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Author Topic: Do you always run a test screening? Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-25-2010 10:07 PM                        Do digital operators ALWAYS run a test screening? What kind of problems crop up? So far we haven't had any troubles but we're only on our 6th digi-movie so I'm just wondering what might crop up. With last week's show our key got delayed somehow and by the time we got it, I couldn't work a test show into my schedule (due to day job) but luckily, everything went fine.  |  IP: Logged Demetris Thoupis Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1240 From: Aradippou, Larnaca, Cyprus Registered: Apr 2001 posted 08-26-2010 12:30 AM                     The cinemas I service usually ran a test for the trailer portion until the feature starts and check that everything in the Macro assingment is configured correctly. That is the extend of the test. So far we had not have any issues with `damanged` feature files. Only had one issue with a faulty hard drive but that showed up on loading the feature. Demetris  |  IP: Logged Jeremy Weigel Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1062 From: Edmond, OK, USA Registered: Mar 2007 posted 08-26-2010 01:54 AM                     Generally we still screen them, but if for some reason we get one that no one wants to watch we''ll just run through the trailers and make sure that the KDM actually works and then shut it down.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 08-26-2010 05:13 AM                     Nope, no pre-screenings and no problems either. I have come across 2 bad hard drives so far in my digital travels (2 years worth). Both times they were those awful Deluxe USB-only craptacular drives and as expected, the issue turned up during ingestion. Since most digital drives show up no later than 2 days prior, it gave us enough time to call in for a replacement drive.  |  IP: Logged Elise Brandt Expert Film Handler Posts: 160 From: Kuusankoski, FIN/ Kouvola, Finland Registered: Dec 2009 posted 08-26-2010 05:22 AM                     Tiny test run, yes. About ten minutes into the feature so that we can be sure the sound level is good and that every cue is where it should be. That's it.  |  IP: Logged Ian Parfrey Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1049 From: Imbil Australia 26 deg 27' 42.66" S 152 deg 42' 23.40" E Registered: Feb 2009 posted 08-26-2010 06:15 AM                     On our you-beaut eC2 eCinema system we do an ingest and then a seek/recover scan through the feature program including the end credits until the final card. Have had 2 files crap out midway through but luckily none for about 6 months.  |  IP: Logged Peter Castle Expert Film Handler Posts: 220 From: Wollongong University, NSW ,Australia Registered: Oct 2003 posted 08-26-2010 06:16 AM                     Same here. Just the first few minutes of the feature. Checking for letterbox trailers that can run with a scope feature.  |  IP: Logged Todd McCracken Master Film Handler Posts: 263 From: Northridge, CA, USA Registered: Mar 2008 posted 09-06-2010 04:33 PM                    I sure wish everybody would (Of course that would make my job far easier)I don't expect it with digital though. I think that a basic playout (Making sure the keys open content) is a must for anyone who cares about their presentation.  |  IP: Logged Matt Fields Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 545 From: Ohio, United States Registered: Jun 2005 posted 09-07-2010 01:44 PM                     I always forward to the end credits. This accomplishes two things: verifies where to put the lights up cue and shows that the files plays.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 09-08-2010 01:50 AM                     We do full test run screenings since it's required by the company and that includes 35mm runs as well prior to opening day.  |  IP: Logged Joseph Pandolfi Expert Film Handler Posts: 213 From: Milford, CT. Registered: Nov 1999 posted 09-18-2010 10:16 AM                     If I have to do a screening by myself and pressed for time, then I would run it up to the first 20 minutes of the feature to make sure that trailers are run properly (format, 2D, 3D, matting etc.) Then I would check the last 15-20 minutes of the feature to make sure the credits cue work perfectly (I am very fussy about that and have to change about half of the features). If it is a big blockbuster (Avatar, IM2) then I have no choice but to run a full screening.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 10-01-2010 09:48 PM                        Thanks all for the replies. Now here's another question: Hard drives come with a letter asking you to fax it back, call, or e-mail the depot saying your content was ingested and/or test-screened. Do you respond to those?  |  IP: Logged Ian Parfrey Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1049 From: Imbil Australia 26 deg 27' 42.66" S 152 deg 42' 23.40" E Registered: Feb 2009 posted 10-02-2010 12:31 AM                     Nope. If there is a problem with said drive THEN they will get a response.  |  IP: Logged Elise Brandt Expert Film Handler Posts: 160 From: Kuusankoski, FIN/ Kouvola, Finland Registered: Dec 2009 posted 10-02-2010 02:03 AM                     Hmh, we don't get those. Not to my knowledge. If so, then dropping an email to ease someone's nerves is easy and quick to do, why not do it?  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 10-02-2010 12:38 PM                     Not required for us, for it looks like more of a survey, or trying to be a "big brother" of sorts. ..just like that trailer list that comes in the film cans (boxes) of trailers that comes with new prints that needs to go on the prints-we don't look at them either.  |  IP: Logged

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