The Projectionist

"Shhhh... there he is. The Projectionist. Skulking in the darkness."

- Alice on the Projectionist. "Now I’m not lookin' for trouble. It’s just the nature of us projectionists to seek out the dark places. You see, I’ve learned the ins and outs of this here studio. I know how to avoid being bothered by the likes of this... company. "That projectionist", they always say, "creeping around, he’s just lookin’ for trouble". Well trouble or not, I sees everything. They don’t even know when I’m watchin’. Even when I’m right behind ‘em."

- Polk prior to becoming the Projectionist.

Norman Polk, later known as The Projectionist, is a minor antagonist from the 2017 horror video game, Bendy and the Ink Machine. He was a former worker at Joey Drew Studios who was corrupted by the Ink Machine.

He was voiced by the game's creator, theMeatly.

Past
Norman Polk was one of the projectionists at Joey Drew Studios, mainly keeping to himself and working in the dark, behind the scenes jobs. Over time, Polk began to notice strange behaviors from Joey Drew and Sammy Lawrence, but did not concern himself too much with them.

It is currently unknown why he became trapped in the studio, but at some point he was corrupted by the ink from the Ink Machine and turned into a humanoid monster.

Chapter 2: The Old Song
Henry can listen to audio logs from Polk throughout the level, including the one he made discussing Drew and Lawrence's behaviors. His recordings give hint to one of the puzzles in the level.

Chapter 3: Rise and Fall
Polk, now corrupted and turned into the Projectionist, is seen on level 11 performing tasks for Alice Angel. He wanders away, then shuts the door behind him.

Later, he is encountered patrolling level 14, where Henry must enter to collect inky hearts for Alice. Henry must navigate through a small wooden maze where the Projectionist is sulking, avoiding getting into his projection beam and being seen. If seen, the Projectionist will chase down and attempt to kill Henry. However, the maze can be completed by not being seen.

The Projectionist can also be killed if the player chooses, but it is very difficult. If Henry hits the Projectionist many times with a pipe without being caught or killed, the Projectionist's light will go out and it will fall over dead. Killing the Projectionist will unlock the "Norman's Fate" achievement.