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Author Topic: Projectionist Sam Hunter Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 779 From: West Monroe, LA, USA Registered: Jan 2002 posted 04-22-2002 11:10 PM                     I have a question about being a projectionist but first a little bit of my background and then I will ask the question. I work for a Company that is not Film related and they are laying folks off left and right. My father was a projectionist at a large Drive in theatre some years ago and I was involved with a lot of the goings on, which is to say I am farly familiar with what film is and how projectors work. Add to that I run two 16mm projectors at home which I rebuilt myself with a minimum of help. I have been in the field of Electronics for almost 28 years. I am considering maybe changing professions. This leads me to the question or scenario that I would like to pose. I would love to become a projectionist and be at the top of my game with it but is the job a good paying one and does cinemas have any good benifits? I probably should be asking these questions to the Manager here at the local cinema. I mean I make about 40K a year where I am so is it even worth the trouble to check into this? Thanks in advance for your opinions. P.S. I want to get into all the fun you guys are having.  |  IP: Logged Darryl Spicer Film God Posts: 3250 From: Lexington, KY, USA Registered: Dec 2000 posted 04-22-2002 11:21 PM                    Ok, I am not saying that you couldn't find a job as a projectionist out there that could be union. They can get you some benafits. but a lot of the major chains do not employ projectionists. They are either managers or company trained opperators. Pay scales in this area will not get you to the amount of money you are making now. Sad thing is that it is no longer considered a trade. In order to get good high paying salaries like you have in this industry you must be in the managment end of it and some years under your belt. That is just the facts of this industry. The thing that keeps us doing this job is because we enjoy it and strive for the best. nothing says that you couldn't do it on the side along with another good paying job. A lot of good projectionist/opperators do this. There is also the technician aspect of it but the pay still may not get you to the level you are at now.  |  IP: Logged Ron Lacheur Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 650 From: British Columbia, Canada Registered: Feb 2002 posted 04-22-2002 11:32 PM                     After seriously considering my options and after talking to union projectionist, I've decided not to get involved in it full time. Recent contract signings ( in Canada ) have members getting paid dick shit and IMO, is not worth the long hours. I'm focusing on getting involved in the film/television production industry now.  |  IP: Logged Jan Hackett Expert Film Handler Posts: 148 From: Albuquerque, NM, USA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 04-23-2002 08:33 AM                     I was a member of IATSE local 665 in Maui. Hawaii still had a semi strong union back 5 years ago. I don't know whats up there now. The pay and benefits were great. It was one of the few places I worked where one could bulls**T with older lifelong professional projectionist. However Hawaii is expensive to live but it was so nice to work in a booth and only a booth. Did not usher sell popcorn or manage. I have a good gig now as an operations manager in a large format theater in a museum. The pay and benefits are great and the atmosphere is wonderful, if one does not mind walking by Dionasaur skeletons on the way to the booth. How ever I got this job because I have 30 years of booth operations experience. My projectionists don't get paid much and I am on a rally to get them more money. One does this profession cause it gets in their blood and they love it. As projectionists We don't always go for the bucks jobs. We just really dig the job and the showmanship.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 04-23-2002 02:21 PM                        Jan said: "One does this profession cause it gets in their blood and they love it. As projectionists We don't always go for the bucks jobs. We just really dig the job and the showmanship." Well said. ------------------ John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243 E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion  |  IP: Logged Dennis Benjamin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1445 From: Denton, MD Registered: Feb 2002 posted 04-24-2002 12:19 AM                        The first time I walked into a projection booth I knew that's what I wanted to do for a living. However -the pay was not great - I do have a family to take care of. I am now a general manager of my own complex. It took 13 years to get to where I am now and I don't regret any part of it. ------------------ "Running through life at 24 frames per second"  |  IP: Logged Sam Hunter Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 779 From: West Monroe, LA, USA Registered: Jan 2002 posted 04-25-2002 11:01 AM                     Thanks for all the helpful input. I will probably stay with my company as long as possible but I am considering part timing as a projectionist. The only thing is at my age I do not feel like being an usher or floor cleaner. Again thanks for the information.  |  IP: Logged

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