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Author
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Topic: Greetings from Spain and a legal question.
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Randy Stankey
Film God
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Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 01-26-2002 10:11 PM
It depends on local laws. A few states require licenses. Some cities require them. Many places have license laws but don't enforce them. Other places don't have any laws.The state of Pennsylvania, where I live, does require a license. You have to apply for an "Apprentice License" and receive 100 hours of training from a licensed projectionist. (Cost $15 US) During that time you are only allowed to operate projectors if there is another fully licensed person on duty. Then you have to take an exam, which is absurdly simple. Here is an ACTUAL question from the exam I took: Q - Name TWO types of film transport. A - Elevator & Dumb-Waiter. B - UPS & Federal Express. C - Small Car & Large Truck. D - Platter & Reel-to-Reel. If you miss that question I will personally come to wherever you are and bodily throw you out of the booth! ![](http://www.film-tech.com/ubb/biggrin.gif) There are 25 multiple-guess questions. You have to score 80% or better. You pay a $10 exam fee and another $10 license fee. You have to supply a mug shot type picture of yourself to put on your license. (My Film-Tech picture is my license mug shot. ) When you pass the test you receive your license in the mail. If you don't pass you can retake the test after 30 days. (And another $10 exam fee!) Everybody who works in a booth must have their license/apprentice card with them and must be able to produce it on demand. (The inspector ACTUALLY DOES make at least one surprise visit to each theatre every 6 months to a year!) Photo copies of licenses must also be posted in a conspicuous place in each booth. I have an 8X10 glossy of Alfredo in a frame. I keep the copy in there and hang it on the wall in my booth. (To this day nobody has ever figured out the significance.) Licenses must be renewed each year. (Another $10 and another mug shot.) Last year I didn't renew mine because I was living out of state. This year I just sent the application in and wrote in the serial number of my past license. I got my new license without any questions. I actually LIKE the idea of licensing projectionists. What peeves me off is the fact that, in many places, they are loosely enforced if at all. If a state/locality is going to have a license law they ought to strictly enforce it. Otherwise they ought to drop the whole thing. I guess the only reason why Pennsylvania keeps doing it is because of all the money they make from it.
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Jon Bartow
Master Film Handler
Posts: 287
From: Massachusetts
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-27-2002 08:26 AM
I know that in Massachusetts (up until 2000 at least, though I doubt it has been changed) also has a "projectionist license" to get it you must have a currently licensed projectionist "sponsor" you (i.e. write their name and license number on your application) and then take their "absurdly simple" (thanks Randy ) multiple guess test. 50 questions, you need 80% to pass. $50 fee to take the test and $50 to renew every year (no test to renew, just a check) The license is just a slip of paper with you name, address, license number (often handwritten) and state seal. Nothing fancy or high tech like a photo. The state also requires that all booths be "inspected" by the state inspector prior to opening the theater. Most of the laws that are still on the books in Mass with regards to projection booths deal with things like the size of silicon rectifiers (and how high off of the floor that they are) how the carbon fumes are vented, and the size of the containers of flamable liquids allowed in the booth. Here's an exerpt from the Mass. General Law chapter 143 section 75: Section 75. " No person shall operate such apparatus in any public building until he has received a license so to do from an inspector. No such license shall be granted until the applicant has passed an examination proving him to be thoroughly skilled in the working of the mechanical and electrical apparatus or devices used therein or connected therewith, nor unless he has submitted evidence as to his responsibility in regard to the safety of the public, and no person under eighteen shall be eligible for such examination. A fee shall accompany the application for a license. Licenses shall be valid throughout the commonwealth but shall not be assignable or transferable. A license shall continue in force until the date of birth of the licensee occurring more than twelve months but not more than twenty-four months after the date of such license unless suspended or revoked for incompetence or untrustworthiness of the licensee. " "unless suspended or revoked for incompetence or untrustworthiness of the licensee" Up until about a decade ago the Office of public saftly and the state police were one and the same. But now they have gone their seperate ways. If you call the office of public safetly to report an unlisenced booth or an incopetent operator they will tell you that enforcement is the responsibility of the State Police. If you call the State Police they will first laugh at you and then tell you to call the office of public safety. If you would like to read the State of Massachusetts law regarding "CINEMATOGRAPHS" go Here and scroll down to section 72-100 (at the very bottom of the page) (The only reason I know this is that I used to work in Massachusetts and Maine a lot. Maine does not have much current law regarding Projection booths (outside of fire regulations) but Massachusetts does.) Jonathan
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