Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Grey Boxes for shipping

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Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 11-23-2003, 09:59 PM:

If this is already posted. Please forgive me.

When I recieved Gothika, The reels came in a gray box. I also had the box with Radio. Can anyone tell me if this is the new way of packing reels?
BTW I did notive that they werent Technicolor.

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 11-23-2003, 10:51 PM:

They have came to us 3 or 4 times in the last couple months. Seem pretty decent, at least they arent all beat up.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 11-24-2003, 12:42 AM:

Assuming you are referring to the corrugated-plastic boxes that one single print can fit into (up to 7 reels), they have been around for a number of years, originally by Fox (hence they are sometimes called 'Fox Boxes' even if a non-Fox print ships in them) and in the past couple years many of the other ETS-served distributors are using the 'Fox Box' for their prints...

-Aaron

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 11-24-2003, 12:52 AM:

http://www.film-tech.com/reviews/review42.html

These boxes were a good try but they need to be improved on, especially making them easier to close. I do like the wide handle, much more comfortable than carrying cans.

Original thread

Someone should be along to close this soon.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 11-24-2003, 12:28 PM:

Chris, I believe he is referring to the corrugated fold-up boxes (the original 'Fox Box' that is now in use on films from all the ETS-handled distributors), not the new hard plastic cases that I believe only Fox uses.

-Aaron

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 11-24-2003, 01:51 PM:

Oh, well in that case, the fox box is ok but I hate having all the weight on one side. It just makes it akward to carry. I think the new plastic cans are a step up from the Fox Box.

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 11-24-2003, 02:38 PM:

I hate these damn boxes. Sometimes if the cardboard is worn when you go to pick it up by the handle the whole top opens up and scratches your hand to pieces.

Not to mention when its a full 7 reels, I have a hard time picking it up! You should see me trying to make my way upstairs gasping for air because the darn thing is so heavy....grrrr. For the record, I'm not the only one I've heard complain about the weight, male or female. [fu]

I'd rather have the banged up cans that at least even off the weight using both arms.

In my personal opinion, the gray boxes would be good if they used 2 per film, more like the cans. The boxes are better then the cans in the style (all though that could use a little work too) but the whole movie in one box is a real pain.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-24-2003, 03:12 PM:

I agree with rachel. A 3 reel size Fox box wouldn't be too bad. No more than 4 reel slots though.

Posted by Travis Hubrig (Member # 1745) on 11-24-2003, 03:26 PM:

I also agree,

But do you think it is easier to ship and track as one package?
There have been a number of times when technicolor driver shows up and asks for two movies, or two cans.
From time to time when it is a different carrier it gets even more complicated... I will tell the driver I have 'a' movie and when he gets multiple cans he gets confused... I guess that is the reasoning behind a single 'Fox Box'

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 11-24-2003, 03:32 PM:

True Travis, I would assume it saves time in the depot and for the delivery drivers (tracking purposes). But I would also assume that lugging those boxes around not only is an inconvenience for the projectionist but also delivery people and the people in the depot. Not to mention bad for your back! [Smile]

I guess there is a plus and a minus depending on which way you look at it.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-24-2003, 03:40 PM:

I don't see the problem with shipping films in two containers. Has anyone really ever gotten only half a movie?

Three- and four-can shipments are annoying because they require either two people or two trips between the lobby and the booth, but those shipments would require two fox boxes, anyway, and I don't know of anyone who can carry two of those things at once.

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 11-24-2003, 05:13 PM:

Gods and Generals came in two boxes.

I really think they should just imporve the plastic cans, make them easier to close and latch. The reel slots do work nicely if the reels are inserted correctly.

Posted by Travis Hubrig (Member # 1745) on 11-24-2003, 05:52 PM:

I can carry two boxes at a time, I am HE-MAN... [Wink]

You are right I have never received half of a movie,

Its kinda funny but a few times I have received a film from an alternate carrier, (taxi or at the airport) and had two of the metal cans duct-taped toghether... That was flippin' heavy!
But we all know how easy it is for the airline to lose things.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 11-24-2003, 06:32 PM:

I've received half a print shipment on at least two occasions. I believe it was attributed to a missing label once and the other time my competitor received the other can with his prints. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Michael Cunningham (Member # 210) on 11-25-2003, 12:28 AM:

I have never received only one can of a two can movie. But I have received two cans both containing reels #4 - #8. Works out to the same thing I suppose.

- Mike

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 11-25-2003, 12:42 AM:

I too have received half a film with a wicked twist:

Back in the art-repro days of the Phoenix Theatre, we were screening a print of a porno-history-documentary (complete with lots of 'historical' XXX [sex]

footage) called 'History Of The Blue Movie'... We got two cans, both labeled as 'History...', one can had reels 1-2-3 of 'History' and the other can had reels 4-5-6-7 of 'The Kids Are Alright' (a PG-rated documentary film about the rock group The Who, for those who are unfamiliar with the film)...

I could imagine the faces of the people that had booked that print of 'The Kids Are Alright' [Eek!]

-Aaron

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 2038) on 11-25-2003, 11:44 AM:

My first post. Please be gentle with me?

The first Fox Box I received had a broken handle. Doesn't sound so bad except...I run a real old booth. Ladder access, rope and pulley film delivery system, and therefore no way to get the box with the broken handle up to the booth. We ordered another print, got it the next day. Since then the boxes have been intact. Most prints still come in metal cans.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-25-2003, 03:37 PM:

OSHA, NIOSH, and other guidelines for lifting heavy parcels:

OSHA Back Guidelines

Univ. Maryland Guidelines

NIOSH Guide

NIOSH Lifting Guidelines

NIOSH Equation Discussion

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 11-25-2003, 05:27 PM:

A few years ago when National Film Service closed their Pico Rivera print depot in California. They had already transfered prints to TES and ETS. But they left hundreds of prints behind. While I was exploring the depot. I found an old pair of Goldberg 5 reel cases. They were the heavy old style cases.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 11-25-2003, 09:24 PM:

...which you pushed aside and went back to loading the abandoned 70mm prints in your van. [evil]