One of the two photos above shows the Loew’s Jersey’s Projection Booth the way it was in the mid-1990s, just BEFORE FOL began our work to restore and re-equip it. The Booth had been gutted of all of its equipment when the Loew’s was closed. The roof leaked. In fact, pigeons had gotten in through broken windows. The other photo shows how the Booth looks today. ALL of the work that went into the Booth was done by FOL volunteers. And ALL of the projection and related equipment installed to make the Booth operational again was donated to FOL. The 35mm projectors seen on the left in the current view are typically found in archive and studio screening rooms because they are designed to be especially gentle in handling film — meaning they greatly reduce the risk of scratching the emulsion or otherwise damaging film as it runs through them. Because FOL has these kinds of projectors, archives are willing to send us rare, sometimes one-of-king prints.
Of course, FOL’s work didn’t stop with the Projection Booth. Currently, we’re working on several important projects.
- Marquee Rehab
- New Audio System Installation
- Balcony Railing Refinish (along with Seat Restoration)
- Identification & directional signage backstage
- Plus we’re also going to begin our annual sorting, moving and cleaning as we begin to get ready for our new season.
- And if we can put together a small team of people with some spackling and painting experience, the walls of the first floor ADA restroom, and even a few other spaces, could use some sprucing up.