my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Trailer Checker (Page 1)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3

Author Topic: Trailer Checker Peter Mork Expert Film Handler Posts: 181 From: Newton, MA, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 01-06-2004 02:06 AM                     Hello friends, Has anyone there heard of a Trailer Checker - someone employed by one or more distribs whose job it is to go around to cinemas and see which trailers are playing? I ask this because a certain manager (call him Mr. D) at the independent house I work at is always telling me the Trailer Checker came by and asked why such-and-such a trailer wasn't playing before such-and-such a picture. I asked the owner whether he'd ever heard of this. He said Mr. D is always telling him the same story, though he's never met a Trailer Checker personally and suspects, as I do, that this is a fantasy that D. made up so he can get his way (he is sort of a control freak - but I have the trump card in that I'm the only one who can actually do the splicing and dicing involved in trailer placement, so I don't always follow his suggestions). Thanks, No Fool in Boston.  |  IP: Logged Nate Lehrke Master Film Handler Posts: 396 From: Denver, CO Registered: Oct 2002 posted 01-06-2004 02:14 AM                     Yeah, we get some trailer checkers out here. They have quite the easy of job of just watching trailers all day!  |  IP: Logged Manny Knowles "What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???" Posts: 4247 From: Bloomington, IN, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-06-2004 02:25 AM                     Yes, Virginia! There is a trailer checker. You better watch out!  |  IP: Logged Mike Olpin Chop Chop! Posts: 1852 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Jan 2002 posted 01-06-2004 03:16 AM                     The few that I have met are very profesional. I've never had any of them ask why such and such isnt playing with a certain film. They just come in, write down the trailers, and leave.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 01-06-2004 03:24 AM                     The only times I have run into someone that was 'checking' trailers was the guy that was also the 'film checker' that was getting a head count, etc for that particular feature- they also listed in their report what trailers were playing with the feature. I have NEVER had anyone connected to a distributor question any of my trailer placements on a film. -Aaron  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 01-06-2004 07:10 AM                        When I did THX Theatre Alignment Program (TAP) theatre evaluations, the evaluation form usually asked for a listing of the trailers playing.  |  IP: Logged Steve Kraus Film God Posts: 4094 From: Chicago, IL, USA Registered: May 2000 posted 01-06-2004 08:32 AM                    Certified Reports, Inc. Kinderhook, NY  |  IP: Logged Steve Scott Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1300 From: Minneapolis, MN Registered: Sep 2000 posted 01-06-2004 10:33 AM                     Yeah, we have an older couple that checks a feature every month, or so. They've always been polite and friendly people.  |  IP: Logged Chris Hipp Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1462 From: Mesquite, Tx (east of Dallas) Registered: Jul 2003 posted 01-06-2004 10:36 AM                     WE have them, they always get on my nerves because they dont understand that we sync prints and move prints througout the night. So they always tell corporate wrong information.  |  IP: Logged John Carpenter Film Handler Posts: 96 From: Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA Registered: Nov 2002 posted 01-06-2004 10:55 AM                     At our 16 plex we average a checker a weekend. Most of the time the just are there to check trailers, but sometimes are there to veryify number or people in a certain feature. They never question anything - nor do they know what it is they are looking for (what trailers are in question). I know this because I know one of them personally. But they always seem to have a letter from the distributors allowing them to do the check.  |  IP: Logged Peter Mork Expert Film Handler Posts: 181 From: Newton, MA, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 01-06-2004 01:07 PM                     Well, I guess these people do exist, but Mr. D is stretching things when he claims they have an interest on what trailers go where.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Garman Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1470 From: Toledo, OH USA Registered: Mar 2003 posted 01-06-2004 02:05 PM                     We have one come so often, she seems like a regular at our place. I always have a conversation with her when she stops by. I can't imagine they get paid much for this duty though. AJG  |  IP: Logged Manny Knowles "What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???" Posts: 4247 From: Bloomington, IN, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-06-2004 02:37 PM                     quote: Mr. D is stretching things when he claims they have an interest on what trailers go where. Don't be so certain! What movie were they allegedly checking trailers on? I think it was LOTR 3 that came with a whole bunch of trailers and a note stating a certain trailer had to be the first "non competitive" trailer (?) and that there would be trailer checkers. So, it seems that there is a concern about making sure that trailers are playing on certain movies -- and also in some cases the sequence in which they are shown. If you ask me I'd say that's going a little bit too far into micromanagement of the trailers. Maybe if they're going to get that picky about it they should just attach the entire slate of trailers instead of enclosing them or sending them loose. Another specific example: Back when the first teaser for "The Phantom Menace" was issued, we were told that it could only run ahead of "Meet Joe Black" (?) and no other movie.  |  IP: Logged Christopher Seo Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 530 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-06-2004 03:16 PM                     Trailer checkers seem to be quite common in the LA area (for obvious reasons), and they are taken very seriously.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 01-06-2004 03:26 PM                     quote: Maybe if they're going to get that picky about it they should just attach the entire slate of trailers instead of enclosing them or sending them loose. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you going insane on us Manny? You KNOW that no depot can make a proper splice when assembling trailers, and the labs seem to fuck it up too! It's always cheap tape, hinging splices, sometimes out-of-frame, and most importantly...they chop the film in the wrong place for the theater to be able to fix it! Sorry, but when I get a manually attached trailer and it was not put on the print properly to the point where I can fix it due to either having handling marks on it or being cut in the wrong place, it is considered damaged film and goes straight in the trash. No ifs ands or butts. I does not get played. Same thing goes for the opening logo on reel 1. If the soundtrack has been cut due to some bonehead trying to attach a trailer, I check to see if the opening studio's logo is silent. If so the quick fix is to cut it off of the feature entirely. If there is audio going on or it transitions into the feature, reel 1 is replaced. Damaged film is damaged film. I will however happily put on any new trailer from that studio that is sent loose on it's own core that is requested of me. When the studios respect my presentation by not permitting anyone else to cut the print, I respect their wishes and play whatever they request.  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.