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Author Topic: Brain Wraps Patrick Matthews Film Handler Posts: 86 From: Kansas City, MO, USA Registered: Sep 2004 posted 02-09-2005 05:30 PM                     My theatre, when it originally opened in July, started off using a Potts platter. We run a single screen theatre and are able to run changeovers for press screenings and trade screenings. In August our platter broke and since we had little money at the time, etc. we just decided to run changeovers until the owner got someone to fix the platter. Cut to 1 week ago and we finally got the platter working. Back in August I wasn't working the booth but I do remember the projectionist having a brain wrap and it was pretty serious and I never found out how it got fixed. I now run the booth and have a question to you all. What are some of the main causes of brain wraps and what are some things that can be done to quickly fix the problem and keep the show running without having to cancel it?  |  IP: Logged Thomas Dieter Expert Film Handler Posts: 234 From: Yakima, WA Registered: Jun 2004 posted 02-09-2005 05:51 PM                     Some of the main problems of Brain Wraps are thus: A jumped roller (cause of operator error) Static on the film causing the film to jump a roller. Sticky Print (cause of bad splicing tape, and more.) Slow motor, or fast motor (cause of poorly adjusted feedout motor) The first thing you want to find out is what direction the brain warp happened, did the platter stop moving and continue to warp that way, or did it continue to spin, and wrap forward. Once you have got that figured out, you want to take an spin the platter in the opposite direction. If the brain warp is so that you can't see the brain, you are gonna want to cut the film, and go from there.  |  IP: Logged Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 02-09-2005 07:08 PM                     With the Potts platters there are several causes to brain wraps. First the obvious operator error: -Misthread through the brain rollers. -Motor left disengaged after breaking down a film. Next Equipment Malfunctions: -Bad variac adjustment. -Bad microswitch in the brain. -Damaged film that sticks together. Acts of Nature -Static (from dry air) -Dirt Most of the time I think you will find that it is operator error. It is a good idea to check up on it occassionally during the show.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 02-09-2005 07:50 PM                     I use a Potts platter. My vote for the number one cause of brain wraps & film interruptions is forgetting to re-engage the motors under the platters. If you forget to re-engage the payout, you will get a "strangulation" brain wrap because the platter isn't giving out film. If you forget to re-engage the takeup platter, you will get film piling up on the floor under the projector until, ultimately, the failsafe stops the projector. (Hopefully!) If you misthread the brain, you'll probably see a situation where the payout platter spins too fast and you get a backlash of film wrapping backwards around the brain. In any case, one thing about Potts platters is that they often take a minute or two for the problem to get bad enough to jam the film. It can lull you into a false sense of security. The projector and film seems to be running OK. You start to walk away and all hell breaks loose. Of course, you want to always double check your film before you start the projector but, if you have Potts, it pays to get in the habit of double checking and TRIPLE checking the entire film path!  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 02-09-2005 09:58 PM                     Potts suck! Get a Strong  |  IP: Logged Dominic Espinosa Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1172 From: California, U.S.A. Registered: Jan 2004 posted 02-10-2005 02:52 AM                     quote: Richard Hamilton Potts suck! Get a Strong Personally I hate them both. Sure the Strong platters are superior but still, same layout...I prefer Christies. Anyhow, in my experience: The number one cause is forgetting to re-engage the payout platter after it takes up a show. Once I actually watched a brainwrap start when one of those rollers on the sides of the brain litterally FELL OFF...Apparantly maintenance wasn't really in the dictionary of the previous booth manager at that place. Anyhow, as a result the film jumped over the edge of the base plate and got caught and slowed down. On other platter systems I've seen a single sided splice in a trailer pack wrap a show. Tail tucking can also be an issue. If I remember correctly, tucking the tail with the soundtrack sticking side sticking out from under the roll, for some reason, causes the tail to curl and lift up over the edge near the end of the last reel. And on all platters sticking the tail too far under, coupled with static, can cause the tail to get tangled in the brain. Basically, here's the idea to follow: Run FilmGuard on your prints. Even if you just coat the edges, that alone will reduce wear and tear on the prints AND keep your static down. Keep an eye on your humidity. There's several topics on this site about that. Just search it. Maintain your platters. Keep everything clean, properly fastened, and timed if applicable. And finally, make it second nature to double check the motors EVERY show. G'luck.  |  IP: Logged Steven J Hart Master Film Handler Posts: 282 From: WALES, ND, USA Registered: Mar 2004 posted 02-10-2005 08:19 AM                        quote: Richard Hamilton Potts suck! Get a Strong Hey, Potts and Strong platters are both built by an outfit called "Design and Manufacture" I was under the impression that they were about 98% identical. I own and operate a Potts, and I recently installed two Strongs at a neighboring theater. They operate the same. (At least the platters equipped with micro switch brains do) I've only had two brain wraps on my Potts in 8 years, and both were caused by improper threading of the brain by a sloppy projectionist. If you take a look at the platter for a minute or so after starting the feature and before leaving the booth, most brain wraps can be quickly remedied. As for static causing a wrap..... Try FilmGuard! Steve Hart  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 02-10-2005 09:55 AM                     Steven, I have to agree with you. Although Christies and Specos are superior in many ways, Potts/Strong platters aren't all that bad... PROVIDED you are a conscientous operator. There are some things I would change about them but they aren't the film grinders some people make them out to be. You just have to pay attention. But... You SHOULD be paying attention anyway! No?! Therefore, any reasonably intelligtent operator with proper training and work ethic should have no trouble operating a Strong/Potts platter. <humor> Taking the above into consideration, I put forth that anybody who says Strong/Potts platters suck is really saying that THEY are a sucky operator! </humor>  |  IP: Logged Robert E. Allen Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1078 From: Checotah, Oklahoma Registered: Jul 2002 posted 02-10-2005 02:31 PM                     We use Strong platters. While I have been back in the business for only six months I have never had a brain wrap. That's because I always double-check EVERYTHING before I start the projector. A couple of times I caught the film in a position in the brain that would have caused a brain-wrap if I had started the machine. I believe the chief cause is operator error. Threading a platter and projector speedily serves absolutely no useful purpose. If one misses a start time or has a stop-down the audience can wait a few more seconds while the machine is threaded properly.  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 02-10-2005 05:56 PM                     One problem is managers running the booth.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 02-10-2005 07:16 PM                     quote: Richard May One problem is managers running the booth. I can sympathise with that comment in general, but it is not really accurate. The problem is untrained or uncaring PEOPLE running the booth. Whether they are titled as a manager or a projectionist doesn't matter. It's still operator error.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 02-10-2005 07:28 PM                     quote: Steven J Hart Hey, Potts and Strong platters are both built by an outfit called "Design and Manufacture" I was under the impression that they were about 98% identical. Design & Manufacturing, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ballantyne Of Omaha, thus "Potts" platters ARE "Strongs" for all intents and purposes. -Aaron  |  IP: Logged Steven J Hart Master Film Handler Posts: 282 From: WALES, ND, USA Registered: Mar 2004 posted 02-10-2005 07:49 PM                        quote: Brad Miller The problem is untrained or uncaring PEOPLE running the booth. Whether they are titled as a manager or a projectionist doesn't matter. Brad, I agree 100%. I'm the manager of my small theater and also the chief projectionist. I think you'll find that many of the small non-chain theaters have the same situation. If the show doesn't run - or stops - its me who has to tell the patrons why they can't see the rest of the show. Thats incentive for me to try to not only put on the best presentation I can, but also to give my patrons the most reliable service. Lumping all managers into a non-caring group of penny pinchers is not fair. Steve  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 02-10-2005 09:08 PM                     Randy, I only said that Potts platters suck!! Rick  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 02-10-2005 09:15 PM                     quote: Randy, I only said that Potts platters suck!! Yet in reality, they BOTH do!  |  IP: Logged

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