Using a 16 mm film projector - Obsolete Skills Wiki

take-up reel showing side with square hole

Field

Projection, Films, Arthouse Movie Theatres, Campus Cinema Groups

Went Obsolete

Sometime before the turn of the 21st century

Made Obsolete By

The introduction of VCRs to school classrooms

Knowledge Assumed

How to build up/break down films

When useful

When you want to watch one of the handful of films only available on 16mm

reel retention clip and film slot in reel

Remove the cover
Extend the front and back arm by rotating them into position.
On the back arm straighten the clip and mount an empty reel. Rotate the clip so that the reel is locked in place.
Remove the film from its canister.
On the front arm straighten the clip and mount the film. Most reels will have a circular and a square hole; the square hole goes on first.
Locate the operations knob at the lower right of the projector.
Rotate the operations knob to the load position. You will recognize the load position when you see the film path being opened and made accessible.
Slowly unreel some of the film and begin threading it into the film path. Different projectors will have slightly different paths. In general they start at the upper right, come toward the left a little then go straight down behind the lens mechanism, turn toward the left again and continue out toward the left.
With the film that you've threaded through pull enough to reach the take-up reel.
Insert the film into a slot on the take-up reel and hold it there with your hand as you rotate the take-up reel through two complete clockwise rotations.
Rotate the operations knob to the off position. This will lock the film in the film path.
Plug in the projector.
attach any eternal speakers.
Rotate the operations knob to the play position.
Turn on the light source, sometimes turning on the projector will do this - every one is slightly different. It is very important to make sure the film is moving BEFORE the light source is turned on, else you could burn or destroy the film.
Enjoy the movie, whatever part you, as the projectionist, get to see.

This article is in need of a Photo.
To add an image to this page, click "Edit" then click the "Files" button.

Other references

Paul's 16mm Projector Page

Comments:

Note: You must be logged in to add comments

2008-02-25 19:55:47 This is also the way to work with 8 mm, super 8 mm and 9,5 mm films! —212.10.82.197