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Motion Picture Projectionists

In the Motion Picture Projectionists occupation, workers set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment. O*NET rates it as some preparation, which usually means a few months to a year of learning on the job. It leans on operations monitoring, speaking, and reading comprehension. A regular part of the work is to monitor operations to ensure that standards for sound and image projection quality are met. The strongest interest signal is Realistic (5.4 of 7), then Conventional (4.4) and Artistic, which gives it the code RCA. One core duty is to start projectors and open shutters to project images onto screens. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need leading, persuading and making business decisions.

What they do

Set up and operate motion picture projection and related sound reproduction equipment.

Main tasks

  • Monitor operations to ensure that standards for sound and image projection quality are met.
  • Start projectors and open shutters to project images onto screens.
  • Open and close facilities according to rules and schedules.
  • Operate equipment to show films in a number of theaters simultaneously.
  • Perform regular maintenance tasks, such as rotating or replacing xenon bulbs, cleaning projectors and lenses, lubricating machinery, and keeping electrical contacts clean and tight.
  • Set up and adjust picture projectors and screens to achieve proper size, illumination, and focus of images, and proper volume and tone of sound.

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Operation and Control
  • Active Listening
  • Troubleshooting

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on operations monitoring and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want to lead people or run the business side. Enterprising rates 2.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCA takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Booth Operator
  • Cinema Projectionist
  • Digital Projectionist
  • Film Specialist
  • Motion Picture Projectionist

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.