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Topic: Full-Time Projectionist?

Colin Wiseley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 123
From: Blacksburg, VA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 03-16-2001 09:40 AM

I work for an independent single screen and I've never worked for a large-chain multiplex theater. I was wondering if any of the multiplex chains employ full-time projectionists with benefit packages (insurance, health care, maybe a 401k) or are all projectionists part-timers? If they do, what would the salary be? Just curious.

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Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com

Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-16-2001 10:12 AM

Our company is mixed. They use union projectionists in certain areas like Chicago. We do get a 401k plan and if you have enough experiance you may get to work the most shifts but that's about it. pay is hourly and based on how much experiance you have.

Steven Pickles
Film Handler

Posts: 81
From: Gainesville, FL, USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 03-16-2001 06:16 PM

Colin,

Yes, there are salary projectionist positions avaiable to at least all of the regional/national chains out there. Most larger corporations have benefit plans--such as health insurance, and retirement planning--but I am unsure about the local chains. The salary that one can make depends on a few factors; previous theatre/projection experience, theatre location and size, and often attendance. A Megaplex, for example, may have several projectionists earning on average (in the West Palm Beach, Florida area) $400/wk--with some earning slightly less and others earning upwards of $500/wk. This information is based on not only my pay, but also the pay of my colleagues.

-- Steven

Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

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

posted 03-23-2001 08:07 PM

The job isn't a craft anymore, and you can't make a living doing it.

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Better Projection Pays!

Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 03-25-2001 12:40 PM

Tim,

Since the quality of the show varies a great deal based on the people in the booth....

I would revise your statement to:

The job isn't valued by exhibitors anymore, you can't make a living at it.

Steve

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

Colin Wiseley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 123
From: Blacksburg, VA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 03-25-2001 02:58 PM

That's such a shame that exhibitors don't appreciate projectionists anymore. It's been discussed many times before that the quality of film presentation has suffered as a result. I work full-time as a Software Engineer, but I moonlight as a projectionist at the Lyric. I would love to be able to work full-time as a projectionist, but unfortunely the money, and it appears the jobs just aren't there.

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Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com

Tal Marks
Film Handler

Posts: 57
From: New York, NY
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 03-25-2001 03:48 PM

Hey Colin,

They way my theatre has it, there are two projectionists full-time and two fill-in/make & break projectionists. The two FT projectionists pull in over 50 hours/week and work about 3 days/week (that's upward of over 17 hours a day!). the total hours per week is around 145-150.

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