Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: 11 signs you are a booth geek

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Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 07-19-2004, 01:50 PM:

Not to be outdone by Kristin, but...
I've been adding to this little list sine my first projection job.
Here's an abridged list. I'm currious what other signs there may be of booth geekdom...

1.) You prefer CPI lens tissue over kleenex or puffs
2.) You've ever moved a print across a booth with interlock rollers
3.) If you've ever said "I love the smell of FilmGuard in the morning!" and meant it
4.) If you've ever said "Forgive me, Brad for I have sinned..." after throwing film on the floor.
5.) If you've ever wrapped film around your head and said you had a brain wrap
6.) If you think of the last movie you built when someone asks "heads or tails?"
7.) You make things out of film. (A coworker made a christmas tree from a trailer, I made a spiderweb)
8.) You make this list
9.) Everyone calls you "the creepy guy from upstairs"
10.) You've ever considered naming your first born child "Christie"
11.) If you have a dog named Christie but you call him MUT
12.) Xenon bulb changes make you feel warm and fuzzy

There are more but I need to find my little black notebook, that's where the list started...Have fun with that, guys!

Posted by Brian Michael Weidemann (Member # 2243) on 07-19-2004, 03:14 PM:

You have a dance to accompany the "Wanta Fanta" song.

You hear "Did you catch all of the 2wenty? If not, try to get to the theatre early. The 2wenty: Entertainment Ignited!" in your sleep ... while awake ... all the friggin' time!!!

All your pants pockets have holes and wear from where you clip the walkie-talkie.

There are permanent scuff marks around one section of the balcony railing. (Come on, EVERY projectionist has a balcony rail overlooking the lobby that he/she will lean on more than the floor staff thinks is appropriate if there's work to do.)

I'm sure all the IMAX folks here would append: You have boxes of Kimwipes EVERYWHERE ... in your home, your bathroom, your guitar cases. [Smile]

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 07-19-2004, 03:18 PM:

quote:
You hear "Did you catch all of the 2wenty? If not, try to get to the theatre early. The 2wenty: Entertainment Ignited!" in your sleep ... while awake ... all the friggin' time!!!

YES!! Please! Someone MAKE IT STOP!

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 07-19-2004, 03:47 PM:

Another one for IMAX guys/gals: You've cut up O-rings to make your own rubber inserts for those classic field flattener wiper bars.

Old thread here to test your general geekiness, as opposed to your booth geekiness. [Smile]

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-19-2004, 08:12 PM:

Imax: You have a pencil holder made from a used 70mm PTR.

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 07-19-2004, 08:30 PM:

quote: Dominic Espinosa
12.) Xenon bulb changes make you feel warm and fuzzy

Posted by Ethan Harper (Member # 472) on 07-19-2004, 10:15 PM:

You make a dumb thread regarding 11 things that projectionists supposedly do.

Posted by Brian Michael Weidemann (Member # 2243) on 07-20-2004, 02:00 AM:

quote: Paul Mayer
Another one for IMAX guys/gals: You've cut up O-rings to make your own rubber inserts for those classic field flattener wiper bars.

The small lamp O-rings are just the right size to reconnect G.I. Joe torso pieces to legs ... my roommate found that one out.

This could be a whole thread by itself, but how many uses are there for the 40+ 70mm-core boxes that the newest DMR prints come in? I use mine to categorize Legos! (These are big plates, these are transparent pieces, these are antennas and lights, these are small bricks, these are single-width plates ...)

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 07-20-2004, 03:18 AM:

Legos eh? Sounds frightening...
One I forgot to mention was:
If you reach into your pockets for change and come up with more than 3 Film-Tech media cores before even getting to the change.

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 07-20-2004, 11:13 PM:

Y'know...There's a difference between "geeks" and "freaks."

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 07-21-2004, 02:15 PM:

If the term Penthouse doesn't make you think of porn [Smile]

Posted by Cory Isemann (Member # 2517) on 07-21-2004, 03:16 PM:

(REG): you can repeat the entire policy on command. (even the one with Tommy Lee Jones)

Posted by Erick Akers (Member # 875) on 07-21-2004, 04:43 PM:

Manny,
I'll definitely cop to being a Freak!!! [Devil]

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 07-21-2004, 10:26 PM:

Roller Coaster: Welcome to Regal Cinemas. Refreshements are available in the Lobby. Please keep our theaters clean by disposing of trash in the specified containers. And remember, gift certificates are available for any special ocasion. Enjoy the show....

The Twenty: Welcome to Regal Entertainment Theaters. Please silence your cell phones. Beverages provided by Coca-Cola - Enjoy it. Please help keep our theater clean by disposing of trash in the specified container. Gift certificates and group rates are available to you for all our theaters for special occasions and events. We hope you have enjoyed this eddition of the The Twenty. Your feature presentation will begin after the following previews.

Tommy Lee Jones WRI commercial: Hello, my name is Tommy Lee Jones, and once again it's time for me to talk to you about the Will Rogers Institute. Since 1936, the Will Rogers Institute has provided millions of dollars to fund vast arrays of medical research, to develop treatments and cures for diseases such as asthma, emphazema, and TB, and it's all thanks to contributions from movie-goers just like you. "How can I help?" you ask? Well, I'll tell you. All you have to do is purchase a Will Rogers Combo Pack at the concession stand in the lobby of this theater, and when you do, a contribution will be made to the Will Rogers Institute, and you'll be helping millions of people have a better life. Over the years, the Will Rogers Institute has [brain fart: I can't remember this part!]....in large part by Regal Entertainment Group Theaters, and their patrons. We sincerely appreciate your support. Thank you, and we hope you have a great summer at the movies.

Okay, except for that one line in the Will Rogers, how did I do? [Big Grin]

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 07-22-2004, 01:48 AM:

Ken - That's just sick! But I may still be able to top you. I can recite almost all of the various versions of the RND Policy Trailers...because I actually wrote some of them! [Razz]

Erick - How much did your theatre pay you to go with that "Lord of the Rings" look? That 's a surefire way to spot a film nut! [Big Grin]

Posted by Wolff King Morrow (Member # 2226) on 07-22-2004, 04:10 AM:

14) You brush gear teeth more than your own teeth.
15) You constantly brag about having never dropped a print or caused a brain-wrap.
16) You laugh at those who complain about paper-cuts hurting.
17) You insist on threading your own movie preview, even when not on the clock.
18) You go to another theater and scrutinize the ineptitude of the projectionist, instead of paying attention to the movie.

Posted by Cory Isemann (Member # 2517) on 07-22-2004, 06:05 AM:

Ken- dang!

Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 07-22-2004, 01:25 PM:

All right folks, let's get a few things straight and the next couple hours'll go just fine. There's to be no talkin', cussin' or fightin' during this show. I don't wanna hear no cell phones or beepers, I don't wanna see any trash on the floor. And keep your eye on the emergency exits. Got it? Howdy friend, how bout servin' me up some of your finest? Thank you! And NO SMOKIN'! Heh heh, that goes for all you folks too. Well I better be movin' along now, ma's waitin'.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 07-22-2004, 05:32 PM:

quote: Steve Scott
If the term Penthouse doesn't make you think of porn

penthouse.film-tech.net?

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 07-23-2004, 06:51 AM:

No...no....NOOOOO!!!!! Not the Pepsi Girl!!! [evil]

I tried so hard to forget it!

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 07-24-2004, 01:46 AM:

19) You line up your film cans with some sort of "method to your madness"

Personally, I would keep all the TES/ETS cans segregated. Long ago, I used to keep them alphabetically, but the ELRs caused aesthetic problems. Oh...and all handles have to be turned the same direction.

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 07-24-2004, 03:22 AM:

elr's? extended length reels? did that actually happen?

carl

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-24-2004, 06:00 AM:

The ELR thing happened for a very short time ~1998. I never got them (thankfully!), but I did see the big blue plastic containers at a couple of theatres. Those with Christie platters and make-up tables had to buy new shafts for their MUTs so that they could get the ELRs on them for breakdown.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 07-24-2004, 10:17 AM:

Manny -- RIGHT!! And back when Sony was with TES, but came in grey cans with orange stickers, I'd keep those between the TES/ETS group. Fox Boxes, blue cans and other oddities go at the end. All films must be in the order of "most likely to be pulled next." And yes, all handles must be facing the same way with the clasps in front. Except now, our Kill Bill 2 cans had the ETS stickers on the wrong sides (barcode on the front) throwing the whole thing off!! [Mad]

20) You bring the theater's comment card with you to the movie, and grade their presentation on it!

21) You give yourself a "tour" of the theater you visit by walking in each of the auditoriums, and even looking for the booth door.

=TMP=

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 07-24-2004, 01:07 PM:

quote: Scott Norwood
Those with Christie platters and make-up tables had to buy new shafts for their MUTs so that they could get the ELRs on them for breakdown.

Why? Because of the larger hole? Didn't they know that the spindle on the Christie MUT is reversible? Or is the reversible spindle a relatively new development since the ELRs showed up? Or...was the new spindle necessitated by the extra width of the plastic ELRs?

I used a bushing kind-of adapter thing on the Strong MUT I was using at the time...1998.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-24-2004, 01:32 PM:

I used the 70mm shaft for the Christie MUT with a spacer cut out of a media core. Worked perfectly. Alternatively, the shaft could be flipped around and used without the locking pin. The reel fit tight enough on the shaft it wasn't a problem, but even so you could always stick something under the two feet of the MUT on the reel side to lean it back a little bit.

The people who got screwed were of the Strong and SPECO variety. Those MUTs can't accept 1/2" shafts.

Posted by Thomas Dieter (Member # 2507) on 07-24-2004, 07:02 PM:

I have to say that I have thought about saying "I love FilmGuard in the Morning" many time, and I think that I have said it once or twice.

Sadly I have also gone to other theatres and grumbled about the presentation as if I worked there.

so now here's number 20) when you watch a movie, you watch for the cigarette burns, make motions like a jedi for the reel change.

21) You do number 20, without looking for the cigarette burns for they are just part of the movie to you now.

22) When a movie is on during the credits, you look out the portal window and laugh at the penguins.
Okay, let me edit that just a bit, during the credits, you look out the portal window and laugh at the penguins cleaning the theatre. Then you realize, those are the minimum wage workers.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-24-2004, 07:05 PM:

quote: Thomas Dieter
22) When a movie is on during the credits, you look out the portal window and laugh at the penguins.

Holy Mother of God! Nuns go and watch movies at your theatre? I'm impressed. God Bless You!

>>> Phil

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 07-25-2004, 02:45 AM:

Stuff I wish I could remove from my brain.
--------------

From a far away island comes INVASION OF THE FANTANAS!
[Wannta Fanta, dontchu wannta? Wannta fanta....]
This tidal wave of fun features Capri! Lola! Sofia! Kiki!
Here we go!
It's new to resist!
[Wannta fanta....]
"Spinning, spinning, gettin' dizzy! You need something cold and fizzy!"
[dontcha wannta?....]
If you're not having fun, they'll find you!
[wannta wannta]
"You look hot in all that plaster dring some fanta, FASTER! FASTER!"
Does their cool fruitiness know no bounds?
is there no place safe from their bubley medlum?*
Where on earth will they show up next?
"You're the hottest crowd in town, we know how to cool you down!"
wanta fant dontchu wanta]
"Don't chu wanta?"
MMm-Hmmm

*WTF is a bubbley medlum?

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

Is the movie sold out, my husband?
Chitra, my queen, I've used FANDANGO!
My happiness is a golden poem!
I'll get the popcorn!

Posted by Gordon Hedges III (Member # 863) on 07-25-2004, 03:43 AM:

22) You find it hard to manage time outside of work without a Show Start list.

Okay, maybe I do. [Frown]

23) You wake up in a cold sweat when you hear in your dreams "Show 12... Projector Alarm". And you only work at a place that has 11 screens. (reference to the CineQ annunciator(sp?)) [Eek!]

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 07-25-2004, 03:51 AM:

More I just thought of today...
24.) You only know what the date/day is because of the release dates. (When I went into retail for a brief time i never know what day it was)
25.) You were more impressed with the richness of the colors than the people doing it in the sex scene. [sex]

26.) If you've ever said "Who's your projectionist?"
27.) If you get excited about splicer cleaning
28.) You've found more than 5 uses for FilmGuard in one day
29.) You know how many times you've threaded (within 10 threads) shows and it's greater than 10,000 (the guy who trained me did this)

Posted by Bob Healey (Member # 1003) on 07-27-2004, 12:44 AM:

30.) When the screen goes white, you instinctively look at the booth to see if you missed a changeover or if the film broke. (only applies to booths without automation)
31.) You have the night off, but you start looking at your watch when the 1st set is supposed to start and feel like you forgot something.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-27-2004, 04:43 AM:

I don't know about you guys, but this is me...

When you can think back at any movie in the past and remember what theater complex you saw it in, what auditorium you were in, how many reels it was, the picture format, the available sound formats on the print, the releasing studio, and any print, sound or presentation defects...but you'll be damned if you can remember who was watching it with you!

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 07-27-2004, 06:38 AM:

When you use your film cans to play bowling. (totally not me! That should probably be under bad booth geek)
When you cut up scenes/frames from other trailers and splice together your own trailer. And then show it to the booth manager just to let them know that you don't have enough to do!
When you hug the lamp house just because you miss it sooo much after not seeing it for a week. hmmm... I think I actually did that "once" [Razz]

Posted by Kristin Wahlund (Member # 922) on 07-27-2004, 11:08 AM:

quote: Dominic Espinosa
Not to be outdone by Kristin, but...

Is there another Kristin here and I missed it somehow? Or am I just getting old?

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 07-27-2004, 11:29 AM:

No, I was just referencing your well-done box attendant thread [Wink]

Does anyone else here get offended and call the people nimrods in your mind when somebody won't show you their booth so you can show them how to fix the dumbass movie you're watching because they're lame?

If you can fix loop sizes while the show is running. (Good for when trainees are still learning)

If you run your rp40 loop and check your a-chain every other day in each house just to be sure everything is properly adjusted.

You know the exact sizes of all the fasteners on your platters, projectors, and sound heads.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 07-27-2004, 06:42 PM:

quote: Dominic Espinosa
If you can fix loop sizes while the show is running.

Unless you are running Dreamcatchers somewhere, I REALLY didn't wanna know how you did this. [Eek!]

-Aaron

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 07-27-2004, 07:44 PM:

You remove a frame of a film and have it made into a slide for your slide presentation.

Also:

Your projectors have names (for the projectionist who has spent WAY too much time in the booth).

"This projector, her name is Betty, she's reel good with film...."

[Eek!]

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 07-28-2004, 04:29 AM:

Is it just me or does anybody else get annoyed whenever someone watching you build up a movie exclaims "Fight Club!" and gets excited when you make a splic?

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 07-28-2004, 05:12 AM:

nah, a good swift punch in the gut tends to shut 'em up.

carl

Posted by Christian Volpi (Member # 2370) on 07-28-2004, 05:38 PM:

Or how about when you hear a song on the radio and you know that it played during the credits on _____movie.

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 07-30-2004, 02:58 PM:

Even worse than that I do trailer music. I get excited when I put on obscure music and my friends ask me what it is and I tell them it's the 10 second clip they played at xyz scene in abc trailer, etc.
Credit music is good too though.

and yet more:
If you're up real late and you're obscenely tired and still trying to finish an update on your website, you're at home, you keep nodding off and each time you wake up you reach for the splicer... (This happened to me. I kept thinking I was back at the theater fixing a splice on a sub-run)

If you keep certain schedules because of 'sentimental value'

If you've ever built a new control box for your rewind bench (Mine went the way of the do-do)

If you make loops of songs you like from trailers...And they actually sound great...And you didn't have to resplice it a dozen times to make it the right length... (It's an illness I have)

If you've ever said "i had a brainwrap" instead of "brainfart"

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-30-2004, 08:49 PM:

quote: Dennis Benjamin
You remove a frame of a film and have it made into a slide for your slide presentation.

Hopefully it's a frame from a trailer.

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 07-30-2004, 11:56 PM:

quote: Dennis Benjamin
Your projectors have names

I'm guilty of that one!

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 07-31-2004, 12:13 AM:

quote: Dennis Benjamin

quote: Dennis Benjamin
Your projectors have names (for the projectionist who has spent WAY too much time in the booth).

Mine were Goose, Maverick, Hollywood and Iceman when I worked in Downtown L.A. [Cool]

Ken: Share with the masses, what were their names? [Wink]

Posted by Stephanie M. Brosche (Member # 1982) on 07-31-2004, 02:58 AM:

quote: Mike Olpin
*WTF is a bubbley medlum?

Bubbly Bedlam. Bedlam is on of the most famous mental illness institution's in the world, located in London, England.

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 07-31-2004, 08:56 AM:

I don't remember all of them. It was a 12-plex, and it was a while ago. I can remember some of them, and they were pretty stupid. Projector 1 was named Will, because Captain Picard calls his first officer, whose name is Will Riker, "Number One." #6 was named Six, after the character on Blossom. #7 was named Jerri, because Jerri Ryan played Seven of Nine. Can't remember any of the others.

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 07-31-2004, 06:18 PM:

And the award for biggest projection recluse goes to Ken Lackner...

Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 08-01-2004, 01:05 PM:

If you can tell exactly who was working the booth on your days off as soon as you walk in, without looking at a schedule or anything like that.

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 08-02-2004, 03:30 AM:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your projectors have names
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm guilty of that one!

I can't help thinking of that scene in the Charles Laughton "Hunchback of Notre Dame" where Quasimodo is telling Esmeralda the names of those bells he rings.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 08-03-2004, 01:45 AM:

O.K. William, 'fess up. What are their names? [Big Grin]

Anyone confessing to naming their machines, don't deny the masses your rapier wit, share with the congregation! [beer]