Starting as a projectionist and view of the Chief (Bill Pearson)
Joan Pearson interviewed by Richard Wallace
Projectionist Bill Pearson describes his move from working in New Street Station to becoming a projectionist. He also talks about striving for the job of Chief Projectionist.
When I left at 14 I was mad on trains so I went to New Street Station for a job. I got one and landed in a booking office and never saw a train at all. So I packed that up, saw a slide at the Orient Astor and I thought, oh, I like this. Yes. I was always fond of reading history and geography. And films. And seeing places so I thought I’ll have a go so I was trainee number two. There was co-fourth, fourth, co-third, third, co-second. And the main one, Chief, I noticed he did nothing. And I thought, that’s worth striving for. He was never there and he never did anything wrong, you did. I thought, oh, thank god one day I’ll be chief. So I stuck it until I was promoted. Oh, because by that time I was chief, but I had to run everything, I had to do everything myself. So that thought of doing nothing didn’t apply.
Title
Starting as a projectionist and view of the Chief (Bill Pearson)
Subject
starting work
Description
Projectionist Bill Pearson describes his move from working in New Street Station to becoming a projectionist. He also talks about striving for the job of Chief Projectionist.
Creator
The Projection Project
Source
Interview with Joan and Bill Pearson
Publisher
University of Warwick
Date
21/03/2017
Contributor
Richard Wallace
Rebecca Harrison
Joan Pearson
Bill Pearson
Format
.mp3
Language
English
Type
Sound recording
Coverage
1950s
Birmingham
Interviewer
Richard Wallace
Rebecca Harrison
Interviewee
Joan Pearson
Bill Pearson
Date of Interview
21/07/2016
Location
Birmingham
Transcription
When I left at 14 I was mad on trains so I went to New Street Station for a job. I got one and landed in a booking office and never saw a train at all. So I packed that up, saw a slide at the Orient Astor and I thought, oh, I like this. Yes. I was always fond of reading history and geography. And films. And seeing places so I thought I’ll have a go so I was trainee number two. There was co-fourth, fourth, co-third, third, co-second. And the main one, Chief, I noticed he did nothing. And I thought, that’s worth striving for. He was never there and he never did anything wrong, you did. I thought, oh, thank god one day I’ll be chief. So I stuck it until I was promoted. Oh, because by that time I was chief, but I had to run everything, I had to do everything myself. So that thought of doing nothing didn’t apply.
Original Format
Group interview
Duration
00:01:10
Bit Rate/Frequency
320kbps
Cinema
Orient Cinema, Aston, Birmingham