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Author Topic: Print security gone too far? Alex Cross Film Handler Posts: 34 From: Eccleshill, Brafdord, West Yorkshire, Registered: Dec 2005 posted 10-19-2006 05:01 PM                     Yesterday afternoon, our copy of film 'X' arrived. Nothing unusual there. However, the delivery driver was told he had to watch it being made up, watch it on the 6:30 preview, watch it being broken down, before taking it away again. I have to say, I'm rather teed off that the whole situation insinuated that we'd have down something dishonest. Which I take great offence to. Is this something that happens regularly, or is this a one off? We're also regularly receiving prints in two halves. Normally, reels 1/3/5 arrives one day. And the next day we'll get 2/4/6. Is this how my colleagues around the globe have to deal with print security? I'd love to know your views/experiences. I fully understand the need to eliminate piracy, but is this going too far? Alex.  |  IP: Logged Bill Gabel Film God Posts: 3873 From: Technicolor / Postworks NY, USA Registered: Jan 2002 posted 10-19-2006 05:09 PM                     That's nothing new. You could have the best record in security and they will still be there watching the print.  |  IP: Logged Edwin Sheldon Film Handler Posts: 95 From: Mobile, AL, USA Registered: Sep 2006 posted 10-19-2006 06:06 PM                     The only time I've encountered split shipments was with King Kong. We got reel 8 a few days early and the rest the day before the print was supposed to screen. Whose brilliant idea was that? If they were going to split the shipment, it would have made the projectionists less angry if they had shipped reel 1 and the trailers so we could get started on the build process. Having a reel just lying around for a few days that can't be built onto a print is just silly. A few months ago, we received a fax from a depot (TES I think) saying they would split shipments in the manner you described. Three days later, they reversed their decision due to universal outcry from the projectionists.  |  IP: Logged Ian Woloschin Film Handler Posts: 54 From: Worcester, MA, USA Registered: Mar 2006 posted 10-19-2006 06:08 PM                        I <3 non-theatrical showings. I get a couple of old beat up film cans that must've been in circulation for 50 years. Occasionally I get a funny name on the outside, easy enough to open them up and check to the headers though. Delivery guy drops it off, I build it, show it, break it down, and then the delivery guy comes a few days later and takes the old film and brings a new one, relatively ad-infinitum.  |  IP: Logged Robert John Jeromson Master Film Handler Posts: 264 From: Auckland, New Zealand Registered: Jul 2004 posted 10-19-2006 06:12 PM                     It's part of the furniture here now (so to speak). Split deliveries are a regular occurance in New Zealand, just recently 'Out of the Blue' was sent in odd reel and even reel deliveries.  |  IP: Logged Caleb Johnstone-Cowan Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 593 From: London, UK Registered: Mar 2006 posted 10-19-2006 06:24 PM                     We had an odd amount of security with 'The History Boys', the code was 'Stage Fright' and after the preview half the reels were sent back. I think they take it more seriously when we get a UK release far in advance of the USA. Also had a test screening of 'The Guardian' earlier in the summer, Disney had their own projector, two suited security guys on the door taking mobiles and coats from the audience, and two other guys just for projection. Where I used to work, there were a couple of previews for a Harry Potter film, had two security guards during the entire film with night vision goggles.  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 10-19-2006 06:48 PM                     Don't take it personally Alex. I've been in that situation many times in the past. It's their job to make sure nothing happens to the print. They don't know if someone can get into the booth and do something to the print or if it will disappear while someone is not looking. It's not so much the projectionist they're worried about.  |  IP: Logged Pete Naples Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1565 From: Dunfermline, Scotland Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-20-2006 02:33 AM                     Alex, which chain are you with?  |  IP: Logged John Walsh Film God Posts: 2490 From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way Registered: Oct 1999 posted 10-20-2006 07:17 AM                     The first time that happened to me was with a sneak of "Gremlins." A guy named Vinne delivered it and said he was told to not let the print out of his sight. It's just film company paranoia and has nothing to do with the theater or it's employees.  |  IP: Logged Dennis Benjamin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1445 From: Denton, MD Registered: Feb 2002 posted 10-20-2006 07:34 AM                        I have said this on here before: When I did a sneak of the Jurassic Park sequel in Miami, I had a guy with a gun stand next to the print it's entire run (through build up and breakdown). He made me nervous.  |  IP: Logged Brian Guckian Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 594 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Apr 2003 posted 10-20-2006 11:08 AM                     Is it legal to have an unqualified person in the Projection Room standing over the Projectionist as they go about their duties? What about the H&S regulations? Whatever about split shipments, this kind of thing seems well OTT. And armed guards as well? What about the post houses and the like where all the real piracy is supposed to happen? Do armed personnel stand over Editors and Sound Editors as they work? When they go in to do the mix, are they met by a contingent of security personnel? Not likely! There are some really sensible, well worked out security procedures out there that are effective without intruding on people, and they've never mentioned interference of this kind.  |  IP: Logged Ben Wales Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 602 From: Southampton. England Registered: Jul 99 posted 10-20-2006 03:39 PM                     What is real crazy here in the UK, when prints are X-Over to other Cinemas. the Film Transport companies sometimes sub contract the work to other Carriers who are NOT approved by FACT to carry 35mm prints. Some of the X-Overs have been done in Taxis, unknown "one Man and Van" most recently I have heard that a Cinema was closed so the film was left at a local Pub near by for the Cinema Projectionist to collect!. What should be some concern to Film Companies is most of the Prints are moved by DHL and as I found their main disbribution Hub is mostly staffed by Agency East Europe Migrant workers and in time most of the Deliveries will be carried out by Agency Drivers or contract carriers.  |  IP: Logged Bobby Henderson "Ask me about Trajan." Posts: 10973 From: Lawton, OK, USA Registered: Apr 2001 posted 10-20-2006 04:18 PM                     All the security steps being strictly applied to 35mm and digital virtual prints is absolutely worthless when the same Hollywood studios casually distribute screener DVDs among lots of people well before the movie is even released. Many of the people receiving these screener DVDs are celebrities and other people with money who feel like they can do whatever they want. Some in this group and others outside of it viewing these screener DVDs think with only the right side of their brain and have poor impulse control. This is why just about any major movie is already on the Internet available to download before the actual theatrical release happens. If I was a studio chief I would just ban those screener DVDs.  |  IP: Logged Alexander Smith Expert Film Handler Posts: 128 From: Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Registered: Jun 2003 posted 10-20-2006 05:40 PM                     Regarding X-overs in the UK: I started asking the "man plus van" drivers for ID. One guy didn't like it, because he didn't have his ID. His office phoned my boss to confirm that he was supposed to be picking up what-ever-title. He brought his ID next time, even though it looked like it was made at play-school with "my first scissors". We took a note of his car registration plate just in case. :-) Just the level of service we've come to expect from DHL. (sarcasm...) Alex.  |  IP: Logged Chad M Calpito Master Film Handler Posts: 435 From: San Diego, CA Registered: Apr 2006 posted 10-20-2006 06:07 PM                        The same thing happened to me when I had a private showing of World Trade Center. The security guy would come up during make-up and tear down of the film. Of course, I didn't take offense at it because he was just doing his job.  |  IP: Logged

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