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Author Topic: ELF platters Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 06-08-2005 09:55 PM                     Mark, what is the timeframe on your experience with the ELFs at Classic?  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-09-2005 12:19 AM                     Brad, Around 1997 I believe, would have to go back and see. It was right about at the introoduction of estar film. The MSI prints weere acetate..... but doesn't mmatter anyway since the film is still rubbing on itself no matter what year the ELF was producecd in. The laws of physics can't unfortunately be altered as far as a conostantly changing diameter of film goes. Its also interesting that the next 35mmm installation to go in at MSI used a loop cabinet instead of the ELF. They initially had bad static problems with the loop cabinet but thata was easily solved. Mark  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 06-09-2005 03:34 AM                     Yet, it's interesting that with the incarnation of the 4trk and the 8trk cartridges that became popular on our cars back in the 60's (and there were many other incarnations of endless loop tape devices as well prior to these mentioned above..), that this tactic of endless loop, continous play seems to be the absolute dream of theatre owners/operators-to hit a start button and let the gizmo do it's thing. Thus many film devices were tried and used in a endless loop manner, but never succeeded in being that successful of a device due to the complications in operating such a device. Probably the only way that the ELF could be more successful is to have the film "lubricated" with a graphite material as with the 4/8track tape cartridges to reduce the sinching and rough contact with the surfaces.....but that'll never happen... The Film Box Loop device as Mark had mentioned is the only way to go, but the time limit with this device is much shorter, thus used for special venues... Endless loop, continous playback devices - well, the 8track died due to complications, and the ELF might travel down the same path. ..a dream that will never come true. But, it has came true in a different way...called Digital Projection = $$$$$ ! -monte  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-09-2005 08:34 AM                     Actually the elf is not in regular production and has not been for quite a few years. They will still produce aand sell them but minimum orders and other bs apply in order to get them.... not worth it anyway.... BTW: Those 8 track tapes had a special lube on the tape and some also have anti stick sheets of special plastic below and above the tape. Mark  |  IP: Logged Kris Dirix Film Handler Posts: 54 From: Antwerp / Belguim Registered: Feb 2005 posted 06-09-2005 10:15 AM                     quote: John Pytlak The ELF system won an Academy Technical Achievement Award in 1997 That says much for the peoples practical experience isn't it??  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 06-10-2005 04:19 PM                        I could never see the point.....don't many theatres still move prints many times per day? They sure do around here; even swapping equally sized rooms. Louis  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 06-10-2005 05:19 PM                     That's why more theaters should set up a platter array.  |  IP: Logged Mike Schindler Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1039 From: Oak Park, IL, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 06-10-2005 05:41 PM                     I work for Classic, and I worked with ELFs for over three years. I hate them passionately for many reasons. I can only speak for my location, but static is a very big problem, and if you look at them funny, the take-up arm (or whatever it's called) loses tension. It was very stressful working with them, because you never knew when they'd break down. They need so much attention that they are probably more time-consuming than just threading every show. When my theater went to full-time booth staff, we got rid of them (the home office jokingly threatens to bring them back everytime I start causing trouble). All of this being said, I've never had a problem with them actually damaging the film. I kind of wish that they had, because it would have been a wonderful excuse not to use them, which is absolutely what we would have done. Also, I have talked to numerous people that have had no problems with the ELFs at all, and love them. So there you go. Mike  |  IP: Logged

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