This is topic Film-Guard Sales in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Andy Davis (Member # 262) on 01-19-2000, 09:02 PM:
This question is actually for Brad. I was curious how well Film-Guard is selling. Have any major theatre chains committed to using it in their theatres? I heard AMC was running some field tests. If this is true and AMC decides to use Film-Guard in all their theatres, it'll be tough to complain about their poor presentation.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-19-2000, 10:19 PM:
Sales are very strong. Each month seems to be roughly doubling the previous month's sales. Some dealers are selling several cases a month, others are only selling a dozen bottles. Theaters in the northern part of the country seem to be the majority (mostly due to static problems I'm assuming), but it is being used everywhere.It has not been "mandated" as a requirement at any particular chain, but it is available as a stock item to all of them except one...Cinemark. They are the only ones who are not using it. I find that odd, as they are usually more of a "cutting edge" company, or at least the company I "knew" was.
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-20-2000, 12:47 AM:
There are some Cinemarks that are using FG. Erie, PA is one. I don't know exactly why Cnmk. isn't getting it but they haven't outlawed it either.I am mail ordering FG, direct.
Posted by Nic Margherio (Member # 273) on 01-20-2000, 01:13 AM:
AMC hasn't embraced FilmGuard fully, but it is available from our supplier, NCS. (Which, incidentally, is owned by AMC) But the only way I knew of it was through this website, certainly not from AMC. My theatre is the only one in the St. Louis area to use it to so far but our sister theatre will be implementing it very soon. Its probably just a matter of time before it catches on in the entire market. It will be a proud day for me when that happens as I was the person who introduced it to the St. Louis market.
Posted by Martin Frandsen (Member # 74) on 01-20-2000, 06:51 AM:
I can not find the international dealer of Film-Guard. He used to be listed on the Film-Guard page.Is there any dealers of Film-guard in europe?
Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 01-20-2000, 10:03 AM:
I am with Cinemark and I also care. I don't have to deal with the new color scheme because our theatre is using the new Gold / Maroon colors. Very Pleasing. Not like the NEON orange, green, purple.We have been using Film-Guard and we have been able to get it direct from Film-Tech. Our workaround for now until direct stops in Feb is to get Direct from Brad and then petty cash reimbursement.
Also, we are continuing our efforts to make the product known and accepted. Tough road ahead.
Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 01-20-2000, 11:47 AM:
I'd have to agree with Paul... the new Cinemark colors are VERY nice. I don't know if the Cinemark Legacy 24 in Plano (Cinemark's Headquarters) is a prototype or an example of their new "image" but I prefer it over any other chain's current image. I'd also have to agree that Cinemark is usually fairly cutting edge. Some examples:They no longer install SDDS - Only DTS and Dolby Digital
They have one of the first Dolby Digital installations in the nation (Not THE first but one of them)and its still going.
Posted by Chris Erwin (Member # 176) on 01-21-2000, 06:15 PM:
Hey Cinemarkers!What ever happened to "Front Row Joe"? I liked the "Joe" Policy trailers much better that the current "best seat in town" ones playing in my area.
Are the new colors going to make it to all locations in time? In KY,most are Barney colored seats and wall treatments. Well,at least the plastic ties and suspenders got canned. Not classy in my book. The new looks are better,IMHO.
--Chris
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-21-2000, 11:40 PM:
The new "Cinemark Image" trailers stink. They look like some stock footage that's had a logo tacked on to the end and a voiceover that says, "Cinemark!... The best seat in town!" It could have been any theatre name inserted... Carmike! The Best seat in town!
Regal! The best seat in town!
The list could go on and on. The point is that I don't think it's very distinctive at all. Okay, It's got a few special effects but that wears off after the first 9,000,000 times you have to watch it!
Okay, Front Row Joe was pretty cheesy, but he was a distinctive character. If I told somebody I worked for Cinemark, they'd often answer, "OH! You mean the place with the singing cats?" People remembered him! In fact, people used to stand up and sing the songs right in the theatre! I've actually seen a whole theatre full of people sing the "Starstruck" song!
Posted by Stephen Jones 1 (Member # 114) on 01-22-2000, 06:22 AM:
Cinemark has retired Front Row Joe and has adopted the new color scheme. All new Cinemark theatre are built in the art deco style (gold and maroon). The Legacy is a beautiful theatre and is not a prototype. In my part of the woods, Cinemark beats out the competition (UA and Carmike) in every aspect. I know Cinemark is not the perfect company, but they at least try to keep they're theatres in good shape. I have to say I liked the neon colors, but the new style is great too. You always know when you're in a Cinemark theatre. I too, miss good ol' Front Row Joe.
"Hey Let's party, Let's rock, we've got tickets to the Cinemark..."
Posted by Robb Johnston (Member # 239) on 01-22-2000, 12:02 PM:
I oversee the projection staff and Maintenance of 3 AMC locations and have started ordering Film Guard as well. I liked what I read here, but wanted to get a "Testimonial" from someone I knew. Within a few days of the new year I heard from an old co-wworker of mine who loved it, and one of our Megaplexes in the area started using it with positive (almost rhapsodic) response. Needless to say, all three of my facilities have orders being processed
Posted by Neil Hunter (Member # 1005) on 11-08-2001, 06:08 PM:
I think the only thing I can say that I hate about the "hollywood" line of Cinemarks is that when I tell people that I work for Cinemark, they say "Where?" I then I have to say "I work at Tinseltown." Then they say "Oh, Yeah, I know that place." Then I get the questions about Front Row Joe. Other than that, I don't really have any complaints about Cinemark.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 11-09-2001, 01:23 AM:
Personally, I am still "Out To Lunch" on Film-Guard, but I will admit my stance is weakening. But remember, it is not a "cure all". Paul
Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 11-09-2001, 01:26 AM:
Certain Loews Locations (including mine) use it
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-09-2001, 01:29 AM:
Paul, what does FilmGuard fail to help? Obviously it can't improve the ability of a projectionist, but what coud it be doing that it doesn't?
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 11-09-2001, 01:57 AM:
All of Cinema West's locations use FG (except the Angels Theatre, and thats because they don't have a media cleaner yet) with EXCELLENT results! 
-Aaron
Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 11-09-2001, 12:15 PM:
This has nothing to do with FG, but speaking of color schemes, I love Regal's new purple and teal. Buch better than the old red and black.
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 11-10-2001, 02:12 AM:
Speaking of sales, how about production in general?
I tried ordering some a week or two ago, and found out its on back order.
Now all I have is a bottle about one inch deep, whic makes me put my film cleaning schedule on hold and just run it on nre prints the first day until we can get more in.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-10-2001, 04:09 AM:
Stock is fine. What dealer did you order from?
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 11-10-2001, 02:35 PM:
NCS Kansas City
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-10-2001, 02:52 PM:
Ah, ok NCS did have a backorder due to a clerical error in Tampa, but they should be back in stock as of last Friday or this coming Monday.