Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Projection training

my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

»	Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE » Operations » Film Handlers' Forum » Projection training - the road to engeneering (Page 1)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3

Author

Topic: Projection training - the road to engeneering

Jonathan Haglund
Film Handler

Posts: 81
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 05-29-2001 07:23 PM

I need to learn a lot of things, fast, and training programs seem my best bet. Where do most projectionists (real one, not operators) get their training? I need to know all the details and be able to understand most of the language that is used in this forum.
For example:
sound head installation and alignment
mechanical repairs and/or maintenance of old projectors
new installations - everything

Is there a school somewhere? Some kind of Kodak training maybe? I'm local to southern california, so anywhere around here would be preferred.

Any help is appriciated.
-Jonathan Hagludn

| IP: Logged

Jon Bartow
Master Film Handler

Posts: 287
From: Massachusetts
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 05-29-2001 07:52 PM

Dolby does seminars once in a while, Kodak does have a program, but just about everything that you would need to know for a projection or tech job is on-the-job, hands on experience. There are no schools for a "projectionist". The best thing for a tech would be an elec. eng. degree.
If you need to learn a lot fast, read manuals. Any manual that you want is here on Film-Tech. Start with the Dolby CP200 manual, it has some very good audio stuff (principals, how-to, why, etc) Then perhaps the Century SA, Simplex XL or millenium, Ballentyne Pro-35, Christie P35GPS, and Cinnemacannica V5. Try a few consoles and power supplies too: Strong (any of them), Christie SLC (and CH20), and for some reel

fun, Peerless magnarc.
Anyway, good luck. It takes most people years to become good at it. And the learning curve goes straight up!

| IP: Logged

Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-29-2001 08:49 PM

Entertainment Equipment Corp sponsors with several manufactures Cinema Training Central
call them at 1800 448 1656 for more info

| IP: Logged

Randy Stankey
Film God

Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-30-2001 04:05 AM

I am a big proponent of "heuristic learning". What I mean by this is that by understanding the basic concepts in any system one can then apply that knowledge to other more complex problems.

Before trying to align an A-chain you MUST understand how the sound head works. Otherwise, I could talk to you about how to check Dolby Tone levels until I'm blue in the face but you still might not understand. On the other hand, if you had a good grasp of the principles involved I could tell you to do something like, "Run a test loop and tell me what the levels are". You might not know exactly what I'm driving at but with a couple minutes explanation I might be able to talk you through a problem on the phone.

So, how does this relate to learning how to be a tech? You don't need to know how to do every little thing. Any good boss will be able to recognize the people who have the talent and basic knowledge/skills to do the job. Once you are recognized as having "the right stuff" somebody will be willing to let you go to the next level. Most companies want to train people to do things their way. This applies to just about any field, not just projectors. Therefore. you could be in a better postition if you just kept doing what you are doing and made sure you do everything the best way you know how. When the time comes the company ought to make sure you get the necessary training and tools to do the job.

This is pretty much exactly the way I got to be a technician in my company.

| IP: Logged

John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 05-30-2001 06:57 AM

Here's a link to information about Kodak ScreenCheck Projection Training:
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/screencheck/offer.shtml

And there's a wealth of information about motion picture film on the Kodak website:
http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

------------------
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
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

| IP: Logged

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-30-2001 09:45 AM

The best way to really learn is by hands on. I got started in projection this way when I worked in television as I was in charge of maintaining all the film transfer equipment and TV cameras. I started collecting films and equipment back in the 70's when I worked that job. You should try to buy a cheap used 35mm projector and do a complete tear down and restoration on it. If your funds allow, get a later model Century or Simplex X-L. Parts are allot easier to get for these. And the experience you gain can be put to real life everyday use as this equipment is fairly common today. BUT, don't stop with projectors as there's allot more to learn. Automation, Platter systems,and all the sound equipment out there(electronics experience helps here). You will also need the right tools and test equipment. To learn it on your own costs allot of money but then you can make allot of money as well.
Mark @ GTS

| IP: Logged

Tim Turner
Film Handler

Posts: 87
From: Chula Vista, CA, USA
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 02-12-2003 01:51 AM

Sorry to dig up an old subject but, I just started thinking about these Dolby Seminars. What exactly is the type of stuff explained there? What are the benifits of attending? iTs cost around $500(?) so I'd expect to get something good out of it. That is if I could afford it!
I'm not really sure if its the type of thing that applies to me, a regular $7.hr project...um operator who would like to be a projectionist [Big Grin]

?

[ 02-12-2003, 09:52 AM: Message edited by: Tim Turner ]

| IP: Logged

John Spooner
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 186
From: South Australia, Australia
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 02-12-2003 09:25 AM

Dear Tim.
Going by your past comments and profile, you are not an "operator" but a REAL projectionist. Keep up the good work!!!!
John Spooner. Adelaide. South Australia.

| IP: Logged

John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 02-12-2003 09:31 AM

Tim: Hopefully you can show your employer that you are a "rising star" in their company. If you really want to develop a career in theatre service/engineering with your circuit, maybe they would sponsor you to attend the Dolby training, while you also pursue a technical degree.

| IP: Logged

Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 02-12-2003 09:46 AM

Let's see here. Just for a little clerafication on these two terms.

Opperator: Is that someone who can thread a machine, push the start button check the framing and focus and check the sound and walk away. If there is a problem they scratch their head, run to a phone, call a tech, not understand them, tech has to come to a theater to fix problem.

projectionist: Someone who can thread a machine, push the start button, check the framing and focus, check the sound and walk away. If there is a problem they scratch their chin for a sec. they evaluate the situation then fix the problem. If the problem goes beyond what they know at hand they go to a phone, call a tech, understand what he is saying, you fix the problem, tech continues on to the site that has the opperator.

if that is so then I must fall into the projectionist catagory. Even though I have never had a union number or card or whatever. [Smile]

| IP: Logged

Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-12-2003 10:57 AM

Dolby's seminars are very good but they do assume a base knowledge of installation and service work

| IP: Logged

Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 02-12-2003 11:52 AM

The whole "projectionist" vs. "operator" is silly. BOTH are literally operating the projection equipment. Many, many, many a damned fine projectionist refer to themselves as operators. Actually sitting here thinking about this, ALL of the TRULY GREAT projectionists around this part of the country that I know call themselves "operators", whereas the sloppy idiots who damage film refer to themselves as "projectionists". Indeed someone is reading way too much into the term. (Plus there is at least one major chain that won't even permit the use of the word "projectionist" within their building. Does that mean these guys cannot be great projectionists/operators? Of course not.)

Here on THIS forum, they should be treated the same. The difference between a non-professional "usher" or "candy counter projectionist" is where the difference comes in.

| IP: Logged

Tim Turner
Film Handler

Posts: 87
From: Chula Vista, CA, USA
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 02-12-2003 12:40 PM

I've heard about a chain that doesn't use the term projectionist. Does anyone know exactly why they do that?

| IP: Logged

Rick Raskin
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1100
From: Manassas Virginia
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 02-12-2003 02:47 PM

I was a card carrying IATSE projectionist in the days of single reels, changeovers and carbon eating lamphouses. The Union local had an old Super Simplex that everyone learned to tear down and rebuild. When something broke in the booth we fixed it if at all possible. We referred to ourselves as Operators.

| IP: Logged

Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 02-12-2003 03:20 PM

That is exactly the way I feel about it. It shouldn't matter what they call you. Usher with booth experience, manager with booth experience. So long as you are professional with what you do and can handle problems without scratching your head. The most important thing is that you can be able to talk over the phone with a tech that could be hundreds of miles aways, and be able to resolve the problem without the need to have the tech come and investigate. Basically you are the tech's eyes when you are on the phone with him. If you can not communicat with that person then he is blind to what is going on.

| IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.