How cool can a job get? IMAX projectionists get the job of jobs
72IMAX
I work at IMAX.....and I love it!
I began working at IMAX in late 2008 as a projectionist. You may be thinking, "That sounds really neat!". Well guess what my friend, you are 100% correct.
Working the projection room of an IMAX seems like one of the most unique job positions out there and it does not disappoint. I received the job with no prior knowledge or interest about film or projection and it has captivated me.
Imagine working a 10 1/2 hour shift and only doing something for about 2 total hours, then getting payed as if you had just worked 10 1/2 hours straight through. Sounds like a deal right? Well here's the best part....the other 8 hours in the booth are yours to do whatever you please. I am going into my freshman year in college and so this job will provide me with plenty of study time. My other options are a computer in the booth or even watching an IMAX movie. Honestly, who gets to say they have the opportunity to watch IMAX movies for there job!?
But what I find most impressive is what happens during the 2 hours that you are actually doing something. Your job as the projectionist is to put the movie on and take it off. You must learn how to thread film through a projector.
Sounds easy right?
Well we aren't talking your normal film and projector. The IMAX film is 10 times larger than the standard films and the projector is unlike anything you have ever seen! It is a massive machine that moves the film through it at a rate of around 24 frames per second. Both the film and projector are extremely expensive!
However, threading the projector is no easy task at first. You must train constantly until you get the routine down. That being said, once you have it down it becomes a simple job.
Other cool facts about the IMAX are:
- The film is strong enough to pull a large truck
- You can see the beam of light from an IMAX projector from the moon
- A large log would spontaneously combust if placed in front of the beam of an IMAX projector
- A 40 minute IMAX film is 3 miles long
- Films the length of "The Dark Night" or "Watchmen" can exceed 1,000 lbs.
So do you still think you have a cool job? Maybe you do but I must say I find my job as an IMAX projectionist one of the most intriguing ones out there.
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thank you for pointing that out. i never realized the fact that my frame counter counts by the half second rather than by the second. ive been in washington d.c. for the past week so i was unable to correct this for a while. but i will correct it. thanks again
I just got a job at the IMAX in Pacific Grove, CA. They're traing me as the projectionist, and it's VERY cool~!
(I'm not the Jonathan that posted above...)
Just a few notes: A fully loaded 150 minute disk is 680 lbs. The large log cumbusting would apply to 15 kilowatt lamps in a GT projector, not the 7 kilowatt lamps in your SR. Hopefully, you check the screen occasionally to insure there is no dust on the field lens...? I am the CP in Austin and a former IMAX technician. You are correct in the price tag of about 1.2 mil. However, the 3D GT is around 5 million USD delivered to your doorstep. Glad you enjoy being an IMAX projectionist! It is a fun job!
great i am 5 yrs ... working as projectionist in grand cinema.. here in uae.. now...it a great job ... love to have new job other country.. especially in sundace.
I too am an IMAX projectionist and I also enjoy my job. But instead of only focussing on the glories of the job, maybe you could also mention the work that actually goes into it. Unless you're one of the ppl/theatres that gets movie pre-made, building an IMAX film reel-by-reel is tedious and takes over 12hrs - and I also built up the Dark Knight and that's a prime example. It's not all gravy, folks.
I swear that I am on shift every single time a 70mm print arrives. My fingers are mostly blisters by this point. If I happen to be on duty when Titanic 3D arrives I may well have a mental breakdown.
Very interested in John DC's job. My buddy is an engineer for IMAX and tells me that there is a GT operators job coming up in Dubai. I'd be all over that like a rash.
Jonathan 2 years ago
Well, you are lying, IMAX doesnt run at 12 fps.