They’d start the movie and it would be out of focus, or the film would be shifted up out of frame, and people would shout at the projectionist to fix it.
Then if that didn’t work, someone would have to go to the lobby to complain.
The one thing that I assume happened but I never experienced is that someone forgot to change the reels. Although I had the similar experience of having the film break a few times.
As the audience, I think you can tell the difference because while they’re splicing the film together, they turn the lights on in the theater. I assume that wouldn’t happen if the projectionist simply forgot to change reels because they were asleep or something.
One reason for the in movie break was to change the reels.
The focus issue mostly gone now with digital projectors, but I encountered one in a new complex where the AC cause condensation on the glass between the projector and the hall, and the staff need to wipe it often or else it’s messed up.
I remember when this used to occasionally happen.
They’d start the movie and it would be out of focus, or the film would be shifted up out of frame, and people would shout at the projectionist to fix it.
Then if that didn’t work, someone would have to go to the lobby to complain.
The one thing that I assume happened but I never experienced is that someone forgot to change the reels. Although I had the similar experience of having the film break a few times.
As the audience, I think you can tell the difference because while they’re splicing the film together, they turn the lights on in the theater. I assume that wouldn’t happen if the projectionist simply forgot to change reels because they were asleep or something.
One reason for the in movie break was to change the reels.
The focus issue mostly gone now with digital projectors, but I encountered one in a new complex where the AC cause condensation on the glass between the projector and the hall, and the staff need to wipe it often or else it’s messed up.