Author
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Topic: Multi-skilling in projection rooms
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Stephen Jones
unregistered
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posted 05-30-1999 02:50 AM
Just a short note to say hello from a projectionist in Australia and to say i enjoy reading the comments from projectionist in the U.S on different subjects. Would like to know what you think on the subject of multi- skilling in the bio or as it is Known the states as the booth. It is a big thing with the big chains in Australia at the moment and has put a lot of good projectionists out of work both young and old.As a projectionist of 29 years, my job as a technical manager was to train 17 yr olds how to do projection duties. Over a period of time the amount of damaged prints and neglected projectors etc is a sad sight to see also the number of break downs that occur which involve the issueing of passes to come back another time all because companies insist in putting people who also sell tickets and popcorn in the projection room.The only way to do it in my opinion is if the same group are rostered to projection shifts on regular basis each week that way they will not forget what the are taught and will get more experience.Thats just a quick run down thats all for now
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Ken Layton
unregistered
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posted 05-30-1999 02:51 AM
I see it happening too much. These kids simply just don't belong in the booth. They either don't know or don't care. And if by chance one does come by with some signs of intelligence, they're immediately fired because they can use their head! The best way to combat this is for patrons to demand CASH refunds instead of a pass. Once the home office sees the cash paid out (and hopefully it's alot!), then maybe they will wake up and get people who know (and care) what they're doing and that will make the show worth seeing again!
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Paul Konen
unregistered
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posted 05-30-1999 02:51 AM
I see it at our multiplex. They generally work up to the booth unless, they have experience in a related field. The ones that do work up from the "floor" generally are thread and start type of people. Presentation is not there or minimal, like framing.
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Brett Rankin
unregistered
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posted 05-30-1999 02:51 AM
Perhaps in most situations those "kids" are incompetant idiots, but as a 16 year old film collector I'd like to apply for a projectionist position at a local cineplex (or would I have to be promoted from popcorn popper to do that?) sometime next fall. I do have experience in film and just got set up with a 35mm home theater, and I believe I could perform just as well as the adults doing the same thing. Just my 2 cents. Brett Rankin PS: Does anyone know where I can get an ignitor switch for a 500w Cinnemacannica xenon lamphouse, and how much will that cost?
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Brad Miller
unregistered
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posted 05-30-1999 02:52 AM
It all depends on the theater as to whether you can be hired directly into the booth or must go through popping corn before you become "worthy."
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Christopher Seo
unregistered
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posted 05-30-1999 02:52 AM
Well, I just got the job of projectionist at a local multiplex opening in time for "Phantom Menace", and I'm only 17. It's my first job. I only had experience with 16mm, and a whole lot of interest. This particular company (Signature Theaters) does also train the popcorn poppers and the ushers, but not everyone, just the ones who have an interest and can demonstrate they can actually do the job. So I'd say go for it; I think the main thing the employers would look for is interest. Mentioning a 35mm home theater would probably guarantee your employment.
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Christopher Seo
unregistered
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posted 05-30-1999 02:53 AM
A clarification.... as opposed to expecting the employees to run the booth in addition to popping popcorn, etc., (which is what multi-skilling would be?) after they are trained here they become full time projectionists.
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Scott Norwood
unregistered
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posted 05-30-1999 02:53 AM
Heh...they hired me (with only 16mm experience) because I showed their projectionist how to replace an exciter bulb after the sound died in the middle of a film...
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John Walsh
Film God
Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999
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posted 09-14-2000 05:02 PM
Yes, but the problem is that the existing projectionists are not _really_ allowed to train new projectionists. When a manager comes in with a new trainee, they will say: "Train him and have him ready for tomorrow night!" That's not training! No matter how good you are, you can't train a person properly if you're not given enough time.Now, Wayne you are complaining that unwilling people are trained (for too short a time) to operate projectors; but then, they never go in the booth. That would be a good problem here! In America, we take unwilling people, don't train them, and then force them into the booth. It's all messed up over here. Perhaps you could have a word with the Queen on our behalf. Tell her that we're really sorry; we made a big mistake 200 years ago. Could we be part of the Empire again?
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