Threading a 35mm Projector for the very last time.

The theater I work at just got done converting our projectors from 35mm film to all digital projection. This is me, starting the very last 35mm movie that will ever show at our theater.

[@PNWes]

I was the head projectionist at a Hollywood Theater in Oklahoma. This was the projector I used and this is so amazing to watch. I recalled each and every step as it was happening. Love this.

[@JAllenRager]

Ah man... I miss doing that so much. I was a projectionist on and off for about 10 years and worked with over 70 different projectors. I remember my last days and the feeling that it was the end of an era, so I tried soaking in the memory as much as I could. Thanks for sharing the video!

[@MrLesliegreen]

I dare say, the cinema going has all changed gone have the 35 mm films, but they are out there but getting hard to find. The sound the projector made has also now gone too. Such a really same.

[@sandman6624]

Them was the days boyz!

[@skaeddy]

I miss it so much! I was a projectionist from 1994-2000. Next to directing it’s the greatest job I ever had.

[@Saphiraah1]

I think being a projectionist was my favorite job ever. I was also the manager on duty most of the time, so i'd be walking around in concession. I'd learned all the places to stand where i'd be able to hear the projector for each screen, and listen for the way the gears sounded, listening for problems like brain wraps, knew to recognize the sounds early and go running upstairs. One time i was mid-sentence with a customer and had to just take off sprinting and call down on the walkie to have someone go apologize for me. It was always fun racing to see how fast i could thread a machine. I really do miss that job. Its so sad its all just "insert disc, hit play" now.

[@retrovhsmanvaultfromthe70s97]

Saphiraah1 where can I get these film projectors

[@ChristopherDWeiss]

I hated it when brain wraps happened but I loved threading up projectors so much.

[@JesseSpurlin]

I just broke out in a cold sweat when I read the word "brain wraps". I really loved my time as a projectionist but there were some serious "oh shit" moments as well.

[@TakkoAM]

I remember when one of the Harry Potter movies came out we only had one copy and I had the chance to tether film between 3-4 projectors. I was supervisor on duty so I grabbed some ushers to press start at each one at the same time. Good times.

[@mcknutt]

That makes me so sad. I loved being a projectionist. Reel to reel and platter. The sounds of the machine, the smell of a fresh print when you're splicing, getting to screen big releases in the middle of the night when people were lined up outside for the first showing. It was the magic of movies. I hope it comes back one day. I saw some christies for sale on an auction site for 100 bucks. Funny to think how much they cost when they were new

[@fizzy965]

Ahh I miss this job! Pretending I was a ninja, running from screen 1 to screen 12, ducking under, jumping over and dodging the interlocked films when I heard a noise that wasn't 'normal' to make sure I fixed the problem before it got out of hand! The whurrrrr and click clacks of the projectors, the psscht of the xenon bulbs starting up.... therapeutic!!

[@frodonator]

It's weird, but I enjoy watching someone do their job efficiently. Very smooth.

[@user-px2jr7vt2y]

Yes. Great memories. I worked as assistant manager in high school at a local theatre (1980s). Assembled the films from 20 minutes reels delivered in metal film containers. We had reel to reel Brenkert projectors. We eventually switched to platter systems. True 35mm film and Dolby optical sound systems. So cool. 😎😎 This was a great job. I have zero interest in the filmless theatres that have replaced the classic film systems.

[@1Ceemarie]

Awesome the springs back such memories I can remember this exact process. Best job Thank you for posting.

[@bela1313yt]

Thanks for sharing this. Got to show my daughter what I used to do for a living.

[@Poochpatrol]

Nice to see all us old timer projectionists seeing this. I could thread with my eyes closed.

[@propadanda]

Oh man, I miss working with film. Digital projection took all the fun out of it.

[@eliconley7331]

I was born at the end of film projection. There's only one theatre near me that shows 35mm, and they don't do it that often. Maybe someday I'll buy a projector (or two) and open a cinema.

[@Ncyphen]

You know, I'm always remembering my job as a projectionist and how much fun I had doing it. Your theater has the same lamp-houses, but we used a sliding aperture and a platter tree that had smaller heads as well as the speed mechanism mounted to the bottom of the tree itself. I remember when I first start threading projectors, it took me over a minute to clean and thread a project. By the time I quit, I could thread a projector in 12 to 30 seconds. I miss those days.

[@marinacarter6812]

Such a big part of my youth... still the best job I ever had. Thanks for posting it!

[@shane1489]

Words cannot describe the fun on Thursday night building new movies.... it was like getting paid to have a party. PS: AMC had slick equipment those CHRISTIES have a special place in my heart. Mostly because they could be jerry rigged if things broke.

[@neilrobinson1761]

Always good to see the film being taken to the take up plate on the plater before being threaded into the projector rather than thrown on the floor.

[@etasi5619]

That person loading the film will be able to tell his grandkids back in my day we were able to touch movies. His grandkids by then will probably just have the movie streamed into their brains if not actually be able to participate in the movie like total recall.

[@ger102001]

Ladies and gentlemen 35/70 mm films will return for public request ✌🏻

[@kamandi1362]

I saw 2001 earlier this year on 70mm and it was magical. And this August I'll be heading back to London in the hope of finding Once Upon a Time in Hollywood showing on 35mm. I'm not paying money to watch glorified Blu-rays. I can do that at home.

[@VariTimo]

@@kamandi1362 Film is still kicking. You just have to know where.

[@plushblueep]

Please bring 35mm projectors back, America!

[@ChristopherDWeiss]

I was a manager at a movie theater for a few years and I miss this part of the job. Brings back such memories.

[@jordanmkurtz]

Brings back memories. When I left my theater we were installing our 3rd digital projector. (not fully by choice)

[@mattdenninger]

Damn, that was satisfying! This was my favourite job as a kid. Way better than flipping burgers or washing dishes haha! I was weird and even enjoyed serving popcorn. Driving a forklift and cutting wood was a close second haha! Oh memories.

[@zacbulloc]

I almost cried when I did this. I was a projectionist for 10 plus years.

[@mlang28]

This bring back do great memories working st carmike back in the 90s ..good times

[@randallvandal3000]

Best job ever I'm obsolete now in the booth but I still work at my theater

[@lewolfmano]

holy shit, there was alot more to that then i thought there would be

[@dE3L]

wow you're really good at doing that. you should get a role in a movie, threading a movie.

[@FatalRanger-fo1gx]

Easily my favorite job. Glad I got a few years in high school before dvd became normal

[@constatine02]

ridiculous? no dude, this shouldn't be replaced, that is art right there

[@queensryche1128]

There There. I miss 35mm too.

[@mellyh76]

I loved being a projectionist. I could hide up in my booth all day and play with film.... And I can proudly say I never had a brain wrap!! Once they went digital, it sucked.

[@jeffj6815]

I remember when those Christies were brand new 😅

[@PaintDryPictures]

This looked so much fun.

[@jayhall7437]

Flashbacks to the Summer/Fall of 1991.

[@NETBotic]

I miss this job but it's nice not working weekends and holidays now!

[@sexyman4604]

I know a lot of people find 35mm film unnecessary, but there is something about it that makes it very special!

[@michaelmacias8]

I used to do that. I was also there when digital was taking over.

[@andrarict]

Our theater keeps one 35mm Christie setup in case we have specials shows that require film. Otherwise we are all digital now. Here's an original 35mm print of Star Wars running through the projector the last time we used it (2016). kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJPToZlpnJyfr7M

[@dreamerdestiny5924]

Its a fun job, especially if you like working alone. When I would work my shifts (I used to work full time at a 10 screen theater.) I could choose if and when to come downstairs, which I usually only did every once in a while. The booth is a space where you can play your own music (Usually, depending on the rules) and the job itself is fun, as long as nothing goes wrong. (Brain wraps, burnt out lamps, rewinds failing etc...) from those who know, will usually give you a small heart attack the first time it happens to you

[@BaralheiaStormdancer]

About a decade ago, I was a projectionist at a 10-screen theater. That was the most fun I've ever had at a job. The pay, unfortunately, sucked - but that was an amazing experience, even when things did go south. Man, I miss the hum and whirr of my Cinemeccanicas.

[@gwantM]

Digital projectors are VERYYYY expensive, and 35mm still looks really good. I'm mean I guess each theater could fork out $100,000 on a whim, wait they can't since theaters make the majority off food, and most the the ticket goes to the studios.

[@shannaezzell6832]

Oh I miss this so much

[@lukeanderson2622]

I did that so many times, I miss it

[@pdofak]

yeah, the end of a grand era. Digital is cool to but some of us are going to continue to screen film as long as it makes any sense at all. BTW nice to watch someone with pride and skill at a trade do do their work. Good on you mate. Don't forget it. cheers

[@kakurerud7516]

Ahh the good ol digital devolution..

[@smichelsen]

FWIW I happened to be doing a corporate job at the auditorium of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and worked from the projection booth - in addition to the usual digital projection, they had a line-up of film projectors, both 35mm and 16mm. Impressive, but nothing like the one in this video though.

[@MyOddThoughts]

The digital conversion wiped out all but a few film projectors. At the theatre that I'm a projectionist at, the Studios now send the 35/70mm projectors when the die-hards want to show their films in 35mm. (Such as Hateful 8) And some still have one or two gathering dust.

[@BadMFJules]

Watched Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on 35mm film yesterday at Arclight Pasadena. God I miss the look of celluloid film on the big screen.

[@BradyTyler]

Oh how I miss threading projectors. I loved the shifts up stairs... not having to deal with anyone or any complaints.

[@defvent]

My thoughts exactly! I feel you, Brady.

[@FUCKINGENIOUS]

Good times up there

[@kamandi1362]

Ah! My old job. Lousy hours and pay, but i loved it. But the projectionist who taught me banned the use of the word "threading" from the booth. We were LACING, he said, which he insisted was a more elegant word.

[@ThePowerpuffHotline]

Super Emotional

[@TakkoAM]

My god I miss doing this it’s so weird

[@musicurio]

INSANE!

[@VisualVortexArtStudio]

yes you are very much correct sir.

[@stanpoess]

Christie projectors

[@AKJeeper]

What movie was it? I believe the last 35mm shown at my local theater was Taken 2.

[@maxwellc]

how anticlimactic

[@Floptart]

One of the funnest jobs I've ever had.

[@cameronkillian8181]

All cinemas nowadays seem to be upgrading to digital projectors. One conclusion that I have come to is that it is a certain thing that the art of 35mm projection is in danger of disapearing entirely. But it is cheaper for film companies and cinemas to deliver movies to cinemas on hard drives.

[@attilamolnar1074]

I was main projectionist in Cinema City for 19 years in Hungary, and I'm fired 2 weeks ago, because the DIGITAL projectors fully automatized. Now, the managers control them from the office.

[@FUCKINGENIOUS]

Bummer sorry to hear that

[@kascnef]

almost 9.5k views...keep the tradition alive does amc keep 35mm projectors in their theaters anymore the one in rockaway is all digital since September 2010

[@user-ki4us6yc2u]

Молодец! Чики руки!

[@soukiallen1]

i just remember about 8 years ago we were in the booth removing 3 lamphouses and a platter to be replaced with a christie digital projector as when we were pushing the old xetron lamphouse we saw a porn magazine hidden underneath the lamphouse....and everyone look at each other and laught. i just thought i share it.....true story.

[@DanafoxyVixen]

Its a sad time for film. many skilled Projectionists who take pride in their work have lost their job as Digital projection can be handled by almost anyone who can operate a computer. Projection is a art form unto itself not widely seen by the public and if you do your job well no ones the wiser.. with film a projectionist can take pride in their work, with digital, there is no pride to be had

[@chrisharmon]

My dad would have enjoyed your compliment He was a projectionist way back in the 50s when you had two projectors and carbon arch lighting

[@realprime1452]

I think i heard that some theaters still use 35mm film of movies.

[@yuliauleea]

makes me really really sad digital replace film. Digital will never be the same as film :'(

[@a68k_de]

hah, the Christies .... have no good memories about them At least here in Germany they really sucked. Sorry. I was working at Village Cinema, and we had these projectors. Bad installation with many wrong things (grounding loops at the CP500 processors) and the Christies only had big problems. Anyhow, I would give anything to threat up a film again, doesn't matter wich projection system. Ok at least no Christie! ;-) BUT the digital projectors (they learned from Barco) are great! Anyone worked with Sony, Kinoton, NEC Projectors know what I mean ;-)

[@zoranvujakovic9533]

35mm is best

[@RediffusionMusic]

Going to see a film will literally never be "going to see a film" - as there's not gonna be any more! :'(

[@minoritymex72]

This is depressing, but a sign of the times, I suppose. I hope you're wrong and you do get to thread another projector again. What's it like to work a digital projector? I worked at a cinema down the block from me a few summers ago, but never got to see a digital projector.

[@crackerman3772]

A very complex piece equipment. Engineers who design these things must spend a lot of money and time on this.

[@robfriedrich2822]

Today IT experts does the job, who struggle with the "piracy paranoia" that Hollywood does.

[@crackerman3772]

Has digital pretty much taken over-- making film reels things of the past, now?

[@johngossett9865]

Yes, Soon these grand machines that were MADE IN THE USA & have ran tirelessly for 30,40,50,60, even 70 years with little or NO major problems (cuz they're made of metal & glass for the most part) & have entertained untold THOUSANDS...will be junked & replaced by a modern piece of imported cheap digital JUNK that almost CERTAINLY will be LUCKY to last 5 years with it's cheaply built surface-mount pc boards prone to cracked solder & thermal intermittents! makes NO damn sense!!Thumbs up if u agree

[@andrarict]

Yup. At my theater, we keep one Christie setup to run film. Otherwise we are digital running Barco's. The Christie Lamp House we have is from the 60's. The front unit (not sure of the actual name) that drives the film and holds the sound pickups are from the 40's. Still works perfectly.

[@tillyshoes]

Soooo... you've done that a few times, then?

[@RediffusionMusic]

They sure did, it's a sad time just hearing the whirring and squeaking and clicking noises of the projectors, cause soon all we're gonna hear in those rooms is one fan, or maybe two, coming from a PC and a digital projector. :'(

[@laurijtsalmela]

That's sad : (

[@carlosplacido3359]

Can you take out the movie with your arms and put in another plate ?

[@cameronkillian8181]

So I suspose that marks the end of and era. But if that projector is being laced up for the very last time then that will probably be the final time it will run film.

[@crackerman3772]

What is the digital projector in movie theaters essentially-a much bigger version of my tabletop Panasonic Projector at home that I can watch my DVD and Blu-Ray through? Please. A digital is more expensive than a film projector which is undoubtedly why going to the movies and buying concessions is costing more these days. What kind of format do the movies come to the theaters in now- A gigantic laser disc?

[@BadLT06]

They come in encrypted hard drives, the films can be over 100 gbs a piece. Everything involving compiling trailers and start times is now completely automated. I oversaw the transition to digital at my local theater. It was cool but I was sad to see 35mm go.

[@ShaunDobbie]

Digital belongs on TV and youtube. It has no place in the cinema unless it is a 3D production. Going to the cinema now is just like public television.

[@randallvandal3000]

Any ex projectionist ever have a brain wrap? Lol

[@kamandi1362]

When the film tangles in the brain? Haha! Yes. And I once pulled one out too violently and the film spiralled outwards like a coiled spring.

[@FUCKINGENIOUS]

I've had some shit happen lol

[@JVic619]

Yes, it's funny to me now but quite frightening when it happened. Gotta spin the platters back, trim and splice that sombich like a one-man NASCAR pit crew and get it back working. Good times! (though the only time it happened to me, the "other projectionist" threaded it before the end of his shift and I didn't check his work, if I had, I would have noticed that he used the one brain unit that ran notoriously off speed).

[@moodyvids]

dE3L; @ your comment... Yo Dawg. Sorry, I could not resist :D

[@mattmopar440]

this isn't in Lake in the Hills was it ???

[@JaySheldon]

Film projection is such a cool process. That's great that you captured your last time threading on video. I recently co-directed a short documentary about film projection that you might be interested in. You can see the 15 minute movie here: vimeo.com/101235645

[@crocodile2006]

How do you get it off the platter? Do you have to slide something under it like you do with a pizza?

[@FUCKINGENIOUS]

We would just thread it into a machine that wrapped the film back onto the reels it come on.

[@JDSileo]

My theaters didn't have cross platform pully systems so to move a print you had to but clamps on them that were like two C shaped things that interlocked with each other. Like this [ ] To build up and tear down a print you had a special table that would signal the platter to spool on (or the motor on the table) to spool off of. The tear down was a particular pain in the ass because if you missed the splice you had to back up to find it.

[@skaeddy]

😢😢😢

[@cappin99]

So what movie was it?

[@carlosplacido3359]

Can you remove that movie with your arms and put in another plate ?

[@robertfoshizzle]

I was a projectionist for 35mm film from 2002-2005. We had metal clamps for moving prints. The clamp was 2 c-shaped pieces that connected together with a bolt that had a little plastic handle on it. One piece went on the inside of the print, and one on the outside. You'd put about 3 clamps on, strategically placed around the perimeter of the movie. Then you would get your hands under it, lift one edge off the platter, slide it to the edge, and pull it off the platter, letting the momentum carry the print to your side. You would then carry it with your hand under the inside of the print to your side, and hoist it into the platter in the new location. My theater had 5 screens with 3 separate projection booths, so we often had to move entire prints from one booth to another when we changed movies over on Thursday night. It's scary the first few times, as dropping the print would lead to disaster. But, once you got the hang of it, it was pretty easy as long as you're able-bodied enough to carry something that heavy.

[@carlosplacido3359]

I don't have any movie or pictures but I took it off with my arm ,and I made a support

[@AaronChampion]

cats

[@NickFioresi]

depressing.

[@VisualVortexArtStudio]

reddit.

[@sseras401]

It took us this long to replace this ridiculous technology?

[@Erick-uf6gi]

That is so ghetto