registering. I remember having an old Silicon Graphics workstation that was very slow and outdated, so it had to be before September 1999. I've probably been reading this site for two years now.

One thing I should say is that none of my posts here represent my employer.

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Evans A Criswell
Huntsville-Decatur Movie Theatre Info Site

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http://www.autoramadrivein.com

"Come on out to the drive-in and spend a night out with the stars"
ME!!
 

I'm currently the General Manager of the Marcus Prospect Mall Cinema, a 3 screen theatre on the "Fabulous East Side" of Milwaukee.

I started with Marcus 2.5 years ago as a part time job (while I worked full time as the office manager of the Public Safety Department at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and finished up by BA in Criminology at Marquette University) at the 16 screen Marcus South Shore Cinema. I started out as a vendor and cashier, and after a year I was promoted to an Assistant Manager when I discovered that I was hooked into the business. In January of 2000, when I graduated, I quit my job at MSOE (I only worked there because they paid for me to finish my BA) and went to work full time at the theatre as an assistant manager where I learned so much from both my General Manager and City Manager (who was based out of our theatre). As of February of this year, I was given the opportunity I had been waiting for and was promoted to the General Manager of the Prospect.

Its funny how things like this work out. 5 years ago if you would have told me that I would be doing what I am doing I probably wouldn't have believed you. But I wouldn't change a thing either.

My dream is to operate my own 1/2/3 screener here in Wisconsin. Thats about it for me, now on to the next person......
 

I still have mixed feelings about what they did with the beautiful auditorium that theatre used to have. (For those not familiar, it was split into a 4 screen, front of the auditorium is 1 screen, middle side is another, balcony is a 3rd, and the back of the building is the 4th. Then they added on 2 more auditoriums...)
 

Also was film critic for inhouse magazine under the pseudonym 'Fuzzy Rodent' for a number of years.

Interests: Foreign films - particularly good French comedies written by Francis Weber.

cheers Peter
 

Thanks!

Paul
 

That's me on the left!

I started in this business ten years ago, I had a part time projectionist position at the local three screener (now closed), at the same time I was working for a TV production company, learning camera, sound lighting etc etc. Went on to University to study Film & TV, and did work at a list of cinemas too long to mention (suffice to say most of them are shut now). I eventually ended up at The Cameo Cinema, Edinburgh, and I liked it so much I stayed there after I left Uni, right up until three years ago when my current job came along. I'm a field service engineer, covering Scotland and Northern England, with trips to the rest of Englad, Wales, Ireland or wherever on the globe I might be needed. We work mainly for the arthouse and independent cinemas, but we do out bit for the multiplexes too. Day to day I see all makes of projection gear, so it's never a dull job! I can work on multiplex Century/Simplex/Cinemecannica/Kinoton one day, and be deep in the works of a DP70 or a Fedi XT the following day.

In my time as a projectionist I've worked all the common types of kit in the UK, with one oddity, I've never ran a show on a platter! I learned a lot as an operator,I've learned a hell of a lot as an engineer and I continue to learn new things on a daily basis. I hope that continues for a long time.
 

I wanted to bring this topic back to the top to see if there was anyone else who could tell us.."Who The Heck Are You?"

Thanks!
 

Right now I'm a graduate student getting a dissertation in film at the University of Kentucky (which is something I'm about to start a new thread on, 'cause I need all of your opinions about Clint Eastwood, the subject of my dissertation. But more on that later.) I've also recently acquired a Super Simplex projector with an SH-1000 sound head and Peerless Magnarc lamphouse. That's ART, BABY!! Now I doubt I'd ever use those carbon arcs on a regular basis, but I would like the experience of striking an arc just once in my life. I think video of it would impress the Hell out of my students (if I didn't fry myself). In the meantime, I'm trying to figure out how to adapt the lamphouses to something that will draw a little less current and be fine for the shorter throw of a home screening room. I'll take lots of pictures.

I pretty much grew up at the Vogue Theatre in Louisville, KY, a single-screen neighborhood movie theatre that was running art, foreign and midnight films by the time I got there in the late 70s. It was my privilege to do all the menial tasks--sell tickets, usher, concession--and to run the projectors in the last six months of my 7-year on and off stint. Management was simply too much responsibility, and remember that I'm getting a PhD in film so I'm simply not as smart as veteran managers like Bob Maar, et. al.

As I rebuild my projectors and set up a home screening room, I'll be devouring your wisdom. I also need to start another thread having to do with the history of single-screen neighborhood theatres--the subject of my next book.

I've just bought a bunch of booth supplies on Ebay, and my first project after setting up the rewind bench will be to FILM GUARD MY DATERS AND TRAILERS NOW. So thanks, Brad, for the forum, and thanks to everyone for sharing so much valuable knowledge for free.

Now, I would like to see some other Regal types type something up now. I know I have seen our Technical VP here...I would actually love to read your story.

Is there any other Vegas people here as well??

BTW, that is me on the left,DUH?! (Thnx Brad!)

------------------
Chris Duvall
General Manager
Regal Cinemas Colonnade14
Las Vegas, NV

Name: Gordon Hedges III

Position in Company: Assistant Manager and Booth Manager of Crown Annapolis Mall XI.

Location: Glen Burnie, MD (just south of Baltimore, MD) I work in Annapolis, MD (just south of Glen Burnie)

History: I moved to Maryland in 1992 from Colorado. My first job out here was at the Loew's Crofton Cinemas (now a Gold's Gym) as an employee. When the assistant manager started to decrease my hours (for what reasons? I do not know), the general manager gave me my first booth job. Sweeping and mopping. I accidentally unplugged two platter towers while doing so. I would like to thank George Merritt for giving me the chance to really know what "HEAVEN" is like.

I moved onto Apex Cinemas in Annapolis as an assistant manager and worked for them until 1997. Returned in 1998 to find out the Crown Theatres bought most of the Apex Cinemas. Have been working for Crown theatres since.

Personal history? I am a fan of movies. But my true hobby is pool. I have been in a slump for the past year, but hopefully I can get more practice in during the summer.

I am crazy-in-the-head, but I think it goes with the territory. If everything was so strict, then I would never have fun in the booth.
 

http://ghh3.homestead.com

My day job is Senior Designer for Arrow Sign Company, Inc. here in Lawton, OK. It has been a while since I had a chance to do more work on our fairly nice looking website: http://www.arrowsign.com. I've been a little more busy handling lots of sign design chores from storm damage. We got hit good on Memorial Day. Some day, if business ever slows down to enough of a crawl, I'll get to work on that long promised Flash version.

I have all sorts of interests ranging from electric guitars and guitar amplifiers the size of a refrigerator to more refined topics like juggling and industrial architecture. My brain is full of useless trivia to the point where I have been known to win Trivial Pursuit games in a single turn. Folks, that does more to piss off your friends than impress them. So once in a while, fake a wrong answer. You'll catch up anyway. Better yet, let them win once in awhile.

Anyway, one of my favorite interests is being an admitted film fan tech-head. I like stuff about film presentation formats and the hardware that runs them. I got spoiled rotten on 70mm shows while living in New York and attending School of Visual Arts. I was an illustration major there and earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (it is up in the attic someplace), but I took a lot of film courses as minor credits. The dawn of digital sound formats happened when I lived in New York, so that got me even more spoiled to good film presentations. In recent years, I've made friends with a few really good theater managers in this region and found some places where I could be pretty secure in seeing a good quality film presentation.

I have spent more than a decade following a lot of this film tech-head stuff, compiling lists and even going to the trouble of vector-digitizing lots of cool film and sound format logos into a fairly impressive collection. Typically, I can tell people what digital audio format just about any particular film used in its North American release. My friends usually don't respond to that with a "wow." Usually it is "why?" Pretty sad. To them, it goes into the same category of weirdness as being able to list all the Interstate Highways of any American city they bother to name. Yeesh!
 

My name is Jason Forno.

I am the head projectionist and one of the Relief Managers for the Eastern Federal Corporation Port Orange Six, in lovely Daytona Beach, Florida. PO6 for those in the know.

I have a rather checkered past with the larger corporate theaters i.e. UA and Regal.

I couldn't handle their lack of creativity and pention for treating the projectionist as a cast extra from Ben-Hur or Schindler's List.

I have been with EFC since March 19, 1999... two months shy of the release of Episode I. I never did get a poster!

I try my best to deal with my Ex-Navy A**hole boss and the idiot, slob assistant. Lord knows they need all the help they can get.

I try my best to make real life connections with the employees, but when they ask me who Stanley Tucci, David Mammet and Ralph Finnes are... it makes want to weep.

I work for a company that doesn't take presentation very seriously. This really bugs me. Sometimes I feel like I am held up in a military outpost somewhere in the Sudan or worse Florida with little to no rations left, and only a .30 with one magazine left.

One day I'll be like Tyler, strong enough to walk downstairs and piss in the popcorn and start plugging the customers who ask which auditorium is it in?

Get back to work, man-animal!
 

I am a student at Bradford University doing a BSc in Electronic Imaging and Media Communication. I am the head of projection of Bradford Student Cinema.

------------------
------------------
Michael Brown
Bradford Student Cinema
www.Bradfordstudentcinema.co.uk
 

Are Michael Brown and Joe Redifer twins who were separated at Birth?

NO
 

------------------
--"That's my story and i'm sticking to it!"--
 

------------------
--"That's my story and i'm sticking to it!"--
 

THIS is where that post was supposed to go.

Welcome!

-AS

 

CLICK HERE

Kristin

No job openings here! Thats gotta be a first. We have the same policy about minors in the booths too. At least you've got spunk!!! Keep up the great job(s).
 

------------------
--Sean McKinnon
Manager
Loews Cineplex Entertainment
Liberty Tree Mall 20
Danvers, Mass
www.enjoytheshow.com

Always have & I always will!
 

I've been involved in the movie business since the 60's. Started with Y&W, as an usher and concession worker. Snuck into the booth and got good hands on training from a 40 year projectionest. Still nothing like the light from a good carbon arc!

Worked for several independents and even work projectors in the Navy for a time. Spent time with GCC and UA before getting my own 1000+ house. Build it up in sales and added additional small town theatres before family problems made it all go away. Been out of the business for 14 years but now coming back to combine my movie experience with my food service background. Getting lots of updates from all the posting. Thanks and I will be sure to forward construction pics soon
 

I am 24, and the general manager and technical director for a small theatre chain in Raleigh, North Carolina. My theatre is an old UA twin that was expanded to a 5-plex.

I ran my first film when I was about 6 years old on Simplex XL's with Peerless Magnarc carbon arcs and 20 minute changeovers. An old union projectionist trained me and taught me everything I needed to know (at the time) about being an excellent projectionist, sound man, electrician, etc. I left the business for a while in my teenage years, but quickly picked it back up when I went off to college.

Thats about it! I hope I can make a positive contribution to this site.
 

There's more to be said, but I'd rather not be an open book.

Kelsey @ GTS

 

I'm from Auckland, New Zealand , i don't post much so i thought i'd stick something here

I'm a SAE Graduate, working at a Video store , i need a real job

I collect Super 8 gear and have a 12ft screen in the backyard, I'm looking for 16mm and 35mm gear but have had no luck here in auckland, must be looking in the wrong place

I hope to be a Cinematographer/Director , and have my own Cinema and have the crappy Village Cinemas close down!! (thats my dream)

I'm into 3D gfx and create my own versions of Dolby trailers.
i shall have them on my webpage soon, if anyones interested.

Hey Paul Cassidy, Great to see someone else from NZ Here!!
wheres that "Cinemascope - A guide to Auckland's movie houses" page from?

Ummm yeah well this has added to my posts total Whaoo!!

See YA!!

 

My name is Sean, and I am currently (and VERY happily) a manager at The Loews Cineplex Liberty Tree Mall 20, one of the top 10 theatres in my company. I work with very talented, nice people who all work hard to make this theatre the best, I am glad to be a part of it. I started when I was 15 at Patriot Cinemas (Rachels old theatre) as floorstaff, then I moved on to bieng the unofficial Projectionist. Next I moved on to the independant Hollywood Hits 1-7 (Rachels new theatre) as Head Projectionist, I learned many new things there and improved my skills a lot. Next I took an Assistant manager Position at Anthony's theatre, Gloucester Cinema. I enjoyed working with Anthony and had lots of fun, but I didnt get along with the owner so I left. Now I am where I am today with Loews. Its been a fun journey and hopefully Ive found the place to settle down and build a career.

Just wanted to up that post count

------------------
--Sean McKinnon
Manager
Loews Cineplex Entertainment
Liberty Tree Mall 20
Danvers, Mass
www.enjoytheshow.com
 

Let's see -- I started when I was 17 as an usher of a realllly run-down 5-plex (Washington Square 5, Petaluma). I got promoted to Asst. Mgr. when the new manager came in, mainly because I was the only one who didn't argue with his odd policies. When that theatre closed, I tried a run at UA as an usher. When I heard Cinema West was going to reopen and remodel the Washington Square, I went back, and being one of the only people who knew where all the light-switches were. After building 5 auditoriums of crappy seats, they let me be an Asst. Mgr. there too.

I became the GM there when I turned 18, and ran the location for about 9 months until the dual-ownership of the theatres drove me nuts and I made a move into the main office for administrative work. While doing that, I developed quite an opinion on how things ought to be run, and I told them all about it. This was when I got promoted to Asst. Dist. Mgr. -- helped create policy and procedures, update computer systems, (Tim Harvey baby!!) and then after a few other accomplishments, such as manager commissions, and uniforms for the employees, I was sent to run the Fairfax Theatre 4 which was lotsa fun.

But when I tired of being in 50 places at once with no free time... and getting blamed for all the problems, I decided to see what Century was offering for home-office positions.

So I went and got my life back, worked 9-5 auditing confection reports. And just this August I got promoted to be a field auditor, so now I can go out and torment managers everywhere!!!! MUAHAHAH....

Just kidding actually... I enjoy it quite a bit -- get to travel, meet everybody, and see new places. So look out for me in a town near a Century Theatres... I'll most likely be the dork with the camera takin pictures of your lobby.

-Scott Neff-
 

The new Village at Westcity is a horible place, silly little boxes with the seats pushed against the screen.

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

 

The most recent was Sunday, 2 September 2001. This one I will not forget the date.

Hmmmm- Post 200.

Paul

Paul Goulet
 

i look foward to contributing and learning as i always try to do.

thanks to all from brad
 

Can anyone match my pastiche of gear though. Westar projectors with Peerless Magna arc lamphouses with brand new reverse scanners (thanks component engineering) into CP65 wont talk about the amps and speakers you all laugh at me more .

Been there since June 2000, but worked as projectionist from Dec 1996 at UCI Milton Keynes 10 screen multiplex(The United Kingdoms 1st Multi screen cinema opened Nov 1985)

I work at Hollywood Hits discount theater, a 7 screener where I am a slave to the movie gods (in other words, a manager). They have 2nd run "normal" films and 1st run art films. Yes, 2 different prices!

Nothing much else to say, I've already done this thread before.
 

SSC student - Pharmacy Tech.
Gloucester MA
2000 for student 1998 for Rx Tech

Just a film enthusiast* friend to Rachel & Anthony Gilardi - Sean McKinnon
*I think I spelt that wrong oh well
:-P
 

in the fall of 2000, i became a student in the college of engineering and technology at bradley university in peoria, IL. my major is electrical engineering. i hope to work in an architectural firm doing project design after grad school.

im now working part time at the willow knolls 14 in peoria along with many hours of school. i take an active intrest in projection and its associated technologies.

my time is limited to check out the bulletin board regularly but anyone who emails me will get a response. i enjoy talking shop.
 

PAUL GOULET
 

My name is Paul Harnden, recently worked at a Regal Cinemas in Washington as a projectionist. Gave up on a head projectionist position (stupid me) when I moved to Arizona to better myself and get a job at another theater. I got the job, but since it was with another company I had to start out as a "supervisor" to learn their floor procedures so I can then be promoted to M/O. It's kind of a downer to be a projectionist for two years and be taught under a very talented person, then to move away and start back at the bottom, but oh well I'm an optimist also. LOVE Film-tech, you guys are great and I love reading the threads to keep me updated, and for the humor (Joe especially, you rock!). Hope everyone had a Happy Holidays and has a very Happy New Year! Also hope Anthony is better, my prayers are with him.
 

I started in theater long before I got involved with movie theatres. Always on the technical side though. At age 10 I worked a follow-spot at the local live theater in Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, MD...called Adventure Theatre. I was certainly the youngest in the tech-crew by nearly a decade!

So I guess that is where I got my sense of "showmanship." Also I learned just what one can do with a minimum of supplies! It was a non-profit org so money was tight but technically we were quite good (even though Adventure Theatre catered to children's shows).

Upon getting my driver's license, I started to get about more and met my best friend that happened to be a projectionist for a local theatre chain. That was in 1980 (I can't believe that was over 21 years ago now). Anyway. In those days, platters were starting to take hold but there was a pretty good mix of changeover and platter booths. I liked what I saw in the old theatres and applied as a projectionist. With my friend's recommendation, I got the job.

I remember my first day on the job...it was at the K-B MacArthur (you film buffs can look it up as the World Premier theatre for STAR TREK - The Motion Picture). K-B started all new operators there since it was carbon arc and reel-to-reel plus the operator was quite good (David Rothgeb was his name). The theory being that if you could handle that, then you could certainly handle a platter and automated booth. Also, in a single with reels you could be very well supervised and have the time to learn. Anyway...the first thing my new mentor said to me was..."when I started, I wasn't paid to train...nowadays you guys are so I'm gonna work your ass off!" "Today is cleaning day (once a week) and the booth must be kept spotless so there is the broom and dust pan" Now I thought the booth looked pretty clean already but I gave it a go. After spending about an hour cleaning...he looked at my pile..."not big enough...it should be this big (showing the size with this hands)"...and off I went again... and sure enough that pile could be obtained...it wasn't too big...wouldn't completely fill a good sized dust pan but that is what was expected (cleanlinesswise) since we had booth inspections back then! I don't recall even threading up that first day...we only had two shows (no twilights back then) and I spent my time cleaning and listening and learning. After the floor came the dusting of the equipment and I mean tops, bottoms, sides, you name it. Again, it looked great before and after I touched it (that is, it was obviously kept up already) but the thing was that it instilled the idea that the booth is to be kept clean and the films will stay clean and the equipment was to be kept clean..clean, clean, clean...cleaning is a part of the job.

I was to spend my first week under David. The equipment was Norelco AAIIs with Futura II lamphouses (11mm pos, 9mm neg trims) and a combination of the good ol Simplex mag/optical tube systems and a K-B portable SVA interface for that new fangled SVA sound.

I was later to find that about 50% of new applicants washed out at the MacArthur and 75% before they became regular operators. From there K-B had you go about the chain to learn the various pieces of equipment so you spent part of your next week at the K-B Langley for Simplex and platter training. After that only a day or two was spent working in Century booths (those were the only three projectors in the K-B chain with Simplex being the predominant).

After the two weeks of heavily supervised training, you went back to the MacArthur for a final check out...if you could run the show to David's satisfaction, you were put in the pool of relief operators. And it was a pool, kinda like a union but exclusively to K-B. You listed your availability and what theatres you could work (some were restricted due to transportation). This is what would be called the Journeyman's stage. An operator that wanted to make money and get their own theatre would be best served by learning as many booths (not too hard since K-B tried to standardize on as few equipment as possible so mostly it was learning where the theatre was, were the breakers were and any little neuance about the booth). You had to go when the main oeprator was working so he/she could approve of you for relief. Mostly you just had to prove you weren't an idiot and could keep the booth running since they normally didn't want you doing anything to change the booth or help.

I spent my journeyman's phase trying to work as many theatres as I could and see how many different ways operators had of doing things, different techniques different ideas.

I was in HS at the time too. It is amazing how it affected my grades. I was never what one would consider a "good student". In fact, my grades were quite horrible before becoming a projectionist. Within a semester of becoming a projectionist, my grades shot up quite a bit. Plenty of time to study and show films in a projection booth. Also there were no outside distractions by friends. I bascially had 4 hours a night to study.

After a year or so of relief, I got my first theatre...the K-B Silver in Silver Spring, MD. A pair of Simplex XLs and a Drive-In platter. The Silver was built in the '30s and sat about 980 people and it still was selling out in the early '80s with films like REDS. The theatre eventually closed but will be receiving a new life and will be fully restored as the new AFI theatre for the DC area.

When I graduated High School (1983), I wasn't much interested in college. K-B promoted me to Asst. Supervisor for projection. That is where I started getting in on the technical side of projection (design, installation and service) as well as the administrative/management side (employees). I remained at that level for several years. K-B sent me to "Dolby School" a couple of times. First when Clyde McKinney and Sam Chavez were the cinema guys...later, when the CP-55 came out, I went to another one. The industry was going through another boom in the 80s so it was a busy time...the chain was moving away from singles, twins and triples (which is all there was when I started) and towards the larger plexes though still less than 10. 70mm was also flourishing.

Eventually, my boss left the theatre biz and moved on...I was promoted to Supervisor. This was to be my last promotion since at that point in the chain's history, I reported to the owners directly and I wasn't in line to make owner!

In 1987 I decided that enough time had passed since I graduated high school that I was interested again and wanted to go to college (much to my father's surprise, he figured I never would go). So in the fall of 1987, I give K-B my 4-weeks notice, found a replacement to fill my job and started my college career at the local Junior College (Montgomery College, Rockville Campus). I left K-B with a decent bank account, a Corvette (which I still have and cherrish) and a ton of experience and great memories. I really enjoyed just about my entire time with K-B Theatres. K-B theatre was to eventually get swallowed up when the chains moved into town and the medium regional/local sized chains like K-B (screen count in the mid 70s) got bought up. Some of the theatres got bought what didn't get bought was renamed Apex theatres and continued to operate until all but one of those got bought by Crown Theatres. The sole remaining theatre of my time still operated by the owners of K-B is the Apex Calvert and my wife is the manager there!

While in college, I worked for Circle theatres (also based in the DC area that operated under the Circle theatre and Showcase theatre banners, not to be confused with Showcase Cinemas by National Amusements). When Cineplex Odeon bought Circle theatres, I joined IATSE local #224. The projection union for the DC area. So you can see, I have worked both the union and non-union side of the fence in both employee and administrative levels. Part of my duties at Circle included assisting the Director of Operations. I also was the sole "employee" in the "Sound Department" Which only had the one other person, the "manager" of the "Sound Department." One thing that always impressed me about the owners of Circle theatres, the Pedas' was that they hand signed each and every pay check for all the employees of the chain (also about 70 some odd screens) and they KNEW your name when they came to a theatre!!! If they came in the booth, they would talk to you, especially if they saw some aspect of the show they didn't like!!

So I was batting two-for-two...with the local chains I liked them both.

When Cineplex took over, I moved more into the union (and into studies). As I progressed at school, my available time decreased so it was a happy situation. I transfered to the University of Maryland at College Park majoring in Electrical Engineering (which explains my poor spelling!) for my Junior and Senior time. I was also was elected eventually to the executive board of Local 224 as the Financial Secretary. I held that for two or three terms.

While active in the union, I put much of my efforts in the training classes for new operators. I worked as much as school would permit with school taking the priority here.

At Maryland, your "general education" classes must have a definable "Theme" mixed in there. To have a "theme" you had to have lower level (1st/2nd year) and upper level (3rd/4th year) classes in the same category. I had two "themes" actually. One was "Performing Arts." Both stage and screen (the other was consumer economics). One of my upper level classes was Film appreciation. Imagine that, I got graded on watching movies! What a great class. The professor, was a grad-student (as is too much the case in Maryland and other big gun schools) and he was great!!! He chose really great films that were a mix of popular and little known but very good films. They were very diverse and from all over the globe. As an aside, he went to work for the Library of Congress in their film program...the company I work for now has the Library of Congress as a customer and we bumped into each other again...small world.

Most of my college work, when I could, would somehow convolve cinema with whatever I was doing in college. For instance, I took 400 level Physics class and wrote a program (in Mathematica) and paper on how to curve a screen for maximum reflectance back into the audience. I got an A on the paper and program so he must have agreeded with my findings and position. I still use that program today though I doubt I could repeat my work without a lot of studying...growing old sucks!

In 1992, I graduated with a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering. The EE field was falling on hard times right then. IBM was, for the first time in their history, laying off engineers. Most of the companies that were hiring were demanding 5-years experience since all the lay-offs were suppplying plenty of those. Most of the people in my class were trying to get into grad school to wait out the poor job hunt.

I was getting burned out on school again...remember, I'm not really a student, in the classroom sense, at heart.

So I looked around at trying to combine Electrical Engineering and cinema. That is how I came to Cardinal Sound & Motion Picture Systems, Inc. They offered me a job (something I needed) and the opportunity to design stuff too. I remember when I first started, I said I wanted to design a computer based automation. That is a system where a mere PC could control an entire complex, keep track of times or prints being moved about and such. At each screen would be a "dumb" automation that could, if it lost contact with the mother computer could run your basic show (previews, feature, credits, end) so that it could be sold as a stand alone economy automation.

Unfortunately, the computer automation project never got off the ground since other things always came up. The first being the roll around digital soundracks so theatres could roll any of the digital processors to any of our customer's theatres. The first theatre wanted DTS and Dolby digital, they had 2-projector on one screen, platter on the remaining four and had a mix of Dolby CP-55s, CP-50s and Kintek KT-700s. That was where the 506T CP-50 digital interface board came from that some have heard me mention in other threads.

My most prolific product was the SCI (versions 1 and 2) that properly interface the Sony SDDS 2000 system for changeover operation. There are over 300 units now sold world wide.

That pretty much brings me up to date. I still work for Cardinal. Still design gizmos when needed. Mostly I design, install and service special venue theatre installations in 16, 35 and 70mm plus video. I still operate one day a week at the Uptown theatre in Washington DC (Saturdays). I'm still a member of IATSE Local 224 though not very active anymore (I'm also a member of Local 815 and the IEEE)

I am a member of the SMPTE and actively participate on the P-3 projection technology committee with fellow Film-Tech members like John Pytlak (who was the chairman of the committee once) and Gordon McLeod. Those inch markings on the current 35-PA target were my contribution.

After these two+ decades of being in the biz I still love it and I still love movies as my favorite form of entertainment. I still find reel-to-reel to be the best way to show the film (single or plex) and with rare exception the only way I will operate a booth now.

Well, there is my long-winded history...you can WAKE UP NOW.

Steve

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

Brian J Hogan has lived in columbus, ohio, usa his entire life. he is now 22 and has been with AMC theatres for nearly 6 years. he started at a 6-plex as a concessionist and then when into projection 5 months later. he stayed in projection for over 2 years before moving into management. as manager he has worked at the 6-plex, the 8-plex across the street, the 18-plex (25 miles from his house) and, most very recently, the 24-plex on OSU campus.

i cant quit now because there is no way i will ever pay to see a movie again
 

Chief projectionist for Classic Cinemas and 20th Century Fox. Freelance projection including Columbia Theatre, London (70mm). In 1972 for 18 years with television news on projection, dubbing, telecine, and later VT multi format transfer. During this time in 1978 I purchased the Regal Cinema in Cranleigh, Surrey which I have been running with wife for the last 24 years.

.....Thanks!

Paul Goulet
 

Of course you can say that.. just don't get involved in Quicstar anymore (lol!)

The good Old days...Roger(ice cream and red chowder!).. Sue (matching leather jackets!)..Paul M. (none).. Larry (is that a Camel hair sweater?, Showest, that Roman restuarant in vegas!,so many more.... Dave (again..none!)
Paul

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972 Registered members and only 227 posts here?? If you have not told us "Who the Heck You are" yet.. tell us now~!!! Thanks!!

Paul Goulet
 

David Stambaugh, have lived in Eugene, Oregon since 1990. Lived in So. Calif. before that (born there). My real job would be Network Administrator, but I'm unemployed right now due to "corporate restructuring". For the past 8 1/2 years I worked for Dynamix (sounds like "dynamics"), a developer of game software for PCs and consoles like Playstation. If you've ever played Tribes or Red Baron, those were done by us. Working there was the best experience you could imagine, and the shutdown was a nightmare thing to go through. And to think our French owners (Vivendi Universal -- yes, THAT Universal) shut us down, even though we were profitable, while keeping alive other branches of the game development side of the business that were not. Not that I'm bitter.

True Fact: When I made the decision to leave CA and move to Oregon, I wanted to move to a smaller community. But it had to have a decent movie theatre! In Eugene in 1990, that was West 11th Movieland, in particular their one THX house. Movieland was operated by Moyer Theatres (later acquired by Act III). The THX house was great. Back then, I think THX actually meant something. Scott Hicks of Moyer loved that room and fretted over every detail. He would drive down to Eugene from Portland for any technical problem that came up. I saw Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade there on a visit to Eugene, and was impressed enough to decide that I could be happy living in Eugene. Not that having a decent movie theatre was the only factor, but it was a big one. Oh yeah, that Movieland THX house was also the first screen in Eugene to go Digital (SRD). I can't remember what the first digital feature was there, but man, I remember that Dolby Digital "train" sound logo!!

I've always loved movies, and the technical side of film presentation. Always looked up at the booth to see what that guy might be doing. Had the great pleasure of seeing probably dozens of films in 70mm 6-Track Dolby at the Edwards "Big Newport" in Newport Beach (which I hear has fallen on hard times). Just off the top of my head I can think of: Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Alien, ET, Star Trek II & III, Apocalypse Now, Mad Max Return to Thunderdome, Glory, Dune, Top Gun, Empire of the Sun, The Untouchables, 2010, Amadeus, Brainstorm. I'm sure there are many more. There was no comparison seeing a movie there in 70mm mag (even a blowup, which most of them were), and seeing it in 35mm with bad optical sound, which was the norm at most neighborhood theatres in those days.

So now the tech info I used to crave but could not get, can be found with a few clicks on the good old Internet. Which is very cool. Film-tech is awesome. So anyway if my innocent enthusiasm gets out of control sometimes, just keep in mind I really admire what you pros do on a day in and day out basis to put on good shows for us, even if most of your customers seem oblivious. This applies to the Kodak, DTS, and other industry veterans too.

The vast majority of moviegoers may not be able to articulate exactly *why* they had an especially good time at your show, but YOU know the reason.

------------------
- dave
Crab juice, or Mountain Dew?

Well said, thank you. By doing everything possible to have "Film Done Right", Kodak continues to grow this important business, and help it prosper. Theatre goers, projectionists and others in exhibition are some of our best customers, even though you don't actually buy the film on which dreams are made.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
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
 

------------------
Adam Fraser
www.pinestheatre.com
 

10/86-8/88 AMC Galleria 6, St. Louis (was still a 4 when I started working there)
3/89-12/92 Dickinson Table Rock Cinema, Branson, MO
12/92-2/93 Three months at the Dickinson 8 in Springfield, MO
3/93-6/93 Dickinson Olathe Landing Cinema 8, Olathe, KS
7/93-9/93 Dickinson's Southglen 12, Overland Park, KS
10/93-7/95 Cinemark Movies 10, Overland Park, KS
8/95-2/96 Cinemark Midway Movies 5, Sherman, TX
3/96-9/97 Cinemark Movies 8, Provo, UT
10/97-9/98 Cinemark Tinseltown 17, Erie, PA
10/98-8/99 Cinemark Melrose Park, Melrose Park, IL
9/99-12/99 medical leave
1/00-8/00 Cinemark Cinema 5, Temple, TX
9/00-present Cinemark Movies 8, Round Rock, TX

I am William Hardie but you can call me Bill (Though to some I am known as Master William). My Nickname was given to me by my Partner (Grasshopper) who relieves me at my 10 Screen Cinema, "Westhills".
I am the Senior Bid Projectionist at Westhills, which is owned by Famous Players Theatres. And I am a member of IATSE Local 302 (Calgary/Edmonton).

My 10 Screen Cinema is located in Calgary, Alberta Canada.

I have been at this Cinema since Famous Players opened it 19 July, 1996. I was assigned to help in the Installation of the Booth. We have all Cinemeccanica Victoria VIII Projectors. All the Cinemas have the Dolby CP-45 Processors, and SR-D in 6 of the 10 Houses. All 10 Houses are set up for Surround EX. We can also play DTS in all 10 Houses but we have to move the DTS Readers and the DTS 6D Processors around. We use QSC Model MX Amplifiers.

But I have been a Projectionist for close to 20 years, and started at The Capitol Theatre with B&L Theatres in my home town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. It is here I ran Carbon Arc and learned to make Cement Splices. I started my apprenticeship at this Theatre in December of 1982, and after 400 hours and an exam was Licenced by the Province of Nova Scotia in July of 1983.

I was the Relief Projectionist at the Capitol until May 1985 then I became the Full Time and only Projectionist. I stayed with B&L Theatres until April 1989, and them moved onto Empire Theatres and did relief work at various theatres around the Province. I then ran the Drive In which was near New Glasgow for the Summer of 1990 and then moved to Bridgewater, NS, and ran the South Shore Cinemas.

I then moved to Calgary, in April 1996 where I transfered from IATSE Local 680, Halifax, NS to IATSE Local 302 and did spare work at both Famous Players & Cineplex Odeon until I took the bid at Westhills.

So this is me.

Cheers,

I work at the Roosevelt Cinemas(built by FDR) in Hyde Park, NY. It was originally 1 house with 450 seats, then three extra theatres were put on a bit later. it was sold recently and divided into 7 theatres...Anyway, i'm 18 and have been doing projection for about a year and a half. i first started selling candy, for 2 months, then i was trained. the guy that trained me has worked at this theatre for 40 years, so i was trained correctly and it usually shows(one minor wrap, movie never stopped). i run 3 simplex X-L projectors, 3 centurys and a cinemaccania using 5 christie platters and 2 world, and 1 DTS sound unit(rest are stereo). As far as maintanence goes, i clean out the heads, lenses and everything else every week when i work. i usually work on the weekends,trading off with the other weekend projectionist. Our theatre, and the 3 other smaller ones are independently owned, and now that Hoyts raised they're prices again, we're doing great. There's even talk we'll be expanding again. anyway, feel free to email me. instant messenger: danman2060

------------------
3% Body Fat. 1% Brain Activity.

Name: Paul Konen (as if you couldn't tell)
Position: Booth Manager - Cinemark Legacy 24

I first started out almost 4 years ago across town at the
Tinseltown 17 as a "unofficial" UB (Usher with Booth experience,
for those who haven't been at Cinemark). I say unofficial as I
was actually allowed to come into the booth.

I ran the IWerks Inertia Ride (Fri Nite, Sat Nite, Sun Day).
Nice little theatre, 8 pairs of seats. Reversing projector
running 4 shows.

After about 8 months of this, the computer equipment started to fail
and the company no longer wanted to spend the money to have it repaired. (I think it is still for sale?). After that I became an "Official UB" where I was there for about 6 months before I transferred over to Legacy.

I have since moved into the Booth Dept Head position and continue
to do this part time in addition to my full time.

Thanks

After being laid off at GTS at the end of October, I worked for a while at Clear Channel Broadcasting in Salt Lake as a Remote Technician. (not the same thing as a remote technician in this industry, think remote broadcasts with prizes, DJ's and stuff)
After my wallet could no longer support me, plus the fact that my apartment lease ran out, I became a snowbird and moved back to warm, sunny, no-snow, no-olympics, SE Arizona.
I am now (starting this week in fact) the General Manager of the theater I previously ran with my family. It's sure to be interesting, as the theater is owned by a non-profit organization, the equipment is in great need of some TLC, the building needs renovation, and my predecessors have driven away the clientele.

Kelsey Black

....lurk mode re-activated

Ever since I could remember, all I wanted to be was a projectionist Every time we went to the movies, I had to visit the booth, all of which were IATSE.

I started running 16mm machines in Jr. High School...and this was a funny story. I had actually signed up for shop class for the semester. Unbeknowst to me, or my Father, my Mom withdrew me from shop class and enrolled me in a drama class! Boy was I PISSED! Actually, it was not a drama class, but a media class where we learned all about technical production w/video cameras and BETA and other high tech stuff, which at that time was all new technology. Anyhow, I eventually became the schools projectionist, as many of the machines were tempermental and I was the only person who was able to successfully operate them! I was constantly pulled out of class to assist other teachers with the machines....

Anyhow, my hopes of becoming a projectionist were dashed with the ugly demise of IATSE in AZ in the late 1970's early 1980's. Actually, many of the careers that I would have enjoyed went into history w/the advent of computers !

After High School, I studied aviation maintenance and earned my mechanics ratings. I went on to work in aviation maintenance for large companies such as Evergreen. At that time aircraft mechanics were a dime a dozen, and the career aspects were poor. So after having been laid off I had the opportunity to travel around the world a bit.

After I came back home, aircraft mechanics were still a dime a dozen, so I opted for the USAF. I served from 1989 to 1995 and was a C-141B and C5 A/B Crew Chief and Desert Storm Veteran...

After comming out of the Service I went back to college where I just completed my AAS in Machine Tool Technology. The program that I went through counts towards an NTMA apprenticeship...I am also working on my BS in Manufacturing Engineering Technology...

I recently worked as a projectionist for a major theater chain. I was hoping that they would have recognized my contributions towards the company and would have recommended me for a tech. position. Instead I was crapped on...enough said!

I have also done some independant tech work in So. AZ, am involved with the restoration of the Historic Tucson Fox Theatre and own my own equipment which I am currently restoring...all of which was salvaged from junk heaps...
 

Paul
 

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"Running through life at 24 frames per second"
 

My name is Kris Brunton. As you can see.

I work for Cinex Projection Systems in Napanee, Ontario, Canada.
I have been with Cinex for about five years now. Proir to joining Cinex I was a projectionist for 2 years in a theater in Sault Ste Maire, Ontario. It was a 5 plex that turned into a 7 plex shortly before I left. (It is now a Galaxy 12 plex). I worked at that theater for about 5 years - (2 as projectionist).

While at Cinex we have seen our company grow to about 35 employees. Our company has branched out to provide Seating, Security and Sound and Communication Systems, since my being here.

My interests and hobbies are: Sound, Projection and Snowmobiling. (unfortunatly where I live now I don't get much snow to do any sledding). I also love to travel so it works out well with my job!

I started on the floor in April '99 as a "Cinema Operative" (if you think that job title is bad, staff are now called "Cast Members", yuck). I became a Projectionist in May '00 but was transfered to the 4 screen UCI Plaza in Piccadilly Circus. While I liked the Plaza, and there were good times, the company seemed not to and almost no money, time or effort was spent on it.

The whole time I was there, I wanted to go back to the Empire and I got my wish when the Plaza closed in October last year and my GM and DM created a position in Booth for me (at least that's what they told me). Now I'm not planning to go anywhere for a long time.

And I wouldn't work at a multiplex if a gun was placed at my head! Sorry, I have issues with UCI multiplexes (Film Done ).

------------------
Michael Swarbrick
Projectionist, Empire Leicester Square
 

I was on hiatus from the forums for about 5 months as I got used to my new girlfriend, now I'm used to the time crunch, so I'm back to posting.
 

As it states to the left of this paragraph, my name is Tristan Lane. I currently work two jobs: One job is as a part time projectionist for the Riverfront Park IMAX theater in Spokane, Washington. The other job is working for American Cinema Equipment in Portland, Oregon.
I got my start in this business in a small-town 3 screener in Oregon. I first was a concession worker, and then was trained in Booth operations. I worked as a projectionist in that theater for 3 years and then moved to Boise, Idaho. I took a job with Edwards Theater Circuit as a projectionist at their 21 screener in Boise, and then Moved to their IMAX theater. The IMAX had a 3D SR system capable or running changeovers. Unfortunately that theater is now closed But I am grateful for the experience I gained there. I then took a job in Boise as a tech-support agent for Hewlett Packard. That job did not last long. I the Moved to Portland, Oregon where I got a job With A.C.E. A few months later I was offered a chance to run 15\70 in Spokane. I took the job, but was still able to continue with A.C.E. and that is where I am today.

I have had many jobs, but no job is as satisfying or more fun than that of working with motion picture. As far as long term plans are concerned, I am going to stick with the movie theater industry until I get tired of it, which will probably be never.
 

As a teenager, I would rent 16mm films from the local depot and we'd have parties on the weekends.

In the mid-1980s I moved to Detroit, Michigan from The Bahamas. I am a US citizen but, until then, I had never lived in the United States. My sister was studying medicine there, so it just seemed like a good idea...until...WINTER!!!

While in Detroit, I got my first experience working in a movie theatre. I worked as an usher/concessionaire at the Rennaissance 4 Theatres in the Renaissance Centre. Our projectionist was part of the union, so there wasn't much opportunity to learn from him, but sometimes I would catch him in a good mood and he'd show me something. I learned how to lace platters and thread the projectors.

After that first winter in Detroit I moved back home and went to work for Pan American World Airways until they closed down in 1991. Good job and a good company. I sometimes think that it was maybe a good thing they closed down, because I'd probably still be working there.

Then I went to USC film school. During that time I worked for Cineplex Odeon's Beverly Centre 16 Theatres (as a box office cashier) and AMC's Old Pasadena 8 Theatres.

Everybody starts at AMC as an usher/concessionaire and I was no exception. But within my first month, I was admitted to the booth and stayed there for a year. The AMC Old Pasadena was a great little multiplex to practice/learn in.

An old friend-of-the-family opened a multiplex and my brother was hired as a manager. He'd call me up in Los Angeles from time to time and tell me about a problem he was having with the projection equipment - all bought used and nobody knew how to keep them maintained.

I decided to come back home and help out. First order of business was a re-install with newer equipment/technology. That provided me with the best learning experience as far as film projection is concerned.

The best part was learning how to dismantle/reassemble a projector head. After the upgrade/installation, I had six Century heads to practice on. Originally, the idea was to disassemble them and store the good parts in case we needed them for the new ones. But, after cleaning them up, I decided to try my hand at putting them back together. That same month, I went over to the supplier and got two weeks' training in critical cinema alignments.

A few months later, it was time to install equipment in the second location. This new chain was growing fast!

Less than a year later...another installation...and then another...I did a total of four installations in less than two years.

Along the way, I introduced Bahamian audiences to Dolby Stereo, DTS, Dolby Digital EX and - perhaps my most valuable contribution to Bahamian cinema - Savoral Popcorn Seasoning!

I have written/directed policy trailers and local big-screen commercials. I'm actually working on a new policy trailer right now.

I also create slide-show content. The computer where I design the slides is called "Slide Show Bob." Fans of "The Simpsons" may find that amusing.

Last year, I made my first feature film (POWERCUT, about three women stuck in a rest room during a power outtage) using the DV format. The film played locally to great reviews and small audiences.

I was recently called back into action to realign the projectors I installed. In the 18 months of my absence a lot has happened to my babies. So now I'm an independent contractor with a great alignment/maintenance contract.

I also have a television program in production (one of those cooking shows) and another movie project in development. The cooking show will start airing this summer; I don't expect to be shooting my second movie until early 2003.

I'm also an actor in repertory theatre.

The quote in my current signature is a recurring line of dialog from the TV show "Hill Street Blues."

------------------
And, hey! Let's be careful out there.

~Manny.

Moving to the top for all the new members!

Paul Goulet
 

I'll get a picture up in the next few weeks. One that makes me look nice and pretty. I was aquainted with this site through Paul Thompson, whom i work for/with (whcih is it, paul?!). I'm just out of frame right on paul's current "weenine man" photo.

I started in the biz way, way back in '97 with the Hoyts 10 in Brunswick, Maine. Did the whole concession and occasional booth work before moving to Arizona for college. There I got a job with Harkins Theaters at an 11 screen theater, and worked my way up to management in my first year. The people i worked with were amazing, and taught me very well, which makes all the difference. At Harkins, presentation always took precedence over payroll, which seems to be opposite from most other chains, judging from what i have read. I spent three years there learning all that i could from anyone who had something to teach. During my final year, Harkins re-opened their original theater (built in '33) after a million-dollar-plus renovation. It was about two blocks from my location, and only one screen, so we staffed it like it was "theater twelve." We played mostly art and foreign films there, movies that would have otherwise not shown at all in Phoenix. And, i swear, every day that we were open, we lost money. But Mr. Dan Harkins didn't care, which is what i think makes it such a great company, and the experience a valuable addition to my college education. (i sometimes refer to my job at the theater as my minor in business)
After I graduated in may (with a bachelors in architecture) I moved up to Washington with the intention of getting an architecture internship for a year, before going to graduate school at the University of Washington in Seattle. When the economy turned south, however, most firms put their intern programs on hold for a while. Back in with my parents (I needed to stay in washington so that i could get residency and save $10,000 a year in tuition) i found a job at the local three screen theater. Enter Paul. And thats where I am now. I'm still looking at going to school in the fall, but the theater seems to be in my blood. I think when Thursday night replaces Friday night as your favorite time of the week, thats when you know you're hooked for life.

Anyway, I'm not quite a tech-spert by any means, but i'm always craving knowledge. This site has quickly become my favorite, and i hope to contribute to the community in my small way.

-adam
 

People pay to watch movies with me.

There is a GOD.
 

I have been interested in film technology for as long as I can remember. At one time I hade a collection of film, but most of that has been disposed of in recent times, due to lack of storage space.

I have little interest in modern feature films, my main interests being in classic films and, particularly, in British documentary films of the '30s to '70s.

While I do not work in the industry, I do project from time to time, about once or twice a year, usually when somewhere calls me as a last resort when they can find no one else, or when they need an extra operator for a special event. Last year I got a call asking me to do four shows, the first starting in less than an hour, from a venue I had never seen. By the time I arrived the audience were coming in, there ws no time for a run through, no technical staff to provide any help, at first, I couldn't find the lenses, had no idea how fast the machines ran up, therefore had to guess where to lace up to get the first changeover right, had my first experience of movable top masking. All things considered, it didn't go too badly; a few frames of black visable on the first changeover, but it could have been worse.

I have never run more than one screen, nor do I have any experience of platters, automation systems etc., but do have experience with just about every guage of film ever made, carbon arcs, nitrate, sep-mag sound, and once got to run a single reel with sound on disk.

One of my main interests is in film sound systems, and I recently made the juorney to the USA, to visit the Loew's Jersey Theater for the science fiction weekend, partly to see the building, and partly to hear perspecta on the original integrator installed there.

 

Joined the film society having been enticed by the promise not only of free entry to films but also the opportunity to play with expensive pieces of machinery (yes I am studying engineering, how did you guess!?!) only to find myself as the only projectionist capable of running the booth when the other projecting members all upped and graduated on me at the end of the academic year. Was 'elected' as Head Projectionist (uncontested, no-one else could do the job) and have recently been re-elected (uncontested, no-one else wanted the job worse luck) for a second year in office.

We're a small outfit (one Thursday showing & two Sunday showings for eight weeks three terms a year) but there are lots of keen members (including at least one other kicking round this site somewhere) and I hope the audience get as much of a kick out of watching the films as I do from putting them on.

Strangely university rules say that I can't take a paid job, but they're quite happy to let me work up to 40 hours a week for the college film society... Good job I love the work!

Auditorium is awful (was NOT designed for film projections), kit is in fairly good nick and we're replacing the really decrepid stuff gradually and we like to think that we're fairly good at doing a semi-professional job from an amateur basis.

Never really intended to end up being up to my neck in film projection (real dream is to build roller coasters or similar in the imagineering industry) and there are times when I really wish I wasn't (3am in the morning when I am very nearly literally up to my neck in film - I'm sure many of you can relate) but it really is a rewarding way to spend my life whilst attempting to get a degree in my spare time.

Oh and I'm completely unable to write short posts. You have been warned...
 

=TMP=
 

------------------
~N~
 

Oh well. Enough of my chatter clogging this thread!
=TMP=

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Find me online
AOL: Dexter Caldwell
yahoo!: dexter_caldwell

"It is the opinion of the entire staff the Dexter is criminally insane."
 

I am the newly named Executive Director of the Strand Theatre in Delaware, OH. We are non-profit, 3-screen built in 1916. In 1982 building next to us was used to make screen 2 and in 1986 the balcony was closed in to make 3rd screen. People actually love the closed in balcony, very intimate 230 seats. We run: First Run, Art, International, Indi, and have 2 stages for "small" live acts, 2 organs for silent films (not original), we will have a 16mm installed for silents and classics not on 35mm anymore.

I worked at the Strand from 1986-1991 my first job, always loved it and when the Strand came up for sale Nov 2001, I made it my personal goal to make sure I got back in there. It took many months but, we finally got all the funding together and I will be back in there in just a few weeks

I will get pictures of the Strand to you soon, so you all can see my "first love". (Don't tell my Husband, he thinks he is my "first love")

 

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
 

------------------
I'm not a people person, that's why I'm in the booth.
 

Some of you I have met over the past few years at ShoWest others I have either worked with or for..GO Scott Neff

Theatre history ...worked for Cinema West either as a Theatre Manager or Assistant Manager....also since I worked the smaller places I was also trained to handle film, although I no longer do....

Kat
 

I started out at a twin theatre in Longview, Texas as projectionist. Automated booth running 6K reels. I moved from this position after 2 years to Assit. manager for GCC and later to Manager.
I left that job to go in the military. I repaired navigation equipment on HH-53 Green Giant helicopers, WC-135 and C-130 aircraft.

I fell out of one of the helicopers in 1984 and that ended my career in the military. I did work for a local theatre chain about 2 years, but could not continue with my bad back.
I went to college and got an AA in Film and TV production. I was a board operator for a local FM station for 3 1/2 years. I have since retired. The only thing I do now is complain about the bad presentation at the Regal cinemas here in Spokane. I think film done right stopped at the city limits in this city. i have offered my knowledge to help the film handlers, but no response. So for now they will continue to scratch and tear-up film after only one showing. It's a shame.
My solution, my home theatre and DVD.
Thats about it. Hello to everyone who reads this and Brad, keep up the good job with this site. I am still learning right here on this site.
My hobbies include Amateur Radio (W7AFB), photography and the computer. I restore old photos as well as editing them. I was film collecting, but hard times forced the sale of most. I have a full length 35mm feature titled "SANTA CLAUSE" came out in early 80's. I also have "TEENAGE THUNDER" B&W 35mm. I have worked several different makes and models of equipment. I will always be attached to the booth. I enjoyed giving the best possible presentation. In the last few months I have followed this site and all of you have contributed to my knowledge. I only wish more theatre people would join this forum.
OK I am done. Please feel free to ask questions.

------------------
Adam Fraser
www.pinestheatre.com
 

I have had a life long love affair with movies and have witnessed all of the wonderful motion picture technology when they were first introduced such as Natural Vision 3-D, Cinerama, CinemaScope, VistaVision, Todd-AO, Camera-65, Dimension 150, Super Technirama 70
Super Panavision-70 and many first run films before they became classics such as "SINGING IN THE RAIN", "DIAL M FOR MURDER", "HIGH NOON", "THE AFRICAN QUEEN" and "THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL to name a few in the forties and fifties. I will be very happy to discuss all of my happy film experience with anyone either my email or here at Film Tech.

-Claude
 

Is that the one with Dudley Moore. If so, that was released in November of 1985.

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A KIWI eats,roots & Leaves.
 

Glad to hear that you will be visiting Hawaii again during the coming New Year holiday. Please contact me by email just before you leave and I will tell you what is playing at my favorite theatres, the Waikiki Twins and the Victoria Ward 16. I already know Disney's "THE LION KING" will be playing at the Waikiki IMAX when you visit. If you like and I have time, I will be happy to go theatre hopping with you.

-Claude

-Claude
 

quote:

---

The movie Santa Clause I have was one of those theatre rental films. The company rented the theatre

---

K. Gordon Murray had a movie called "Santa Claus" in the mid 60s, which was a W.German import (no "E" on the end... that was the Tim Allen starrer, as in a contractual clause). I believe the Murray children's matinee stuff was four-walled. I know you said early 80s, but the four-walling made me think of Murray. Now that would be a pretty rare flick.

------------------
Better Projection Pays!

Welcome to Film Tech. Like you I am also a fellow Hawaiian and new to the forum after lurking for a very long time. I envy you for living and working in Kona. I guess you know some of my friends at Consolidated including Alan Sakaida and Wesley Inouye? By the way, is your Kintek units hand me downs from Consolidated? With the exception of the Waikiki Theatres and the newer multiples theatres like Mililani, Kapolei and others, Pearlridge, Kahala Mall and Varsity all had those lousy Kintek units but not anymore because they all have Dolby processors now and many are also set up for SRD, SDDS and DTS digital sound.

-Claude
 

Bob
The Old Showman
 

Daniel: Tom Sauter, a participant on Film-Tech, is at the UB Center For the Arts Theatre at SUNY Buffalo (your college?)

sauter@acsu.buffalo.edu
Homepage: http://www.arts.buffalo.edu
http://www.arts.buffalo.edu/html/screening_room.html

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

During winter I provide projectionist services to International Film Theatre who screen Sunday nights at Alexander Library in Perth where there is installed a Ballantyne Pro 35 and a Speco platter along with a Fumeo HL2000 16mm machine. I get plenty of practice making up and breaking down as it is one show each night. So I make it up, screen it and then break it down. Would be nice if it had two machines and I could go 6000' reels but no way only one machine and no space to spare.
That is about the lot except to add that both wife, Jan and I have great fun running each summer season and meeting hundreds of wonderful patrons who support us each summer.. it is an absolute blast for us.

BTW i work at Luna on SX with Wally Holden as my chief.

Film-tech is an amzing place, i hope you stick around!
 

------------------
Mark DeLettera
Eastman Kodak Co.
Worldwide Technical Svs.
Rochester, NY
mark.delettera@kodak.com
585-588-4189
 

Danny
 

I was born the exact day John Lennon was shot and killed (I know, morbid way to remember your birthday)

My new favorite month is April, this past one I became a husband and father for the first time.

I work (or at least worked...still unclear whether I can go back) at the Loews Cineplex Liberty Tree Mall 20-plex in Danvers, MA about 30 minutes outside of Boston. I started there in December of '98 as a "floorstaff" (which means: concessionist, usher, box office attendant, kitchen cook, and Nescafe server) and was pushed up to supervisor in January of '99 (which means: all of the above plus dishing out breaks, inventory counts, and cash accountability). Became curious about projection in March of '99 and soon got transferred in thanks to having a friend as the head projectionist as well as a "knack" for things up there. In December of 2000 we decided to join the union in hopes of increasing our wages, benefits, (both were pretty non-existent) and settling down this monster of a manager we had whom nobody liked. Worked there and a few other Loews theaters in the Boston metro area until June 11, 2002 when we were put on lockout. Applied to Best Buy at the Liberty Tree Mall since I had worked there before and had enjoyed it fine for retail and I realized unemployment would only pay 25% of what I was making as a projectionist getting 50-70 hours/week. Now being promoted to Senior and looking forward to advancement there while keeping film handling on as a "hobby-job" as it is apparent that the projection job well is drying up around these parts. Also partnering with a good friend in his DJ business, so if you need some good tunes/lights/effects for a show, give a shout.

Hobbies include hanging with the family, camping, long road trips, video games (sadly, yes, I haven't outgrown them yet..but my wife isn't helping by introducing me to Age of Empires ), laser tag tournaments (yes, also seemingly pathetic but it ties into the long road trips hobby), acting (stage...no film yet), and singing/playing the trumpet and french horn. I guess that is all I can say about me...oh, and I hate broccoli. Read you later!

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"The greatest thing you will ever learn, is just love and be loved in return."

Barry C. Martin
IATSE Local 182
 

Gordon: I think I did turn in an application, that name sounds familiar. Are they the one's with a 3 screen right near the SUNY buffalo south campus, and an 11? screen in downtown?

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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Small world.....

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Barry Floyd
Floyd Entertainment Group
Lebanon, Tennessee

Stardust Drive-In Theatre
Watertown, Tennessee
 

I just want to Thank Everyone who has posted here, Now we know WHO THE HECK YOU ARE!

Paul Goulet
 

Too many great stories to list. Maybe over a pint of Bass at the Oyster Bar Saloon in GCT! (Have you tried the clam chowder?)

Thanks,

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Later

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Samual Hunter Sr.

KC5ZSL

Who the HECK are you??
 

OK... on the "who the heck" subject:
My family and I own and operate a triplex drive-in and a 4-screen former Moyer/Act III/Regal outlet in Bremerton / Port Orchard, WA.

Prior to that:
Projectionist at independent outlets, 1966+
Relief operator with Seattle, WA IATSE, around 1975
Projectionist at Olympia, WA IATSE, 1976 until merge w/Tacoma, WA.
Radio broadcast engineer & occasional station owner, on & off from 1972 up until a couple of years ago.

Now... 7 screens, 3 daughters, 4 cats, one dog, one ferret & a big bottle of Grande Marnier. That's about plenty!
 

Like many others who post here at Film-Tech, I live in Washington State (GO COUGS!) and help out on weekends at a local theater.

Previous theater experience was at a local drive in that closed in 1985. Projectors were Super Simplexes and Peerless Magnarcs with 20 minute reels.

I have a Bachelor Degree of Communication and wrote a thesis about architectural and technological evolution of cinemas from early palaces to modern multiplexes. I worked a few months in a local movie/TV production company then switched to computers, my other passion.

I was an employee in a computer training center then set up my own business in 1997 as a freelance IT consultant, designing websites and installing networks. Furthermore, an old friend and I founded a quarterly magazine called Gotha Magazine which we are currently selling to partners. I had to embrace the digital age and bought a MiniDV camcorder this summer. I also collect quality DVD editions of great classic movies.

I always kept a vivid interest in theatre technology and keep myself informed about the latest developments. I recently found the Film-Tech website and I'm happy to see all those professionals caring for projection. A pity this is not the case in all theatres out there...