In my early days as a projectionist, I worked in some older theatres that we did the same thing. It was because the theatres did not install masking motors so the projectionist could operate it from the booth.
Glad you had a great time. Village East is getting it. I applied to be projectionist since they were looking for people with expierience, (39 years) and I had run 70MM in the 80’s and 90’s. I was told they hired kids from a vocational school. Lets watch that $15,000.00 print get trashed the first weekend.
I had a gentleman from Boston Light and Sound contact me but the work was in Boston for 3 weeks. Everything I would make would b e spent on hotel, etc. If it was NYC then thats a different story.
And here I am a 39 year veteran of projection who ran numerous 70MM shows in the 80’s and early 90’s, and I sit home unemployed and a part time stage hand. Damn digital.
rcdt55b, yes you described what I was seeing perfectly. Thats exactly what I said to the folks I was with, that it looked like 3 sections. Every time I leave, I always look up to the booth and always wish, although I know never possible, what it would be like to see the booth. My projection career of 38 years ended 2 years ago when digital took over. Now Im just a stagehand. Have a good show run.
Saw the Christmas show tonight at 530pm. Awesome as usual. But its funny, even on the new screen, which was huge and awesome, from my seat JJ505 off aisle E, the image looked like 3 varying shades of brightness. Im wondering if its the 3D glasses causing me to see this???
Hard to disagree with you alps. Im just happy that in my 38 years of full time projectionist I was able to run 35, 70, and 15/70 IMAX. The last 2 years have been hard for me, now being a stagehand, but as Ive been told, time marches on.
Trust me Mikeoaklandpark, Tarantino will want any theatre that can show it on 70mm to show it in 70mm. He hates digital. At his New Beverly Cinema out in California, the first thing he did when got full ownership was trash the digital projector.
walterk, I hope we can visit that place. I have not heard from them at all. I wonder if the stuff in the attic got saved. I would go see the hateful 8 with my wife after she gets out of Radio City, if they get it.
Star Wars is going to be on every screen on every block in every neighborhood if possible. It will be out of gas within a month. I would rather see the roadshow exclusive Hateful 8 play here.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mitchell a few years ago and got a tour of the place. I certainly do not want to be critical because they are trying to preserve 35mm film presentation. But when I saw MAS*H there a few years ago, I said the same thing about the changeovers. And I knew this movie well from my early days as a projectionist. I knew they were clean and it seemed to me like some footage was already run thru as if the operator threaded up too far on the leader. It saddens me because I always took great care to make them as smooth as possible. My last 35mm presentation at the CountBasie was in January, “Interstellar” and folks were amazed how they couldnt tell where the changeovers were.
And that RogerA is why film is dying. I argue with people all the time that there is a difference. I saw interstellar last year at the Ziegfeld in 70MM. Big difference between that and the digital trailers. The public today just dont care. As long long as they have the reclining seats and the loud ear crushing sound and tons of special effects, they’re happy. Say 70MM to someone and they’ll say “what?”
Recieved an e mail from this drive in. Interesting how they say to have rear hatches and trunks open and interior lights on upon approach to boxoffice. They say no outside food or drink allowed and I guess they really enforce it. I think some people would be put off by this. Just saying.
Thats something I really miss these days. Movie titles with the stars names on the marquee, and advertizing whats coming next. Most of todays theatres dont even have marquees.
Yes Dave, I met Irv last year. He interviewed me for his new book. Yes Ive had a nice run at many different theatres. I miss it a lot. Digital is just not projection in my humble opinion. The only 2 theatres I have a chance to run film at is here in Rahway and the Count Basie in Red Bank, and they do mostly digital. Im glad you enjoy my posts about the past. I enjoy sharing them.
Yes Dave, my father was the projectionist that night. He then moved on to the Royal in Perth Amboy until June of 1972, when he and my uncle moved to the brand new Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema in Carteret.
In my early days as a projectionist, I worked in some older theatres that we did the same thing. It was because the theatres did not install masking motors so the projectionist could operate it from the booth.
I was told, but could not confirm, that only 3 theatres in NYC getting it in 70. Lincoln Square, E Walk and Village East
Glad you had a great time. Village East is getting it. I applied to be projectionist since they were looking for people with expierience, (39 years) and I had run 70MM in the 80’s and 90’s. I was told they hired kids from a vocational school. Lets watch that $15,000.00 print get trashed the first weekend.
I had a gentleman from Boston Light and Sound contact me but the work was in Boston for 3 weeks. Everything I would make would b e spent on hotel, etc. If it was NYC then thats a different story.
And here I am a 39 year veteran of projection who ran numerous 70MM shows in the 80’s and early 90’s, and I sit home unemployed and a part time stage hand. Damn digital.
I was the screen cleaner for clearview for a few years from about 1997 till 2004. I must have cleaned many of the screens in your theatres.
rcdt55b, yes you described what I was seeing perfectly. Thats exactly what I said to the folks I was with, that it looked like 3 sections. Every time I leave, I always look up to the booth and always wish, although I know never possible, what it would be like to see the booth. My projection career of 38 years ended 2 years ago when digital took over. Now Im just a stagehand. Have a good show run.
Saw the Christmas show tonight at 530pm. Awesome as usual. But its funny, even on the new screen, which was huge and awesome, from my seat JJ505 off aisle E, the image looked like 3 varying shades of brightness. Im wondering if its the 3D glasses causing me to see this???
And for that they are to be applauded.
I wonder if AMC even kept the 70MM projector. In most of their theatres they just rolled all film equipment right into the dumpsters.
Hard to disagree with you alps. Im just happy that in my 38 years of full time projectionist I was able to run 35, 70, and 15/70 IMAX. The last 2 years have been hard for me, now being a stagehand, but as Ive been told, time marches on.
Trust me Mikeoaklandpark, Tarantino will want any theatre that can show it on 70mm to show it in 70mm. He hates digital. At his New Beverly Cinema out in California, the first thing he did when got full ownership was trash the digital projector.
walterk, I hope we can visit that place. I have not heard from them at all. I wonder if the stuff in the attic got saved. I would go see the hateful 8 with my wife after she gets out of Radio City, if they get it.
Star Wars is going to be on every screen on every block in every neighborhood if possible. It will be out of gas within a month. I would rather see the roadshow exclusive Hateful 8 play here.
Screw Star Wars. I hope they get Hateful 8 in 70MM
I had the pleasure of meeting Mitchell a few years ago and got a tour of the place. I certainly do not want to be critical because they are trying to preserve 35mm film presentation. But when I saw MAS*H there a few years ago, I said the same thing about the changeovers. And I knew this movie well from my early days as a projectionist. I knew they were clean and it seemed to me like some footage was already run thru as if the operator threaded up too far on the leader. It saddens me because I always took great care to make them as smooth as possible. My last 35mm presentation at the CountBasie was in January, “Interstellar” and folks were amazed how they couldnt tell where the changeovers were.
I agree The400Blows. Unfortunately we are in the minority.
And that RogerA is why film is dying. I argue with people all the time that there is a difference. I saw interstellar last year at the Ziegfeld in 70MM. Big difference between that and the digital trailers. The public today just dont care. As long long as they have the reclining seats and the loud ear crushing sound and tons of special effects, they’re happy. Say 70MM to someone and they’ll say “what?”
I wanted to go Mikeoaklandpark, but I agree, Im not sure Im up for all that.
Recieved an e mail from this drive in. Interesting how they say to have rear hatches and trunks open and interior lights on upon approach to boxoffice. They say no outside food or drink allowed and I guess they really enforce it. I think some people would be put off by this. Just saying.
Thats something I really miss these days. Movie titles with the stars names on the marquee, and advertizing whats coming next. Most of todays theatres dont even have marquees.
Yes Dave, I met Irv last year. He interviewed me for his new book. Yes Ive had a nice run at many different theatres. I miss it a lot. Digital is just not projection in my humble opinion. The only 2 theatres I have a chance to run film at is here in Rahway and the Count Basie in Red Bank, and they do mostly digital. Im glad you enjoy my posts about the past. I enjoy sharing them.
Yes Dave, my father was the projectionist that night. He then moved on to the Royal in Perth Amboy until June of 1972, when he and my uncle moved to the brand new Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema in Carteret.
Dave, Im guessing Grease was a blu ray? And Im hoping to be the projectionist in Nov. Just waiting for the call.
Thank you. So that was the biggest of the 3 and the first one to close.