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Topic: Strong CNA-150 Automations = Ugh...

Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 09-27-2005 06:01 AM

quote: Matt Hollis
you can have it open exactly when you want instead of having to rely on the delay

..Really, the easiest way to have this work for you, is to have your leaders that are the countdown type. With this kind of leads, is to put the figure "8" in the framebox when threading. For the countdown leaders are 18 frames between numbers. Thus with the "8" in the framebox, this will be the right amount for film for the 7 second delay until dowser opens.

When we would do changeover reels, we would always frame between "8" and "7" on the framebox so that the changeover scene would just be in the aperture as we would hit the dowser button.

If you if you have the time and patience, is to mark on the non-countdown leads where the figure "8" would be on the lead to frame up on the framebox, by measuring on a table the 24frames for a second. Then measure 7 of these 24frames per second in length, and this is where your mark on the leader would be to frame on for the 7 second delay when the lead splice would just go into the aperture when dowser opens.

Done this many times.....

Just have to work with the automations that you have, instead of fighting with them, or wanting to make changes to suit your fancy.

Granted, I do love the 3Q system of the Christie, for this automation IS the cue based system that is so easy and matches what you want to happen - using a cue to open up the dowser and get things rolling.

But, unfortunately, I'm "stranded" with these CPA-10's and CNA-100's that are delay based openings (love the SPA-7's since they have the adjustable open/close dowser settings...) and have to make the best of what I have, thus I work with marking the leads to where I need to thread them in the framebox for the best presentation that I could have....

-Monte

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 09-27-2005 02:01 PM

But that defeats the purpose of a start cue. With the "8 in the gate / countdown timer" controlled douser opening, this forces one of two situations:

#1 You have to thread at or near the "8" on the countdown leader. That is the wrong way to do it because it puts you handling the film very close to the parts that will be projected. Even when running changeovers, plenty of extra head and tail leader should be used and then the motor turned on and leader run down to the 8, as dirt does migrate from where the film is handled.

#2 Assuming you are running a platter, the idea is to not fire the motor unnecessarily. With the standard CNA-type of automation setup, in order to use a proper amount of platter leader, each show requires two firings of the projector motor. Many argue this is unnecessary wear to the equipment.

Maybe Eprad could solve this in an upcoming software fix using interlock group 9 or something.

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 09-28-2005 12:43 AM

Okey, then there's another option when using all of that extra length ahead of the "8": When it's time for show start, hit the motor switch and let the lead run down until the "8" hits the framebox, then hit the "run" button and turn off the motor switch since automation has taken over the operation.

Had to do that a few times with interlock head leads on the film and running single machine.

..some ideas.. - Monte

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 09-28-2005 12:46 AM

Running starts are fine, and more common than many people realize. Just remember you can't just hit start when the 8 hits the gate. You have to do it sooner to make up for the ramp-up of the motor that is already up to full speed.

Of course if the projectionist forgets to turn off the motor, he could end up with a lovely mess of film if something goes wrong.

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 09-28-2005 12:53 AM

LOL .... like a good 6 reels of film on the floor when the takeup platter decides to die for some dumb reason-like right after the previews.

Saw that one once, yet it was a simple mess to gather up since the operator took the end of the pile of film, attached it to the ring, hooked up the MUT to that deck and wound all of that "spagetti" back on the platter heads out. Then, he had to take that heads out, run it through the MUT's rollers to the other deck to get the film direction back to where it supposed to be.

-Monte

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John Pytlak
Film God

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

posted 09-28-2005 08:03 AM

quote: Monte L Fullmer
LOL .... like a good 6 reels of film on the floor when the takeup platter decides to die for some dumb reason-like right after the previews.

Saw that one once, yet it was a simple mess to gather up since the operator took the end of the pile of film, attached it to the ring, hooked up the MUT to that deck and wound all of that "spagetti" back on the platter heads out. Then, he had to take that heads out, run it through the MUT's rollers to the other deck to get the film direction back to where it supposed to be.

Hopefully, they used a film cleaner to remove all the dirt that was picked up from the floor! [Eek!]

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 09-28-2005 12:51 PM

Yea, ran that print though the kelmar with FG on it for a good dozen times. Got it pretty well cleaned up. Also, where the film was on the floor, was carpeted, but the film still picked up a good amount of "fuzz bunnies" - carpet snell being a tight woven carpet.

Luckilly, the operator there knew now to remedy all of this instead of a "booth clown" ruining everything from freaking out.

-Monte

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Jeffry L. Johnson
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 809
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 09-30-2005 11:46 AM

quote: Monte L Fullmer
For the countdown leaders are 18 frames between numbers.

Leaders that count seconds have 23 frames between numbers.
Leaders that count "film feet" have 15 frames between numbers.

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