Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: The Technicolor Exhibitor Manual: The full story

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-28-2000, 12:29 PM:

Here is a letter we just received from Mary Ann Grasso of NATO:

To: All NATO members

RE: Important new tool from Technicolor

As you may recall, this time last year NATO conducted a member-wide survey about Technicolor Entertainment Delivery Systems. The survey was very helpful in revealing areas in which communication between Exhibition and TES could be improved.

Technicolor Entertainment Services was very open to the concerns expressed by NATO members in the survey and have introduced several new improvements in both communication and service.

One important improvement resulting from the survey is the development of an Exhibitor Guide that will serve as a user manual for the Technicolor print delivery system. The Guide will consist of a three-ring notebook with information on Marketing Services, Managed Print Movements, and Billing and is designed to answer commonly asked questions.

We are pleased with the development of this important tool and, most especially, with the spirit of cooperation and partnership with which it was developed.

The TES Exhibitor Guide is destined for shipment to theatres beginning on or around September 13th. So, watch your mailbox.

-------------------------------

Well isn't this nice. I would like to know what the "several new improvements" are. A smaller gorilla stomping on the film cans?

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-28-2000, 03:57 PM:

If memory serves, the two major complaints were:

#1 Send the prints in 2 days prior
#2 Stop using broken reels

I remember sending in a huge packet of printouts of the threads here to Mary Ann on behalf of the members of Film-Tech. Good to know it wasn't a waste of time or anything.

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 08-28-2000, 08:34 PM:

Oh, yes: a three-ring binder will fix all those problem. Dear me, why didn't I think of that. Of course, it's the *theaters* that are wrong, so let's distribute documentation to show them the error of their ways....

I don't think TES will significantly change their mode of operation, and no one is gonna make them. Also, NATO is effectively useless. I know several people who have worked damn hard for NATO causes, and I don't mean to belittle their work, but they just can't seem to really accomplish much. (Hey, just my own opinion, so don't get upset!)

Now, if we could get Jack Valenti to work for NATO instead of MPAA, then something might get done. If he can get a president into office....

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 08-29-2000, 12:52 AM:

I wonder if the binders will be made from the same material as Technicolor reels.

Posted by Gracia L. Babbidge (Member # 582) on 08-29-2000, 04:49 AM:

If we actually find any improvements, it will be quite shocking.
Broken reels are perhaps my biggest pet peeve when it comes to what happens to a print before it arrives at the theaters. Though in that matter, I spend more time taking apart and reassembling reels that Warner Bros ships their films on them than anything shipped by TES. Go figure.

I got a good laugh one Thursday this summer. I can't remember which film it was off the top of my head, but it had been shipped via TES... When I cracked open one of the cans, I found that the interior had been defaced in black indelible ink with this: 'Technicolor Sux'

~GLB

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 08-30-2000, 02:27 PM:

Well, ONE benefit of the 'book' will be when Technicolor finally gets a print on your doorstep 10 min. AFTER showtime, you can say, "It's here in black and white that you said it would be delivered at XYZ."

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-31-2000, 01:44 AM:

I've been thinking about this. I wonder how many responses NATO got when they asked for input about TES?

There's always the possibility that "management" in some locations got hold of the letter requesting input, and tossed it...so the poor projectionist didn't get a chance to respond!

John P... you know people in the biz, right? Isn't there somebody you can call, a friend of a friend maybe, to let some of the higher-ups know what's REALLY going on with TES? Or is it true that "the suits" really DON'T care about presentation, as long as they get their film rent on time?

It just floors me that the only response they could come up with to all the problems we reported was a f#$%ing BINDER. Sheesh.

I hope Maryann Grasso is at our regional convention coming up in 2 weeks (she usually is) I'm definitely going to bend her ear about this.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-31-2000, 06:14 AM:

I plan on presenting the concerns around trailer leaders/packaging at the Inter-Society and SMPTE Projection Technology meetings being held at ShowEast. Likewise, the advantages of earlier print delivery schedules (not "just in the nick of time") and more theatre accountability for print damage are worth bringing up.

------------------
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

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 08-31-2000, 11:14 AM:

Ken L. is right; the binders are good for leaning up against the broken reels to get the film off...

Posted by Mark Huff (Member # 480) on 08-31-2000, 05:45 PM:

I think that if we are to be responsible for payment if the print is damaged. Tes should be responsible for payment to the theatres for lost customers due to late delivery or any one of the many TES foul-ups.