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This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
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Author
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Topic: Single Screen Theatre
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Chris Erwin
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 195
From: Olive Hill,KY
Registered: Oct 1999
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posted 04-02-2000 09:01 PM
I'll have to go with the platter. I like the idea of changeover,but that means more time and care. A platter...1 thread,1 time to be out of frame. Easier to run for a novice. A chageover, several threads, and you BETTER be in frame. Nothing I hate to see worse than a changeover and the incoming reel in out of frame. It all depends on the application. An art/rep house that does concerts,festivals,etc. I might go with 2 projectors. A simple mom and pop theater,a platter. --Chris
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John Walsh
Film God
Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999
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posted 04-04-2000 12:07 PM
I know you all really want to hear my opinion here, so I give it.  Platters. If the theater will run some rep stuff; one house with c/o's. And a platter next to the twin projectors. Stephen's suggestion for some live shows at this theater (Joshua is thinking about) is a great idea. If you have the money for a real stage OK, but I've seen many great shows on just a simple stage platform, etc. Try to make the theater the "hub" of entertainment, so people will always go there. If someone told me they can consistly break down a print (from a platter) in 15 min. I would be worried about damage. I broke down 6 reels of "Whole Nine Yards" on Sat. and it took me 25 min. (and I was in a slight hurry.) If Brad did it, I wouldn't worry because I know he knows what he's doing. But, there are very few 'Brad's around. Same thing with Steve G.; He could probably run 10-14 theaters with c/o's- no problem. But if he quit, no one could replace him.
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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster
Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-04-2000 02:36 PM
I'd probably be split here on this one(in thirds). If the film fare would include old classics and special showings, and that happened fairly regularly, then I'd do a two machine booth in one of the 3 theaters. Probably in the mid size(if we're getting into seat count here). The inclusion of some sort of movable(inexpensive) 16mm xenon machine would also be very practical to use in each auditorium, no real need for an expensive Eiki or Kinoton, just plain and simple is fine. When I spec out a plex I will always include an extra port in at least the large auditoriums for the purpose of 16mm or video projectn. These have been used more than you might think so this should be done for sure.
As far as installing all two machine booths goes.....I would not want to spend the customers money on that. Its not necessary and the extra money can be put to use in many other necessary ways. For instance, great sound is also important and to have at least two of the three systems in each booth adds up to some big bucks real fast. I just had a meeting with a customer that told me that a 20,000 increase in the loan would mean a 450.00 per month increase on the mortgage payment!! That can strap a small theater in slow times! Simple as that. If the extra money is there, then its far more important to give the theater goers other reasons to go there than the fact that there are 3 - 2 machine booths. A very attractive well decorated lobby is extremely important these days, sometimes decorated to some sort of theme, as is a catchy sign and a well done answering machine system. These are all basics that cost bu koo bucks! Gee we have not even made it to the ultra pricy concession stand of today or the pricy ticketing systems........still more to buy.
Another note here is that I would definately stay away from installing any electronic machines in any remote place like Alaska. They may be fine in Weehawken N.J., but God knows who would be able to work on it(and it will have to be worked on at some point) in Alaska. There are not many projection techs that I know of with the exception of a couple that have posted on this thread that could ever reasonably deal with repairs to any electronic projector, let alone have the necessary test equipment or spares on hand. How many of you have ever worked on one? How many of you REALLY know AND understand how they work or could read the schematic and understand how it works? ALSO---Since you are not familiar with electronic projectors you probably will not be able to get field support from the manufacturer on the phone at 2am. While manufacturers can claim easy modular servicing, and that may indeed be true, wait till you go to order that module you need and find out that its of stock, being redesigned, modified, or upgraded because of problems like the one you just experienced. The worst thing is that when you do get a module a day or two later you find its the wrong revision number, and uncompatable with your serial number!! Now you're stuck and you have to fix the bad one. How ya gong to sweat that one out? All of this happens quite frequently in all aspects of the electronic industry! The kicker here is that the theater would really have to buy quite a number of spare parts to be guaranteed to be able to fix them quickly. More big bucks spent that may or may not ever be used.
And then there is the old problem that the semiconductors will probably not be available in 5 to 7 years. Thats an all too common problem right now in the lighting industry. Many light boards and dimmer rack computers can't be repaired for lack of semis! The real problem here is that these electronic projectors will now be obsolete in 7 years like all other electronic equipment. Thats fine for NBC or PAramount pictures but not for mom and pop. They're still making payments on those projectors! Gee what happens if the motor manufacturer goes bye bye? That HAS happened in the recording industry to a large famous motor manufacturer. Try getting any major parts for an RCA FP-35...... Good luck!
Anyway enough said....3 screens would definately be the minimum to build, with one perhaps being equipped with a 2 machine booth if that can be justified. Install standard machines, no fancy european stuff needed here. Just a straight foreword very attractive theater so the owner can pay the bills.
Mark
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Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 04-24-2000 02:22 PM
I wrote a friend in Alaska who used to live in Barrow about the Idea of putting in a single screen or three-plex in Barrow. What follows is her response.Hey I am just getting ready to get on a plane, but I received your message
and will respond asap. $15.00 maybe, but $25.00? Nope. Prices are
basically double what they are in Anchorage. It is $7.50 to go to the
cinema in Anchorage. There used to be a very theater in Barrow in a Quonset hut. I'll send you
history and my ideas as soon as I can -- NKR
Hi. There is a very nice, THX-type digital system in the high school
auditorium, and movies are shown there on a fairly regular basis during the
school year. There is another, not quite as nice, system at the new middle
school. I mentioned this idea to the mayor of Barrow and he thought there
wouldn't be enough money in the venture to warrant the expense. Building in
the Arctic is expensive of course. Maybe he is wrong. At the auditoriums,
there are no snack bars or previews -- it isn't like going to a real
theater! I asked about the history of the old theater in the Quonset hut,
that still sits out at NARL, but it was closed down many years ago because
it was too expensive to maintain and because of vandalism I believe. The
mayor seemed to think the local kids have calmed down and that the community
wouldn't put up with that kind of thing anymore. I could certainly help
come up with some names for a cinema! Tuttu Theater! (Caribou Theater)
Nanuq Cinema (Polar Bear Cinema) or something... Sun Dog Cinema... Ice
House Theater... :-)
I will tell you that when I lived in Barrow, I would definitely have gone to
the show and paid $15.00 a whack. There are currently three video stores in
a community of approx. 4,000. Videos are very popular. Cable TV costs
about $80 a month and they have all the good movie channels. I hope this helps? Let me know if I can be of further assistance -- NKR
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