Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: T-3 bad reel #3

This is topic T-3 bad reel #3 in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005050

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 07-02-2003, 08:50 AM:

Anyone else out there have severe fogging issues with reel #3. I had 14 or 15 areas through out the reel that had the bluish tint all over the film. I was able to get a replacement before our special showings.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-02-2003, 11:21 AM:

Bluish fogged areas are usually due to excessive exposure to the amber colored or sodium vapor "safelights" used in lab darkrooms. Safelight fogging issues are usually random, and operator dependent, and often occur near "lab splices". Request a replacement reel:

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/support/illumination/page01.blind

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 07-02-2003, 02:25 PM:

One of our member drive-ins had to get 3 reels replaced... severe fogging around lab splices.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-02-2003, 03:00 PM:

Replacing reels is a hassle for both the theatre and the distributor, and costly for the labs. [Frown]

So the source of the problem will eventually be fixed, or "re-educated" as to the proper way to use darkroom lighting. Past experience often shows an operator who has modified the lab's approved procedures by tampering with the safelights, or using "task lighting" improperly.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 07-02-2003, 06:38 PM:

That reel did not have one single Lab splice in it so what were they doing or causing the excess light to hit the raw stock for no reason.

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 07-03-2003, 01:16 AM:

I also had a deffective reel 3. The fogging in mine happened every six inches or so and was yellowish in tint.

Posted by Tim Sherman (Member # 569) on 07-04-2003, 07:18 AM:

I am the one that jack is talking about. I had to replace reels 2, 4, and 6. All three had green fogging around the lab splice. They were also drive-in prints of the movie so that made me a bit more nervous about getting replacement reels. good thing the film came in monday night and not tues like usual. Called in tues morning and got all three new reels on wed direct from the lab.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-04-2003, 08:14 AM:

The rash of safelight fogging problems being reported on this production makes me suspect that there was a new operator unfamiliar with the proper lab procedures for handling darkroom illumination. Holiday and vacation time often puts substitute personnel on the line. Each replacement reel represents a loss of several hundred dollars to the lab, so it's likely they have already addressed the source of the problem.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-04-2003, 01:01 PM:

Amazingly I haven't seen any fogging examples in the last several months on any print from any lab. Guess I've been lucky.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 07-04-2003, 02:06 PM:

quote:
Holiday and vacation time often puts substitute personnel on the line.

"From Justin to Kelly" would have been a better training ground. [Frown]

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 07-05-2003, 06:35 PM:

Brad -- They're just afraid of you unleashing your wrath upon them! [Smile]

You just don't send Brad Miller a bad print. Just like you're not supposed to bump "consumer advocate" Ralph Nader from a flight. [Wink]

=TMP=

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-05-2003, 08:51 PM:

I've had more than my fair share of defective prints. I just send 'em back. [Smile]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-05-2003, 10:50 PM:

Why would the labs not train an operator with the proper procedures? Also, why would they "modify" or tamper with something like safelights, etc? These are not sarcastic questions, I am really curious!

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-06-2003, 11:15 AM:

People are people. Someone might feel they need a bit more light, and deliberately scratch or fade the safelight filter, or move it too close to the film. Misuse of safelight "flashlights" is an ongoing problem. An operator new to an area may take a few seconds longer to make a lab splice. Violations of lab safelight procedures are hard to police, and usually aren't found until after-process inspection, or fogged areas of reels are found in theatres. Remember, we're talking about 50 million feet of film for a large release, so not every incident of fogging will be caught if someone is randomly "breaking the rules".