....that I begin a new phase of my working life as an Electronic Technician at the Opryland Resort and Convention Center on Monday December 5.  This is the first time in almost 40 years that I'm working outside of the film industry.  My last position with the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum was great...I made many friends there and hated to leave, but family comes first.  Now that I'm here in Springfield, I realize that maybe I'm glad to be out of an industry that has pretty much turned it's back not only on me, but many thousands of other technicians and projectionists all for the sake of the almighty dollar.  With attendance at theaters in the US down 20% this year alone, they might reconsider their actions.  Cheap commercials blaring during the intermissions, bad concessions, poor projection even with digital equipment.

Just my opinion of course, but I forsee a rapid move by studios to slowly eliminate those expensive and profit-taking entities called "exhibitors".  Look what happened to network television.

I wish all my true friends in the business the best of luck, but do what I did:  Get out before you're considered expendable.  Your skills for showmanship and customer service are needed elsewhere.

Pat