The idea was to catch it with a Friday night opening weekend crowd in a typical multiplex environment, so we headed off to a recently renovated 16-plex.
I knew we were in trouble the moment I entered, because there was a trailer in progress and it was so dark and murky - there were no blacks (they were grey) and no whites (they were grey). Contrast and color were virtually non-existant and the resulting image was lifeless. I would estimate that the screen averaged about 8 or 9 footlamberts maximum, almost as if the rectifier had been left on its 'standby' setting.
Once the feature started, my friends and I noticed that the sound was so soft that the dialogue could hardly be heard. I was nominated as the one who should mention it, so I found someone who told the projectionist. No dice. Ten minutes later, one of my friends told them too. Still no dice. The quality was poor, too, almost as if they were running Dolby A. Barely any surround activity; all in all, a totally uninvolving experience.
At the end, we told a manager who listened patiently but didn't quite understand (through her own admission) the true nature of our complaint, which we condensed in the end to, 'we could hardly see the picture or hear the sound'.
She told us that we were the only ones that had mentioned anything about it, and I explained where I had screened the film recently and knew what it was supposed to look/sound like, and what I saw/heard tonight fell well short of the film's potential. She suggested that it could be the print, but we mentioned that it could not be because all the trailers looked dark too. She then asked us what they could do about it, and I said that the bulb was either too low powered or not adjusted correctly. (We didn't get to the sound). She said that she wanted her complex to be as good as it could be so the comments were appreciated, but didn't offer our money back or even complimentary tickets for next time. She mentioned something about emailing me but didn't get my details, because she promptly left after that. The whole issue felt unresolved, however, and we left frustrated.
It has never been more apparent to me that running films in this manner totally short changes the audience, who are not getting their money's worth and are not experiencing what was intended - sometimes with an enormous discrepancy. I'm sure that had the director, the DOP and the sound engineers been present, they would have been horrified, but the audience is not conscious of this discrepancy.
I'm convinced, however, that the film would have impressed them more, been more involving and more impactful had it been presented correctly, and that their opinion of the film would have been elevated tremendously, even if they weren't aware as to why that might be.
It's the reverse scenario that proves to be interesting: the theatrette I work at often receives comments from clients/critics, etc. along the lines of, 'The picture is so rich. It's amazing - when I go to regular theatres, it never looks that good'. This happens time and time again!
They notice when it's great, but don't when it's not. I'll bet that if you started a movie with 16 footlamberts and at reference level, then halfway through the feature you cut the current to half and switched to Dolby A at half the volume - THAT would generate complaints!!! With no reference, however, the audience doesn't know what they're missing.
I hope this doesn't sound too preachy but I'm most disappointed that I wasn't able to share with my friends what I had experienced. (Not to mention the irony of being paid for a great screening and having to pay for a lousy one.)
Sobering words. I'm afraid that your closing comments are all too true: without a reference to show how good a film can be presented, the audience doesn't know what they are missing. Rather than complaining about dim pictures or poor sound, they simply don't come back again because it was a unsatisfying and frustrating experience.
Projectionists shouldn't give in to mediocrity! Do the best job you can with what you have to work with, and urge your theatre's management to upgrade equipment or resolve problems that are beyond your direct control. Don't be part of the problem, as this manager was, in being "clueless", condescending, or accepting poor presentation quality.
I fear that the current poor financial situation of many theatre circuits (due to overbuilding) and the unknowns regarding the future of digital cinema have "paralyzed" many theatres into not investing in the equipment and skilled people needed to improve film presentation quality.
Let's not commit suicide like Romeo did. Our Juliette (good film presentation) is really just asleep, and will live again.
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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
I think you hit the nail on the head. Your comment that "their opinion of the film would have been elevated tremendously, even if they weren't aware as to why that might be", echoes exactly my hope. I would also love to stage side-by-side comparisons of sound and picture for audiences. Unfortunately, I can't really think of a theater where I live that meets the highest requirements in all areas.
A theater like that DESERVES to be clearly noted here. Please post all info you have on that theater along with the manager's name or description. THAT IS PATHETIC IN EVERY ASPECT FROM PRESENTATION TO CUSTOMER SERVICE!
i do the best i can to keep the DTS film down and the non-DTS film up, but i can't turn the DTS film too low, obviously, and turning the other up really loud doesn't completely help keep out the sound of explosions. any suggestions?
jasoN
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"That's what life is - a series of down endings. All Jedi had was a bunch of muppets." -Dante Hicks
Was it the same company Michael, or their 'opposition'?
I am painting with a very broad brush, and I know it. This is certainly not ALWAYS true, but it happens all too often.
It is one thing to build many multi-screen megaplexes. It is entirely another thing to properly staff and train and in the process be able to present the kind of quality presentations that we all know is possible with a little care. Ultimately it all comes down to the people at the top who are not DEMANDING quality at every level and who are willing to pay for it.
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Oscar Neundorfer
Chief Engineer
SMART Devices, Inc.
oscar@smartdev.com
Regarding your sound bleedthrough problem, there are only 2 things I could suggest.
1- A re-construction of the walls and ceiling areas between the auditoriums to achieve better isolation. Probably not very practical and probably expensive.
2- (SHAMELESS PLUG) Buy the SMART AFT660 limiter to allow soft digital sound levels to be heard normally, but keeps loud digital sound levels from becoming too loud and bleeding through.
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Oscar Neundorfer
Chief Engineer
SMART Devices, Inc.
oscar@smartdev.com
Stephen 
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Now, the problm of course, is this: You are with your friends (who usually don't know about proper film presentation) and you don't want to make a fuss and spoil the evening. I actually think that some theater management people _count on this._
But, this kind of thing can't be encouraged. The only way management will listen to complaints is to "vote with your dollars." So be polite, but be firm and leave.
The (union) projectionist then proceeded to jack with the CONVERGENCE control!!! You should've heard the collective groan from the audience when their eyes were pulled apart (this part WAS funny)! Well, knowing the projectionist had just screwed the show up beyond hope, we demanded our money back and went to a restaurant instead.
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Better Projection Pays!
"Regarding your sound bleedthrough problem, there are only 2 things I could suggest.
1- A re-construction of the walls and ceiling areas between the auditoriums to achieve better isolation. Probably not very practical and probably expensive.
2- (SHAMELESS PLUG) Buy the SMART AFT660 limiter to allow soft digital sound levels to be heard normally, but keeps loud digital sound levels from becoming too loud and bleeding through."
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i have thought of the first suggestion, but i came to the same conclusion you have. The second sounds good to me at this point, and we even have a SMART amp. wanna tell me more about it? a url would be nice. i can be reached at jrw78@aol.com if you dont wanna post to the group
jasoN
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"That's what life is - a series of down endings. All Jedi had was a bunch of muppets." -Dante Hicks
Go here for a look at the AFT660. Then call me at 1-800-449-6698 if you want to talk about it.
http://www.smartdev.com/aft.htm
Let me know if I can help.
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Oscar Neundorfer
Chief Engineer
SMART Devices, Inc.
oscar@smartdev.com
I didn't get a chance to get the name of the manager (she left too quickly) but I'm in the process of finding out.
John Wilson:
Yes, it's the same company! The floors were remarkable! I didn't mention this at first (the company, not the floors) because it may have seemed that I was merely playing 'sour grapes'. This is not true, as I definitely went along with an open mind, hoping for the best.
Thanks to everyone who provided me with feedback; it is truly appreciated! The overall situation can be improved with little difficulty and expense; perhaps it will be with a little encouragement.
I know the Technical Manager of the company you are complaining about and he does NOT read this forum or anything like it. I spent years tracking down Richardsons Blue book, Cameron, SMPTE manual etc to find the type of info. offered here in a few forums. The folks making decisions should read what you and other have to say about presentation. Anyone can get it wrong, it's how they address the fault that counts.
How many theatre companies actually own a cinespot meter? Our range of light readings is huge on our circuit with some older theatres struggling to get to 16fl on c/s let alone w/s. Most are able to reproduce at around or above 16fl at centre of screen with drop off at edges around 20%.
I hope that's the last time you spend your hard earned dollars with them! They spend a gazillion dollars on upgrading to 16 screens then can't even get the light and sound right and they've only been open a month! What'll it be like when it's been open a year and they don't 'care' about it anymore?
They moved their great chief to another location about a year or two ago. Everything was sweet when he was there. Maybe they'll be moving him back soon to give tutorials on how to achive decent screen results (and then finish off with a quick Vvrrrrooooommmmm around the foyer with the Hoover)
VVVVvvvvrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooommmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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"It's not the years honey, it's the mileage".
Indiana Jones.
what happened to quality? where did it go?
what happened to the experience? what happened to entertainment? I think it went out the window with the growth of megaplexes and people forgot what going to the movies is suppose to be all about. Honestly going to see a movie now and days can be horrific! it has gone to the point where the meaning of entertainment is lost! it now has become a stressor to come see a movie. wait in line for fifteen min to get a ticket. then you hgave the lobby with rubnning screaming kids and waiting in concessions. the customers yell at the concessionists. the concessionists are unhappy so they teat their customers like crap. it is a never ending vicious circle. then you have to wait in line to be seated. not guaranteeinag a seat. anything is liable to go wrong at any unpredictable moment in time. then you have the proj. who does even know how to frame. point being theater business has stopped caring about entertainment and presentaions and only cared about making money. but that is now beginning to change. the down fall of thge megaplexes. a never ending war! then you have the ignorant proj. that usuaally dont know any better because face it they are not really trained. or just simply dont care. that is jsust completely sad. so again i ask what happened?
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A while ago, someone here made the comment that the position of theater industry had been, "de-professionalized" (sp?) which I thought was perfect.