Paul Rayton got into projecting, one way and another, while still in high school. After he studied at USC with George Lucas, he acquired much more experience in theaters around Los Angeles. He was sufficiently enamored of the craft of projection that he continued working in the area, mostly in commercial cinemas, from the late Sixties until the 21st century.
In 1974, and for several ensuing years, he was a seasonal “Technical Coordinator” for Los Angeles’ first real film festival, Filmex. Starting in early 1999, he became, for 20 years, the Chief Projectionist for the American Cinematheque, working primarily at their rebuilt Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, as well as the Aero in Santa Monica. Now retired, he continues to follow developments in the motion picture industry and attends 70mm film festivals near and far. He frequently contributes material to in70mm.com.
This podcast lasts 53 minutes, and continues with part two on September 8.
Projection nerds should also see a second, “extra credit,” podcast posted today, in which Paul goes into geeky stuff like carbon arc projection and nitrate film.
(You can click the Transcript button on the top right, and there you can jump to specific spots in the program.)
0:00 Intro; meeting Paul in 1996 at Hollywood Galaxy Theater
1:55 Grandfather working at Bausch and Lomb; Fox Grandeur
5:50 Growing up in New Hampshire
6:40 Beginnings as projectionist
11:05 To California and USC
12:20 At USC with George Lucas and John Bailey
14:45 Work as projectionist in L.A.
19:55 At the AMC Rosemead four-plex
21:15 Union projection in L.A.
24:10 First 70mm projection experience
25:45 Platter projection arrives
26:30 Filmex
30:30 Work at American Cinematheque
32:40 Fader levels through the years
39:10 Trailers, and their effect on fader levels
41:50 70mm six-track sound
45:00 Double-system previews
45:50 (Shhh! Sasha is sleeping)
46:30 Charles Aidikoff Screening Room
48:00 Loud movies
50:05 Show prints
53:00 End
This podcast is © 2026 by Larry Blake. All rights reserved.
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