Projector Blackouts (projectorblackouts.com)

Do you need complete darkness for your production or service? Is that auto “black” screen just not what it needs to be?


We build the perfect solution for you... A Projector Blackout. These work like a Shutter or an Iris, only better suited for the simple job at hand. More like a flapper or a light shield, this Projector Blackout puts a physical barrier between the projector lens and the screen.


These are remotely controlled from your sound/lighting booth via hard wire. They mount directly to your projector with Velcro straps for safe and easy installation. Use almost any wiring you have around with at least 3 insulated 22 awg conductors. You will get everything you need except wiring (which we can throw in for an added cost).


You can find these elsewhere online for $260-$800. We can have yours shipped within 2 weeks, for only $125. If you are a Church organization we offer a discount.


E-mail your questions or orders today! russ@projectorblackouts.com


We are located in Oregon, USA. We typically ship via USPS, but special arrangements can be made!

JobaPhiles...

Thanks to Eric for this link.... http://www.jobaphiles.com/

This is similar to an idea shared earlier. It seems to be in the start-up phase (at least the Beta version). Most of the Jobs open for auction are based in Boston, MA.

This looks feasible. How can a person take the idea to the professional level? Most of the jobs posted required very little experience. The problem I see with basing decisions on Resumes is that anyone can look good on paper. But maybe there are jobs that can handle mediocrity... Is that the only way to make it work?

Business Possibility: Engineering Project Co-ordinator

Here is the first idea I would like to throw around...

Discounted contract engineering.

When budgets are tightened Engineering is typically one of the first places that feels the squeeze. I know several mechanical design engineers who have lost their jobs or have been severely cut in pay. There are also companies who understand that development is the only way out of hard times.

So, I want to make the most of both problems. Why not get out of work engineers and designers working on a contract basis for the companies that want to save money? With reduced bureaucracy and open schedules, projects can be moved through at the speed of... invention.

So what do you think? What are the flaws? How can I market this?

Comments from Eric...

I think that one of the most important aspects of a business venture like this is connection. How do you, as a company, find reliable talent? Especially inexpensively, and for the short-term. And how does an engineer find valuable contract work?

A website like linkedin is useful for this. It is kind of a digital resume database and contact collective built into one. But it is massive, and hard to verify claims objectively.

Also, there are several firms that specialize in recruitment/placement. But not all of them are known for their quality of positions or applicants.

I guess what I am saying is that an attempt has been made to solve bridge this gap, how are they doing it? What is right, and wrong with what they are doing?

I wonder if some sort of "auction-esque" website might work. A company advertises a project or job. They can list the needed skills and experience. Then, that project can be bid on by any with the abilities desired.

There would have to be some sort of objective evaluation of both the projects legitimacy and the engineers claims of abilities. This way both parties know they are giving/getting a reliable bid.

Russkateer's Comment

The auction is an interesting take.

As I think about what would be needed to make something like this fly, it seems it would require much more reputation and tangible value than may be had in the idea originally presented.

What I would like to offer, ultimately is the project management. The organization needed to move a project forward to quickly and efficiently, I believe, can be carried out in the absence of bureaucracy in so many companies. So, is it possible to remove a project into a vacuum and deliver as planned?

There are several obstacles I see with this thinking.
1) It is extremely difficult to clearly define project goals.
2) It is even more difficult to remove the unstated expectations of management.
3) It is costly to add constraints/objectives after the project is finished.

#1 may be overcome with persistence, but #2 may take a shift in corporate mindset...easier said than done.