I was a projectionist for many years. This man kept his booth going so well. Those old 50+ year old Brenkert BX-80 projectors were as quiet and steady as when they were new. Most of the theatres I worked closed after decades with the same equipment they opened with. It was made to last. The digital garbage that is being installed in theatres today won't even last 10 years before it will have to be replaced at a HUGE cost again. The heart and soul of what made theatres and movies great in the past is now gone forever.
it was right around 2014 that I looked at film projection as a hobby. Never did it before but it looked like a lot of fun. All this equipment was coming up on ebay and I bought a cinema projector that came out of a theater in TX. Best hobby a geek tech-head could have.
Everything old is new again. I work at The Drexel Theater in Columbus, Ohio. The Drexel is a historic landmark, art deco theater celebrating it's 85th year. We have 3 screens (houses 2 and 3 added in the 1980s) and we made the digital conversion. HOWEVER, after all of this time, we are planning to resurrect our one remaining 35mm Simplex projector very soon. Film will once more be shown at the Drexel.
Sad.. Things change 4 better or worse. In this case it affects good people, that just want to make a living .. I was in love with the movies. back in the 50's I devised a plan to get into the projection booth in Joliet, Il. I knocked on the door and hoped the protectionist would open it. he did, and told him I was doing a story on the movies and could I come in and look around? he was very gracious and let me in. it was a Sunday, the picture was a Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh flick." perfect furlough. ". ..I can remember if it were yesterday. I love the OLD movies, Not the crap they r showing today. I would NOT go to a movie today if they paid me $100.00.
Movies they way they were intended to be shown. Was a US Navy projectionist at Kingsville NAAS before TD "A" School (1965-66), extra board op with IA Local 550 (Norfolk) and finally Local 513/354 (Tulsa) in the late 80's. Was fortunate to run movies in the carbon-arc/changeover world and IMHO, xenon and platters took all the fun out of the craft. Was able to extend my carbon-arc days for a few years running spotlights (Strong Super Trouper/Gladiator) with L354 as an IATSE stagehand but even the fun ceased after we replaced the spots with Strong xenon models. So sorry you had to say goodbye to the old ways but then again, progress is inevitable. I will say that digital has added and incredible dimension but it has killed the role of a booth projectionist forever. The best of luck to you. Hopefully, you've attracted a good customer-base and that their loyal to the drive-in world, regardless of format. Thanks for the great video!
I was a projectionist for many years. This man kept his booth going so well. Those old 50+ year old Brenkert BX-80 projectors were as quiet and steady as when they were new. Most of the theatres I worked closed after decades with the same equipment they opened with. It was made to last. The digital garbage that is being installed in theatres today won't even last 10 years before it will have to be replaced at a HUGE cost again. The heart and soul of what made theatres and movies great in the past is now gone forever.
I agree!
That is true 😃👍
it was right around 2014 that I looked at film projection as a hobby. Never did it before but it looked like a lot of fun. All this equipment was coming up on ebay and I bought a cinema projector that came out of a theater in TX. Best hobby a geek tech-head could have.
Film has a special, unique texture to it. Every movie has its own grain structure and sharpness. Now just a memory in digital presentations.
I installed the digital projection equipment here and at Mifflintown. Bill, Barb, and Jeff are wonderful people and were gracious hosts.
I love the crackle sound of the film in the end. Good video!
Very, very, well done.
Excellent documentary! very informative!
Many thanks!
Everything old is new again. I work at The Drexel Theater in Columbus, Ohio. The Drexel is a historic landmark, art deco theater celebrating it's 85th year. We have 3 screens (houses 2 and 3 added in the 1980s) and we made the digital conversion. HOWEVER, after all of this time, we are planning to resurrect our one remaining 35mm Simplex projector very soon. Film will once more be shown at the Drexel.
I assume it'll be showing old prints in that case?
@@koekje00005 at the time of my post, we were planning to open Oppenheimer on 35mm. We still don’t have it running yet so we went with DCP.
Digital is.killing everything.
From.movies to real-life etc.
Sad.. Things change 4 better or worse. In this case it affects good people, that just want to make a living .. I was in love with the movies. back in the 50's I devised a plan to get into the projection booth in Joliet, Il. I knocked on the door and hoped the protectionist would open it. he did, and told him I was doing a story on the movies and could I come in and look around? he was very gracious and let me in. it was a Sunday, the picture was a Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh flick." perfect furlough. ". ..I can remember if it were yesterday. I love the OLD movies, Not the crap they r showing today. I would NOT go to a movie today if they paid me $100.00.
You can still get 35mm films, but you can't used the platter
Movies they way they were intended to be shown. Was a US Navy projectionist at Kingsville NAAS before TD "A" School (1965-66), extra board op with IA Local 550 (Norfolk) and finally Local 513/354 (Tulsa) in the late 80's. Was fortunate to run movies in the carbon-arc/changeover world and IMHO, xenon and platters took all the fun out of the craft. Was able to extend my carbon-arc days for a few years running spotlights (Strong Super Trouper/Gladiator) with L354 as an IATSE stagehand but even the fun ceased after we replaced the spots with Strong xenon models. So sorry you had to say goodbye to the old ways but then again, progress is inevitable. I will say that digital has added and incredible dimension but it has killed the role of a booth projectionist forever. The best of luck to you. Hopefully, you've attracted a good customer-base and that their loyal to the drive-in world, regardless of format. Thanks for the great video!
It's not even fun to go to the movies anymore.
Nuff said.
So sad that they don’t show the real movies anymore. Digital is so boring.
Was that Bru Baker..... 👀🤔
SO SAD!
u should paint the screen