This is topic What line of work are you in? in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.
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Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on December 20, 2009, 01:59 AM:
I always find it interesting when fellow forum members relate what they do (or did) for a living. I see many are or were involved in the movie business in some form, yet many are not.
We seem to know a lot about each others hobbies, but not what we do for a crust (is that expression known out of Australia?).
I understand that some may be sensitive with sharing this information i.e. you may be an undercover operative, then you can just say "government employee".
I have spent my entire working life in the cinema and drive-in business. I trained as an assistant projectionist and qualified as a projectionist. I worked in large city theatres with 70mm, drive-ins and suburban multiplexes. I later worked in theatre operations management and spent 8 years as the National Technical Manager with Village Theatres. These days we own a drive-in theatre, the Lunar here in Melbourne.
David
Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 1337) on December 20, 2009, 02:42 AM:
I am 23 and have worked part time the last few years as projectionist at our CBD's last movie theatre. Tripled now, but still standing which counts for something I suppose. My other job is on the service desk at Coles (supermarket).
Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on December 20, 2009, 03:15 AM:
I am 19 and I'm currently in the university becoming a high school teacher. On my free time I work as a computer repairman, I also run three websites, one local news, one humour/news and one IT-support site. I also spend alot of time as a freelance journalist, doing stories on most local things where I live for the regional papers.
My "official job" at the time though, is as a store clerk in the local SPAR. I only work there two nights a week though, so most of time is used for the sites I run + my hobbies ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on December 20, 2009, 03:38 AM:
One of my first ever jobs was in a drive in theatre 30+ years ago..We still ran carbon arc projectors which were the first I learned on. Nowadays I work prepping films for the lab at one of the largest film archives UCLA.
Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on December 20, 2009, 07:11 AM:
Actor
Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on December 20, 2009, 09:06 AM:
"La-Z-Boy service tech"
ok.....furniture repairman!
Bill
Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on December 20, 2009, 09:16 AM:
Shorty, have you played in any films I might have seen? ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posted by Bob Pucci (Member # 8) on December 20, 2009, 09:24 AM:
I am semi-retired and working as a bus monitor here in Rhode Island.Started collecting film both 16mm and super 8mm about 10 years ago.
Posted by Chip Gelmini (Member # 44) on December 20, 2009, 09:28 AM:
Theater projectionist 1978-2002
Supermarket floor clerk and front end cashier 2001 - to present
Recently returned to cinema projectionist Thanksgiving 2009 to present
Other hobbies include computers, photography, music (jazz drummer), and on occasion some 10-pin bowling. I also really enjoy bicycle riding in the warmer months, pedaling an average 600 miles from end of March to end of September.
Posted by Guy Taylor, Jr. (Member # 786) on December 20, 2009, 09:46 AM:
I am an owner/manager of a small bar and grill in Galveston, Texas. The name of the place is "The Stork Club."
I plan to start a "Winter Film Series" in the club beginning this January.
Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on December 20, 2009, 10:01 AM:
Films, TV - PBS w/Adam Arkin, HBO Autopsy, Sliver, Mighty Aphrodite, Angie, Wolf, close calls on some others - such is a life of a bit player climbing slowly
Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on December 20, 2009, 10:04 AM:
I am a free-lance broadcast-level videographer.
I shoot government video, TV programs, coporate special events and some news.
Claus.
Posted by John Skujins (Member # 1515) on December 20, 2009, 10:22 AM:
I work in a composite materials research center in a university. I manage the mechanical testing lab for the center, among other duties.
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on December 20, 2009, 12:47 PM:
I'm an Electrical Engineer for the US Department of Energy. I work at a National Physics Lab here on Long Island.
It's not as impressive as it sounds: I've only been working there since June and a significant part of the job is to just wrap my head around what I'm working on. During my first month my opinion of the work could be summarized as "Whaaat????!!"
Lately it's "Oh!" more and more often.
Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on December 20, 2009, 12:49 PM:
Government Employee!! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Shorty,
Is that the Woody Allen movie MIGHTY APHRODITE that you were in? Which part?
Posted by Greg Marshall (Member # 1268) on December 20, 2009, 01:12 PM:
I started working at a single house theatre in 1976, when I was 15. I saw that single house split into a twin in 1977, and in 1978 I began working at the same owner's drive in, my hometown of Columbia TN. Finished up college in 1982, and went into management with a theatre chain based in Charlotte, NC, Consolidated Theatres. Later in the 1980's I worked for Litchfield Theatres Ltd, until I left theatre management in 1989, when I went into property management. I left PM for a couple of years during that time, and went back to the cinemas, as booth manager for a 20-screen complex. Had to have a break from PM.
I'm now a banker with the largest bank in Tennessee, First Tennessee. FT's parent company is First Horizon. It's certainly a challenging time to be in banking, however, I am totally lovin what I'm doing. Recently acquired my license for insurance and annuities, and within the next two years will prep myself for my Series 6 and 63, for investments.
I began collecting 8mm films in the early 70's. I found myself not collecting once I began working in the theatres, and through school. I began collecting once again in the early 90's, then sold off my collection and equipment by 2000. I wished I had kept my films, but, oh well... the thrill of the hunt once again. I started collecting once again last spring, 2008... and so, here I am.
Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on December 20, 2009, 01:13 PM:
I am a screenwriter and functioning artist as well. (painting, singer/songwriter, musician).. I am also a poet and novelist.
Egad! I destined to be poor for my life! I'm really not fit for anything else!
Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on December 20, 2009, 06:15 PM:
I am 23
I own my own cinema that I brought back in 2008, before then I worked as a projectionist at night and during the day pumping gas.
Patrick
Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on December 20, 2009, 06:44 PM:
Michael, a race track tout - Hardly visible
Posted by Jose Artiles (Member # 471) on December 20, 2009, 09:16 PM:
I´m a film restorer and film archivist,i work for the national film library of my country,Im forty years old now and i start on the cinema business as a projectionist when i was 22 during university years,actually im restoring the original 16mm negatives of "the man and the earth" for a blue ray edition in my country.
Happy christmas to all friends!!
Jose.
Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on December 21, 2009, 02:31 AM:
Shorty,
I'm gonna take a look, see if I spot ya!
Posted by Trevor Adams (Member # 42) on December 21, 2009, 03:59 AM:
Golly,must be awful,having to work!
Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on December 21, 2009, 05:34 AM:
Creative consultant / director. I've worked for films, tv shows, advertising, animation, radio broadcasting, amusement parks, publishing companies...
I currently share my time between creative consulting for my own independent business: Amusement-ID
Institutionnal video directing and corporate shows stageing for these two companies: Zebu Entreprises and Iris Production.
And finally music production and management for this band: Wildpath (second album was just released).
I'm thinking of going back to school this year to get my booth operator certification. Last year, although didn't pass any exam, I trained as a light designer and learned DMX programming.
Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on December 21, 2009, 09:57 AM:
If you try, use a high-powered 4X telescopic binocular lense with a 4.5 blade shutter, added to strong bi-focals and you might spot a speck
Posted by David Erskine (Member # 1244) on December 21, 2009, 11:10 AM:
a) I agree with Trevor and b) kindly stop using 4 letter words like 'w*rk' [I tried it once, but it didn't agree with me!]. I'm now pretty well retired, but ran a small software house (specialising in market research survey analysis) for umpty years, as well as being an Equity member and still compering events. Gets me out of the house!.
Cheers, David E
Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on December 21, 2009, 01:53 PM:
Jeepers.....after reading what people do for a crust I feel like a bit of an antique. Well ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
left school as soon as I was 15 back in 1967 for my first full time job as a store boy for a Ford car dealership at a place called Greenock in Scotland, when I was 16 I wanted to get an apprentiship as a marine engineer but it was not to be. Served my apprentiship as a motor mechanic instead, immigrated out to NZ on my own in 1973, continued to work as a motor mechanic for places like Avis, got the chance to make the move to general aviation employed as an aircraft engineer in 1976 that took me through to 1986 next job was in the airline industry working shiftwork on many types of aircraft until 1997 when the engineering base closed down and everyone including myself was made redundant. I was very lucky to be offered another job once again on aircraft "Ansett NZ" was there two years until they closed down and made everyone redundant, "getting to be a bad habit" funny thing though within a few weeks they phoned and asked me back for a few months work.. which I did. I would have to say that all the people I have worked with since I left school have been really good and I do consider myself very lucky indeed. From 2000 to the present I am employed as a full time projectionist, at times I do miss not working with my tools many of which go back to 1960s one such Snap-on socket set I got from an american who worked on the Holy Loch Submarine base I fixed his car and he got me a really nice socket set so I guess I owe the american tax-payer on that one. well enough rambling better go and do some work.
Graham.
Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on December 21, 2009, 06:05 PM:
I belong to an elite force called THE FILM POLICE. We have some of the harshest punishment. Base scratches are a misdemeanor with a possible parole, but emulsion scratches are a felony and you can get up to 3 years. Destroying film, 20 years to life. While incarcerated you are placed in a dark room and fed the worst kind of food, popcorn, coke, an occasional hot dog, with flicks and bonbons. We have yet to execute anyone, but be careful, we're out there.
But seriously I started optical printing in 1980, then in July 2003 it finally dried up for me, went to school for digital work for 9 months and now working for a digital intermediate company. Like my optical days, I still work on low budget features with an occasional big feature along the way. Before optical printing I drove school bus.
[ December 21, 2009, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: Larry Arpin ]
Posted by Thomas Murin, Jr. (Member # 1745) on December 21, 2009, 11:08 PM:
I was born with a slight neurological impairment so finding a job has been an exercise in frustation.
After high school I worked at a supermarket fetching the shopping carts in the parking lot. I lasted a week.
Following that was a period of filing jobs for various places.
Next, I spent a year working in the warehouse for a fishing supply store. There was a company takeover and out I went.
After a long period of unemployment, I went through a series of job coaches untill one finally got me into a movie theater as a projectionist.
After my initial training, I was transferred to another theater which is where I still am. I'll have been there for 9 years in February. Hopefully, they'll still keep me on when we switch to digital sometime in the new year.
Posted by Paul Martin (Member # 1847) on December 22, 2009, 02:08 AM:
Interesting topic! I'm an Architectural Technician (Senior they say - at 29 I disagree!) by day for an Architects and by night the same but working for myself. If anyone needs a house extension.........
Always wanted to be a train driver?
Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on December 22, 2009, 03:50 AM:
Like most married men, and probably all "retired and married" men I work for the wife...i.e. I do as I am told!
But joking apart, I have been in the past a wireless technician in the Army, part-time unpaid cinema projectionist, radar Test Engineer with EMI, Test Equipment Maintenance Technician with one of the first UK transistor manufacturers, Head of Electrical and Barometric Standards in an Aircraft Instrumentation factory,
Sales Engineer for Precision Measuring equipment,and, finally, a self-employed Radio and TV Service Engineer, Aerial System Installer, and Retailer.
Paul, if you're prepared to move to Devon, there's a nice house in six acres of woodland with its own dis-used narrow gauge railway: used to run on a commercial basis as a tourist attraction! Can't offer you work on extensions; just finished my own (got that wrong,; just finished one for the wife!).
Martin
Posted by Michael Beyer (Member # 1143) on December 22, 2009, 07:36 AM:
I'm working for a part of the german government, it is called "Kreisverwaltung". I'm in the IT there. A part of my job is to be the webmaster of our homepage. Another one is to cut some films on the PC for presentations or so - but only sometimes. Apart from that I have to solve the well-known user-problems
Oh - I forgot to say that I'm 38 years old.
Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on December 22, 2009, 08:00 AM:
I am a radio news reporter/producer....part time actor ..and have produced record albums for Disney..working out of the Burbank , Ca. studio.
Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on December 22, 2009, 08:39 AM:
Boy Larry! I so want to work with you on releasing a new super 8 release.
Ever since, (and actually before) I (I repeat ... "I") lost my commercials in the mail, I have been building a new collection of commercials to release on Super 8! A number of the ads that I had on the earlier collection I had two or more copies of, and so there is a good chance that I'll have a good second collection.
I just hope that optical printers will still ne available in the future.
Posted by Paul Martin (Member # 1847) on December 22, 2009, 09:46 AM:
Hi Martin - that sounds fantastic! Me and the good lady are just getting our first house together... she thinks 'Dining Room' means 'Dining Room'..... model railway and cine room!
Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on December 22, 2009, 11:53 AM:
Paul,
Looking at my post again..it could be interpreted that its mine!
It isn't, I spotted it for sale...if I wasn't the age I am I like to have had a go myself.
Martin.
Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on December 22, 2009, 03:19 PM:
Osi-Are you sure the reel isn't underneath your car seat? I cannot imagine a package getting totally lost, not going to its destination or returned, unless you have horrible handwriting. And yes the printer is still available. Haven't finished my reel yet, but hopefully soon. I've only done tests and it is looking very good.
Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on December 22, 2009, 04:13 PM:
Hey Gary Crawford, I'll send you a resume, no kidding, work is in short-shrift about now
Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on December 23, 2009, 05:33 AM:
Hi-
Well, I started my working career at several historic grindhouse cinemas in Washington D.C. from 1980 to 1986 (seemed longer). It was a great experience, with very interesting memories.
In 1986, I started my career as a D.C. Police Officer, and went to the forensic crime scene lab in 2001 (CSI- without all the glamour).
In about two years, I'll join Trevor and David in retirement .
Maybe I can work with Larry in the Film Police Force!
James.
Posted by Paul Spinks (Member # 573) on December 23, 2009, 07:27 AM:
For the last 35 years I have been working deep in the bowels of the earth as a train driver on the London Underground. You can usually spot us as we are the ones with the grey pasty faces.
Posted by Keith Ashfield (Member # 741) on December 25, 2009, 05:13 AM:
I was one of the "tree fellers" in the Antartic. The other two fellas were a postman and a dustbinman. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
[ December 25, 2009, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: Keith Ashfield ]
Posted by Jeroen van Ooijen (Member # 1104) on December 25, 2009, 06:35 AM:
Nice topic!
I was filmoperator here in ythe Netherlands for 5 years,now i'am working for the bookclub Readers Digest here un the Netherlands french and dutch.
I work also for Disneyclub Benelux!
Administration employee!
I'am 34 years old!
Posted by Keith Ashfield (Member # 741) on December 25, 2009, 12:57 PM:
In view of all the previous posts on this topic, with comments from members like Larry,Joe and Osi, and their involvement within the Film and Entertainment Industry, I feel that I should make my meagre contribution.
I finished my school education in 1967, when the final bell rang and the headmaster said,
“Right, get out!”
It was hoped that I would follow in my fathers’ footsteps, but this proved to be impossible as he wore bigger shoes than me and had a longer stride.
I embarked upon a five-year apprenticeship and became a mechanical engineer. However, I knew, deep inside that this was not the career for which I was destined.I wanted to be “in the Movies” and the roles that I wanted were “bit parts”. I placed adverts in trade magazines and eventually received an invitation for an audition.
I was successful in achieving my first role in movies – I was to play John-Claude Van Dammes’ backside. As it happened, this was not the role that it was “cracked up to be”, but it was a start. I was in the “industry” at last.
My next role was in the sci-fi movie “Predator” in which I played the role of Carl Weathers severed arm. At the end of a gruelling “shoot”, the cast and crew gave me a “big hand” for my performance.
Because of my inaugural role with JCVD, word reached the director Richard Donner, who asked me to take on the role of Mel Gibson’s “rear end”. I know what your thinking – there seems to be a pattern forming here, but everyone has to “start at the bottom”. After appearing in the “Lethal Weapon” movies, Mel moved into directing “Braveheart”, with myself “following behind”.
It was during the making of this epic that my admiration for Mr.Gibson diminished somewhat. Despite my protestations that I was more than willing to do my own stunts, he insisted on wearing silk frilly underpants, during his performance. His “excuse” was that the plaid kilt was “too rough” and he was not prepared to “go commando!” I was sure that William Wallace, and every self respecting Scotsman, would be appalled. I vowed, following this debacle, that the only way for me from now on, was “up”. Little did I know about the future?
My agent rang and told me that I had the chance to be in a musical called “Copacabana”. The role would be that of Barry Manilow’s nose. He said that this was a part “not to be sniffed at” and at least it was a step in the right direction. The film however, was not a great success.
Following this, things were about to get “hard”. “Bit parts” were more difficult to get and in order to pay the bills; I had to resort to “lowering my sights” and entered the “Porn” business. I was elected to become a “member” in the "Big John" Holmes stunt team.This was a most unpleasant experience. The job was full of uncertainties – not knowing whether you were “coming or going”, getting “in and out of sticky situations” and at the end of the day there was the possibility of being “pulled out” completely at the end of your performance.
Fortunately, things were about to take to a turn for the better, in more ways than one. I managed to get the coveted role as Jessica Rabbits “Left Boob”. Director Robert Zemeckies said the job would have it’s “ups and down” at times, but I would find the experience “uplifting”. It did of course have its drawbacks – the possibility of getting Myxomatosis from that idiotic rabbit and my constant cries of
“Will you be careful with those teeth?”
The good part about the job was that I met my future wife Pam, who was playing the role of Jessica’s “Right Boob”. We fell in love immediately and got married at the end of the shoot. You could say we have been “bosom buddies” ever since.
Pam retired from “the business”, and we had a daughter. I managed to support my family by getting the role I was born to play – the part of 007 Roger Moore’s eyebrow.
At last I had reached the top and the words of my white haired old mother rang in my ears –
“See son, I told you that, one day, you would get a head”.
We saw the world together; Sir Roger and I, and now we are both retired from the movie business. Sir Roger has his U.N.I.C.E.F. work to occupy his time and I have returned to the humdrum life of a company director.
I have to say that the roles in the movies were sometimes a “little hard” but ultimately “uplifting”. The physical training regimes that I had to maintain in order to fulfil the role of “The Eyebrow” have taken their toll on my body. All those “push-ups” and “press-ups” have played havoc with my spine.
There have, of course, been attempts at luring me back onto the screen with offers of "bit parts" in C.S.I Las Vegas and C.S.I. New York. but I didn't have the "guts" for the challenge anymore. Besides, most of the roles are absolutely "offal".
“Was it all worth it?” I hear you ask.
Of course it was! If it were not for the fact that I have, during my previous years, been an absolute arsehole, a bit of a dick and a big soft tit, I would not have met the “love of my life”.
We now sit down together, in our twilight years, and watch our memories unfold on the “Silver Screen” in glorious Super 8mm. We have the facility, should we feel vain enough, to pause the DVD and to gaze in wonderment, at the “sweet little gem” of a performance to which, until now, only we were privy to.
So the next time, dear reader, you see an “Arse” on the screen, ask yourself this simple question –
“Is that a fellow 8mm Forum member?”
[ December 25, 2009, 05:54 PM: Message edited by: Keith Ashfield ]
Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on December 26, 2009, 02:39 AM:
Since we are talking about work, I thought it might be fun to show that my love of the small gauge carries over to work, by inserting a photo of my desk/work bench in the photo you can see I have an Ercsam Senior M.30 9.5mm projector and my Elmo AP-8, there is an Elmo ST-1200 HD under the desk, so if I get an urge I can watch any format at work. The box next to the elmo has the reg 8mm feature Saga of Gosta Berling that I was watching reel by reel at lunch the week I shot the foto..
Not sure why the pic is so murky but up on the wall there is a 1922 framed stock certificate from Pathe Baby, an original 1903 Edison poster for a film show just weeks before The Great Train Robbery, and some other silent film ephemera.
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
OH and in terms of working in the industry - I thought the thread was about our current jobs, but I should have bragged a little more since I was once the toast of Hollywood back in the 1990's with my friend Colin Malone, we had this ridiculous show on cable (that also aired on SKY over in the UK) called Colin's sleazy friends and we had everyone you can think on from the music and comedy world, I have even played myself in feature films. I eventually quit the show because we kept gettign offers to act and i had no real desire to do it, and it was interfering with my bands' touring schedule.. Here is a youtube clip of us with Jack Black and Kyle from Tenacious D
Posted by Lars-Goran Ahlm (Member # 1908) on January 14, 2010, 03:40 PM:
Hi everybody, I am sort of new here (just joined but have read your topics on a nearly daily basis for a year now) and thought this would be a good place to present myself and make my first appearance.
For 17 years I was a cinema projectionist but then left the busines, but are now back on a irregular basis, as I for the last five years have been moonlighting now and then when the regular projectionist wants to have a breake. (There is only one cinema where I live)
Otherwise I now work at a museum (right place, since I will officially become a "museumpiece" this autum) (I hit the big five-o). And I meet lots of people from all over the world during the summer. Not wanting to brag, but one day last summer I had to use all my language skills, as I not only had to have conversations in my native language but also in English, German and French, I was really totally mentally drained at the end of that day.
As film collecting go, I have some 35 features and lots of shorts and trailers on super 8, a modest collection of two features and five shorts on 16mm. On 35mm I have 15 features, about 15-20 shorts, a couple of hours worth of adverts and about 25-30 plastic 600 meter cans filled with trailers. I once calculated that it would take som eight hours to watch all trailers.
And just this monday (january 11) I received something you could say I had been waiting for for the last 25 years: a Elmo GS1200.
I also have a Elmo GS800 and a ST600D, and also a Fumeo 9119 that is in desperat need of repair.
On 16mm I have two old Siemens 2000 and two Elmo 16CL optical and magnetic, and lastly a Eiki Super Slim Slotload.
Unfortunately I don't have a 35mm projector, but as cinemas are starting to convert to digital (the world is coming to an end) the positive side of this is that it probably will be easy to get hold of projectors nobody wants any more. So I am hopefull to have one in a not to distant future.
Well enough about me for now.
When I have had time to test the GS1200 thoroughly (only tested with a couple of reels so far) I am going to let you now why I think it was a real bargain at €999,95 + 100 for freight from Germany to Sweden.
Hope you don't think this was to OT, but it is my first post
Posted by Keith Ashfield (Member # 741) on January 14, 2010, 03:59 PM:
Welcome on board Lars - "First Post" is always better than "Last Post"
Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on January 14, 2010, 04:03 PM:
Welcome. It's not every day that you encounter with a museum piece...
But then again, I was a guest for a while at the Coney Island Freakshow as Monsieur Electro de Paris.
Posted by Rob Koeling (Member # 35) on January 14, 2010, 05:56 PM:
Hi Lars,
You're from F***ing Åmål? That's funny!
Hope it isn't as boring as it was portrayed
(good film though! Is Moodysson from there?)
A warm welcome!
- Rob
[ November 13, 2016, 10:10 AM: Message edited by: Douglas Meltzer ]
Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 14, 2010, 07:56 PM:
Hi Lars
Welcome to the forum, all the best with the GS1200 dont worry about being O.T. I do it all the time and no one has yet told me to get lost.
Graham.
Posted by Lars-Goran Ahlm (Member # 1908) on January 15, 2010, 04:24 AM:
Why did the post appear twice, I only submitted once? ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Rob,
yes it is that Åmål. Moodyson is not from here, if he was he would have known that this town is actually a anomaly among youngsters. In other small places about 75% of all teenagers want to leave and move to a big city, while the rest want to stay, but here it is the opposit, 25% want to leave and 75% want to stay. And that is quite unique.
I have heard from people that work in the local job centre in town that it have sparked a saying in that community. When anyone refuses to relocate to a other city in order to get a job, the people at the job centres say that person have a "åmål syndrome".
As for the film, I am probably one of a dwindlig group that actually newer have seen it!!
But it has really made some impact, and greatly increased the amount of visitors from around the world. About five years ago we had a visitor at the museum that came from Sydney, Australia. He attended regular showings in Sydney of Swedish films that are shown in original language whitout subtitles, I have forgot who arranges these. (Maybe someone on this forum from "down under" knows?) And through this he had learned Swedish. Since F***ing Åmål was one of the films he really liked, he just had to visit when he was in Sweden. He was acctually staying in Trolhättan, that is situated some 100 kilometres to the south of Åmål. This is where F***ing Åmål acctually was filmed. There is a big area in that town assigned for filmproduction, and several well known movies have been done there. The most known are probably "Dancer in the Dark" and "Dogville". And the area of town where this is located is (unofficially) called "Trollywood"
But there has been films made in Åmål. In 1978-79 a film/TV series of "Charlotte Löwensköld" was partially filmed here, based on the two last books written by Selma Lagerlöf. And most notably the major part of "Ronja Rövardotter" (1984) after the novel of Astrid Lindgren, was shot in the surroundings of Åmål. I had the pleasure to run the dailies for the crew and cast at the cinema during this period, and then we were part of the world premiere. At that first run we showed it 25 times, on 12 of these there was over 300 visitors and the screening vith the least visitors had no less than 99 people attending. All in all there was about 5.500 people that saw it on initial release. That is really good as there was approximately 10.000 people living here then.
But once again I digress an starts to become longwinded.
(hope this is not a sign of how all my postings will be)
[ November 13, 2016, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: Douglas Meltzer ]
Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on January 15, 2010, 08:33 AM:
Hi Lars,
Welcome to the forum.
quote:
Why did the post appear twice, I only submitted once?
Sometimes it's happened if you use back and forward buttons.
You can just edit the second post (you cannot delete it, only admin can) by putting a wording "[double post]".
If you want to edit it, go to that particular second post find the edit button on the right hand.
Look what I have circled.
And write down that wording in the writing box.
regards,
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 15, 2010, 11:37 AM:
I am the Chief Projectionist of the Guiness World Record holder,Tallest Cinema in the world.The 18 screen multiplex in Glasgow,Scotland
Regards
Stewart
Posted by Lars-Goran Ahlm (Member # 1908) on January 15, 2010, 03:23 PM:
Thanks for the help Winbert.
regards
Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 15, 2010, 04:00 PM:
Hi Stewart
Any chance of some info and photos of the cinema where you work 18 screens is a big place, sounds very interesting.
Graham.
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 15, 2010, 09:09 PM:
Sure Graham, here`s my flea pit...
So many stairs.. when the lift breaks down..
Stewart
Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 15, 2010, 09:38 PM:
Stewart
Thats one...big... flea pit thats really something, any more photos.
Ta Graham.
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 15, 2010, 09:50 PM:
1 More
Stewart
Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 15, 2010, 10:15 PM:
Thanks Stewart
Hope you dont mind me asking, do you still use 35mm? or has the switch been made to fully Digital Projection.
Graham
Posted by Thomas Murin, Jr. (Member # 1745) on January 15, 2010, 10:40 PM:
Interesting, Stewart! I hear ya about the stairs. I once worked in a theater that had NO elevators and TWO projection booths. One booth had 6 projectors and the other 4.
The booths were located across the lobby from each other. One had two loooong flights of stairs and the other 3 flights. On top of that, the doors to the stairs had keypad locks you had to enter each time you needed to go there. Once you got to the top of the stairs, you needed to punch another code into the keypad to the door to the booth!
I lasted 3 weeks in that place before I quit. I was exhausted after the end of each day. I was actually worried about having a heart attack, particularly on film day when we had to carry the cannisters of new prints up all those stairs.
The theater I now work at has all 10 projectors spread out over one long hallway. Much easier. And when the elevator is out, it's just two short flights to the booth. Just one keypad to enter the stairwell. This year, I'll have been there 9 years. I think that says it all.
Looks like we will be going digital this year as I just learned we got our funding for it. I guess I'll learn more at the managers meeting next Saturday.
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 16, 2010, 04:36 AM:
We have 17,Kinoton Fp 30 `s plus 1 Fp 50 for our largest screen,
6 of our screen`s have Digital projection too!!
12 of the screens can be interlocked. All screens have Cp650`s.
Regards
Stewart
Posted by John Davis (Member # 1184) on January 16, 2010, 05:10 AM:
Hi Stewart,
I think your cinema is on the site of what was the world famous Glasgow Apollo - of the famous 'bouncing balcony'.
At the time the Apollo showed films (in it's days as Green's Playhouse) I think this made it Europe's biggest cinema.
In fact the Green's playhouse was a little self contained empire because above the theatre/cinema auditorium, there was a very large dance hall and above this all the offices including printing presses.
You'll probably know all this but it's a great piece of cinema heritage and might ring the odd bell with other members,
John
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 16, 2010, 05:40 AM:
Absolutely correct John
Regards
Stewart
Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on January 16, 2010, 05:50 AM:
What the feck is "Fucking Amal"?
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 16, 2010, 12:34 PM:
Its a Film,
You can check it out on IMDB.com
Regards
Stewart
Posted by Stuart Fyvie (Member # 38) on January 16, 2010, 01:59 PM:
I'm working in the post production side of the Industry in Digital Colour correction. I got here mainly because of my interest in 8mm as a youngster. Here is me behind the desk with the DOP Seamus Mcgarvey on 'Nowhere Boy'. Also I had the pleasure to work with this gentleman for a day. Hint- 'Fighting Skeletons'....
http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/showpic.cgi?dir=uploads0503&file=Ray2.jpg[/IMG]
Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on January 16, 2010, 02:17 PM:
Do you have any photos of the booth, Stewart?
Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on January 16, 2010, 02:38 PM:
A bit off topic, but seeing Stewarts pictures I felt the need to say it:
I talked to the local cinema chief, and he gave me permission to visit and take some photos of the booth! We still use 35mm here, so the nostalgia is there
Posted by Stuart Fyvie (Member # 38) on January 16, 2010, 02:46 PM:
Well, there isn't a booth as such, just a big digital projector above my head! Once the film is graded we shoot it out back onto 35mm using an ARRI film recorder. We then watch it at the labs preview theatre , I can take photos of the booth and machines if anyone is interested.
Stuart
Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on January 16, 2010, 02:49 PM:
The question was directed at Stewart, Stuart!!!
Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on January 16, 2010, 03:10 PM:
Those 17 Kinotons! Any idea of the ballpark price of a FP30 Stewart? I've been looking at the FP38E as a holy grail purchase. That is the 16/35 one. I take it a Kinoton is £5-10,000 depending on options?
Posted by Stuart Fyvie (Member # 38) on January 16, 2010, 03:12 PM:
People always get my name spelt wrong......! That is a Big A*** multiplex though!
Stuart
Posted by John Davis (Member # 1184) on January 16, 2010, 04:13 PM:
Hi Stuart, as a youngster were you at Edinburgh Cine Society?
John
Posted by Stuart Fyvie (Member # 38) on January 16, 2010, 04:32 PM:
Yes, for about 5 years, I still keep in touch with some of them,
Stuart
Posted by John Davis (Member # 1184) on January 16, 2010, 04:52 PM:
I used to go to Edinburgh as well as part of the 'Dunfermline posse'.
We used to go to the Ping On chinese restaurant before the club meetings, but eventually the meal became a bigger deal than the club night (this was the days when the club had separate cine and video evenings)
I know at the time you were highly regarded in the club for your films and everyone hoped your talents would take you far, so it's great to see you got into film production,
John
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 16, 2010, 05:04 PM:
Steven,
There isn`t really alot of options you can purchase for the Fp 30`s, they are very reliable,functional projectors. They have a wonderfully curved gate that give you great focus even at the most extremes of the image,xenon focusing is childs play.
I think back in 2001 the price for each fp30 was roughly £9,000 and the Fp 50 was £14,000,the Fp50 was a relatively new model back then.
Stewart
Posted by Stuart Fyvie (Member # 38) on January 16, 2010, 06:15 PM:
John , contact me through
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=257863674107
Cheers,
Stuart.
Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on January 17, 2010, 09:12 AM:
Thanks Stewart! I appreciate the information. The Kinoton website gives a lot of info. The FP38 is 35/16 and super 16 and is marvelous but I feared the prices. That's what I expected, nearer 10 than 5. Perhaps I can find a refurbished one...
Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 17, 2010, 03:54 PM:
Thanks Stewart
Has your company ever thought of putting a behind the scenes dvd together especially while you are still running film projectors.
Graham.
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 17, 2010, 04:20 PM:
Graham,
The only behind the scenes stuff that we did was for local tv news when we first opened,usual cheesey 3 minutes worth.
Cineworld would never fund such a thing unfortunately.
Regards
Stewart
Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on January 17, 2010, 04:44 PM:
Uh oh!!
Stewart John Boyle - do you have any pics of the booth at your cinema?
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 17, 2010, 05:14 PM:
i`ll post some as soon as i can, the booths are not that exciting, Box 1&2, Box3(biggest screen),Box 4 to 7 standard L-shape,Box 8 to 11 L-shape,Box 12 to 15 L-shape, and 16 to 18 L-shape.
Regards
Stewart
Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on January 17, 2010, 05:17 PM:
Thanks. I think Stuart Fyvie thought I was asking him for the photos of HIS booth.
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 17, 2010, 05:37 PM:
Steven,
The dual format 16/35,seems to me to be a very curious beast.I`ve never seen one ,but for the life of me i cant think of any demand for such a projector except for small arthouse or private exhibition. It could be a very long wait before you find perfection my friend
Stewart
Posted by Rob Koeling (Member # 35) on January 20, 2010, 07:56 AM:
Michael,
quote:
What the feck is "Fucking Amal"?
Fucking Åmål is a charming Swedish film from about 10 years ago. I suppose you could call it a 'coming-of-age' comedy/drama about a couple of teenage girls who live 'in the middle of nowhere', a place called Åmål. The director, Lukas Moodysson, went on to make another 2 very worthwhile films: 'Together' and 'Lilya 4 ever'. Not sure what he did after that.
- Rob
Posted by Lars-Goran Ahlm (Member # 1908) on January 20, 2010, 08:31 AM:
Moodyson later made the films "A Hole In My Heart" (2004), "Container" (2006) and "Mammoth" (2009).
The only of his film I have seen is "Lilja 4-ever", and that felt like a kick in the crotch. And I acctually mean that in a positive way.
The only other film that is equal and even tops it is another Swedish film "Älska Mig" (Love Me) from 1986. I ran it for a week at the cinema and I was more or less mentally drained every night. It is probably THE best Swedish film I have ever seen, I have never seen it since and I don't want to see it again for as long as I live. Thats how good it is!
Would you perhaps want to see what Åmål really looks like? Then take a gander at my photostream at Flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/carl-fredric/
There you also can see some photos from my moonlighting at the cinema the last couple of years (pictures from the projectionbooth).
Posted by Stewart John Boyle (Member # 1785) on January 30, 2010, 12:24 PM:
Hi all,
for everyone that asked about photos of the booths in my lovely Cinema,my digi camera has been replaced and i will post pics on monday night.be prepared for lots of of lino and kinoton projectors..
Yours
Stewart
Posted by Christopher Allison (Member # 1867) on February 01, 2010, 06:20 PM:
I work at Oakley Inc (sunglasses). I'm a phone jockey for domestic accounts. Working here for 5yrs, before that i was a pharmacy tech (I would not recommend that line of work).
Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on April 20, 2011, 02:16 AM:
Where are those pictures...Stewart... still waiting.
Graham.
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