About myself: F.A.A. Airframe Mechanic, U.S.A.F. VET (Desert Storm), currently completing my A.A.S. in Machine Tool Technology, and am working towards a B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. Since I was a tyke, I had wanted to be a Projectionist, but had to give it up as a serious carreer move with the demise of the Union Projectionists starting in 1978. I am currently involved with the restoration of the Tucson Fox Theater, and am also the Projectionist for a classic film series hosted by the City of Tucson and other partners. I have been able to apply my extensive mechanical background to being a Projectionist as well as a Tech. During the time that I was at this theater, I was responsible for conducting most of the heavy maintenance, and gained a reputation at Corporate H.Q. for not needing to rely on our Area Tech. every time something broke.

A little more about this theater: All THX Certified 20Plex, stadium seating, all 3 digital sound formats as well as Dolby EX in the 4 largest screens.

I am both amused and irrated about all of the "booth" horror stories that I have either witnessed, heard or read about over the years, and just wanted to share with y'all the methods we used at this theater to achieve consistant SHIT-HOT presentations. Tis really no secret, just a lot of hard work and devotion!-so here goes!

Since there were shows going from approx. 10:30 a.m. to about 1:00 a.m., there were two shifts with two Projectionists per shift. No, this theater does not have an interlock, and there are multiple prints of the same film if it is to be shown on more than one screen. Depending on the day, there was a mid-shift Projectionist to help with
extra duties-more on this a little later. First thing in the morning, we would print out both a "wall schedule" as well as our "projection schedules", check for moves, turn on machines, uncover/move prints, set formats. 6ea. Kelmar film-cleaning machines with Film-Guard Media Pads and Liquid Cleaner. Different prints would be scheduled for cleaning every day, with Film-Guard being replaced every Mon. and Fri. We also used radios for communication.
Besides starting the correct film on the correct screen in the correct formats, we also ideally double checked our threading before starting the film. Projectors were also supposed to be checked at least twice per show to insure everything was o.k. The film paths (pay-out heads/brains, rollers, gate/trap, lenses, etc.) were also cleaned between each show.

We also had "daily duties". Su-Tu all 20 machines would be detailed/cleaned from top to bottom, and supplies restocked at ea. projector. There are a couple of threads in this Forum where booth supplies have been discussed, and I have already added my two cents. Wed, all trailers for films opening on Fri. would be replaced, and trailer packs would be prepped for Thurs. build-ups. We were also noted by the studio checkers as consistantly being in compliance with trailer schedules-and having the correct trailer pack being shown on the correct screen (multiple prints) in order of presidence. Thurs., - build-ups, tear-downs, moves and dry-runs, trailer-board changes, with a mid-shift Projectionist helping with the extra work. We had dry-erase trailer-boards at each projector on which we wrote all info pertanant to that print/screen. Fri., sound levels in the theaters would be checked, trash emptied, and left-over duties from Thurs. night completed. The main thing on Sat. would be a mid-shift Projectionist who would watch each trailer-pack from inside the theater, to note that they were correct and in presentable condition. Anytime a trailer might not be found to be up to par, it was replaced!

Each screen also had a "Presentation Check" from inside the theater once per shift. We used a check sheet on which we noted proper screen-brightness/bulb defects, dirty screens/prints, scratches, shadows/overshoots, listned to the digital sound, checked for dirty screens,etc. We fixed everything we could, and called in specialists when the need arose.

There were also other extra duties that were split up and assigned to the Projectionists. These included projector/Xenon Bulb maintenance (yours truly) keeping up with booth supplies, keeping up with the slide-projectors and working with the contracting company, trailer schedules, primary film order, print cleaning schedules, keeping track of promos and sneaks, etc!

To all of you out there, bug your G-M about sending you to manufacturers seminars, and never be afraid to learn and ask questions. Contrary to many peoples popular belief, having a Shit-Hot presentation does not happen by sitting on your ole wazoo! You be suprised about how many people have no conception of what a "booth" is like, and are blown-over when they see one for the first time!

Hope y'all can get some useful info out of this "book"

Regards, W.K.

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I just want to reiterate that what I helped accomplish at Century El Con 20 is not typical of all Century Theaters! This was the work of the 6 of us who ran the "booth". We were only 1 out of maybe two or three theaters in the Company to run the "booth" this way, and we were always on shakey ground. There was a lot of nasty politics, and many people in the company were jealous and considered us Prima Donnas. What was accomplished here took a lot of hard work, and was not really appreciated by corporate big-wigs! Everything was always a never ending uphill battle! Never once did a corporate big wig step foot in our "booth" and personally thank us! Our G.M. always said thank you, but do not forget that you are replaceable! I am no longer with Century Theaters! As far as I am concerned, it is a very negative company to work for! And yes, I too have gone into other Century Theaters and was treated to a shitty presentation!

My origonal purpose/intent of this "thread" was to help give y'all a sense of the never ending hard work involved in putting on a first class presentation! I was hoping that y'all out there could use some of the info I provided to your own benefit! Remember, tis a sense of PRIDE! And yes, I am VERY PROUD of my accomplishments, and do like bragging about them - why, not? It really felt good to have customers recognize the effort! But when a boo boo did happen, we heard about it too!