I was reading the Pet Peeves topic when I came across George Roher's pet peeve on operators who thread by throwing the leader onto the floor, threading the projector, and then lacing the platter. When I was trained, I was told to throw the leader onto the floor, thread the projector, and then walk the leader over to the platter. I know doing it this way will most likely pick up dirt onto the leader, which then will go onto the first trailer, but this is the way I was tought how to thread. I've read and heard about threading the platter first, and then the projector, but how is this done, and what are other good ways to thread? Thanks for any replies.

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I start by pulling the 'head' end to the projector. Then pull the film down to "10" creating big loops, which I hang on the dowser handle. Thread the projector, then holding onto the loops (but letting them pay out as you go) thread the platter.

I have new people pay the film into a small, clean office-type trash can, until they get used to handling film.

I like your method of threading. Also, having new employees place the leader into a small clean office style trash can is a good idea. I will have to remember that. Trust me, I never really understood the different ways to thread. I was tought one way, which was placing the leader onto the floor, and I have done that method ever since, but after reading this forum, my mind has opened up to new, and better ways to operate the booth. Thank you for your reply.

Next they place the film onto the last sprocket (holdback sprocket) in the soundhead and THEN pull a bit of slack from the takeup (to start the takeup platter) while they thread the film through the failsafe and under the lower arm roller.

From that point, the projector is threaded UP (literally), pulling any necessary slack from the top (feed platter).

The film NEVER touches the floor when threaded in this manner and it is significantly faster than any other method. Of course, newbie projectionists pick this up right away as they don't know any different, but the guys who've been around the booth for years and years often have difficulties threading in this manner. Some people just seem to think the projector must be threaded in the direction of film travel.

An acceptable solution for those who insist on threading down is to keep a clothespin beside each projector and once the film is threaded platter to platter, clip the film to the base of the soundhead (to keep it off the floor) while the projector is threaded.

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What I do is thread platter to platter, then take the film and put it on the bottom holdback sprocket (just like Brad) and close the pad roller. Thread the failsafes and tug a bit to take up (engage) the platter. After that I simply thread down like normal. The film never touches the floor and it is very quick to thread that way.

Just as long as the leader (or film) never touches the floor you are safe. That's what matters.

In doing this, I have found that I create very consistent loops.

'Threading backwards' from bottom to top does take some practice. I have done it, with a Christie AW5 and a Cinemeccanica V9, and found it very easy to do with that combination. A V9 is usually a very 'open' machine with no doors and lots of room. A 'closed' projector (like a Simplex or Century) might be harder to get used to. So, I'm not totally against it.

Now if Brad, (or just about anyone who posts here) wanted to do something in a particular way, there would be no problem. Everyone here probably has a real interest and knows what they are doing, or are willing to learn.

But, the people I train not only know nothing about projection, they _don't want to learn_. When they first start working, it is implied to them that the box office and candy stand are the most important, and projection is just another part of the theater, no more or less important than the bathrooms. And, I get about 4 days to teach them. They get very unhappy; not only do they find it is harder then the other stuff (and they feel mis-lead), they don't get any extra money.

Then, after barely knowing anything, they get dropped-kicked to another theater with different equipment, where they now must train others. The platter they are now using may be more sensitive and take up the film when they are not ready, the projector's different, the film may run up against where oil collects, etc.

I feel I need one method that stresses basic film handling, etc.; that will work with just about any projector/platter combination (even reels); that they will remember well enough (after not wanting to learn it in the first place) to teach others after being 'shipped-out.'

So, I find that 'top-down' (actually, Gordon's method: intermittent sprocket first) works best. I find that for new people, it is more intuitive.

I tell them; When you get good at the basics, then you can do whatever you want.

Of course, YMMV.