I love being a writer. I love that the words I’ve chosen to express myself (aided by my editor and several other folks along the way) may have a positive impact on the lives of a few readers. I love the freedom it offers me to be alone with my thoughts, to work in my pajamas, and to set my own schedule.
There is one other job I have loved this much in my life. It was when I was a projectionist at a movie theater. I was the connector between the creators (writers, actors, directors, etc) and their audience. Through those creators I was able to have a positive impact on the lives of a few movie goers. I loved the freedom it offered me to be alone in the projection booth with my thoughts, or a good book, or to watch the film, to dress, well, not in my pajamas, but certainly casually, and to have a schedule that I loved (play all day and work in the evenings).
The job of projectionist has changed a lot in the last 30 years and I suspect that with all the technological advances we’re seeing it will go the way of typewriter repair people before too long. Thanks to my friend Gary for sending me a link to this short video “Facts About Projection” that took me right back to those wonderful nights and will allow you to peek inside the world behind the movies.
Enjoy.