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Author
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Topic: experience not valued.
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Alan Plester
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 209
From: great yarmouth england
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 04-23-2001 03:50 PM
Hello Everyone
My name is Alan and I live in Oxfordshire in England and was in the cinema industry for 14 years and now wishing to return to it, but evey position I have applied for has been turned down.
Reading one of Brads comments the other day about how poporn pushers could almost run a booth, what with all the automation etc, and real projectionists ran changeovers etc got me thinking, am I over qualified.
I entered the trade and ran a twin with towers, but so hungry for knowledge was I, that on my days off, I could be found hawking myself to other cinemas to learn other bits, and was taken on part time at a single screen with c/o & carbon arcs,sheer magic.
I have pictures of all the gear Iv`e used neatly presented in a folder with all details alongside, yes Iv`e tried hard with presentation, & it shows the employer what I am capable of doing.
Went for a position the other day after they sent me an email to see if I was interested,
( yea, and the worlds flat ).2 HOURS I spent there, then we got to meet the chief.
I enquired how long he had been in the game,"6 years" was the reply........my hopes started to fade from that moment on. A week later a letter arrived & I secretly knew I had lost out again.
Bog standard reply, thanks for coming,standards were high,difficult decision but will keep you on file.
I would value your comments as to what I might be doing wrong or am I over qualified.
Fear of treading on peoples toes etc?.
In the mean time thanks to everyone who contributes to this site, it really does make my day plus I get a good laugh out of some of the replys.
Regards to everyone in the game
Alan x senior projectionist Banbury oxfordshire------------------
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Ben Wales
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 602
From: Southampton. England
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 04-23-2001 04:28 PM
Hello Alan,
Sorry to hear your problems in getting back into the industry have several questions to ask that may be some help.Are you familiar with modern Patter systems and current sound systems and modern day projection issues?, they like this at interviews these days. Have you contacted City Screens (Picture house) in Oxford?, they are sometimes looking for projectionists at their sites. Also it might be worth while to send a CV to Odeon Cinemas at their Mansfield office as there may be vacancies in your area.
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Leo Enticknap
Film God
Posts: 7474
From: Loma Linda, CA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 04-23-2001 04:32 PM
Actually can I revise the advice in my previous post: for City Screen it would probably be best to send your CV to the head office person who deals with personnel:Alastair Oatey
City Screen Ltd.
The Coach House
Church Lane
Witnesham
Suffolk
IP6 9JD. He would know about Oxford (which has Westars and Westrex towers, so you'd be totally familiar with the equipment) or any other site that needs help. For more on the City Screen chain go to www.picturehouse-cinemas.co.uk and click on 'jobs'. BTW, what is a 'patter system'? Hiring a rap artist to work in your projection box, perhaps? 
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John Pytlak
Film God
Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 04-25-2001 07:44 AM
A "real projectionist" uses whatever equipment is in the theatre (whether it be a platter, changeovers, or digital cinema system) to provide an enjoyable experience for the audience. This requires a person with good technical skills and the ability to learn new skills specific to the equipment being used. But more importantly, it requires a person who really cares about the quality of the projected image and sound, and does everything possible to optimize presentation quality. The projectionist is the "Unseen Showman" at the heart of every good theatre.------------------
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
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
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Joe Schmidt
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 172
From: Billings, Montana, USA
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 04-26-2001 08:42 PM
I'm heartened to see projectionists are still wanted on the Continent.But what does one do here in the Colonies, where if one is so foolish as to approach the likes of carmike, et al and is told "We Do Not Hire Projectionists." While I am retired, and thus what I say might be irrelevant, apart from those here on film-tech who have good skills and are employed as tech folk at [I hope] decent salaries; a prudent person will leave this ailing industry as soon as something better can be found, and before the US economy implodes in on itself. [this discussed in other posts previously.] A severe shakeout in exhibition is inevitable and, I believe, is Coming Soon. The Writer's Guild strike, if it happens, could dry up a lot of production and be the trigger. No first-run product, nothing for the screens to show. Mom and Pop well-run single-screen houses, some of which are represented here, should continue to do well. Wish we had one in Billings; a bit of a chore to drive 90 miles to Forsyth to see a movie, altho I've been invited & looking forward.
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