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Author Topic: Did anybody get a "Nemo Focus loop"? Mike Olpin Chop Chop! Posts: 1852 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Jan 2002 posted 07-12-2003 04:29 AM                     I had to deal with several customers (one of which claimed to be a projectionist at another theatre) who complained that I haden't focused Nemo properly. (They were wrong). Anyway, I wen't up to check it out in DLP and it was pristine in comparison! Even the underwater scenes were not realy blurry. My brother, who had seen the film version, commented on theway back that Digital was better because he could see the scales on the fish. In the sceene where Nigel (the pelican) drops Marlin and Dory off, there's a bouy (sp?? pronounced booo-ey). On it there is a sign. On the film version it is difficult to make out the letters (but if one trys, the will be able to make out what it says) On the DLP version it clearly reads "Treated Sewage" I don't think Pixar did this on purpose. Their Pixarvision film process is incredible (check out the prints of "A Bug's Life"). I think this is another stupid quality control issue with the master all the prints were duplicated off of. If it is a conspiracy, however, I'm sure Disney is behind it. Pixar would never intentionaly try to make film look bad. They, like most production companies, want to ensure that the image looks as good as it can, regardless of the format its played back in.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 07-12-2003 01:36 PM                        I last saw "Finding Nemo" at a theatre in Lake Placid, NY two weeks ago. The projected 35mm print was sharp, and I remember reading that "Treated Sewage" sign. I was sitting about 2 image heights away from the screen.  |  IP: Logged Lyle Romer Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1400 From: Davie, FL, USA Registered: May 2002 posted 07-12-2003 02:15 PM                     John, Off topic but I tried to email something to your kodak email address and it keeps bouncing back. Lyle  |  IP: Logged John Walsh Film God Posts: 2490 From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way Registered: Oct 1999 posted 07-12-2003 04:10 PM                     I know we've talked about this before, but why don't the labs simply print some focus test on the tails of every reel? <Cranky child mode> I still say; Someone should make a simplified image test film just showing 1:85 and 2:39 borders and simple focus chart, print that onto regular release stock and sell it cheap. Many theaters will not pay for any high-quality 35PA-type test film, so NO checking is being done. Better a poor tool for a job then no tool at all.  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 07-12-2003 06:24 PM                        The focus film was a complete success with our projectionists. They normally use loops made from the credits of old trailers. When they found the Nemo focus film (which I am told was in the can, rolled up just like a trailer), they immediately made a loop from it and used it on all screens. quote: Did it achieve the psyhcological goal of, "I'll try it out, and maybe, the theatre operator will take a little extra time to make sure the feature is presented correctly." If they don't already. They did already, still, the focus loop was a great idea. It is exactly the right tool to have "in the trench" to make it a little easier and also way more effective and fun to use than an old trailer loop. Our projectionists are always very impressed when they see my image test film, but also a bit overwhelmed by all the information on it. Also, it would be way too expensive to equip all theatres with it. So I think it would be a great idea to have more themed fun focus loops like this in the future. Those projectionists who try to maintain quality presentation will be grateful for it. I can imagine they would start collecting and trading them as an additional motivation. THX once made an Episode I test film with channel identification (I think in CP30`s voice). The Nemo loop will not be for sale on e-bay! I will keep part of the trailer as a souvenir to a cool idea, the loop will go back to the theatre for them to keep and use it.  |  IP: Logged Ian Price Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1714 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-12-2003 06:36 PM                     quote: So I think it would be a great idea to have more themed fun focus loops like this in the future. Those projectionists who try to maintain quality presentation will be grateful for it. I can imagine they would start collecting and trading them as an additional motivation. Yes please! With sound tests and channel identifiers as well.  |  IP: Logged Steve Kraus Film God Posts: 4094 From: Chicago, IL, USA Registered: May 2000 posted 07-12-2003 08:15 PM                    For all the money the chains pour into policies etc. wouldn't it be great if they would shoot their own customized test roll and make such loops widely available in every booth? It could be done very cheaply...get someone with an optical printer type camera (Unit-I shuttle) capable of handling long-pitch film and shoot it directly on to ordinary print stock. Make up a negative chart and use appropriate filters and light so it turns out as a decent looking positive. The chart would have flat and scope aperture dimensions, a few focus / rez targets and the the chain's logo & slogan. Under that you'd say something snazzy like XYX Theatres Precision Alignment Film. It should also be designed for the less highly skilled booth workers to thread in frame and correctly oriented. Not only would this be good for general frame, focus, and alignment checks but the idea would be that if once in a while the projectionist throws this loop on the screen with the audience present the patron would be bound to think, 'Wow, we've never seen anything like this over at the other (competitor's) theatre--the people over here really care about everything being precise.' If it was at AMC they'd think ah hah...that's what they mean by "Experience the difference." Good for keeping presentation standards up AND good customer relations, too.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 07-12-2003 08:25 PM                     If a chain ever did that, I would expect nothing less than a sound system test as well. For example... Left channel - man constantly coughing Center channel - patron loudly muching on popcorn Right channel - patron talking during the movie, explaining to the idiot sitting next to them what just happened Left surround channel - baby screaming at 130db Right surround channel - cell phone ringing Subwoofer - simulation of bleedover from the neighboring auditorium running an action movie The test pattern on screen also needs to have a laser pointer dot dancing across it.  |  IP: Logged Manny Knowles "What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???" Posts: 4247 From: Bloomington, IN, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 07-12-2003 08:28 PM                     I'm actually going to do this before year's end. We're getting new policy trailers and I'm going to send along a test pattern for the animation company to render out onto film negative. The lab I use in L.A. will then loop-print it onto 1000' or 2000' rolls. They've been loop-printing my special threading leaders since 1998. Haha! I just read Brad's post. I love it!  |  IP: Logged Lyle Romer Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1400 From: Davie, FL, USA Registered: May 2002 posted 07-12-2003 09:13 PM                     Brad's idea sounds a lot like the new (relatively I think) AMC "Silence is Golden" trailer. I have only seen it recently because I don't usually go to AMC.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 07-12-2003 10:12 PM                        quote: Off topic but I tried to email something to your kodak email address and it keeps bouncing back. The Kodak firewall and spam filter are pretty sensitive. For example, I can't send myself a copy of any note about my dog "Teenie Weenie". To be sure, my address is john.pytlak@kodak.com  |  IP: Logged

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