my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Trailer Checker (Page 3)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3

Author Topic: Trailer Checker Scott D. Neff Theatre Dork Posts: 919 From: San Francisco, CA Registered: Oct 1999 posted 01-07-2004 03:54 PM                        I always thought it was up for the theatre to play whatever the hell they wanted on the beginning of the movie. I thought that the only time it mattered what trailers you were playing was if you booked the film under the condition that you would play X, Y and/or Z trailers?  |  IP: Logged Darren Crimmins Expert Film Handler Posts: 130 From: Dallas, TX, USA Registered: Jan 2002 posted 01-07-2004 08:08 PM                     "I've also had a checker that wouldn't actually check the screens. I guess they found out we keep a list of all the trailers we put on the features upstairs, so they just asked for that, copied it down, and left." At a theater that I used to work at, they did ridiculous things like want trailers on new movies that we were not going to even get until Friday. If those trailers are not there when I put the print together, they don't go on. The trailer checkers also got lazy and just asked for our list in the booth instead of checking the screens. I eventually started making a list for the checker of what they wanted, and then had the "real list" for the projectionists. Screw that studio BS of wanting trailers on thier movies that didn't get there until late Thursday or Friday!  |  IP: Logged Daryl C. W. O'Shea Film God Posts: 3977 From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from) Registered: Jun 2002 posted 01-07-2004 08:13 PM                        I get checkers all the time that want me to give them numbers or other info that they are being paid to check for. Never will I give out info if they haven't actually done the check themselves. If they want to compare numbers after they've done their check great (often they are wrong and will go count again), but they're not getting any info if they haven't first checked themselves. In fact, most studios will ask that you do not reveal any info to them.  |  IP: Logged Manny Knowles "What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???" Posts: 4247 From: Bloomington, IN, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-07-2004 08:46 PM                     I try to accommodate studio requests but I simply can't program trailers that I don't have. If trailers come with the print -- or if I have prints of the trailers -- I am happy to include them in the trailer pack. Sometimes we get too many trailers! This happened with LOTR 3 and BIG FISH. In those cases, I program the same-studio trailers and then make judgement calls on the others. Has there ever been a case of a studio requesting that a specific trailer NOT be played with a specific movie? (Not counting instructions about putting appropriate trailers on G Rated movies.) Remembered something else about "The Phantom Menace." There was an 8-min limitation on the trailer pack. Some studios produced special 30sec and 60sec teaser trailers so they could get some exposure on that feature.  |  IP: Logged Jonathan M. Crist Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 531 From: Hershey, PA, USA Registered: Apr 2000 posted 01-07-2004 08:53 PM                     Certain studios cut deals with the major chains all the time regarding placement of trailers. I know that Universal had a deal with AMC a while ago (don't know if it is still in effect or not) that AMC would run at least one Universal trailer on every show on every screen in their circuit. Used to drive my local AMC manager nuts trying to comply. I understand that AMC was paid by Universal for this deal.  |  IP: Logged John Hawkinson Film God Posts: 2273 From: Cambridge, MA, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-08-2004 01:26 AM                     Scott N.: FOX Rewards gives incentives in return for programming their trailers, and so I think they have checkers to keep you honest... --jhawk  |  IP: Logged Thomas Procyk Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1842 From: Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-08-2004 09:36 AM                     I wonder if I could print up a letter with some studio logos on it saying I have to check [name of movie I want to see] for trailers and see if they let me in. I bet some of these chain managers are in such fear of corporate or the studios that they won't even ask for ID or such. FREE MOVIE! Oh, and has anyone ever had/heard of a print being "pulled" from theaters after its release because certain trailers weren't on it? I know there's been instances where a studio won't give a theater a print because of previous trailer problems (as happened to Regal with Rush Hour 2). I've always had managers tell me, "MAKE SURE we have this on there, even if you have to pull it off another movie because they will take away our print if its not on!" Good! Maybe that's a way to get out of the 2-week minimum! =TMP=  |  IP: Logged Mike Babb Master Film Handler Posts: 250 From: Norwich UK Registered: Jul 2002 posted 01-08-2004 06:09 PM                        I remember a trailer checker who used to try to call the theatre and get a list of what was playing on certain features rather than coming out and checking them. I also know several who would prefer to try to take them off our list at the theatre if they could find someone who would let them. Strange thing is, there was big trouble when what was on the report didn't agree with what was on the screen so people had an incentive to cooperate with both above situations and it was quite an uncomfortable situation when I recommended they actually watch the films...  |  IP: Logged David Stambaugh Film God Posts: 4021 From: Eugene, Oregon Registered: Jan 2002 posted 01-09-2004 11:55 AM                        Regal requires their ad checkers to buy a ticket (for which the checker is later reimbursed). You can't just walk in, flash some official-looking letterhead, and see a free movie.  |  IP: Logged Travis Hubrig Expert Film Handler Posts: 175 From: Minot ND, USA Registered: May 2003 posted 01-09-2004 10:46 PM                     We have had all sorts of checkers. Some count seats before any customers even come in to the auditoriums, Some count patrons once the previews are over, some check for placement of trailers, some check placement of ads, and some are the 'mystery shoppers' Most I know by name, some ask to see my information, some don't. I will usually check what they have before sharing numbers, mostly to help ensure that they did it correctly. It is kinda funny, but the few times that they came to count seats was opening night for disney (I think) movies... I had to help the checker count seats. She would start by pointing at the end of the row and count 1, 2, 3, etc. She would've taken all night! For the most part none of the regular checkers (we have three) like to stay for the movie. I wouldn't stop them from staying, as I think they all very polite and professional. They also make sure that all the info is reported correctly. I have had checkers that have no clue, then I have to explain why the info is incorrect. They understand when I am busy and when I have time to verify their documentation. On the other hand, I worked at a smaller theatre for about 9 months and never once seen a checker.  |  IP: Logged Frank Angel Film God Posts: 5305 From: Brooklyn NY USA Registered: Dec 1999 posted 01-11-2004 04:57 PM                        We had checkers come in for head counts years ago when we first began a regular art house format. But our numbers were always so accurate that the studios eventually stopped sending anyone. When they did come, they never announced themselves and evidently bought tickets like regular customers. I once noticed a lady sitting in the last row and when I passed I heard the click -- she had one of those counter clickers in her hand in plain sight and was clicking away. Once I got a call from Columbia asking if we had made a mistake on our box office report because the checker had under-counted by some 200 ticket sales! I have a feeling they were more concerned about the inaccuracy of their checker rather than wanting to be sure we hadn't overpay them. We've never been checked for trailers though. But then again, we only run trailers for titles we will be playing, never for those we have no intention of booking. When we run sneaks, I'll play whatever the studio has attached to the print or what's in the can, but only as part of our attraction/trailer reel -- it gets removed from the head of the print. And we only play it if it is a flat trailer. If it is a scope feature, I ask the company to supply flat versions of any of the trailers they want played with the sneak. That's because our attractions are always 1.45:1 and our main feature is either 1.85 or scope. When they do send a flat version, it gets played; when they don't, it doesn't. Lots of times they send more than what is normally attached because they want their other product advertised with the sneak.  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1  2  3

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.