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Introduction

Now that you have finished your Initial Training session the basic tenets of projection have been introduced. This training guide should help explain the format of the projection training scheme – starting with the initial training session and culminating with your qualification.

The projection training scheme should teach all the skills that are required to run the projection related parts of a WSC showing single-handed. It does not require extensive technical knowledge; but instead concentrates on presentation quality and problem solving. The majority of training will take place one-on-one, whilst you work our shows with a qualified projectionist.

Now that you have completed your Initial Training session you will need to sign-up as a trainee projectionist to work some shows. As a trainee you can only sign-up to three shows at once. To sign-up to shows, you will need to create an account on our website (www.filmsoc.warwick.ac.uk), sign-in, go to the rotas section, see which films are still available to sign-up to (only one trainee projectionist – denoted by a T – can sign-up to each film) and then click the (sign up) to the left on the projectionist box. If, for whatever reason, you cannot attend a film you are signed-up for, please contact the Chief Projectionist and the film’s projectionist as soon as possible (contact details are under Communication > Contacts Page). Please arrive 45 mins before the scheduled start time of your film to help with setting-up. If you think you will be late inform your qualified projectionist.

A minimum commitment of projecting two shows every three weeks is expected of all of our projectionists (whether trainee or qualified). Your full crew status is granted after your second show (as a trainee), and so after this you can expect all the privileges that crew membership allows – mainly free films for you and a guest.

Scheme Layout

What follows is a brief overview of what you should be learning and when you should be learning it. People learn at differing rates, so do not worry if you do not keep to the schedule!

Initial Training Session The basic tenets of projection should be introduced. By the end of the session the trainee should know enough to begin to work shows.

Shows 1 & 2 Trainees should cover basic projection theory and skills.

Shows 3 - 5 Trainees should begin developing more advanced skills. Trainees should be introduced to making-up and should begin making-up as much of their films as possible. The three paths of projection should be introduced.

Additional Training Session I This session should enforce the skills learnt so far without the worry of an audience, it will also cover easily recognisable problems that cannot be demonstrated during shows.

Shows 6 – 8 Trainees should now be confident with all of the basic skills and should be able to identify and solve more advanced problems. Platter and 6000s should be introduced and trainees should have practise with them.

Additional Training Session II This session should cover more advanced material preparing the trainee for their Snaps Test. Home-made cue dot making-up should be covered and the Trailer Challenge should be completed.

Shows 9+ Trainees should by now be confident with all aspects of running a regular show and should be preparing for their snaps test.

Qualification This consists of several sections. The trainee must complete the Snaps Test practical followed by discussion sessions. After this they can attempt the Qualification Show.

Projection Standards

This is a very basic view of what is expected of a qualified-level projectionist.

Making up – Identify and repair problems with the film that would lead to shutdown, damage or poor quality projection.

Lacing – Rapid and consistently good lacing. Identifying mistakes with other peoples lacing.

Start-up – Consistently good, smooth start-up. Starting on time. Starting at the correct point on the film (not on head, not after start). Appropriate use of house lights.

FoH – Consistently correct. Prepared in good time. Looks smart and presentable.

Changeovers – Consistently achieving correct changeovers. Checking film after a changeover. Coping with a missed changeover. Coping with short footers and wrong cue dot spacing.

Shut down – Consistently performing clean shut downs and appropriate consideration to the auditorium afterwards.

Projection issues

The following is a list of problems that qualification level trainees should be able to deal with.

Problems with the print – Deal with in an appropriate fashion e.g. repairing damage/poor splices, knowing who to contact to attempt to get a replacement for badly damaged prints.

Lacing – Being able to identify and rectify any incorrect lacing, this should include checking for correct aperture plates and lenses.

Presentation problems – Being aware when presentation is not ideal, and knowing how to improve various problems.

Film snaps – Dealing with them quickly and with appropriate consideration for the audience.

Missed Changeovers – fix an appropriate fashion and with due consideration for the audience.

Equipment failure – Being aware when problems occur and knowing how best to deal with them.

Sound problems – Being able to follow the sound path to identify where problems are occurring and dealing with them in an appropriate fashion.

Light problems – Being able to follow the light path to identify the cause of any obstruction/general lack of picture. This should include knowing common reasons for the lamp not striking up.

Projection Committee

The projection committee meets weekly (during term-time) to discuss all matters relating to projection. This mainly entails the discussion of the Show Reports (records of what transpires projection-wise during each show) and organising training sessions. As a trainee you are welcome and encouraged to attend the meetings and get involved in the discussions, however until you qualify you will not be a full member of the committee and so do not have any voting rights.

Contact

The contact information of all WSC crew is on the Contact Page (under Communication) of our website. Otherwise it will be helpful if you can put your email address (please upload your preferred contact address) and your mobile number on your profile so that you can be contacted. You will have now be added to the TProj (Trainee Projectionist) and Dump (Film Dump) mailing lists. These are used as an easy way to communicate between crew, the former for trainee projectionists, the latter for tracking the location of films (this is also done via film tracking on our website). If you have any projection related problems, please direct them to the Chief Projectionist at chiefproj@filmsoc.warwick.ac.uk or you can bring them to the projection committee meetings.