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Author
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Topic: The Perfect Auditorium
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)
Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-19-2001 04:23 PM
My perfect auditorium also is built with a sloped (raked) floor on the grounf floor. The doors leading into the auditorium have been treated for both sound and light lock upon entering.The seats have a slight curve to the rows, so when you sit straight your eyes focus on the center of the screen. The cupholder is a part of the armrest and not attachec to the back of the chair in front. The slope in the floor ends at the first row of seats and then reverses into an upward direction. The screen is a minimum of forty feet wide with only side movable masking. The distance from the front row of seats to the screen is twenty foot minimum. The distance between rows is 42 inches. The Massey seat is used througout the auditorium. Up stairs, there are two loges one on each side of the projection booth. The booth located theatre center and you step down to the perfectly laid out projection machines, No platter they are using 6000' reels. The lens of a perfect 48" above finished floor is directly on the center of the Stewart screen which has been installed. There are two projection ports and two observation ports..no slide port. The curtain in the front is Red velour and opens frpom the center. Directly behind is a scrim curtain on which you start projecting the Image. Since this is a wish you have all three Digital systems might as well bring a couple of Magna Tech dubbers in as well. Our auditorium is 60 feet wide and draped on the side wall and rear wall. Side and rear wall speakers as well as some ceiling speakers. JBL Speakers with QSC Amplifiers. The concession only serves the standards Popcorn, Candy and soda. No Chicken wings, shrimp, pizza, hot dogs or hamburgers. I guess I have to wake up now.
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Scott Norwood
Film God
Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 02-19-2001 05:20 PM
Yes, the light-lock doors are super-important. There should be two sets of doors for each auditorium entrance, preferably not directly in line with one another.
Why only four portholes? Surely, there should be at least some provision for using a 16mm projector or spotlight at some point... I agree that slide advertisements shouldn't be used, but there are other times when having a pair of xenon slide projectors with a dissolve unit would be useful (an art lecture or maybe a live speaker introducing a travel film or something). A spotlight is definitely necessary, too, for the sake of completeness.
My experience with QSC amps has been nothing but positive, although I'd be curious to know if there is anything better out there that's fairly reliable. I have also heard really good things about the Stage Accompany loudspeakers, although I've never actually been in a theatre that uses them.
I hate to say it, but an NTSC video setup might not be a bad thing to have, too, if it could be made to look marginally acceptible on a tightly-masked portion of the big screen. Format support would have to include S-VHS, 3/4", 1", and Betacam SP. My only first-hand experience with large-screen video projection is with the DLP machine, but (as far as I know) you can't just plug a standard VCR into it...
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Andrew McCrea
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 645
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-20-2001 05:49 PM
Glenda, I'd love to see some photo's of the new place (if definate).In addition to my post, I'd have at least 100 seats, 500 at the most, with Premier Seating's Emissary Model 2472 that rocks. The fabric would be cobalt. The cupholders would be be big enough to hold all sizes of drink cups. The whole auditorium would be automatic with state-of-the-art projection and sound. I'd only need a projectionest there to make-up and tear down the films and load them into the projector. I'd have endless loops, so the film would continue rotating. Sorry projectionests, but I have to save money. Using CineQ, I'd have the computers dim the lights and start the shows! I've go to go for dinner. Mom's calling. I'll post later! Just wait. You'll see!  ------------------
Andrew McCrea "I'm Not Bad, I'm Just Drawn That Way!" - Jessica Rabbit
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Scott Norwood
Film God
Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 02-20-2001 06:37 PM
A 100-seat theatre is too small. I'd argue that 300-400 or so is a practical minimum, with 1500 or so as a maximum. The "sweet spot" for me with respect to theatre size is probably in the 750-seat range for the main floor, plus maybe another 150-200 in the balcony.
I don't know about seat models; most of them seem to be cheaply made plastic junk that looks decent when new but deteriorates quickly. I'm not a fan of the high-back seats and am somewhat ambivalent about "rocker" seats. Mostly, I'd be concerned about overall seat comfort and durability over time. There seem to be plenty of used/reconditioned seats available for sale, so there's not much excuse to buy "new" and get the cheapest possible thing when slightly older seats in good condition are readily available and of higher quality.
As for endless loops and no projectionists -- what the heck are you thinking? I'm completely in favor of cutting costs, but on-screen presentation quality is not the place to cut. People go to movies to watch a picture on the screen, and there is no excuse for that picture to be out of focus, out of frame, dirty, scratched, or otherwise mangled, or to have poor sound. Don't think of a projectionist as someone who pushes buttons; think of him as a sort of quality-control person for the auditoria. Also consider that equipment is not 100% reliable even under the best of circumstances and that a good operator will be able to recommend the necessary preventive maintanence and also keep the show going when something breaks unexpectedly. Lost shows create unhappy customers and lost revenue, neither of which is bad for business. One of many problems with endless loops is that it is basically impossible to show more than one film in the theatre on the same day.
Sorry for the rant, but I've seen too many horribly botched films presentations at theatres which have this philosophy. Occasionally, it actually works (print is in good shape, focus doesn't drift, sound is good), but more often than not there are major problems. There should never be a customer complaint about "bad focus" or "no sound" or "wrong lens"--it is the theatre's responsibility to not have these problems occur and to notice them and fix them before the customers have time to complain if they do occur occasionally.
There are plenty of better ways to save money: advertise wisely, choose slightly lower-quality equipment and auditorium finishings (as long as there is enough legroom and the seats are comfortable, audiences probably won't notice much difference between $50 seats and $200 seats), buy equipment and seats used and not new, don't worry so much about lobby decor, pick up/deliver prints yourself rather than shipping them via highway films, get posters from other theatres rather than ordering them and paying shipping, etc.
Basically, trying to "save" money by cutting in areas which will be easily noticed by the customer is a false economy. Don't try to skimp on maintenance, staffing, concession stand size, etc. This sort of "savings" will ultimately hurt the business in the long term.
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Andrew McCrea
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 645
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-21-2001 07:17 AM
Their still will be a projectionest, but the endless loops and other features will help me save money.In my ideal theatre, I would have 4 different sizes for auditoriums. A-D. A being the smallest and D being the biggest. A = 159 SEATS
B = 228 SEATS
C = 322 SEATS
D = 459 SEATS ------------------
Andrew McCrea "I'm Not Bad, I'm Just Drawn That Way!" - Jessica Rabbit
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Barry Floyd
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1079
From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 02-21-2001 08:16 AM
Perfect Auditorium.....
Temperature - mid 80's, slight breeze blowing, a star filled sky overhead.10 acres of lush green grass, 10 rows - steep ramped, single screen (45' x 107'), double-features, 7,500 watts of Xenon running through a restored Brenkert 35mm projector showing that damned "Dancing Hotdog!!". It just doesn't get any better than that! Everyone's idea of a "perfect Auditorium" is different.
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Aaron Sisemore
Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day!
Posts: 3061
From: Rockwall TX USA
Registered: Sep 1999
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posted 02-21-2001 10:45 PM
>> The whole auditorium would be automatic with state-of-the-art projection and sound.<<Oxymoron. >>I'd have endless loops, so the film would continue rotating.<< Without stopping? A disaster waiting to happen. >>Using CineQ, I'd have the computers dim the lights and start the shows!<< ...and have vending machines for the concessions!
***DEVIL'S ADVOCATE TIME!!!***
Andrew, I know your only 13, but take some time and listen to those on here with MANY years of collective experience. Your 'dream multiplex' is beginning to look like a bad nightmare. I am beginning to have a very difficult time taking you seriously as far as you trying to open a commerical movie theatre. I am sure many others here share my observations. Perhaps you should try getting a job working in the industry first. Get a feel for the business from the INSIDE. *THEN* decide if you want to get into the business. If you *MUST* do this i *STRONGLY* suggest ( and you may have to do this anyway to get business licenses etc) get some adults with movie-theatre operating experience to assist you. This includes a competent projectionist. The way I see it, if you even get the place open, I would predict you would be closed within 6 months (or less if the competition forces you to close or some kind of major (read expensive) disaster were to strike.) Good Luck. Aaron
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Andrew McCrea
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 645
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 03-10-2001 10:13 AM
For 1, SilverCity is not the only theatres I go to. I have mentioned about 4 or 5 other theatres here! Also, How can I get into the industry now with labour laws? At least owning my own theatre/chain would allow me to be in the industry with out a fight/problem.  Also, Gordon, I e-mailed you privately. It just talks about some things, but it's important.
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Andrew McCrea "I'm Not Bad, I'm Just Drawn That Way!" - Jessica Rabbit
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Gordon McLeod
Film God
Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 03-10-2001 10:58 AM
In your email you said
"Gord,
I'm getting sick of the way you've been treating me on the forums. How would you like it if I dissed all the crappy topics you've posted (cuz, let's face it, there have been some)! You just always have the need to dis me and I never dis you, but maybe I'll do that now, because it really is getting annoying and I'll see what you think of it.
OKAY?! Well, doesn't matter. BYE!
Andrew McCrea"
If you don't like what you hear to bad ask silly questions take what you get. Personally I feel you add to the Signal to Noise Ratio
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