Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Spread the Word About Film-Tech

This is topic Spread the Word About Film-Tech in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-07-2001, 06:37 PM:

Film-Tech participants learn from each other. Our mantra has become "Film Done Right", and we help each other in the quest for "Projection Perfection".

We often complain about the problems caused by others who lack knowledge or proper training in the basics of projection and good film handling. We know that the wealth of information and "war stories" on Film-Tech would help them improve their skills and recognize their mistakes. We know that the Film-Tech manuals and tips are a valuable resource now available to every projectionist with an INTERNET connection. Yet we know that for every participant on Film-Tech, there are dozens of others who are often "in the dark" and on their own to find the needed information and training to do a good job.

Let's spread the word about Film-Tech! Get your coworkers to log-on and sample the information and friendship that lies here.

Another idea would be to print out your favorite page(s) from Film-Tech, and put them in every shipping case leaving your theatre, with the http://www.film-tech.com URL prominently displayed. If you ship five prints a week, that's about ten film cases, and ten more people that will be introduced to "Film-Tech" in other theatres and at the film exchanges.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by Jerry Chase (Member # 660) on 11-07-2001, 06:46 PM:

Or we could just post links in the most popular part of the internet: the alt.binaries.sex newsgroups...

(Don't do this, you'll get Brad in trouble.)

Brad needs a 35mm "This print protected by film-guard" snipe, and free 35mm slides telling about film-guard, to be used as filler slides. Or, how about, "Film-guard / Film-tech, the one-sheet"

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-07-2001, 07:26 PM:

We don't need lonely pervs looking at Film-Tech... we've already got

Bob Maar

What I'd like to know is how many lurkers there are out there. It's got to be at least double the amount of registered members (and at last count I believe we have 911 members). Hopefully Film-Tech is doing them some good. Even though registration can seem painfully slow since it is not instantaneous, I would still encourage people to register and especially participate. There are a ton of registered members who have never posted. Maybe they don't think they have much to say or aren't "social butterflies", but participation really does help. Sure, some members like Ian will snap your head off if you ask a question that was already covered 2 years ago. But others realize that not everyone has been reading since the beginning and sometimes it is good to have new discussions about old topics.

Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 11-07-2001, 07:27 PM:

John:

A fantastic idea to include the web site in the film cans. How about a notice to this effect:

"This print was professionally cared for during its run. We at _______(your theater name) believe in film done right. For technical information and projection tips, log onto http//www.flim-tech.com and help us make film presentation the best that it can be."

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 11-07-2001, 09:00 PM:

Brad,
If you were to provide a calling card of sorts, I would be happy to put them in shipping cans and give them out to projectionists around town. I'm not sure if it's a financially viable option for Film-Tech, but I would like to spread the word as much as possible. This web site has taught me a ton, and many others could benefit as well. Some of the theaters here could really use the help!

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-07-2001, 09:46 PM:

Joe said: "If you were to provide a calling card of sorts, I would be happy to put them in shipping cans and give them out to projectionists around town. I'm not sure if it's a financially viable option for Film-Tech, but I would like to spread the word as much as possible. This web site has taught me a ton, and many others could benefit as well. Some of the theaters here could really use the help!"

Keep it simple!

My suggestion of printing out copies of your favorite page(s) from Film-Tech and putting them in shipping cases can be done NOW, without adding any financial burden to Film-Tech itself. Seeing some actual discussions or pages from the "Tips" section is probably the best way to interest other theatre people in joining in. Just be sure the URL is on each page: http://www.film-tech.com

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-07-2001, 10:07 PM:

Let me get with Joe and see what we can come up with for making a standard printable page for such use. So long as we are doing that, I'll put some thought into a standardized and printable "breakdown report" to stuff into the cans as well for oddball things like "reel 2 does not play in XXX digital format" or "this print does not have changeover cues" or "this print was for a screening and all loose trailers are attached to reel 1", etc that would help the next theater when they receive that print. Anyone have any specific ideas as to what they would like to see on a breakdown report upon receiving a used print? It could very well end up benefiting the depots as well.

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 4594) on 11-08-2001, 12:09 AM:

Should we just make notes that say:

Visit www.film-tech.com to see the famous Bob Maar's Jokes!!!

That should get people in....

Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 11-08-2001, 12:10 AM:

How about ALL CUE's FROM THE PREVIOUS EXHIBITOR HAVE NOT BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS PRINT. Which by the way I think is something a slacker would do, but non the less I have reciecved many a print in my days where the cues from the theatre that had it last left all the cues on during breakdown. I make it a point to remove all of them off my prints headed out. It is ludicrous to think somebody has the exact same set up as you. Now I do however agree that it should be up to the reciveing theatre to inspect the print upon build up, but that does not mean they should not recieve it in the same condition you did new. i.e. with out cue tape already on it, and Head and Tail leaders properly attached to the correct reels. Rant Over.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-08-2001, 01:47 AM:

You can always tell aprint from a UA theater with those giant barcode stickers right in the middle of the frame. Those simply do not come off.... unless of course you put the barcode cue on TOP of a single sided clear splicing tape. Then just peel off the splice. Very easy. That really has nothing to do with this thread, but I felt like typing something and that was the result

Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 11-08-2001, 05:00 AM:

If we put a FILM-TECH sheet in the can when we ship it out, won't TECHNICOLOR just take it out when they inspect the print before sending it to the next theatre?

Oh, wait never mind.
They dont even inspect it before sending it out the FIRST time.

Posted by Kyle Abel (Member # 819) on 11-08-2001, 05:24 AM:

I'm in the process of ordering Film-Tech mylars for my box office reader boards. They say "All Prints Cleaned and Protected by FilmGuard™ For Quality Presentations www.film-tech.com" Hopefully I'll have them by the weekend. I really like the idea of a single page we can all print out and put in the cans. Keeps the marketing uniform between us all. I vote for having a few blank lines labeled "Comments" and letting the projectionst put appropriate notes there. Maybe have someting on it about the print being protected by Film-Guard™ as well. You could also put a space on there where the projectionist could write in how many runs the print has had. It would be kind of cool to see how many runs a print that is Film-Guard™ed can go through (First & Sub run) and still look great.

------------------
Kyle Abel
General Manager
Plano Movies 10

Posted by Jon Kjerem (Member # 909) on 11-08-2001, 07:16 AM:

Talking of promoting Film-Tech, I wish for a banner or buton that I can put on my web page.

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 11-08-2001, 09:58 AM:

John,
When I suggested a calling card of sorts, my main concern was that Film-Tech was being represented in a way that Brad and Joe were aware of and satisfied with. I know it is unlikely, but I would hate for either of them to get emails from someone who was annoyed with some bit of Film-Tech propaganda sent by one of us. I'm happy to print something out here, but I just want to make sure that Brad and Joe know what is being sent in case someone asks them about it. I think the printable sheet idea is fantastic. A breakdown sheet would be great, and even a sheet of ads with the url would be a great way to spread the word. (Brad, I still think T shirts would be awesome

)

Posted by Randy Loy (Member # 112) on 11-08-2001, 10:53 AM:

I never tell anybody else about Film-Tech because I wanna learn EVERYTHING and be smarter than EVERYBODY else! Er...just kidding...

Actually, I'm amazed at how often I bring Film-Tech up in conversations with other folks in the biz. Not just stuff related to film handling but also stuff related to normal cinema operations.

Being a Film-Tech participant not only allows me to get specific questions answered by experts, it's also a great way to get tips on how to do things better and a great way to initiate thought and discussion about issues that effect us all daily. Even though I also read all the industry trade journals I can't live without Film-Tech. It lets me always feel like I'm in touch with people in all aspects of the exhibition world and I feel like I'm able to stay on top of issues as they arise.

Hmmm...I gotta tell you Brad, I sure do like the idea of those T-shirts...

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-08-2001, 11:02 AM:

Joe Beres said: "When I suggested a calling card of sorts, my main concern was that Film-Tech was being represented in a way that Brad and Joe were aware of and satisfied with."

I agree that having a "standard printable page" is probably a better idea than a randomly selected "favorite page". Otherwise, there would be quite a few "Joke-A-Thon" pages sent out .

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 4594) on 11-08-2001, 03:15 PM:

Hey Brad,
I know a couple local store owners that do cheap screen printing on T-Shirts and I'll check around to get prices if you want...that way everyone could buy them and you could put the profit into the site instead of just taking it out of your pocket. Maybe we can have ppl from all over check out prices that way we can get the most for our $$$. I'll put in for 2 T-Shirts

Just a stupid idea....although it does seem like alot of ppl will buy at least one. Joe could even do the design, he could be famous. His designs displayed all over the country!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-08-2001, 04:29 PM:

How about something like this for the T-shirt...

Visit Film-Tech.com
NOW,
or I will come after you!!!

I can't imagine any other image on the shirt getting more attention.

Posted by Dennis Atkinson (Member # 345) on 11-08-2001, 04:36 PM:

That picture would only scare kids and stop the crops from growing!

A bright sticker inside of the film can (the size of a nickel or business card size) would to the trick to get the word out.

Dennis

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-08-2001, 06:03 PM:

Aaaaaahhhh! Good God that is an ugly ass pic! Definitely my least favorite. How this pic came about: I was messin' around with Brad's camera one day when he wasn't lookin'. Shortly after this moment (or perhaps before, I dunno) I apparently took Dwayne Caldwell's picture. That went on to become his member pic. I have no memory of these events. I must have been high on Diet Coke.

Anyway I am already famous. Just ask anyone who knows me. I'll bet that they know who I am!

Brad - How did you enable HTML just for your one post?

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-08-2001, 07:03 PM:

I like the idea of stickers, but they should be about 4" x 3/4" long and could be used to tape down the end of the print when it's shipped out. (Maybe a 2nd sticker could be applied to the leader right next to the cut when the film is built up.) They'd get noticed much more on the film than in the cans.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-08-2001, 08:11 PM:

I am the administrator. I have html rights. <evil laugh> If you recall, I asked you about that mysterious self-pic the next day and you said you did not realize you had taken a picture. You did at the time remember taking Dwayne's pic.

Stickers are a possibility. I'm still thinking a printable page is probably going to be the easiest though. Let's see what everyone comes up with.

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 11-08-2001, 08:26 PM:

I would like a page with perhaps four (each a quarter page) postcard type ads for the website. each would have a Film-Tech logo, the url and perhaps a snappy description af the website. we could print them, cut them into quarters and then put them in shipping cans and hand them out to other film handlers.

Brad & Joe: I know you guys know your way around a computer, but if you need any help with this, I have a lot of pagemaker experience. I could help put something together and make a pdf file for downloading pleasure. Just let me know if I can be of service.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-08-2001, 10:12 PM:

Brad-

I'm sure that I remembered at the time, but I've done so much Diet Coke since then that the evil Aspertame has ruined my brain.

Thanks for the offer, Joe. I'm pretty good at HTML (I don't even know what Pagemaker is... I assume that's Adobe's HTML program or something). I've got QuarkXPress which may be what Pagemaker is like if it is a layout program. QuarkXPress is supposed to be phiggidy phat but I haven't figured it out yet. Both Brad and I can print to PDF (meaning saving any files we create as a PDF file instead of sending them to the printer... just select "PDF" from the Chooser instead of your printer. When you are done creating PDF files just choose the printer again. That's what I like about Macs... you can have 90 million printers connected to one machine and print to any of them individually thanks to the Chooser.)

Posted by Pete Lawrence (Member # 130) on 11-08-2001, 10:42 PM:

Spread the word? It seems the word is indeed being spread. I refer to an obscure article in a little known publication by a film manufacturer. http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/newsletters/notes/spring2001/filmtech.shtml

Indeed, this site is a most excellent source of help and general information. Congratulations Brad, and thank you.

Before you plaster the shipping cans with stickers saying "Protected with Film Guard" I do have what may seem a stupid question. What might be the legal ramifications of applying Film Guard to a print without permission of the owner of the print? Don't get me wrong, I use Film Guard on my "own" prints and it's fantastic. It's just with lawyers who sue anybody for anything where does the poor guy in the booth stand if he applies Film Guard and the print owner doesn't approve?

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 11-08-2001, 11:01 PM:

Joe,
pagemaker is the adobe page layout program and the main competitor of quark. i know both fairly well, but i actually prefer pagemaker. anyway, i've got a ton of design experience. so if ever i can be of any assistance, i'd be happy to help.

by the way, you can have a multitude of printers connected to a pc and choose an individual printer through the printer control panel. it works in a similar fashion to the mac chooser.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-08-2001, 11:41 PM:

Plastering shipping cans with anything having to do with a specific print is foolish. Once the film plays a theater or two, another print will go in those cans, and then another after that.

As far as the legal aspect, if the print makes it back in good condition, regardless of how the projectionists handled it, the studio doesn't have much to say and should be happy. You don't see studios billing theaters when their projectors leak oil all over the print. You don't see studios billing theaters that break the prints down at random places within the film, and not the changeover points themselves. You don't see studios billing theaters for using or leaving their cue tape on the prints. You don't see studios billing theaters that chop off frames at the leaders. It just goes on and on. The situation will never come up based upon such events and besides, FilmGuard doesn't damage the film. If anything, the studios should be billing the theaters that scratch their prints and don't use film cleaners.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-09-2001, 01:40 AM:

Joe-

As I mentioned I've never used Pagemaker, but I've got to assume that it is at least easier to use than QuarkXPress 4. Do they have QuarkXPress for Windows? Any quick tips for a newbie on how to set up simple layouts? I find the program extremely difficult to work with... it seems like it was designed for OS 7.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 11-09-2001, 03:34 AM:

>>Talking of promoting Film-Tech, I wish for a banner or buton that I can put on my web page.<<

Hey Jon! You're from Trondheim??? Isn't that where the old ladies are beaten about the head with large sticks?? Well, it was according to Monty Python anyway...

Welcome to the forum, Jon.

(...and now back to your scheduled programming)

John

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-09-2001, 07:55 AM:

John Wilson said: "Hey Jon! You're from Trondheim??? Isn't that where the old ladies are beaten about the head with large sticks?? Well, it was according to Monty Python anyway..."

Unfortunately, it happens in Afghanistan, under Taliban rule.
http://rawa.fancymarketing.net/beating.htm
http://www.eclecticon.net/CatEcumen/afghanwomen.html
http://rawa.fancymarketing.net/index.html

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 11-09-2001, 08:58 AM:

Joe, I find quark pretty clunky too. I'm pretty sure there's a windows version, but I haven't sought it out since I switched from mac to pc. I can't really offer you too much general advice. It just takes a lot of getting used to. Pagemaker works in a pretty intuitive way, it is fairly easy to figure out. Quark is set up to work more like doing layout the old cut-and-paste way, and I think it's a bit counter-intuitive in a computer environment, but a lot of people would argue the other way.

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 11-09-2001, 12:06 PM:

I love the idea of a print data sheet that could go in the can. Some things to put on it would be lab splices cut out and any damage that had to be cut out. It would be a good idea to keep all such sheets in a file for easy access while your theatre has the print, and then toss them in the can when you break down. Thay way you could add something to the sheep without haveing to dig through your collection of cans. But the problem I forsee is that I would be the only one to diligently keep track of such stuff. No one else would use the sheets, especially if they are stored in the cans. And if stored in a file, how many people are going to remember to pull them out and toss 'em in the can?

As far as "This print has been protected with FilmGuard," could such a statement be applied if your theatre, like mine, does not have a media cleaner and the only way to use FG is to wipe it on the print? What if you only have one cleaner and have to rotate it? Yeah, you are using the Film Guard, but not providing the best protection.

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 11-09-2001, 12:13 PM:

I received a print a while back after it was shown at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. In one of the cans was a "projection report" that indicated all technical data avout the print: format, aspect ratio, sound format, as well as emulsion and base type. It also had a sort of checklist for each reel that indicated splices, repairs, info about changeover cues and condition. It was really great to have all of that info on hand and to know that a previous projectionist understood and cared about "film done right." They had these forms printed on carbonless duplicates so that they could fill out the form, retain a copy of the report and forward a copy to the next venue via the shipping can. I've been planning on duplicating the form, and I will as soon as I get time. Once I do, I would be happy to share the file with any interested parties.

Posted by Jerry Chase (Member # 660) on 11-09-2001, 12:31 PM:

Does anyone else see a problem with these sheets not being updated by the next projectionist or monkey down the line, being falsified, or the reports not being kept with the proper film, or the reports being used as documentation of damage at a particular theatre, with resultant fines?

IMO, this is one of those great ideas that won't work well in practice. I think it would be better to stick with a business card containing the film-tech website and comment about the forums. A link to the Kodak "Reel People" pages might be helpful as well.

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 11-09-2001, 06:35 PM:

Jerry,
what you are saying assumes that the depot/distributor is going to inspect the film between engagements, and in my experience, that is rare. If these sheets have the name of the theater they originated at, wouldn't that keep any responisibility off the party that took the time to fill one out? There is the possibility for falsification, but that is the reason for retaining a copy of the report. If someone else is responisble for damage, and does get fined, so be it. I have never heard of a theater being fined for print damage though, but that might be from a lack of time in this field. (I'd like to hear about theaters that have been) One of these reports does not keep me from inspecting a print, but it does tell me a lot about what to expect, and tells me that a previous exhibitor cared to handle the print properly.

As far as spreading the word about film-tech goes, I still think the 4-up ad or business card would be best (I do agree with you there, Jerry), but I think the reports are a good idea and should be done independently by a projectionist. In my optimistic opinion, they could help to encourage "film done right"

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-09-2001, 07:07 PM:

We'll work on a standard printable page to promote "film done right" with the website address as well as a standardized film inspection report, also printable. I don't see any other realistic way to distribute such items except for printable pages.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-09-2001, 10:00 PM:

Here's my $0.02 worth:

I'm not too gung ho about a breakdown sheet. It's good if the next guy who gets the print keeps it updated and so on down the line. Once the first guy just tosses the print back into the can and "breaks the chain" the sheet just becomes a piece of scrap paper.

I think putting a small flyer in the can, about the size of a 3 X 5 note card that says something like:

quote:
Film-Tech
"Film Done Right"
I, the undersigned, declare that while this print was in my posession it was handled with utmost care and professional pride to the best of my ability.
This print has been treated with Film-Guard on <MM/DD/YY>
For more information, please visit: WWW.FILM-TECH.COM
PRINT TITLE: __________
PRINT #: __________
PROJECTIONIST'S NAME: __________
DATE: __________

This would be the printable page. of which others have sponen.

Then, there could be a link on the front page of this site that says, "Have you seen one of THESE flyers? -- Click Here." That link would take you to a page that explains the "Film Done Right" concept and how they can join the cause.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-09-2001, 10:12 PM:

Randy:

I think that approach would "scare off" some people. Without knowing more, they would think Film-Tech was some kind of "print police" group, asking people to promise something in writing, and attach their names to that promise.

I still feel a simple information sheet is best, outlining the various areas of Film-Tech (Film Handlers Forum, Ground Floor, Film-Yak, Manuals, Pictures, Tips, etc.) and suggesting people "check it out" at: http://www.film-tech.com

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-09-2001, 10:50 PM:

A card in the can is a good idea IF it stays in the can with that print.

I would vote for disposing with the legalese-sounding "I the undersigned" stuff and just having a space where the playdates where the film was FG'd could be written in, along with a brief explanation of what FG is all about. There could be a couple more lines of space for additional playdates.

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 11-10-2001, 12:52 AM:

John P. I agree. We just want to let people know we are here, and tell them what the website and the forums have to offer. I think the website will do the rest.

I like the idea of the breakdown form, but I think using that to spread the word about Film-Tech might be a little daunting to people that haven't seen the site and a little less successful in getting people to check out Film-Tech.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-10-2001, 01:04 AM:

Let's put in a card like Randy suggests, but up the anty even more. Let the recipient fill it out. Here's how it will be worded:

I the undersigned promise to visit Film-Tech at http://www.film-tech.com as soon as possible. Upon my arrival at the aforementioned site I will register and submit a photograph of my likeness. Then I will enter the special eight digit number listed on the bottom of this card to prove that I have visited the site and learned all that I can. I understand that failure to return this card within two days after receipt of the enclosed print and/or failure to visit the site every day will result in the arson of my theater complex, and therefore the loss of my job.

Name__________________________ Age_________
Address_____________________________________
Phone Number_______________
Social Security Number_____-_____-______
Bank Account Number____________________
Mother's Maiden Name_____________________

Signature________________________________

Special Number: 84669676

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-10-2001, 01:19 AM:

M'Kay, I admit that was pretty stiff.

So, how do you say, "I'm one of da' baddest film handlin' mofos on 'dis plannet 'cuz I hangs out wit all 'dem cats at Film-Tech! It's Phiggity Phat!" ??

Posted by German Marin (Member # 918) on 11-10-2001, 01:38 AM:

Jonh T. Hendrickson, Jr. said:

I think this is a great way to say: "we want that YOU work as good as we do, please check the web and try our tips". I'm already doing this since I did read here, it's fantastic!
I like the idea about T-shirts and I'm looking for a logo or some to put in the T shirt, maybe dolby, film-tech and the theater logos and this: "FILM DONE RIGHT" enough big to be read from another theater!..just kidding...but i like this one.

Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 11-10-2001, 10:35 AM:

Hey Joe,
I think you're going a little easy on people. I think HaraKiri should be worked into there somewhere. If the recipient of said card does not get to Film-Tech immediately, it would be the only honorable thing to do.