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Author Topic: Looking for work Jonathan Wendt Film Handler Posts: 11 From: Brooklyn, NY, USA Registered: Sep 2010 posted 09-13-2010 11:33 AM                     Hello all, This forum is great, everyone seems very helpful and like a great community. Wish I had found this 4 years ago when I initially became a projectionist. With that said, I'm looking for a little bit of advice. Here's my backstory: I worked in Northern NY at three theaters, as an assistant manager and projectionist, owned by the same person. I have moved to brooklyn now, and was thinking I'd have an easy time finding work. I didn't realize there was a motion picture projectionist license until I got here. I did a quick study the night before thanks to this forum, and passed it the next day. I have dropped my resume off at many theaters but have not had much luck. I've either just missed a period of hirings, it was sent offsite to another person, or they do union only. One theater did get back to me after I had made numerous follow-ups, about a floor position with no projectionist responsibilities. The pay is also only $7.85 (which is still an upgrade from being unemployed however). My question is if I managed to find a job as a projectionist would it be reasonable to expect a more comfortable pay wage? Is it worth it to join the union? It seems like the fees are quite expensive for someone in my situation right now, but are they able to easily find you work? Any insights you could lend would be very much appreciated. Thank you guys, and again, this is a great community.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 09-13-2010 12:50 PM                     Go talk to the I.A. Local's representitave about your question's concering joining the IATSE and what it all takes for joining the IA. What kind of skills do you have when it comes to projection - mechanical (take a machine apart and back together blindfolded), electric/electronic, et.al., (which can earn a little respect and better pay), or, have you been relegated to just a "lace up the machine and push the button" job, for those jobs are a dime-a-dozen types and pay isn't that all healthy since a 10yr old can do that job and that's is mainly what the industry sees as a booth operator job(why they have floor managers and ushers do booth as well since the term "Projectionist" really doesn't exist anymore in any company's employment description)and there are those who want that job mainly to get off the floor (and get lazy) instead of really want to learn how the operation ticks. If you do find a decent booth job, prepare for some tests of any sort to be allowed to operate in a correct manner that the venue requires. Good luck in your search - Monte  |  IP: Logged Bill Gabel Film God Posts: 3873 From: Technicolor / Postworks NY, USA Registered: Jan 2002 posted 09-13-2010 02:13 PM                     The line is long in finding a projectionist job in NYC. The union might find a job here and there for you, but there is many local union operators waiting too. The chains are cutting job costs here too.  |  IP: Logged Elizabeth Betty Gross Film Handler Posts: 18 From: Astoria, NY, USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 09-15-2010 11:22 AM                     Hi Jonathan and welcome to NYC. That's the good news. The bad news (from a union projectionist being forced into retirement) is that there is very little decent work and the pay is lousy. The chains are converting to digital, so if you know that, you are ahead of the game, but the pay scale is not much better. Best advice, get a real job!  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 09-15-2010 02:00 PM                     quote: Best advice, get a real job! OUCH!  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 09-16-2010 06:55 PM                        Betty; you sure do how to get down to the real issue! Louis  |  IP: Logged Tony Bandiera Jr Film God Posts: 3067 From: Moreland Idaho Registered: Apr 2004 posted 09-16-2010 08:59 PM                     Sadly, she may have a point. Things are getting bad all over and jobs in this industry for more than minimum wage are very hard to come by. I may in fact be forced to shut down my business before the end of the year if things don't improve soon.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-17-2010 10:17 PM                     A well known projectionist friend in Brooklyn told me very recently that there is very little left of the NYC Projectionists Union. What little is left means running multiple screens and or locations. Mark  |  IP: Logged Sean McKinnon Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1712 From: Peabody Massachusetts Registered: Sep 2000 posted 09-22-2010 07:07 AM                        The School Of Visual Arts Theatre on West 23rd in Chelsea may be looking for a projectionist or assistant technical director (my former position until I moved back to Boston to open my own taxi company there) You might try calling them and asking for the technical director. If you have any live sound, lighting, or video experience they may be interested in meeting you.  |  IP: Logged Elizabeth Betty Gross Film Handler Posts: 18 From: Astoria, NY, USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 09-23-2010 12:47 PM                     "The School Of Visual Arts Theatre on West 23rd in Chelsea may be looking for a projectionist or assistant technical director (my former position until I moved back to Boston to open my own taxi company there) You might try calling them and asking for the technical director. If you have any live sound, lighting, or video experience they may be interested in meeting you." Also, experience with high profile film screenings, film festivals, multimedia exhibition, set-up and breakdown, equipment maintenance etc, and just a smattering of diplomacy. And they pay WHAT???  |  IP: Logged Sean McKinnon Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1712 From: Peabody Massachusetts Registered: Sep 2000 posted 09-23-2010 01:06 PM                        quote: Elizabeth Betty Gross Also, experience with high profile film screenings, film festivals, multimedia exhibition, set-up and breakdown, equipment maintenance etc, and just a smattering of diplomacy. And they pay WHAT??? They don't have platters so no build-up break down but changeover experience is good, actually I got paid very well. twice as much as I made as a service tech.  |  IP: Logged Jonathan Wendt Film Handler Posts: 11 From: Brooklyn, NY, USA Registered: Sep 2010 posted 09-24-2010 01:11 PM                     Hi Sean, thanks for the tip! I do have experience with those things, so I left a voicemail at the number of a Mr. Michael Morrissey, who was listed as the technical director on the SVA webpage. Here's hoping I get a reply!  |  IP: Logged Sean McKinnon Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1712 From: Peabody Massachusetts Registered: Sep 2000 posted 09-24-2010 02:06 PM                        Mike Morrissey is a great guy to work for, and he really knows his stuff. I miss working with Mike. Good luck on the job!  |  IP: Logged Elizabeth Betty Gross Film Handler Posts: 18 From: Astoria, NY, USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 09-25-2010 06:40 PM                     Good luck and let us know how it goes - a decent booth job in NY is truly good news for all.  |  IP: Logged Jonathan Wendt Film Handler Posts: 11 From: Brooklyn, NY, USA Registered: Sep 2010 posted 09-25-2010 07:37 PM                     Well Mr. Morrissey mentioned above actually did get back to me a couple hours later! We've set up an interview for monday, so that's where I'm at right. Now.  |  IP: Logged

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