Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015
posted March 27, 2018 06:08 PM
I don't know if its an age thing or the reason may be I have been active in this unique hobby for to long.
I have just noticed I am not projecting my films on any gauge near as much I used to in the past decades.
Maybe the thrill I got is going for me after all this time.
I don't know for sure just yet but it feels a bit like when you have been in a long term relationship with someone for many years and it simply burns its self out.
Maybe time for a break from the hobby for a while or even a divorce.
I have been listening to a lot more classical music and reading lately .
Yet again I am at a crossroads and reviewing the situation as Fagin did in Oliver.
-------------------- " My equipment's more important than your rats. "
Posts: 452
From: Bromley, Kent
Registered: Nov 2010
posted March 27, 2018 06:54 PM
I seldom get the 16mm m/c out these days, more likely to run the dvd projector, but I have to get my fix occasionaly! I made the mitake of selling it all off a few years back, then had to start again from scratch.
Posts: 1592
From: United States
Registered: Jun 2003
posted March 28, 2018 08:21 AM
David, it's an age thing I've also been enjoying classical and jazz music more than I ever used to, along with my favorite rock LPs. And I go long stretches without screening anything, but keep your films and equipment or I'm sure you'll eventually regret not having them...
Posts: 1236
From: Dunstable ,Bedfordshire.
Registered: Jan 2005
posted March 28, 2018 09:17 AM
I think we all go through this at some stage,for me it's when I go to a film fair and buy a few things tends to kick start viewing films again,I also think not being obsessed by the hobby is healthy too,I've sold off my collection once and wouldn't do it again,when I do watch a film or two I still enjoy it but it's not the be all and end all anymore,Mark
posted March 30, 2018 07:21 AM
Same here Tom; back in the heyday of Super 8, I had the projector out every day, as I was making or buying films, there was always something I needed the projector for. I used to watch a feature every few weeks, but now I'm watching features 4 days out of seven. It's probably down to the individual rather than age, as i'm older than David. Also, as the clock is ticking away, I like to get in as much viewing as possible.
Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015
posted March 30, 2018 07:36 AM
Or it could be I have spent much to much of my life in hot and sweaty 35mm film projection boxes . Or the hobby is getting a bit of an " old hat" for me now.
-------------------- " My equipment's more important than your rats. "
Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003
posted March 30, 2018 07:50 AM
With my brother away on holiday i have been going to his house and looking after the films and equipment and it's becoming a permenant job. Theres always something to do and enough to watch. I am still working through every reel we have. How you blokes with thousands of films manage is beyond me.
Posts: 1236
From: Dunstable ,Bedfordshire.
Registered: Jan 2005
posted March 30, 2018 10:33 AM
Hundreds or even thousands of films Tom,I bet owning that amount of films they wouldn't get watched,that is a real obsessive,buying to own rather than buying to watch,been there,now I watch everything i buy but not as often,Mark
Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004
posted March 31, 2018 04:19 AM
I expect some of us (including me) spend so much time online that this seriously cuts into viewing opportunities. For all its merits, the internet has a lot to answer for. I'd certainly like to spend more time watching films, and I'm sure I would do if I lived near a projector service/repair expert who could efficiently ensure my projectors are all working perfectly!
Posts: 84
From: Easton, PA, USA
Registered: Dec 2014
posted March 31, 2018 09:44 AM
I would love to get to dedicate more time to the hobby. Last October I made it a goal to actually sit down and watch every single film in my collection. I was able to get through all of the 8mm and Super 8 shorts, and everything I had on 16. And as of last week I had 4 features to go on Super 8.
Then my Super 8 projector broke.
Then I got a lot of 80 films.
And then another lot of 13.
And yesterday as I was unboxing the last lot, I felt absolutely no excitement. It was a great haul too. But with a 9 month old I figure it'll take me weeks or months to get through everything, and it feels more overwhelming and depressing than exciting.
Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003
posted March 31, 2018 12:40 PM
Dave, we are still working through ours, we have now viewed all of the 16mm, (we do only have around 23 though) but the 8mm's are taking a lot longer than i thought because of the addition of 16. We still have over 300 to go but slowly slowly. i try to view one most days even if its just a short or a couple of trailers.
posted March 31, 2018 08:56 PM
I find myself working on projectors more than actually watching film. To minimize any possible burnout on the hobby I find myself only threading up the machines 6-8 times a year. This applies to my viewing film (in any / all gauges.)That makes it more of an event for me and something I look forward to.
-------------------- Turn out the lights,the movie is starting!
posted April 01, 2018 06:16 AM
I tend to go through phases. I think the ready availability of so many of the titles on DVD/Blu makes it too easy for me to view films now. A certain amount of this is age related laziness on my part.
Posts: 508
From: Southend on Sea, Essex, UK
Registered: Feb 2015
posted April 02, 2018 07:00 AM
I suspect that, for some of us, bad backs contribute to the unwillingness to lug heavy projectors round the house. How I envy those with dedicated cinemas. There's no excuse for not running film regularly then.