I havent been by it in a few months, but there is a For Sale sign on the marquees. I have said many times this is the perfect sight for a 4 screen drive in.
theatrefan, thats exactly what happened in January. When they booked the film they asked if we have 35MM capabilities and when management said yes, we got it. Loved making those changeovers, especially after seeing it in 70MM at the Ziegfeld. We have the same set up for digital with the dvd player, scaler, etc. It is what it is.
theatrefan, I appreciate the compliment. Believe me I wish I was still doing that job. Even at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank NJ where I am the house projectionist, I run all digital. And the house stagehands set it all up. Thankfully when Im on a headset the lighting guy listens to me and tries to make it look classy. And I never close the dowser till everything reads zero. The last 35MM I ran was in January, “Interstellar.” Felt real good.
theatrefan, its very easy fix. Whoever is doing the set up in the booth is just placing the cue in the wrong place. Happens when you have people who have no clue about showmanship. In a way Im glad Im out of the business. I was a very proud projectionist for 38 years. I always did my best to make the show look good, even in the days of automation.
And here I sit with almost 40 years expierience as a projectionist, and I can tell you that no matter what condition the print is in, it can be made to look decent. In my early days working in dollar houses with double features, you always got lousey beat up prints, but I still put on the best I could. Im not being critical, Im just saying, that it hurts how my talents are wasting away while all I get is to run a digital projector, which requires no talent at all. Depressing
I Worked on a reno of an old Loews last summer. Sorry to say it will be AMC looking thru out. We put in new screens, new drapes, new carpet, new concession. You wont recognize it.
Thanks for telling us how you really feel George, LOL. But serioiusly, I have to agree with you. The hall is a beautiful place and these shows are turning it into a mockery.
Sony/Loews was succesful somewhat in the 90’s at least here in Jersey. As far as I know there are no union projectionists in any theatres anymore. Computers run the show now.
theatrefan, you are right about amc and their maintenance. But in fairness, here in NJ, they have recently renovated the Mountainside and Freehold complexes. And as to Al Alvarez comment, yes managers and ushers have been trained, if you can call it that. I always took my job seriously. I would recieve prints from some of those theatres that couldnt even been run. Thats why the push for digital was so strong and put me out of work. IM sorry the guys in NYC sucked. But here in central Jersey we were true professionals. We were just lumped into one big group and pushed out by the big bean counters.
It was more than likely the xenon bulb had reached its time aqnd needed to be changed. See in the old days a union projectionist like myself would have done it, but the bean counters cant cause they have to worry about getting the money, doing inventory, etc. These days with digital there is no one in the booth. So they call the technician who is also responsible for about 300 other theatres. Such is life in the digital world. I had a great 37 years as a FILM projectionist. Too bad it ended 2 years ago. Sorry your night was ruined.
I heard many years ago, and perhaps someone here can confirm it, that the owners of the building want a movie theatre here and years ago wouldnt let Cineplex (I believe) twin it or alter it. If this is the case, then theres hope another chain or operator will come along.
markp
commented about
Grand 16on
Jul 24, 2015 at 5:04 pm
Sorry to say this, but it looks like its getting to the point where its not safe to go to the movies anymore. Too many crazies out there.
Went here last night to Minions. Real nice job they did on the remodel. Nice open lobby, with a comfy seating area by the cafe. The electric recliners are awesome. Picture and sound was just right. Finally, sound that wasnt blasting. Definitely going back.
Just to clarify, it was a collapsed floor in the lobby, not a ceiling. And there was no planned theatre nearby in 2005 when this happened.
I havent been by it in a few months, but there is a For Sale sign on the marquees. I have said many times this is the perfect sight for a 4 screen drive in.
One correction. It was a twin. I know this because I cleaned the screens here in the 90’s when it was open.
theatrefan, Im with you on that.
theatrefan, thats exactly what happened in January. When they booked the film they asked if we have 35MM capabilities and when management said yes, we got it. Loved making those changeovers, especially after seeing it in 70MM at the Ziegfeld. We have the same set up for digital with the dvd player, scaler, etc. It is what it is.
theatrefan, I appreciate the compliment. Believe me I wish I was still doing that job. Even at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank NJ where I am the house projectionist, I run all digital. And the house stagehands set it all up. Thankfully when Im on a headset the lighting guy listens to me and tries to make it look classy. And I never close the dowser till everything reads zero. The last 35MM I ran was in January, “Interstellar.” Felt real good.
theatrefan, its very easy fix. Whoever is doing the set up in the booth is just placing the cue in the wrong place. Happens when you have people who have no clue about showmanship. In a way Im glad Im out of the business. I was a very proud projectionist for 38 years. I always did my best to make the show look good, even in the days of automation.
Yes mdvoskin, there are some times it cant be helped I guess, especially in this day and age when no one is supporting film anymore. Its really sad.
And here I sit with almost 40 years expierience as a projectionist, and I can tell you that no matter what condition the print is in, it can be made to look decent. In my early days working in dollar houses with double features, you always got lousey beat up prints, but I still put on the best I could. Im not being critical, Im just saying, that it hurts how my talents are wasting away while all I get is to run a digital projector, which requires no talent at all. Depressing
Its sister twin, the Amboys Multiplex in Sayreville NJ is still standing 10 years after closing, slowly rotting away.
I wish I had known. Would have loved to have gone.
I Worked on a reno of an old Loews last summer. Sorry to say it will be AMC looking thru out. We put in new screens, new drapes, new carpet, new concession. You wont recognize it.
No problem walterk. And thank you for all your doing with the Ritz. Hope to see you soon.
Thanks for telling us how you really feel George, LOL. But serioiusly, I have to agree with you. The hall is a beautiful place and these shows are turning it into a mockery.
Nice to see that they kept the 35MM equipment.
Wait Im confused. This theatre is of 202/206/22. Essex Green is off 280.
As well as a 38 year veteran projectionist like me.
Sony/Loews was succesful somewhat in the 90’s at least here in Jersey. As far as I know there are no union projectionists in any theatres anymore. Computers run the show now.
theatrefan, you are right about amc and their maintenance. But in fairness, here in NJ, they have recently renovated the Mountainside and Freehold complexes. And as to Al Alvarez comment, yes managers and ushers have been trained, if you can call it that. I always took my job seriously. I would recieve prints from some of those theatres that couldnt even been run. Thats why the push for digital was so strong and put me out of work. IM sorry the guys in NYC sucked. But here in central Jersey we were true professionals. We were just lumped into one big group and pushed out by the big bean counters.
It was more than likely the xenon bulb had reached its time aqnd needed to be changed. See in the old days a union projectionist like myself would have done it, but the bean counters cant cause they have to worry about getting the money, doing inventory, etc. These days with digital there is no one in the booth. So they call the technician who is also responsible for about 300 other theatres. Such is life in the digital world. I had a great 37 years as a FILM projectionist. Too bad it ended 2 years ago. Sorry your night was ruined.
And now in August 2015, American Signature Furniture is being demolished, and Hobby Lobby is being built.
I heard many years ago, and perhaps someone here can confirm it, that the owners of the building want a movie theatre here and years ago wouldnt let Cineplex (I believe) twin it or alter it. If this is the case, then theres hope another chain or operator will come along.
Sorry to say this, but it looks like its getting to the point where its not safe to go to the movies anymore. Too many crazies out there.
Yes waltery and you found the old International Projectionist magazine that my father hid, and read many years ago.
Went here last night to Minions. Real nice job they did on the remodel. Nice open lobby, with a comfy seating area by the cafe. The electric recliners are awesome. Picture and sound was just right. Finally, sound that wasnt blasting. Definitely going back.