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Topic: Projectionist aka ...

Bryan Fournier
Film Handler

Posts: 61
From: Greensboro, NC
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 12-18-2000 09:22 PM

I have worked as a projectionist for 10 years, both union and non-union, but I was always a projectionist. I have worked for 3 theatre chains, all in the top ten in size, and have noticed a trend recently. Most chains refuse to call projectionists just that, even though the job remains virtually the same. Here are some examples I've heard recently:

Booth Manager
Manager
Operator
Service Supervisor
Usher

anything but "projectionist". Why has projectionist become a bad word? Fear of organizing? A negative image of what a projectionist represents? I'm curious if any one has any more names or input. Thanks

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 12-19-2000 08:52 AM

I'm not sure exactly how it works, but some chains do that to try to avoid the union. They say, "We don't have a 'projectionist'. Although, I have seen this 'plan' backfire on them, too.

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Aaron Mehocic
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 804
From: New Castle, PA, USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 12-19-2000 08:59 AM

Just like everything else from the 1990's, it is not politically correct to call anyone by what they do. I find no problem beng called a projectionist because, among other professions, thats what I am. As more and more pin-head educated human service majors make their way into the film industry, the terminology will become more silly and down right rediculous. Thats my opinion. Others?

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John Pytlak
Film God

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

posted 12-19-2000 09:34 AM

I take great pride in calling myself a PROJECTIONIST.

"Senior Technical Specialist" is a career my engineering degree gave me, but PROJECTIONIST is a passion that I have lived for over 30 years, since my first changeover in 1967.

------------------
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

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 12-19-2000 11:20 AM

Here! Here! I was lucky enough to be initiated into the projection booth at the early age of 11. While I've had to fight my way kicking and screaming back upstairs from the manager's office, I'm truly blessed to be back doing what I love to do (and getting paid for it!) -- being a PROJECTIONIST.

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George Roher
Master Film Handler

Posts: 266
From: Washington DC
Registered: Jul 99

posted 12-19-2000 09:36 PM

I'm a Motion Picture Machine Operator

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Jerry Chase
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1068
From: Margate, FL, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 12-19-2000 10:18 PM

I've gotta say that I like the idea of keeping the title "projectionist" reserved for those folks that are truly proficient in the booth. If a person can't change a lamp, or can't gracefully and quickly recover from the common problems, then the title of projectionist is too much.

As a general term, I'd use "operator." I've known some lifetime union guys I wouldn't call "projectionists." As for what a company calls me, I'm reminded of the old saying "Call me what you like, but don't call me late for supper." If the paychecks keep coming and working conditions are fair, I wouldn't be upset being called "that jerk in the booth."

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Carl King
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 199
From: Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 12-22-2000 12:29 PM

My provincial license says that I am a FILM PROJECTIONIST.

You know what? They're absolutely correct!!!

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Ethan Harper
E-dawggg!!!

Posts: 325
From: Plano, TX, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 12-22-2000 06:41 PM

Cinemark refers to their projectionists as "Usher-B". They don't want to call them projectionists and they use the term "Usher-B" so they can still have them work shifts down on the floor.

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--"That's my story and i'm sticking to it!"--

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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 12-22-2000 11:08 PM

That's right... it's a legal maneuver, to avoid having to negotiate with the IA.

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Better Projection Pays!

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 12-27-2000 05:28 PM

Tim--that's exactly the same story I've heard about Cinemark.

According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I'm licensed to be a "Motion Picture Operator."

(BTW, Tim, email me when you get a chance...)

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 12-27-2000 10:42 PM

The Cinemark thing extends to their Imax theaters, too. You're a "Projection Manager" or an "Imax Technician".

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Gracia L. Babbidge
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 709
From: Bowdoin, Maine
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 12-28-2000 02:52 AM

Hmm..
Until recently, my nametag at work stated that I am a "Projectionist".

It now says that I am the "Head Projectionist".

…and no, I am not part of a union either!

~GLB

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In some cultures, what I do is considered normal.

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Manuel Francisco Valencia
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 151
From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 12-28-2000 01:22 PM

The "Usher-B" title is a serious thorn in our booth operation. We are a little short on skilled projectionists so what my GM has done is train every usher to run booth. By run he means thread and start, thats it. So instead of having just ushers and projectionists we have nothing but usher-bs! I think this is the worst possible way to run booth.

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Christopher K. Williams
Film Handler

Posts: 26
From: Redmond, WA, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 01-12-2001 08:29 PM

Regal has the same anti-projectionist attitude. When they took over our theater, they stated that they only wanted "Managers" running the booth. I guess they believe that projectionists should be doing something more "productive" than simply building prints and running the show.

Fortunately, we have a great manager who disagrees with them, and so he made me a manager on paper, though I have no managerial duties. He says that the projection room is our "bread and butter" and that even when a manager is running the booth, they are to ONLY run the booth during their shift... not count inventory, count tills, etc.

I am proud to call myself a Projectionist!

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