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Author Topic: Where To Get Training?
Joshua Waaland
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 800
From: Cleveland, Ohio
Registered: Dec 1999


 - posted 12-29-1999 03:00 PM      Profile for Joshua Waaland   Email Joshua Waaland   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I have been a projectionist for 7 years now. I have had no formal training of any kind and all my knowledge of the craft comes from reading manuals, webpages and tinkering.
I work for Cinemark and I know that they employ a Tech that occasionally comes around and teaches people. I haven't had that yet though. I was wondering if someone knew of how I could become more educated on the subject. I have had a few college level, basic electronics courses and I am willing to learn as much as I can.
If you know of anyone in the Cleveland, Ohio area that would be willing to take me under their wing please let me know.
Thanks,
Joshua Waaland

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John Wilson
Film God

Posts: 5438
From: Sydney, Australia.
Registered: Dec 1999


 - posted 01-06-2000 07:04 AM      Profile for John Wilson   Email John Wilson   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Just stick close to the forum, Joshua. You'll learn an awful lot right here.

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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

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


 - posted 01-07-2000 12:20 PM      Profile for Tim Reed   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Joshua, assuming you're wanting to become a field service engineer (the only way to make any real money working with projectors today), stick with the electronics. Learn it well and get into AC theory. The better your command of electronics, the better equipped you will be to develop good troubleshooting skills (which is a must). Learn the projectors and their mechanics, sure, but nothing will help you as much as the electronics. Service companies have been known to hire people who know electronics, but have never set foot in a projection booth; but not the other way around.

Before getting hired by (what had been the old) Altec Service Corp., I was a projectionist for several years, and discovered early on that I wanted to be an engineer. My last booth job I entered knowing absolutely NOTHING about electronics or electricity. I bought several good books on the subject and, after studying those books for a little over two years in the booth, taking a Dolby seminar (and enrolling in a 6-week vocational class, to get past some humps); I had learned enough electronics to get hired by Altec on a part-time basis. A year after that, and with more intensive study, I was hired full-time.

You should also be willing to relocate, as the job is so specialized that you cannot always count on getting an assignment in your area. The companies won't hire you if you cannot go to where the work is (i.e.: if you insist on staying where you are, you may have to wait 20 years for an opening!). But once you move, you're set, unless the job ends or you want a change. Since I don't mind moving for the company, I've lived in Houston, Oklahoma City, Peoria, and now West Palm Beach, FL. I've made a great living and seen some wonderful sights! Wouldn't trade it for anything!

Good luck.

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