Training and learning how to check prints (Neil Thompson)

Neil Thompson interviewed by Richard Wallace

Projectionist Neil Thompson describes the process of learning how to work as a projectionist including the importance of checking film prints when rewinding.

Well, when I started there was no formal training, so you trained on the job. A lot of places, I was told, you went into the projection room and you weren’t allowed to touch film, all you did was sweep the floor. But actually what happened with me, I think the chief took me under his wing ‘cause he knew I was so interested and wanted to get to know all the equipment. I think within a week I was lacing up. But, of course, he kept an eye on me like. And he showed me how to rewind films, ‘cause a lot of people just put the film on the rewinder, take it across and just rewinding it and just look elsewhere, you know. But he actually said you need to check it as you rewind it. And you don’t need to go very fast, just check it because you could come across a split perforation or a nick, ‘cause if it went through the machine like that it will probably tear. Because in those days we used triacetate which was easy broken so you had to check the film as you went through.

Title

Training and learning how to check prints (Neil Thompson)

Subject

training

Description

Projectionist Neil Thompson describes the process of learning how to work as a projectionist including the importance of checking film prints when rewinding.

Creator

The Projection Project

Source

Interview with Neil Thompson

Publisher

The University of Warwick

Date

29/12/2015

Contributor

Richard Wallace
Neil Thompson

Relation

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/26353

Format

.mp3

Language

English

Type

Sound recording
interview extract

Coverage

1974-1980

Interviewer

Richard Wallace

Interviewee

Neil Thompson

Date of Interview

11/11/2014

Location

Gateshead

Transcription

Well, when I started there was no formal training, so you trained on the job. A lot of places, I was told, you went into the projection room and you weren’t allowed to touch film, all you did was sweep the floor. But actually what happened with me, I think the chief took me under his wing ‘cause he knew I was so interested and wanted to get to know all the equipment. I think within a week I was lacing up. But, of course, he kept an eye on me like. And he showed me how to rewind films, ‘cause a lot of people just put the film on the rewinder, take it across and just rewinding it and just look elsewhere, you know. But he actually said you need to check it as you rewind it. And you don’t need to go very fast, just check it because you could come across a split perforation or a nick, ‘cause if it went through the machine like that it will probably tear. Because in those days we used triacetate which was easy broken so you had to check the film as you went through.

Original Format

One-to-one interview

Duration

00:00:51

Bit Rate/Frequency

320kbps

Cinema

Queens Theatre, Northumberland Place, Newcastle upon Tyne

Citation

The Projection Project, “Training and learning how to check prints (Neil Thompson),” Cinema Projectionist, accessed April 25, 2024, https://projectionproject.warwick.ac.uk/items/show/442.

Output Formats