THE PROJECTIONISTS: Inside the Booth at Film Forum

Film Forum invites you inside our booth for a behind-the-scenes look at the art of film projection, described and demonstrated by our in-house team of projectionists. The projectionists balance multiple screenings on our four screens in a variety of formats, from 16mm, 35mm, to DCP and more, 365 days a year at Film Forum.

Shot at Film Forum in November 2019
Directed by Coren HG
Conceived by Katie Skelly
Featuring Raymond Atterson, Carolyn Funk, and Chris Crouse
Music by Ian Rose
Special thanks to Noel McCarthy, Jenny Barton, Lita Robinson, Chaia Mascall, Adam Walker, and Karen Cooper.

[thecleopanda]

I was a film projectionist for 5 years and it was the best job I ever had!! I learned so much about such a classic skill.

[robert]

My great grandfather was a projectionist for 20 years at the T&D Theater in Oakland. He told us a interesting story about the movie Psycho, and how Alfred HItchcock instructed all theater managers to tell their projectionists to close the curtain at the end of the movie just when the car was being taken out of the water. He even had undercover posing as customers to ensure it was being done. He loved his job a lot.

[wennundaberfilm]

Reading the comments I feel even the more like having a one in a million job, working at a theatre that still shows 35mm (and other rare formats) once in a while. After more than 20 years it is still magical :-) A warm hello and thank you for this nice video-tour through your booth from the other side of the globe – Rachel, head-projectionist of Kino Cameo in Winterthur, Switzerland

[FeliciaMichaels]

My father was a projectionist who worked at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood for many years in the late 70s and early 80s. He also owned a few Drive Ins before that. Thanks for this.

[jagga]

WOW..!!!! So nice to see 35mm film is still alive, l thought they have gone forever.. keep up with the good work guys, bless you

[JamesHaney]

I was a Projectionist for 13 years, then the Digital Shift put paid to that. It is great to see that some folks get to play with celluloid on the reg. Keep the Reels Spinning!
🖖♾

[Designsbyg]

film is not dead. Thank you for sharing.

[gmanb]

This was terrific. It brought back fond memories of being a work study projectionist during my Cinema Studies program at NYU 1983-1985. Thanks.

[Terry-nxkg]

This really put a smile on my face. I think digital is fantastic, but film will always have a place because it has a beautiful aesthetic and just looks so good. It's been about 20 years since I've seen a 35mm film print. I'd love to see one sometime soon. It's interesting to see just how much work and focus is needed to do this job. I honestly wouldn't mind giving it a shot someday. I am also fascinated with audio recording and production, and they both go hand in hand with film.

[johnjohn]

God I miss being a projectionist. Nothing can beat the magical sound of cinema projector starting up then opening the dowser to let the light through the film after the countdown leader. Really starting to miss film projection in everyday cinemas, hopefully laser projection will replace the horrible 2k/ digital junk that replaced film.

[drose]

The good days oh how I miss the sounds of the 35mm as it run in the projectors. This piece from you did bring back some wonderful memories as I was projectionist for the drive in in Nairobi Kenya.

[nancywight]

Wonderfully interesting. I love FF.Thank you, Nancy Wight

[togo]

One of the most talented and underappreciated jobs/skills

[classicamericancinemas-vsgz]

Nice have such great stories about Theaters, movies & "the good ol days"

[robfriedrich]

5:29 I'm a sound man, but my job is comparable. The goal is not to be noticed, to make the show possible, to play an important part and to be satisfied, when it is successful.

[franka]

This is delightful. Such enthusiasm. Thank you. ❤️

[bluesmike]

I was an 18 year old in 1980. I fell into the projectionist job after they tossed the union.
Stadium Drive In f Orange Ca, next to Angel stadium.
Time of my life. It was a six screen playing double features. Great place for band practice until the general Manger showed up with axes and amps up.there.

[markkotishion]

My close friend and mentor taught me well. Up to that time I had only worked with 16mm. He taught me 35 & 70 mm. My first day with 35mm he had me load a 3000 ft reel onto the Simplex XL projector . I threaded it and put it into the takeup reel. I had him inspect my thread. He o.k.'d me to open the curtain and start it. The film made loud rattling noises going through the projector head. I panicked, and said something is wrong. He laughed and said your running nitrate, it runs louder. He handed me a pair of shears and told me not to leave the side of the projector and to close the dowser if we had a break. Nothing happened. It went well. I was on my way. That was in the late 1980's.

[samkitty]

When I was a little boy I dreamed of being movie projectionist one day. Sixty years later, I still dream...

[titaneth]

Thanks for sharing this informative video, stay connected new friend👍👌🥰