3 ms·
> but how does a broken lens lead to 20-minute segmentation? I think a "proper" analogue theatre has two projectors. With the films split into reels, one reel
by jgroome 14y ago
> but how does a broken lens lead to 20-minute segmentation?
I think a "proper" analogue theatre has two projectors. With the films split into reels, one reel is played through one projector, and then when it's time to switch to the next reel, the projectionist cues it up on the second projector, and then switches between the two. Like a DJ mixing records, I suppose.
So if one lens is broken, they need to stop the film, feed in the second reel, then carry on playing. Hence the 20 minute break.
I may be wrong about this. Other commenters seem to be former projectionists; I'm just some guy who's seen Fight Club ;)
- aladds 14y agoThis is exactly right; although not all "proper" theaters have two projectors. Where I work we have one and a "long play" tower which allows us to play the whole film with one projector. Many still do run changeover systems, though. (In case you're interested, I work in an indie cinema in the UK, and we're really scared about the costs of changing to digital, which we will need to do in the next 12 months)
- ken 14y agoYes, this was my understanding as well. On Youtube, if you search for words like "theatre projector changeover" there are some great videos of projectionists showing how it's done. Apparently there are "platter" systems that let you splice all the reels together and project the entire film through one lens with no changeovers, but my story took place at least 15 years ago, and it was not a very big or modern theatre.
- shabble 14y agoah yes, that does explain it nicely, thanks!