Looking back at the dangers of being a projectionist long ago

In this video I show you an old projection booth and the scars left from the early days of cinema projection. I cover nitrate film (As in what is used to make Nitroglycerin, same stuff), how it was combustible and some of the fire safety procedures. I also talk about how a projectionist use to be a uni degree and what this entailed.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• cinema
• projection
• BIO
• film
• nitrate

[AverageJoe4]

very interesting sir. i had know idea there was so much involved. is it hard to become a projectionist these days?

[cinetechgeek]

Well, usually the smarter of the candy bar kids seem to become the projectionists. Tho this area is all changing. You will probably get candyBar kids doing more, but knowing less at the systems become more automated. A tech with IT type background is likely to become very important and probably servicing many sites.

[AverageJoe4]

sorry i'm from southern usa in Texas and i don't know what a "candybar" kid is?

[cinetechgeek]

A kid who gets a job selling candy/chips/drinks. In Australia it is called the CandyBar. So these kids start young, and if they have the aptitude, they may get some work in projection. And if they are good at that, they may become a projectionist full time. This is a typical way to get a job like that "these days". But there is accept ions.

[dvsbstrd]

Just a little note, you mention acetate film as being flammable, but cellulose acetate film was non-flammable safety film. Cellulose nitrate film was the flammable substance.

[cinetechgeek]

You are 100% correct dvsbstrd, I was wondering how long it would take some one to notice I said the wrong type.

[speculumeye]

Interesting video, but not entirely correct. Nitrate film is highly combustable, NOT acetate. Acetate is also referred to as "Safety Film" because it does not burn up easily.

[goldoderblut]

nice analog equipment you have - the 16mm machine is a selecton ii?

[AppleCorp3]

Nowadays it takes an act of congress to have an actual showing of a nitrate print. They just had one in New York not too long ago. It's rare, if anyone gets the chance to see one, I've heard it is remarkable.

[profwaggstaff]

dvsbstrd is correct. It was nitrate film that was flammable. Acetate was called Safety Film because it wasn't flammable.

[pinkmst]

At my theatre the managers put the people that anoy them in projection so they don't have to ever see them.

[cinetechgeek]

Actually yes. Even with 3 it is VERY hard. But we have a lot of country based cinemas that have three. In the city, yes you need more like 6-8 to really have a going concern.  Its a hard fact of life for the historic nature of being a cinema..