8mm Forum: Our Last Projectionist

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Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on February 23, 2014, 05:08 PM:

I heard a knock on the door last night and there was this person much taller than me, just standing there smiling. It was the young kid, now all grown up, that I had trained when he was 15 years old back in 2008 to do projection work.

It was great to catch up with him and chat about the old place, although over the years we all move on, as you do, you don't forget people.

He recounted the amusing story of when he did a private screening one night and went downstairs to check with the person responsible for that group, to make sure they were ready before starting the projector.

One lady saw and approached him, only to ask if he was lost and looking for his parents "he did look a lot younger than 15". He had to explain, and much to there surprise that he was in fact the projectionist [Big Grin]

Working in a cinema certainly had its stories and character's and interesting times, that's for sure. Glad we made a video back then to record the films and projectors, and its something he can show his own kids one day in the future... of a moment in time that is now long gone.

Graham.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on February 23, 2014, 05:10 PM:

Does he still have an interest in projecting and film, Graham?

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on February 23, 2014, 05:38 PM:

I don't think so, he is busy completing an electical apprenticeship on the "big stuff" at the moment and doing really well, he hopes to later travel the world and later on work in Australia.

I did give him my old Eumig 940 projector and some films long ago, but forgot to ask him last night if he ever ran it [Smile]

I did say to him once long ago, that one day he would forget about the place...he quickly replied that he wouldn't, so I guess working in a cinema has left its mark.

I do remember once, he told me he did all that mime/brake dancing stuff on stage at his high school, anyway, one night a bunch of girls turned up at the cinema. Chris ran upstairs to the projection room and locked the door. The girls were banging on the door for him to come out.....he was popular with the girls [Big Grin]

I told him to enjoy that attention, as the only people that chase me are debt collectors [Smile]

I could write a book on that place [Big Grin]

Graham.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on February 24, 2014, 07:00 AM:

Graham

I just love your stories! Still waiting for that video.

PatD

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on February 24, 2014, 11:39 PM:

Thanks Pat [Smile]

I bought a new Panasonic HD 1080 camera late last year, but have not used it as yet. I will have to soon, make the effort and make another video. I was also thinking of going over the hours of stuff, taken when working at the cinema and put together a short edit version of around 10 minutes that might be of interest.

Our original video about 50 minutes included things like threading, changing a Xenon lamp, the girls downstairs and "with there kind permission"...how to make popcorn, roll icecream etc.

Anyway one more still taken from the original video....

Graham.

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