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» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Are we the last of a dying breed? (Page 3)

 
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Author Topic: Are we the last of a dying breed?
Monte L Fullmer
Film God

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

- posted 01-11-2008 10:07 PM      Profile for Monte L Fullmer   Email Monte L Fullmer   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
(not to drift this comment of mine back into the UNION topic of yore..) I was union from the mid 70's til early 80's when the contracts ran out and were not resigned, but my employer (MANN) kept me on the union payscale arrangements, OT and wage that the previous contract was at so I can keep caring for that one theatre I was working at.

Only thing was that managers would come and go in this theatre, and I would either be praised that I was caring for that theatre, or hassled to no end due to that the $$ sign was more important and shouldn't be making as much as I am, or doing tons more to make up for what I'm being paid with.

But still, my hourly wage was nothing compared to what the big cities were getting at that time.

Luckilly, with my technical "bent" is what's keeping me in this industry in a decent wage income bracket.

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Ron Funderburg
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 814
From: Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Nov 2007

- posted 01-11-2008 10:29 PM      Profile for Ron Funderburg   Author's Homepage   Email Ron Funderburg   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Monte I worked for Commonwealth in the late 70's and early 80's. I was a hot shot manager that liked all my projection staff (and yes they made more money than I did). When I owned my own theatres late 90's until 2 years ago, I paid my mangers more than the projection staff and paid the projection staff well! Maybe if I hadn't paid everyone so well I would still be in business.

I made the choice to go to work for people that are fresh in the business. I don't know if it was a mistake or not yet (well I do but I'm not willing to say it in public) it certainly has been a challenge!

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 01-11-2008 11:04 PM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Ron, Perhaps you could elaborate on how Mr Lucas makes $$ on the projection end of D-Cinema...

Thanks,
Mark

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Ron Funderburg
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 814
From: Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Nov 2007

- posted 01-11-2008 11:16 PM      Profile for Ron Funderburg   Author's Homepage   Email Ron Funderburg   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Are there THX certified digital projectors? If the answer is yes then he mkaes money off it there! I would assume since he stated he was an investor in Digital projection technology when in the early part of this century that he still owns whatever stock he had in that as well.

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James Westbrook
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1133
From: Lubbock, Texas, Usa
Registered: Mar 2006

- posted 01-12-2008 12:08 AM      Profile for James Westbrook   Email James Westbrook   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Some of the D cinema installations I have seen pictures of have Christie lamphousing that looks similar to what is used with their 35mm projectors. Like the current consoles, would these not have xenon bulbs that need adjusting, beam spread focus gears that sometimes need adjustment and replacing, shaded pole blowers that need oiling and or replacing, diodes in the power supply...?
Seems these theatres would be going through a lot more xenon bulbs as these units also play the pre-show programming as well.
Some kid with computer skills won't know how to do work on these...

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Jack Ondracek
Film God

Posts: 2348
From: Port Orchard, WA, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

- posted 01-12-2008 12:27 AM      Profile for Jack Ondracek   Author's Homepage   Email Jack Ondracek   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
quote: Adam Martin
Ah, how quaint.
The moderator must spank this user severely for using generic, deceptive teasers! [Big Grin]

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 01-12-2008 04:38 AM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Are there THX certified digital projectors? If the answer is yes then he mkaes money off it there!
MAny folks have invested in D-Cinema Technology. For instance... If you own stock in Texas Instruments, Dolby or Doremi as thousands do then you have also invested in this technology. Although he may front money to help begin development of new technologies its doubtful that George needs to buy any stocks since he's pretty well set for life from past film revenue alone.

Definately not through THX since Lucasfilm sold off THX three years ago.

quote: James Westbrook
Some kid with computer skills won't know how to do work on these...
Exactly! Just as that is the technicians job with film equipment today it will also be with D-Cinema next month. BTW... changing a lamp with the Christies is a breeze since it auto aligns itself. Have already witnessed kids doing this several times... [thumbsup]

Mark

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Brian Guckian
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 594
From: Dublin, Ireland
Registered: Apr 2003

- posted 01-12-2008 10:07 AM      Profile for Brian Guckian   Email Brian Guckian   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
But yet...where is the ART and CRAFT with [dlp] ?

How does the audience or filmmaker gain anything artistically from what is being touted as a soulless money-saving exercise?

How does Cinema as an artform - 3D excepted - benefit from [dlp] ?

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Ron Funderburg
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 814
From: Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Nov 2007

- posted 01-12-2008 11:20 AM      Profile for Ron Funderburg   Author's Homepage   Email Ron Funderburg   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Mark do not take this as an attack on Lucas or anyone else innovation and advancement of any technology is made by and pushed by those that will make money off the that innovation. It is not a bad thing.

You also seem to be looking for me to put a smoking gun out on something! Lucas is pushing Digital Cinema as hard Colt pushed his hand guns as are several other groups and organizations. What is with the person defense of George Lucas is close personal friend sorry if I offended you it is not my intent.

I still maintain anytime anyone or any group push hard on this change of technology or that technology they will make money off the use. I can't see Microsoft saying to use Mac or Mac saying to use Windows it isn't in the best interest! Kodak is moving in the digital field because it is in their best interest! Lucas is pushing Digital because he sees it in his best interest! That is all I am saying but if you want to defend him have it!

I'm not attacking anyone here so please stop acting like I am!

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 01-12-2008 02:26 PM      Profile for Mike Blakesley   Author's Homepage   Email Mike Blakesley   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
quote: Ron Funderburg
Lucas is pushing Digital Cinema as hard Colt pushed his hand guns as are several other groups and organizations.
Lucas is pushing for Digital Cinema simply because he believes that his movies will look better projected digitally -- and in a lot of situations, he is right.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 01-12-2008 06:29 PM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
quote: Brian Guckian
But yet...where is the ART and CRAFT with [dlp] ?
Cinema film projection is now a lost art except for a few. Blame that on who ever you want to.

quote: Brian Guckian
How does the audience or filmmaker gain anything artistically from what is being touted as a soulless money-saving exercise?
D-Cinema has the ablity to more preserve on a large scale the art of film making that the Director and DP put on film. Money saving D-Cinema it is not... overall. Equipment is more expensive but daily operating cost is about the same as film. The elimination of film manufacture, the chemicals involved and the thousands of release prints is eccowise and a very good thing really.

quote: Brian Guckian
How does Cinema as an artform - 3D excepted - benefit from ?
By providing more a consistant projection standard that is not dependent on the average (or should I say below average) booth personel of today.

Mike is dead on right about Lucas.

BTW: The D-Cinema system I finished up installing this morning looks far superior to its film counter part right across the hall. The film system is no slouch either consisting of a well maintained DP-70 and 3kw Xetron/Big Sky lamp lighting up a 45 foot screen. The D-Cinema system is on a similar size screen although a 10 foot shorter throw. Everyone there agreed the Digital system far surpassed the film in overall projected quality. The film was a tad bit sharper...sure. Again... I think it has a lot to do with the light comming from the digital equipment... the light is simply amazing. The sound from the D-C system can literally be overwhelming... some sound systems will need to be revamped to be able to accomodate it's dynamic range. Its very similar to being in a mix down stage.

Mark

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Ron Funderburg
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 814
From: Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Nov 2007

- posted 01-12-2008 07:10 PM      Profile for Ron Funderburg   Author's Homepage   Email Ron Funderburg   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I agree with Mark on the benefits of digital Cinema. I disagree with anyone that digital Cinemas is pushed because pictures look better it is now and always has been a business and Lucas is in it to make money, well more money just like everyone in the film industry or fore that matter most any industry. We are in a business gang 70MM disappeared because it cost to much, 35MM will in time give way to digital in film presentation because digital will be more economical. If it was only what looks good on the screen all those big screen formats of the past would still be around.

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Leo Enticknap
Film God

Posts: 7474
From: Loma Linda, CA
Registered: Jul 2000

- posted 01-13-2008 06:33 AM      Profile for Leo Enticknap   Author's Homepage   Email Leo Enticknap   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
The elimination of film manufacture, the chemicals involved and the thousands of release prints is eccowise and a very good thing really.
Even once you factor into account the chemicals, plant and energy which go into manufacturing all that IT hardware and its much shorter obsolescence cycle?

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

- posted 01-13-2008 07:14 AM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
No one knows what the obsolescence cycle is going to be. You will also see a steady increase of recycling of electronic gear over the next decade brought about by the supposed "Global Warming" trend.

Mark

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Ron Funderburg
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 814
From: Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA
Registered: Nov 2007

- posted 01-13-2008 12:39 PM      Profile for Ron Funderburg   Author's Homepage   Email Ron Funderburg   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
To answer the question of the thread the old fashioned film handler is a dying breed or more likely a changing breed. Platers were suppose to end the need for real projectionist but it didn't and this will be same the job will change not disappear.

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