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Topic: 'Lending' prints to other cinemas

Michael Barry
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 584
From: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 06-26-2001 01:18 PM

This week I had to despatch a print that we have been running for months to an interstate cinema that needed to run the film for a 'one-of' screening, then make it back up again in time for our regular, ongoing sessions.(The reason we were given for having to do this is that the print is the only one in the country...although I'm sure it was playing somewhere else earlier.)

Anyway, when breaking it down I ensured that they received it in as-new condition. I felt that they would notice this and treat it with the same care.

Unfortunately, it was almost a different print when it came back...a harmonica of splices at the heads/tails where one neat one used to be; a whole mess of shoe polish/liquid paper carelessly applied to the edges AND spilling into the picture in several places. The heads/tails were held together with masking tape as well. I haven't seen it on screen since it came back.

I just can't understand why all this mishandling was necessary. Perhaps next time I should include a note asking the edges not to be marked, splices to be peeled back and for more care to be taken in general? I would have thought that such a thing would not be necessary if they could see that WE didn't need to mark the edges or cut back several frames...but this wasn't the case. Disappointing.

Would others suggest including a note to the projectionist in future instances of 'lending' prints to other cinemas?

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Will Kutler
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1506
From: Tucson, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 06-26-2001 02:40 PM

Generally speaking, whenever we had a promo, we usually received a used print, and quite often they were in terrible condition. Liquid Paper (WHAT A MESS!) to mark splices. No competent Projectionist should need to use Liquid Paper! should you need to, just lay a little piece of tape alongside the splice as a temp. marker during tear-down. I was somewhat successful with using Film-Guard and lens tissue to clean this crap off! We also never received DTS Discs with a Promo print. Also, too many frames being spliced off the heads and tails were quite normal. Sounds like this print had made what we call a "circuit", which is dictated by the studios/promotors. Be careful-your theater might be penalized financially for this damaged print. Report the theater who damaged it!

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 06-26-2001 03:08 PM

NEVER put any permanent marking on the print!!! Almost anything you use to mark a print will eventually work it's way into the image area and soundtrack.

Will is correct -- report any print damage you find during inspection or the first showing. Even if you don't get a replacement print, it will put the blame where it lies, and hopefully lead to a change in behavior by those who are negligent, careless or incompetent.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

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Bill Enos
Film God

Posts: 2081
From: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 06-26-2001 04:34 PM

Abused prints are one thing, but why waste a phone call to lodge a complaint. For that to make a difference somebody has to be there to do more than say "yeah ok, sorry about that" and hang up, unfortunately there isn't. Requesting another print frequently results in getting a worse one. Be sure you are not getting billed for shipping on the replacements. Can anybody recall a theatre being charged, fined or being otherwise penalized for damaging a print?

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Will Kutler
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1506
From: Tucson, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 06-26-2001 04:55 PM

Century Theaters - or at least the theater I worked at was STRICT about damaged prints - as well as letting us know how much the fines were and how much replacement reels cost! Because of the presentation at my old theater which I described in my other thread about Shit Hot Presentations, our booth was always in the corporate limelight, and we always had corporate big wigs inspecting us! I do not know how rare it was, but we were selected by DreamWorks for a special presentation of Mexican when it was still being edited. We ran an unmarried print with special equipment-the soundtrack was on a seperate film/projector that was slaved to the primary projector-similar to 3-D set-up. Anyhow, equipment malfunctions aside, damaged prints by improper threading/handling was not tolorated, and our patrons came to expect this type of presentation! Patrons routinely told us that they purposely came from all over Southern AZ specifically to see a pic. at this theater. Remember that your patrons are your bread and butter, and with ticket prices as expensive as they are, they deserve the best! If you are not willing to put forth this type of effort, then you do not belong in a "booth" ! Ya, I know that Projectionist's saleries are shitty, but remember, you still agreed to provide a competitent service for $$!
I worked my ass off to build a reputation/resume, and I do get Projectionist's gigs around town! It is called PRIDE!

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Randy Stankey
Film God

Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-26-2001 05:17 PM

I'd write them a letter describing the damage you found and send a copy to the distributor.

The way I see it, you now have grounds to refuse such a request in the future.

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Sean McKinnon
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1712
From: Peabody Massachusetts
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 06-26-2001 06:12 PM

I know that this doesnt solve the problem of the other theatre damaging prints but, I have always found it much easier to clamp prints and have the other theatre pick them up and drop them off in one piece. If you use clamps and wrap the print in a clean trashbag then I thihnk its better for the print than extra makes and breaks.

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Michael Barry
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 584
From: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 06-26-2001 11:57 PM

Thanks for everyone's input. I will make out a print report - at the very least - to ensure that the cause is not attributed to us. Everyone's suggestions were excellent.

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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 06-27-2001 12:58 AM

I agree with Sean. However, when a print is transferred just by using the platter clamps, it is much too easy for a disaster for some club-footed slanted forehead ape that came out of the rain. Remember once I posted a post on how I dropped "The River" in a big puddle of water? 'nuff said.

We have also broke down to 6000 foot reels for transfer to another local theater, which seems to have worked nicely. We issued them two 6000 foot reels, and they were rotated. (bring two empty reels back, and we'll give you two full reels). If they "forgot" to bring two empty reels, well, the old saying goes, "No Tickey - No Laundry.

We have also used those caddys that will hold 12,000 feet of film, but they were a pain in the butt.

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Aaron Mehocic
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 804
From: New Castle, PA, USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-28-2001 08:22 AM

I have a lot of experience in moving prints in the ways Sean and Paul described above. On countless nights I ran clamped prints the 36 or so miles between our theatre and one we previously owned south of us toward Pittsburgh. In the begining, I wasn't sure this was a good idea, but if you have competance in both places, it works great. I miss those late night drives down Route 18.

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Michael Barry
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 584
From: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 06-28-2001 02:11 PM

I agree that it's better to send a print in a sleeve already made up, or on 6000 foot reels if that's not possible. However, in this instance, it had to be broken down completely because it was being flown interstate.

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