This is topic THX reel inspection/grading of Gladiator in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 05-07-2000, 09:38 AM:
I had to send back reel 6 of "Gladiator" because of drop-out on the SR-D track. The replacement reel had a sticker on it from THX. The sticker said the reel was graded "B-." Anyone know exactly what that means (besides that it's not as good as an "A+!") What factors are they taking into consideration?
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 05-07-2000, 01:21 PM:
This must be one of the reels that was actually screened by the TAP people. There used to be some written explanation of this on (I think) the THX web site, although I don't know if it's still around. If I remember correctly, they take off "points" for things like lab splices, high Dolby Digital error rates, etc.
Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 05-07-2000, 05:28 PM:
For goodness sakes......my print of Gladiator has the hippy, hippy shakes.....Compared to U-571 (which was crisp and steady) Gladiator is rather soft and shakey...credits and all.
Steve
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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-07-2000, 06:28 PM:
B- is still a good reel. I used to know what each rating meant, but have forgotten and don't think I ever wrote it down.No steadiness problems here Steve. Send your print back!
Posted by Tom Ferreira (Member # 70) on 05-08-2000, 07:46 AM:
I also had a reel of Gladiator that had the TAP inspection sticker on it-I meant to ask you guys what this meant. The irony is that the reel that the film with the sticker on it came on was broken in half and cracked. BTW, my print is very steady, and seems to be shedding less than other films.
Posted by Chris Rhode (Member # 448) on 05-08-2000, 07:47 AM:
Out of the 3 prints of Gladiator that I got, two of them dropped out of SDDS twice through the whole movie and the other one just decided to go south because I ran that film-guard on the print when we got it. Is this normal???------------------
Chris Rhode
chrisrhode@hotmail.com
My reputation preceeds me..... in fact, it arrived about 45 years ago!
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-08-2000, 01:05 PM:
You've got a bad print or most likely, a failing SDDS unit. I've performed QC SDDS tracking reports on the first performance of a brand new print with no FilmGuard and then went back 4 months later after applying FilmGuard and the error rating was substantially lower. It's not the cleaner, it's your SDDS. SDDS is a patheticly unreliable format, there's no getting around it.
Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 05-08-2000, 04:26 PM:
Oh come on Brad...you have been putting that Anti-SDDS additive into Film-Guard since moving to CO...fess up!Steve
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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-08-2000, 04:31 PM:
LOL! Actually, that's not a bad idea. Hmmmm 
Posted by Chris Rhode (Member # 448) on 05-08-2000, 05:16 PM:
Well you are probably right about the failing SDDS unit. I agree wholeheartedly with you when you say that sdds is the anti-christ. I've been trying to convince my manager to get some Dolby-digital readers or some DTS units for our large houses but they can't do that because we have a contract with Sony... we get a discount on an already over-priced piece of crap, and they get to reem us when these things break down because they won't do anything to get them repaired.I hope that sony gets out of the theater business.
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Chris Rhode
chrisrhode@hotmail.com
My reputation preceeds me..... in fact, it arrived about 45 years ago!
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 05-08-2000, 05:46 PM:
Hey, Brad -- you could charge extra for the "anti-SDDS" version of FG. You could advertise it as a way to "rid your theatre of unwanted pests!" Sort of like a "PIC" for annoying sound equipment.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-08-2000, 06:42 PM:
I will start formulating this immediately! 
Posted by Chris Rhode (Member # 448) on 05-09-2000, 07:49 AM:
Brad, if someone were to put too much film guard on the print, would it distort the light as it was trying to shine through the sdds track??------------------
Chris Rhode
chrisrhode@hotmail.com
My reputation preceeds me..... in fact, it arrived about 45 years ago!
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-09-2000, 09:21 AM:
It's not a problem with any digital format, but there is a specific point where too much is nothing more than a complete waste of FilmGuard and is actually not as effective as following the enclosed directions. On average, one ounce of FG is all that is needed for a week's worth of running. Only in extreme circumstances would more be needed.
Posted by Ted Costas (Member # 473) on 06-05-2000, 12:51 PM:
Sorry it took so long to get back to you all regarding TAP Grading... A very basic approach would be, if there is anything distracting, picture or sound, it cannot be a Select Print Reel. Select Prints are composed of "A" or "B" graded reels. "C" graded reels are deemed acceptable for general release by lab standards, meaning a lab splice is acceptable, a single, short digital reversion is acceptable, a miniscule amount of horizontal or vertical unsteadiness is acceptable, and so on. A "Rejected" reel is any combination of the above, and / or any badly distracting defect. The following is TAP's current reel grading standards: "A" = Perfect reel, including built-in problems approved on the internegative.
"B" = Minor negative or positive dirt. Reels given "A" or "B" grades are set aside for L.A./N.Y. select release prints.
"C" = A moderate amount of positive or negative dirt, or quick scratches. Minor developer rubs.
Splices (clean and well-made with a mild pop in the sound). Minor color and/or density shift from what
was approved on the original answer print (not by no more than 2 points) . A single, quick digital reversion.
"RP" = Reject Picture. Multiple combinations of "C" grade problems. Excessive negative and positive dirt or scratches.
"RS" = Reject Sound. Any reel with a major sound problem, including prolonged and/or repeated digital errors / reversions.
Regarding the "B-" in the Gladiator reel, that is a reel that is deemed borderline Select Print quality. We put the "minus" on the reel to say, "Hey, it's a good reel, and Select Print quality, but there is something wrong with it, so keep it out of Theatres that Ridley Scott may be going to." In other words, the filmmakers would know why it's a "B-", but very few others would.
Hope that helps.
Yours, Ted Costas
Manager, THX Theatre Alignment Program
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 06-05-2000, 01:06 PM:
Hi Ted!
Enjoyed our conversation at ShoWest. Give my regards to Tim and others the others up in San Rafael. Welcome to the Film-Tech Film Handler's Forum! 
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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment 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