Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Technicolor "Dreams"

This is topic Technicolor "Dreams" in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 03-16-2000, 09:11 AM:

For the last two weeks, I must have been dreaming, but Technicolor has allowed us to keep our sneak prints.

Both "What planet..." and "Erin B" were sneaked on Sat. for the next Fri. wide release.

Now if they would just deliver earlier.

Paul Konen.

P.S. Mission To Mars doesn't look too bad in DLP, they do need a more dense chip, rather than the current 1280 X 1024 for production. The font that the studio used for credits at the beginning showed some of the pixelization because the font was more rounded than square.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 03-16-2000, 10:38 AM:

Paul:

With the prototype 1280 X 1024 DLP Cinema projector you are using, does the audience prefer to sit further back than in your film theatres? When I evaluated the "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" presentations in New Jersey last summer, I found that the DLP pixel structure was distracting if I sat too close to the screen. Likewise, the "jaggies" on the credits were more obvious in the first ten rows or so. Interestingly, at the TI ShoWest demo this year, almost everyone chose to sit in the back half of the Jubilee Theatre at Bally's.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Professional Motion Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com

Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 03-16-2000, 11:15 AM:

Most people will sit behind the bar (1 screen height?) towards the center seats. Not concentrated towards the back or front at all.

I firmly believe that in its present form, that this technology would be "satisfactory" for the general public. (I asked a couple people when they left the theatre what they thought). If an exit poll was done today and without TI's Dateline trailer, DLP trailer, or any other advertising, I bet that greater than 85% of the audience would say that it was film. Denser resolution needs to be in place for better acceptance (meaning that >95% thought it was film). But for the "hard cores" out there, it will never be enough.

Paul.

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 03-17-2000, 04:05 AM:

The few, the proud, We, The hardcores!!!!

I suggest an oath..

I (insert name here), do solemny swear, and casually curse, that I will use film-guard until death, that I will diligently protect my prints, provide the best presentation, and lambaste anyone who tries to take away my film projector. DEATH TO DIGITAL!!!

I think its a great oath.. just took it myself.

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"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 03-17-2000, 05:31 AM:

Why would they want a sneak print back with only five days to the release date?

Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 03-17-2000, 08:26 AM:

Technicolor has been known to do that quite a bit. Run a sneak on Sat, break it down for Monday pickup, receive on Thurs either a brand new print or someone elses copy from a sneak (not knowing what the condition is).

Trust me, I'm not complaining. I just thought I was dreaming.

Posted by Erika Hellgren (Member # 22) on 03-18-2000, 01:07 AM:

Yes, Technicolor looooooooves to take sneak prints, ESPECIALLY when you open the movie the next Friday. I'm convinced it's a design to piss us off. But we got to keep What Planet ... and Erin B, too, so maybe they were just being stupid, and someone over there wised up. Who knows.

Oh, and Dave, I am with you on that oath. I, Erika Hellgren, do solemnly swear ...

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 03-20-2000, 03:52 PM:

They used to take all of our prints back but they don't anymore. The last one we had to send back was Contact. They wanted that one back by Midnite. The movie was over at about 11:30. The courier guy came in and asked for the print. I was about 1/2-3/4 done with it. We just made him wait. That was the last time they asked for a print back after a sneak.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-20-2000, 06:18 PM:

Contact was Warner Brothers, meaning ETS depot.

The Northpark in Dallas had repeated occurances where Technicolor would drop off a print for a special studio screening on Monday for a Tuesday showing. Tuesday afternoon they would drop off a trade screening print of the same title at the same time they came to pick up the Monday screening's print. Wednesday the same thing would happen with a 3rd copy for another screening. Situations like that just went on and on. I think that definitely qualifies for unnecessary film handling and shipping charges.

Posted by Bryan Redemske (Member # 354) on 03-21-2000, 07:04 AM:

i don't think we've ever had to send our sneaks back if we're opening it the next week. at most we just send it across town to the other theatre. usually we just put it on a big transport reel and roll it over. of course it sucks when we get the prints they show - they're one of THOSE theatres....grrr....