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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Author
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Topic: pleasant surprises
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Scott Norwood
Film God
Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 01-06-2000 09:27 PM
Now for something a little different from the usual gripes about SDDS, Technicolor, stupid customers, etc.: what's everyone's favorite pleasant surprise? By this, I mean an unexpected event of the sort that makes this business worthwhile--the lab-new print of the same repertory film that you play every year that replaced a beat-up piece of junk; the customer who comes to the booth to thank you for a flawless presentation of his all-time favorite film; the obscure film that got lousy reviews that turns out to be really good even though you expected to hate it; and so forth.
One of my favorites happened about a year ago--when we were playing "Blade Runner," I had expected to receive a beat-up ex-Kit Parker print that would totally ruin the visual qualities of this film...instead, I got a print (Director's Cut version, unfortunately) that was practically lab new and which had never been run on a platter and was thus in absolutely mint condition. There were other, similar, situations, but that one sticks out in my mind as a really lucky unexpected event.
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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today
Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99
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posted 01-07-2000 04:46 AM
A nice surprise for me was when I totally scratched a print, I mean just RUINED it! Turns out that the manager blamed somebody else and fired them (the person soon committed suicide), and then gave me a raise! I was happy! I am kidding, of course!!!!!!Nice surprises include: -Getting a bigger raise than promised when I first started as projectionist at UA. --Stuff I order actually arriving at the theatre. --Being offered a job by UA even after quitting without notice during a shift. --4000 watt xenon bulbs that last me up to 2300 hours and still look good (without any rotation or other tampering, 145 amps the whole time) --Etc, I guess.
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Ari Nordström
Master Film Handler
Posts: 283
From: Göteborg, Sweden
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 01-08-2000 04:48 AM
At the Göteborg Film Festival a few years ago, it turned out that BEFORE the Mongolian film that was supposed to open the festival, I was to screen a Norwegian 70mm short. The Mongolian thing was in 1.85, that I for various technical reasons had decided to show in a small, cropped version of our 1.66 format. The 2.21 70mm format was at least three times as big on the screen, so the Mongolian director probably never forgave me... :-)Another pleasent surprise (well, not really; I've been rather confident about it) lately has been the really smooth installation of a CP500, new amps, and new speakers in our theatre. The sound is marvellous and the installation was problem-free. Yet to come is the Dolby MPU1, but I'm not worried.
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Michael Barry
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 584
From: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-09-2000 09:30 AM
Erika: I can't wait to see 'Magnolia' (won't open here in Sydney for a couple of months) but it's great to know about that letter - Paul Thomas Anderson was already one of my heroes, and now I just want to hug him (well, maybe not literally, but, you know...!). I'm immensely pleased that I got a chance to run 'Boogie Nights'.My satisfying recent experience: Recently, I ran a short film made by a local, fairly prominent actress. Before the screening, I asked her whether the intended aspect ratio was 1.85:1 or 1.66:1. Blank look. 'Let's try 1.85:1', I suggested. After the screening, I showed her the different aperture plates and patiently explained the difference between the two ratios. Later, I was passing through the foyer and was stopped by one of her associates. 'Are you the projectionist?' she asked. She then told me that the director of the film had told her what a nice, patient guy I was and that she would not hesitate to return to the theatre for future screenings! (Shucks!) I must admit that this surprised me, as when I was speaking to her she was quite 'poker faced'. Just goes to show, sometimes you can't tell what someone's really thinking.
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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays
Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999
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posted 01-20-2000 02:23 PM
I knew a drive-in owner who was so cheap, he didn't pay ANYONE minimum wage. It was always sub-minimum for the seasonal work. When I went to work for him as projectionist, I couldn't believe I actually had three seperate meetings of negotiations; just so I could get minimum wage! Afraid this dangerous precedent would get around to the other employees, I was sworn to secrecy and paid weekly in two seperate checks: one at the sub-minimum rate, and the second with the difference. This "secret", second check would be hidden inside one of the lamphouses, far away from the eyes of other employees and the theatre manager (who was also making a pittance).While this isn't necessarily a pleasant memory, an idea I had during the time was. Since I was in no way going to make more than minimum wage at this gig, I thought placing a tip can on a stool outside the booth door would be a good idea. I could also have Filmack make a trailer that said, "Projectionist Accepts Gratuities"! Before I was able to go through with this, however, I simply moved on to something more lucrative. But I still grin when I think of that time.
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