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Author Topic: Union Projectionists John Pena Film Handler Posts: 6 From: Highland Park, NJ USA Registered: Sep 2003 posted 09-15-2003 10:27 PM                     Does anyone know anything about union projectionists? I was at a United Artist and asked a manager about it. He said they started at $27.00 per hour, and you needed to take a test in order to become one.  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 09-16-2003 12:09 AM                     Not a bad wage. That's about $56,160 per year based on STANDARD WORKING DAYS of 260 days per year. A giga-plex might be able to handle that but a small mamma and pappa tri-plex or single screen theatre would not. Especially with the junk Hollywood is coming out with. I know this does not really belong here, but as an edit, I just discovered that the national average housing wage for a two-bedroom apartment is $15.21 per hour. In King County of Washington State, it is $17.75 per hour. A person making minimum wage of $7.02 up here must put in 86 hours a week to afford a space that size. Based on a 260 working day year in King County, one has to make a wage of $36,920 to afford a 2-bedroom apartment. National average would be $31,636.80 for the same. Scary, Huh? I hope alot of younger people who are just starting out in the job market reads this post. [ 09-16-2003, 02:13 AM: Message edited by: Paul G. Thompson ]  |  IP: Logged Dan Lyons Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 698 From: Seal Beach, CA Registered: Sep 2002 posted 09-16-2003 02:50 AM                     $27!!??? Are you sure he wasn't lying to you? I'm union, and get nowhere near that. Danny  |  IP: Logged Paul Mayer Oh get out of it Melvin, before it pulls you under! Posts: 3836 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Feb 2000 posted 09-16-2003 03:55 AM                        Each local negotiates its own rates, though there can be regional master agreements coordinated amongst several locals (like the Hollywood Basic Agreement for film/TV production locals). From what I've seen east coast wages tend to be higher than west coast. I know in Las Vegas we never had rates like that for regular theater projectionists. Special jobs like DLP, LF, dailies, premieres or double-system screenings here do get rates that are in that ballpark.  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 09-16-2003 05:51 AM                        quote: Special jobs like DLP, LF, dailies, premieres or double-system screenings here do get rates that are in that ballpark. Special jobs like DLP? You literally just walk to a console where it says PLAY and click on it. Oh yes, you also have to switch on the projector.  |  IP: Logged John Pena Film Handler Posts: 6 From: Highland Park, NJ USA Registered: Sep 2003 posted 09-16-2003 09:17 AM                     Does anyone have more details about joing a projection union? All I was told was that you needed to take a test (which is very vague).  |  IP: Logged Christopher Seo Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 530 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-16-2003 10:22 AM                     John, It all depends on which local you're looking to join. Do you already have projection experience? If so you might visit IATSE's website and find the names of the secretary and business agent of the local. Otherwise, your best bet might be to find a member of that local who is willing to offer more help than some vague information about "a test".  |  IP: Logged Andrew Duggan Expert Film Handler Posts: 127 From: Albany, NY, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 09-16-2003 11:20 AM                        I don't know of any "standard" test the IA gives to prospective members, although some locals might use them. Your best bet would be to contact the organization with Chris' link above, or try to get in contact with a union operator at your local theater. If you show a willingness to learn the craft, you may be able to convince a member to take you on as an apprentice, or they can at least point you in the right direction to getting an application. I would expect to pay a $100+ processing fee for your application, by the way. Since theater management and labor unions have had a pretty shady history, I wouldn't rely on a manager giving you any sort of good help. As far as pay rates go, most locals handle that different ways. A *somewhat* standard way to calculate operator pay is by how many screens the operator will be responsible for during his/her shift. Usually in the ballpark of $2 per screen. So running a 4plex might get you $8 an hour while running a 14plex might make you $28. Like I said, this isn't a written in stone situation, and can vary from place to place. Hope this helps.  |  IP: Logged Paul Mayer Oh get out of it Melvin, before it pulls you under! Posts: 3836 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Feb 2000 posted 09-16-2003 12:20 PM                        Michael noted: Special jobs like DLP? You literally just walk to a console where it says PLAY and click on it. Oh yes, you also have to switch on the projector. I suppose that's true if you're only operating. By "special jobs" I meant setting up as well as operating the stuff, something that gets done a lot in the convention spaces and showrooms here in 'Vegas.  |  IP: Logged Bill Gabel Film God Posts: 3873 From: Technicolor / Postworks NY, USA Registered: Jan 2002 posted 09-16-2003 03:39 PM                     As a Studio Projectionist in NYC, I make more than that. Those high paying union theatre projectionist jobs are harder to get. With operators that have been on the job longer. And remember that some of the theatre chains are cutting union jobs.  |  IP: Logged John Pena Film Handler Posts: 6 From: Highland Park, NJ USA Registered: Sep 2003 posted 09-16-2003 04:54 PM                     I have been working projection at a 12-plex for about 3 years now. I know all the basic threading, building up and breaking down. As far as maintance, i know the basics but not too much more. Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can contact a theatre in reguards to a union job?  |  IP: Logged Daryl C. W. O'Shea Film God Posts: 3977 From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from) Registered: Jun 2002 posted 09-16-2003 05:33 PM                        Go to a theatre you know has union operators, wonder into the booth. Bring food and / or coffee. Seriously.  |  IP: Logged Steve Kraus Film God Posts: 4094 From: Chicago, IL, USA Registered: May 2000 posted 09-16-2003 05:38 PM                    Here is some out of date info on the rates Chicago's Local 110 operators were getting at Loews Cineplex theatres in the contract that ended the lockout in early 1999 and ran to Oct. 2001. This was posted to chi.general newsgroup. Original on Google Groups Here A good number of these theatres have since closed or been sold. THEATRE..............#.SCREENS...WAGE......NOTES 600 North Michigan......9...$23.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 10 hrs/wk 62nd & Western.........10...$25.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 10 hrs/wk 900 North Michigan Ave..2...$18.00...1.projectionist Bel-Air.Drive.In........3...non.union Biograph 1-3............3...non.union Bloomingdale............6...$20.00...1.projectionist Bricktown Square........6...$20.00...1.projectionist Broadway Cinema.........1...non.union Burnham Plaza.1-5.......5...$19.00...1.projectionist Chatham 14.............14...$18.00...2.projectionists Chicago Ridge...........6...$20.00...1.projectionist Commons.................4...non.union Crestwood..............18...$27.00...2.projectionists Esquire.................6...$20.00...1.projectionist Evergreen...............4...non.union Fine Arts...............4...$18.00...1.projectionist Fox valley 1-6..........6...$20.00...1.projectionist Fox Valley 7-10.........4...non.union Gardens.................7...$21.00...1.projectionist Golf Glen 1-6...........6...$20.00...1.projectionist Golf Mill 1-3...........3...non.union Grove.Cinetna...........6...$20.00...1.projectionist Hillside Mall...........3...non.union Hillside Square.........6...$20.00...1.projectionist Hyde Park.......... .4...non.union Lawndale Cinemas.......10 ..$25.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 10 hrs/wk Lincoln 7-9.............3...non.union Lincoln Vi11age.1-6.....6...$20.00...1.projectionist McClurg Court...........3...$18.00...1.projectionist Norridge...............10 ..$25.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 10 hrs/wk North Riverside.........6...$20.00...1.projectionist Oakbrook 1-4............4...non.union Oakbrook 5-7............3...non.union Old Orchard.............4...non.union One.Schaumburg Place....9...$23.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 10 hrs/wk Orland 1-6..............6...$20.00...1.projectionist Orland 7-10 ............4...non.union Pipers Alley............4...$18.00...1.projectionist Plaza 1-3...............3...non.union Quarry Cinemas.........14...$18.00...2.projectionists Rice Lake..............10 ..$25.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 10 hrs/wk Ridge Plaza.1-8.........8...$20.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 5 hrs/wk River Oaks 1-6.. .......6...$20.00...1.projectionist River Oaks 7-8..........2....non.union River Oaks 9-10 ........2...non.union River Run...............8...$20.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 5 hrs/wk River Tree Court........8...$20.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 5 hrs/wk Rolling Meadows.........9...$23.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 10 hrs/wk Stratford 1-4/5-8.......8...$20.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 5 hrs/wk Streamwood.............14...$18.00...2.projectionists Town.&.Country 1-6......6...$20.00...1.projectionist WaterTower 1-4/5-7......7...$23.00...1.projectionist Webster Place..........11...$27.50...1.projectionist + 2nd for 20 hrs/wk Westridge Court.........8...$20.00...1.projectionist + 2nd for 5 hrs/wk Woodfield 1-2...........2...non.union Woodfield 5-9...........5...$19.00...1.projectionist In addition the company paid 5% in lieu of vacation time and 17% to the union for benefits. Remember that this is out of date, 2nd hand info. I have no idea what's happened in more recent contract(s) except that in general things haven't been looking too bright for unionized projectionists. Probably best not to count on it for a high wage future.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-16-2003 06:35 PM                        What's the cost of living like in Chicago? I can easily see $27+/hour in the big houses and screening rooms in NYC (assuming that the operators are highly competent), but I wouldn't expect it to be common elsewhere. The small-town theatres could never afford anywhere near that, and the cost of living wouldn't justify it. I'd be amazed if there's any regular commercial theatre (union or not) in Massachusetts that pays $20/hour or more. As for the "test" that the original poster mentioned, perhaps it's a reference to licensing tests which are required by a few states.  |  IP: Logged Gerard S. Cohen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 975 From: Forest Hills, NY, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 09-16-2003 07:59 PM                     Lots of fine posts on this topic exist and can be reached by clicking on "Search, Film Handlers' Forum, Union" and then clicking on the following thread topics: "Questions about unions" "Union/I.A.T.S.E. Projectionists" "Projectionists Union Links" While this present thread "Union Projectionists" complements those older posts with up-to-date information, the older threads contain many personal experiences that should be of interest to newcomers. --Gerard  |  IP: Logged

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