|
|
This topic comprises 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
|
|
Author
|
Topic: Movie presentation is awful in and around Denver, CO
|
|
|
|
|
Aaron Garman
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1470
From: Toledo, OH USA
Registered: Mar 2003
|
posted 07-24-2009 10:42 AM
quote: Bobby Henderson
It's very sad and has been very self destructive for the commercial movie theater business to eliminate full time projectionist positions. Overall the commercial movie theater business just doesn't seem to care very much about presentation quality even though it is central to the product they are selling. I think the corporate dudes calling the shots have the belief the only thing that matters is the concessions sales in the lobby.
I agree totally, but in a way the blame goes the the studios and distributors that charge an arm and a leg to even get the films, and then don't share in the profits. This totally screws up the business model and forces any cinema to make money only on food, and thus more care is given to this because it is literally their bread and butter. Sad, yes, but I blame the chains too for not being tougher in negotiating with the studios for sharing of those ticket sales, or just not showing their crappy films.
DCinema is set to change that model slightly by reducing film rental costs, and for the average movie goer and chain, a better presentation. Of course, it didn't have to be this way but in the end, more money could be made. DCinema for a megaplex just makes sense, even if it doesn't look as good as 35mm or 70mm. The average auditorium, with a moderately well run theatre with a mildly competent staff can pull off a respectable theatre going experience for the average movie goer easier with DCinema than any film based system. This is what the chains want: automation, simplicity, and to some extent quality. I'm sure a lot of the "suits" would not like the piss poor presentation some of their theatres put out, but the problem is none of them have probably even seen what it's like on the front lines. That is, they have no clue how bad some places have gotten.
Solution? As much as I love film, it just isn't as economically or logistically feasible for a megaplex run on a small, basically trained staff with film based systems compared to DCinema. I think film still has a place in cinemas, but only cinemas that are going to take the care to present it right. It's a disgrace to the medium to present film poorly when DCinema can achieve "similar" results in the average multiplex.
Don't get me wrong though, I love film and would gladly choose film done right over DCinema done right anyday.
AJG
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Geoff Jones
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 579
From: Broomfield, CO, USA
Registered: Feb 2006
|
posted 07-24-2009 09:34 PM
In years past, this thread would have really upset me. Fortunately they have stopped making movies worth seeing, so it really doesn't matter anymore, does it?
Since moving back to the Denver area a year ago (after living in NorCal for 14 years), I've seen a few movies at the Continental and a few at the newer AMC plexes up in the NE side of town. I loved that they kept the large screen at the Continental, but I agree that the stadium retrofit was a waste of money. There were a few small problems with the presentations, but nothing worse than the theatres in Northern California.
I saw two films at the Harkins. Quantum of Solace was on the big Cine-Capri screen (which IS NOT was big as the Continental, despite their daily ads proclaiming otherwise) and the presentation was a touch soft, but otherwise without problem. Monsters vs. Aliens was on a smaller screen, which had a mar on it near the middle. It was unpleasantly dark, but I assume that was because of the 3D.
The two movies I was most looking forward to this year (Bruno & Up) were both only ok. The only other films I have much interest in are Avatar, Toy Story, & Toy Story 2. Unfortunately, it looks like I'll be stuck watching the TS films in 3D. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brad Miller
Administrator
Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99
|
posted 07-25-2009 01:36 PM
Local temperature control is a must, but you have to look at this from varying standpoints. First, it has been proven repeatedly that most of the time when you give a manager direct control that the electric bill will increase noticeably. This is because few managers actually understand how to program them and they end up running the units all night. Second, by giving the managers local control for a "temporary override", you are giving them the power to immediately make a change to satisfy a customer, but you are preventing that change from becoming a permanent issue...again jacking up the electric bill. Third, if a manager has to constantly adjust a certain auditorium all of a sudden, that should be an alert to them that there is most probably something wrong and whoever is monitoring their HVAC systems should inspect and possibly call out a serviceman (assuming whoever is in charge of remote monitoring isn't already keeping track of this).
This isn't saying there aren't spectacular and fully knowledgeable managers out there, just that it isn't the norm...just like how most projectionists these days suck at their job. In a chain environment though, removing HVAC control up to the point of only giving a 3 hour override of +/- 5 degrees is the smartest thing a corporate office can do in this area of the building.
And as far as remotely running digital theaters, since Film-Tech Cinema Systems is the only company that is TRULY doing this at present, you guys should get your facts straight before you start making false statements. We have had zero problems and we can quite literally control EVERYTHING remotely...MUCH more than the Access IT/Christie NOC...and we are constantly working to improve the product even further each month. The manager's only responsibility is to plug in the hard drives received from the studios once a week and dust the place for cobwebs. The entire second floor, as well as building lighting, HVAC and energy management run off of our systems that works off of whatever the manager has entered into the ticketing system. The manager can even move movies around between the auditoriums in his POS system and our system will follow whatever the auditorium/movie/start time assignments are with a mere 8 minute warning time.
Now some other company is bound to come along and try to replicate what we have already achieved. Maybe they will be successful or maybe their efforts will end in downtime and problem after problem, but to date the only system out there that can do this is ours. As such your statements that a completely automated booth monitored remotely is or will be a disaster, well you are flat out wrong.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All times are Central (GMT -6:00)
|
This topic comprises 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
|
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.
|
Home
Printer-friendly view of this topic