Film-Tech Cinema Systems
  Home     Products     Store     Forum     Warehouse     Contact Us    
Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE


  
my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Lamphouse Spot-the-Difference game! (With pics!) (Page 3)

 
This topic comprises 5 pages: 1  2  3  4  5   
Author Topic: Lamphouse Spot-the-Difference game! (With pics!)
Dan Bouvier
Film Handler

Posts: 70
From: Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada
Registered: Aug 2004

- posted 10-06-2004 07:21 PM      Profile for Dan Bouvier   Email Dan Bouvier   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
quote: Frank Angel
The fact that he doesn't have a freakin spare bulb in the booth is bad enough, but the fact that he lets a bulb burn so far past it's rated life that it comes out of the lamphouse black is a good indication that he's not paid for a thorough service visit for way longer than he should.
Actually, the bulb didn't burn black because it ran too long. We have five screens, four of which are the 2kW lamps. Three of them were fine, whereas the fourth one turned black one day out of nowhere, with the same number of hours as the others. Then again, if we COULD burn a bulb till it was black, and still have enough light on the screen until then, we probably would. [Roll Eyes]

quote: Frank Angel
why are you loyal to an employer who obviously couldn't care less if you walk out of the booth one day with shards of quartz impaled in your eyeballs?
It's a job, I guess. And so I do my best.

quote: Frank Angel
Dan, you have to resist the temptation to "fix it at any cost."
You're right, but it's tough.

Let me ask some technical questions:
What can I do for improvised safety gear? Would work gloves, a CSA-approved face shield, and a big heavy jacket from the Sally Ann do the job? Yes, I could get in my boss's face and demand that he buys new gear, or I could scrounge whatever I could behind his back, which IMO would be easier.
What are the technical issues with running the lamphouse setup in the picture? Assuming the rectifier is putting out the correct amperage, will a "stock" Super Lume-X run an LTI 2500W lamp with no problems? Is the metal in a coat hanger really strong enough to be in a lamphouse? What about cooling, as I asked before? And what about the lack of douser? In an emergency, is it not enough to close the changeover or power down the lamp?

 |  IP: Logged
Jeremy Fuentes
Mmmm, Dr. Pepper!

Posts: 1168
From: Corpus Christi, TX United States
Registered: Jan 2004

- posted 10-06-2004 08:07 PM      Profile for Jeremy Fuentes   Email Jeremy Fuentes   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
You should tell your boss to buy proper equipment, or he will lose a loyal employee. I mean like you said, its a job. You can find one down the street at Blockbuster if you wanted. Personally, I would have cancelled the shows, made the adjustments like Adam suggested, then ask the boss if he would rather lose a weekend of shows, or cause an accident, lose an entire lamphouse, half a booth, and someones life.

 |  IP: Logged
Paul Mayer
Oh get out of it Melvin, before it pulls you under!

Posts: 3836
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Feb 2000

- posted 10-06-2004 08:37 PM      Profile for Paul Mayer   Author's Homepage   Email Paul Mayer   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
A stock Super Lume-X runs too hot as it is with a 2k in it IMHO, even though the lamphouse is rated for it (I say this based on my experience with them on the back of Super Trouper spotlights). The lamp seals especially seem to take the brunt of the abuse. So a 2.5k in there is really over the top to me. I am reluctant to suggest augmenting the cooling air flow, since this would encourage long-term pushing of the lamphouse beyond the heat load it was designed to handle.

As to the safety gear, you really need to do something about that. It only takes one fuckup to damage or lose your eyes while handling those glass grenades. Ask yourself what you would do for a living for the rest of your life with only low vision, or with no vision at all? Going without safety gear is amateur corner-cutting at its dumbest. It's felony stupid. If your boss won't provide the right stuff, insist that he change the lamps himself. Let him risk his eyes (and face the potential price) for his false economy. There is simply no rational reason for you to risk your eyes over this.

Rant over. Sorry. You touched a nerve. But did I get my point across?

[ 10-06-2004, 10:20 PM: Message edited by: Paul Mayer ]

 |  IP: Logged
Dan Bouvier
Film Handler

Posts: 70
From: Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada
Registered: Aug 2004

- posted 10-06-2004 08:56 PM      Profile for Dan Bouvier   Email Dan Bouvier   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Actually, the new lamp came in today so I un-fixed the lamphouse and put the 2000 in. Our lamphouses don't feel that warm when they're running. Does this imply that the cooling is fine? How can I augment the airflow?

 |  IP: Logged
Steve Kraus
Film God

Posts: 4094
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Registered: May 2000

- posted 10-06-2004 09:30 PM      Profile for Steve Kraus     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I think they're being too hard on you. Everyone has handled bulbs at some point without protection but doing this sort of non standard thing which probably required lots of trial and error, doing that without protection has me concerned.

As for the other risks...eh. What's the worst that could happen? Primarily risk to equipment and that is way, way down on the list compared to personal safety. The bulb could blow (most likely fully contained in the lamphouse)...or there could have been a high current short with parts melting together and the rectifier blown. Fire spreading beyond the lamphouse? Doubtful and with few combustibles nothing that would not be containable with turning the power off and a shot from the extinguisher.

Doing outrageous stuff without any protective gear was not a wise choice in terms of risk (huge) vs. benefit (minimal). But putting the owner's equipment at risk? Hey, memories are made of moments like these. Glad it worked and no one was hurt.

But now you've used the 2.5kW bulb. How does that cost figure into the calculus?

 |  IP: Logged
Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 10-06-2004 09:33 PM      Profile for Gordon McLeod   Email Gordon McLeod   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I would be very intrested to know who you "tech" is and your supplier
also the name of the theatre
A equipment su[pply will supply the lamp size requested not something else so the odds are some one requrested that lamp
As an employee in Canada under the regulations regarting the CSA certification of equipment the person who knowingly or unknowling modifies or alters an approved electrical device is subject to prosicution and bears full liability if a mishap occurs

 |  IP: Logged
Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"

Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002

- posted 10-06-2004 09:45 PM      Profile for Manny Knowles   Email Manny Knowles   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I rebuke this!

That theatre should have remained closed until the proper bulb arrived.

1. Is it really worth it to go to the trouble of rigging that lamphouse, only to have to rebuild it when the correct bulb shows up?

2. Theatre management will not learn from this incident. Instead of ensuring that spare lamps are in stock, they will likely become even less concerned with taking care of the booth and you'll be expected to fuck up another projector the next time around. (Meaning: You're part of this problem.)

3. Phil is correct -- this episode is another feather in the cap of dCinema.

Repent, and sin no more!

 |  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 10-06-2004 09:56 PM      Profile for Daryl C. W. O'Shea   Author's Homepage   Email Daryl C. W. O'Shea   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
quote: Gordon McLeod
I would be very intrested to know who you "tech" is and your supplier, also the name of the theatre
Dreamplex Cinemas is a 5 screen discount house in the Sunridge Mall.

quote: http://www.dreamplex.ca/
From all of us at Dreamplex Cinemas, we are committed to providing first class movie theatre entertainment within a state-of-the-art complex at discounted prices that everyone can afford!

** All Cinemas - Dolby SR Surround Sound **
Mmmmm, OK. State of the art? What year is it? I really see the commitment too!

They've got a half assed DNS setup too.

 |  IP: Logged
John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

- posted 10-06-2004 10:14 PM      Profile for John Pytlak   Author's Homepage   Email John Pytlak   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Remember, if a xenon lamp explodes without you wearing proper protective gear to handle it, it will be the LAST thing you ever see! [Eek!]

 |  IP: Logged
Steve Kraus
Film God

Posts: 4094
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Registered: May 2000

- posted 10-06-2004 10:49 PM      Profile for Steve Kraus     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
How does D-Cinema have the slightest bit to do with this? If he'd been rigging a bulb behind a DLP projector would you be saying this is another feather in film projection's cap?

 |  IP: Logged
Mike Olpin
Chop Chop!

Posts: 1852
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Jan 2002

- posted 10-06-2004 11:13 PM      Profile for Mike Olpin   Email Mike Olpin   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Dan, I'm glad that you're taking all of this advise well and not getting annoyed! It really shows a willingness to learn on your part.. Plus you get SuperMegaBonusPlusClub points for trying to do right by the customers.

Anyhow, in regards to your lack of proper protection when changing a bulb, check to see what laws apply in your state. It seems to me that your employer asking you to perform a hazardous task without providing you with protective equipment is against some type of OSHA law.

 |  IP: Logged
Ken Lackner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1907
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Sep 2001

- posted 10-06-2004 11:25 PM      Profile for Ken Lackner   Email Ken Lackner   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Mike, how can I join this SuperMegaBonusPlusClub? Do I get extra points just for joining? [Big Grin] [Cool]

I don't think they have OSHA, or states, in Canada. [Wink]

 |  IP: Logged
Cam Jones
Film Handler

Posts: 35
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Registered: Sep 2004

- posted 10-06-2004 11:25 PM      Profile for Cam Jones   Email Cam Jones   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Mike, your 100% correct this Canada province has laws in place that allow employees to reject any unsafe work, and it is the employers responsibility to provide all personal protective equipment (other then basic stuff like steel-toed-boots and hard hats) and training.

That being said, I will encourage Dan to refuse to change anymore bulbs before the proper safety equipment is received. What exactly is considered good PPE for handling bulbs? I assume a face mask and some heavy duty gloves but what else?

Knowing Dan's love of film I'm sure he'd rather die from a bulb explosion then of old age!

Edit: We do have the OHSA (Occupational health and saftey act) [Smile]

 |  IP: Logged
Dan Bouvier
Film Handler

Posts: 70
From: Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada
Registered: Aug 2004

- posted 10-06-2004 11:46 PM      Profile for Dan Bouvier   Email Dan Bouvier   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
quote: Steve Kraus
I think they're being too hard on you. Everyone has handled bulbs at some point without protection...
Thank you.
quote: Steve Kraus
But now you've used the 2.5kW bulb. How does that cost figure into the calculus?
Ironically, my boss's other theatre uses the 2.5s, so he's gonna use it there. [Smile]
quote: Gordon McLeod
As an employee in Canada under the regulations regarting the CSA certification of equipment the person who knowingly or unknowling modifies or alters an approved electrical device is subject to prosicution and bears full liability if a mishap occurs
I was under the impression that cramming a too-big bulb into there was okay, it was just a matter of getting it to physically fit, which it did.
quote: Manny Knowles
1. Is it really worth it to go to the trouble of rigging that lamphouse, only to have to rebuild it when the correct bulb shows up?
It took 15 minutes, if that, to un-fix it and put in the proper lamp.
quote: Manny Knowles
2. Theatre management will not learn from this incident. Instead of ensuring that spare lamps are in stock, they will likely become even less concerned with taking care of the booth and you'll be expected to fuck up another projector the next time around. (Meaning: You're part of this problem.)
If someone's platter motor burns out, is it unreasonable to have an usher spin it? Should we tell the customers and manager to fuck off because we didn't have a spare on hand? Obviously my situation was different, but at the same time it was similar. I made it work. I put myself at risk, sure, but c'est la vie.
quote: Manny Knowles
3. Phil is correct -- this episode is another feather in the cap of dCinema.
I disagree. Maybe a feather in the cap of poor management, maybe a feather in the cap of me being a poor projectionist. The final product onscreen was no darker than our local megaplex, which is to say, it wasn't that dark. With dCinema you can expect a lot more cancelled shows, because when it fucks up no one will even be able to try to fix it. At least I tried.
quote:
Repent, and sin no more!
Alright, I repent! I'll have a heart-to-heart with my boss.
quote: Daryl C. W. O'Shea
Mmmmm, OK. State of the art? What year is it? I really see the commitment too!

They've got a half assed DNS setup too.
I think "State of the art" is relative to the other discount house nearby. They're worse than us, which must seem like a feat. Our DNS setup is another feather in the cap of dCinema, now that you mention it. And I'll bet it was set up without proper PPE.

quote: Mike Olpin
Anyhow, in regards to your lack of proper protection when changing a bulb, check to see what laws apply in your state. It seems to me that your employer asking you to perform a hazardous task without providing you with protective equipment is against some type of OSHA law.
It was my fault. I know that xenons can explode, kill me, etc, that if I mishandle them I put them at greater risk, etc. It's really not my boss's fault, and I didn't mean to give that impression. I'm an adult and am perfectly capable of saying "This is unsafe and I won't do it." Rather, I said, "This new Xenon won't fit, but I think I can get it to work." My fault.

 |  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 10-06-2004 11:55 PM      Profile for Daryl C. W. O'Shea   Author's Homepage   Email Daryl C. W. O'Shea   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Not to harp at you or anything like that Dan, but your employer shares responsibility for you not using, or having, the proper safety equipment.

Your employer is required to make the proper safety equipment available and make sure you are trained in its proper use and enforce its use.

Also, just so you know, modifying any electrical device without approval by the electrical authority in your province can result in criminal charges in the event that it caused something bad to happen. Penalties could include imprisonment if it were to cause a fire and/or electrocution.

Now, for what it's worth, no one here is attempting to be hard on you, instead just educating you without sugar coating it. I assume that's what you came here for and what you started this thread for. Any really negative comments are directed at your employer, not you -- at least mine anyway.

 |  IP: Logged


All times are Central (GMT -6:00)
This topic comprises 5 pages: 1  2  3  4  5   
   Close Topic    Move Topic    Delete Topic    next oldest topic   next newest topic
- Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:



Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM 6.3.1.2

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.

© 1999-2020 Film-Tech Cinema Systems, LLC. All rights reserved.