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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Topic: Projectionists training
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Dave Williams
Wet nipple scene
Posts: 1836
From: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 08-13-2002 10:00 AM
I was trained right here on film tech myself. I was given two hours of instruction before I was made a GM. I had no clue. I found a mailer that was filed in the round floor file, and it was from film tech. IT CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER. No really.I learned more here then I think any one person could ever teach me. That and there was the time I had to rebuild a projector overnight without a clue what I was doing. Perhaps a history of mechanical engineering in my spare time may have provided a background for understanding, but FILM TECH was my god. Brad is my hero, always has been. I even traveled all the way to heaven (denver) to meet him. He told me to go away, that satans lost seed wasnt allowed in heaven. I cried that day, but still post regardless. Facts.. I have met the creator of this forum, Brad Miller
I met him in denver
He did not call me satan,
he did call me santa,
he sat in my lap and asked me to make technicolor be nice to film,
I told him he could have a GI JOE instead.
Dave 
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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"
Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 08-13-2002 11:20 AM
Dave,
what is a GI JOE?
Patrick,
the BKSTS (British Kinematograph, Sound and Television Society) has published a very nice Projectionists` Manual. It is structured as a step-by-step course and has lots of graphs and pictures, and quiz sections. Of course, it can not be more than an introduction, but I think it`s a very good starting point. It can be ordered from their website.
I can only confirm what has been written above. The resources offered by this website are awesome. A lot of valuable information can be learned simply by carefully reading the manuals of the equipment you work with. The Dolby manuals often contain sections with interesting background information. For instance, in the CP500 manual there is an introduction to the Dolby Digital process and another section about checking and upgrading an existing installation. This alone will give you some insight into how a cinema sound system works.
Also check out www.dolby.com. There is a lot of free information about their technologies.
Another good source is www.jblpro.com. The Cinema Sound System Manual and the information offered under General Audio in the Technical Library will answer many questions.
As to the practical side of projection, the best thing you can do is learn as much as possible from experienced people such as can be found on this forum. Unfortunately, in this business it is very difficult to find good people in real life, so you will have to train yourself and apply common sense to what you are doing!
Michael
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Scott Norwood
Film God
Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 08-13-2002 12:33 PM
The Kodak course sounds great and it (or another formal training program, possibly union-run) would be ideal.If that isn't an option, I'd suggest finding a job at a smaller, older, independent theatre where the owner and manager care about presentation quality. A single-screen house with a manual booth would be ideal, but pretty much anything with older equipment would be good. Learn everything possible about the equipment and fix it when there are problems. Learn how to put on the best possible show under less-than-ideal conditions. This should be a far more educational experience than the typical multiplex would be, and you will spend plenty of time cursing the people who sent you crappy prints (thus giving some incentive to ship out films in good condition). Of course, the pay will probably be worse as well. Meet as many other projectionists as possible, particularly the older ones who were around when film presentation was a real craft instead of the button-pushing that is common in typical multiplexes. Also, try to work in as many different types of booths as possible--from changeover with carbon-arc to a fully-automated gigaplex with the latest sound equipment.
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-13-2002 02:30 PM
What Scott said.I started out in commercial exhibition by working in a multiplex with a less-than-ideal setup. Every projector had at least one "quirk."
Four booths for six screens.
Horrible ORCON platters that kept dying, tossing prints or having head-wraps.
Hot booths with the fluorescent lights right over the booth windows (which meant that you had to work in the dark if the movie was running).
Makeup Tables that did not work the way they were designed to work.
Xenons that "might" light.
No automation. You name it...It was probably wrong or non-existent back then. But I think it forced me to organize myself and I know that the experience I gained there taught me how to remain calm under pressure. I have to also add that the Film-Tech website has helped me take my abilities to a higher level now that I've decided to get back into exhibition services.
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