My grandfather and my father were both projectionists. I worked in an independent theater, the oldest continually operating theater in my state. I had 4 separate booths to manage. I came in on the tail end of the projection era, being hired as one of those employees who are trained everywhere in the theater. Though I used xenon-bulb, platter systems, working as a projectionist did more for my problem solving abilities more than any other experience I’ve ever had. I remember my boss, who’s been in the business for 50 years saying, “Your popcorn can be a little salty, or service might be a little slow, but if that picture is not perfect, if that sound isn’t fantastic, you’ve lost your customer”. I remember having to replace bulbs between shows, do a quick fix on a gate to keep the film running, tearing down and building films. I’ve even helped install new speakers and hung up new screens. I learned customer service, that movie-going should be an experience and it starts at the door. Theaters should be at the right temperature, all audiences should be greeted before the show begins, and the popcorn never more than 4 hours old. It’s sad that other people won’t get this chance.
My grandfather and my father were both projectionists. I worked in an independent theater, the oldest continually operating theater in my state. I had 4 separate booths to manage. I came in on the tail end of the projection era, being hired as one of those employees who are trained everywhere in the theater. Though I used xenon-bulb, platter systems, working as a projectionist did more for my problem solving abilities more than any other experience I’ve ever had. I remember my boss, who’s been in the business for 50 years saying, “Your popcorn can be a little salty, or service might be a little slow, but if that picture is not perfect, if that sound isn’t fantastic, you’ve lost your customer”. I remember having to replace bulbs between shows, do a quick fix on a gate to keep the film running, tearing down and building films. I’ve even helped install new speakers and hung up new screens. I learned customer service, that movie-going should be an experience and it starts at the door. Theaters should be at the right temperature, all audiences should be greeted before the show begins, and the popcorn never more than 4 hours old. It’s sad that other people won’t get this chance.