Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Trailer Checker

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Posted by Peter Mork (Member # 1336) on 01-06-2004, 02:06 AM:

Hello friends,

Has anyone there heard of a Trailer Checker - someone employed by one or more distribs whose job it is to go around to cinemas and see which trailers are playing?

I ask this because a certain manager (call him Mr. D) at the independent house I work at is always telling me the Trailer Checker came by and asked why such-and-such a trailer wasn't playing before such-and-such a picture.

I asked the owner whether he'd ever heard of this. He said Mr. D is always telling him the same story, though he's never met a Trailer Checker personally and suspects, as I do, that this is a fantasy that D. made up so he can get his way (he is sort of a control freak - but I have the trump card in that I'm the only one who can actually do the splicing and dicing involved in trailer placement, so I don't always follow his suggestions).

Thanks, No Fool in Boston.

Posted by Nate Lehrke (Member # 1460) on 01-06-2004, 02:14 AM:

Yeah, we get some trailer checkers out here. They have quite the easy of job of just watching trailers all day! [Smile]

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 01-06-2004, 02:25 AM:

Yes, Virginia!

There is a trailer checker.

You better watch out!

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 01-06-2004, 03:16 AM:

The few that I have met are very profesional. I've never had any of them ask why such and such isnt playing with a certain film. They just come in, write down the trailers, and leave.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 01-06-2004, 03:24 AM:

The only times I have run into someone that was 'checking' trailers was the guy that was also the 'film checker' that was getting a head count, etc for that particular feature- they also listed in their report what trailers were playing with the feature. I have NEVER had anyone connected to a distributor question any of my trailer placements on a film.

-Aaron

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 01-06-2004, 07:10 AM:

When I did THX Theatre Alignment Program (TAP) theatre evaluations, the evaluation form usually asked for a listing of the trailers playing.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 01-06-2004, 08:32 AM:

Certified Reports, Inc. Kinderhook, NY

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 01-06-2004, 10:33 AM:

Yeah, we have an older couple that checks a feature every month, or so. They've always been polite and friendly people.

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 01-06-2004, 10:36 AM:

WE have them, they always get on my nerves because they dont understand that we sync prints and move prints througout the night. So they always tell corporate wrong information.

Posted by John Carpenter (Member # 1488) on 01-06-2004, 10:55 AM:

At our 16 plex we average a checker a weekend. Most of the time the just are there to check trailers, but sometimes are there to veryify number or people in a certain feature. They never question anything - nor do they know what it is they are looking for (what trailers are in question). I know this because I know one of them personally. But they always seem to have a letter from the distributors allowing them to do the check.

Posted by Peter Mork (Member # 1336) on 01-06-2004, 01:07 PM:

Well, I guess these people do exist, but Mr. D is stretching things when he claims they have an interest on what trailers go where.

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 01-06-2004, 02:05 PM:

We have one come so often, she seems like a regular at our place. I always have a conversation with her when she stops by. I can't imagine they get paid much for this duty though.

AJG

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 01-06-2004, 02:37 PM:

quote:
Mr. D is stretching things when he claims they have an interest on what trailers go where.

Don't be so certain!

What movie were they allegedly checking trailers on?

I think it was LOTR 3 that came with a whole bunch of trailers and a note stating a certain trailer had to be the first "non competitive" trailer (?) and that there would be trailer checkers. So, it seems that there is a concern about making sure that trailers are playing on certain movies -- and also in some cases the sequence in which they are shown.

If you ask me I'd say that's going a little bit too far into micromanagement of the trailers. Maybe if they're going to get that picky about it they should just attach the entire slate of trailers instead of enclosing them or sending them loose.

Another specific example: Back when the first teaser for "The Phantom Menace" was issued, we were told that it could only run ahead of "Meet Joe Black" (?) and no other movie.

Posted by Christopher Seo (Member # 7) on 01-06-2004, 03:16 PM:

Trailer checkers seem to be quite common in the LA area (for obvious reasons), and they are taken very seriously.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-06-2004, 03:26 PM:

quote:
Maybe if they're going to get that picky about it they should just attach the entire slate of trailers instead of enclosing them or sending them loose.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! [Mad]

Are you going insane on us Manny? You KNOW that no depot can make a proper splice when assembling trailers, and the labs seem to fuck it up too! It's always cheap tape, hinging splices, sometimes out-of-frame, and most importantly...they chop the film in the wrong place for the theater to be able to fix it!

Sorry, but when I get a manually attached trailer and it was not put on the print properly to the point where I can fix it due to either having handling marks on it or being cut in the wrong place, it is considered damaged film and goes straight in the trash. No ifs ands or butts. I does not get played.

Same thing goes for the opening logo on reel 1. If the soundtrack has been cut due to some bonehead trying to attach a trailer, I check to see if the opening studio's logo is silent. If so the quick fix is to cut it off of the feature entirely. If there is audio going on or it transitions into the feature, reel 1 is replaced. Damaged film is damaged film.

I will however happily put on any new trailer from that studio that is sent loose on it's own core that is requested of me. When the studios respect my presentation by not permitting anyone else to cut the print, I respect their wishes and play whatever they request.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 01-06-2004, 06:07 PM:

I'm under the impression that real trailer checkers are not supposed to communicate with the theatre staff, they just report back to the distributors. In most cases, there are not contractual obligations for specific trailers anyhow...

--jhawk

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-06-2004, 06:07 PM:

That's a new one on me. I've never heard of a "trailer checker" before.

And I don't remember regular film checkers broadcasting their presence, either.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 01-06-2004, 06:10 PM:

Actually some booking agreements do specify that specific trailers must be played and in some case there location

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 01-06-2004, 06:35 PM:

It's kind of hard not to be conspicuous in that role if you're carrying a clipboard or something with you when you enter. The forms were 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of paper, kind of hard to write on without a clipboard. When I was doing ad checks for Regal, I always told the box office and mgr. why I was there. They only asked to see the letter from Regal once -- after that they pretty much left me alone.

Now of course Regal has changed the procedure -- they only seem interested in what standees are on display in the lobby. Go figure. But they still pay me to do it. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 01-06-2004, 07:20 PM:

Our usual trailer check lady usually asks me where the particular film she is checking is and the auditorium number.

AJG

Posted by Ky Boyd (Member # 23) on 01-06-2004, 07:40 PM:

Distributors employ checkers for trailer checks, open checks (where the checker comes to the theatre with a letter introducing themselvles), and blind checks (where they never identify themselves...like secret shoppers). We have had only a couple of trailer checkers in our theatre and have been open checked and blind checked. We also have recently employed a checking service (www.checkerpatrol.com) to check for ourselves due to questions about the accuracy of a checker's report.

Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 01-06-2004, 10:13 PM:

It's been my experience that most checkers don't have a clue as to WHY they are doing what thier doing. And have had zero training. Honest to god, I believe some of them are hired off the street 30 minutes before they arrived at my theatre.

"Hi I'm Dork the checker, I'm here to check **** film, can you call me at the end of the night with the numbers? I'm going home now."

Scares the hell outta me.

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 01-06-2004, 10:29 PM:

I have always had checkers at the theatres that I worked at. Most were pretty friendly people. If they are saying this stuff to "Mr. D" then maybe they are trying to give him friendly hints that you are not in compliance with the studios wishes. You dont want to piss off the studios or else you will have no films to play. For what its worth if Mr. D is the manager then as a proffesional operator you should respect his wishes and place the trailers according to what he requests.

Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 01-06-2004, 10:45 PM:

quote:
most checkers don't have a clue as to WHY they are doing what thier doing.

My guess is this is exactly what the distributor is looking for. Someone so neutral and unquestioning they will just report the facts. These are the trailers that played with the film. Period. In many cases, Im sure the distributor is just trying to sample what choices are being made as to what trailers are playing with what features without any real recriminations to the theatres. Or to see if their trailers aren't getting played, what kinds of ideas they can come up with to encourage theatres to do so.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 01-06-2004, 11:18 PM:

hmmmmmmm... must be market-related. I've never had a "trailer checker" in any theatre I've owned, managed or worked at in roughly 35 years in & around the biz. Up until last week, it's only been open checkers, admitted with their introduction sheet (which we check against their ID if we don't know them).

Last week however, we did get someone in that was looking at our lobby layout and more specificaly, for a particular 2-part banner. We got points for having figured out (without the benefit of instructions) which order the banners went (they could have been reversed & it wouldn't have really mattered).

I figure this check was triggered because we had gone to the trouble of ordering that banner from the studio's online site. They were looking for that specific banner & didn't really care about anything else.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 01-07-2004, 09:53 AM:

I've come across all sorts of checkers. Secret shoppers, trailer checkers, MovieTunes checkers, head counters, promotional materials... you name it. All of them ranged from "professional and friendly" to "rude and obnoxious" to the point where they think they are the police of YOUR theater!

There's all kinds. Some want to check the movie twice, (both evening shows -- same print!) and don't understand that it's the same copy. Or if there's two films to check, they'd bring their kid to check the other screen.

I've also had a checker that wouldn't actually check the screens. I guess they found out we keep a list of all the trailers we put on the features upstairs, so they just asked for that, copied it down, and left.

=TMP=

Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 01-07-2004, 11:30 AM:

General Cinema had a "secret shopper" program using people who responded to customer comment cards. I was in that program and, on one occasion, was asked to note which trailers appeared.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 01-07-2004, 12:54 PM:

quote:
I've also had a checker that wouldn't actually check the screens.

I know of the local Fox checker several years ago that would come in, check the first show, and then spend the rest of his time there BSing with the help upstairs (in Sebastopol we have an upstairs lobby/concessions) or in other (non-Fox movies) auditoria sitting and watching the show... [Roll Eyes]

-Aaron

Posted by Dennis Udovich (Member # 1066) on 01-07-2004, 02:16 PM:

I average one trailer checker each weekend. Three different women, all hired from different "secret shopper" companies, get a call to check a certain film. I've had three different checkers do a report on the same film on the same weekend. Of course it was for a different film company each time. They come in with a letter from a film company and are required to list every commercial, policy trailer, and movie trailer played prior to the film. Some have to take auditorium seat counts, patron counts, and posters displayed in the lobby. They even had to report "audience reaction" to a certain trailer. If the film is playing on more than one screen, each film is checked.

Posted by Kyle Watkins (Member # 986) on 01-07-2004, 03:07 PM:

We had one checker after a while he stope checking them he just ask what trailers we had on. This lead to he just call and ask. Unless he wanted to watch the moveie. I always put on what trailers that out home office wanted.

How many of you just let them stay and watch the movie. Ive always have, he was very nice and polite and always bought stuff conc.

Kyle

Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 01-07-2004, 03:54 PM:

I always thought it was up for the theatre to play whatever the hell they wanted on the beginning of the movie. I thought that the only time it mattered what trailers you were playing was if you booked the film under the condition that you would play X, Y and/or Z trailers?

Posted by Darren Crimmins (Member # 1116) on 01-07-2004, 08:08 PM:

"I've also had a checker that wouldn't actually check the screens. I guess they found out we keep a list of all the trailers we put on the features upstairs, so they just asked for that, copied it down, and left."

At a theater that I used to work at, they did ridiculous things like want trailers on new movies that we were not going to even get until Friday. If those trailers are not there when I put the print together, they don't go on. The trailer checkers also got lazy and just asked for our list in the booth instead of checking the screens. I eventually started making a list for the checker of what they wanted, and then had the "real list" for the projectionists. Screw that studio BS of wanting trailers on thier movies that didn't get there until late Thursday or Friday!

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 01-07-2004, 08:13 PM:

I get checkers all the time that want me to give them numbers or other info that they are being paid to check for. Never will I give out info if they haven't actually done the check themselves. If they want to compare numbers after they've done their check great (often they are wrong and will go count again), but they're not getting any info if they haven't first checked themselves. In fact, most studios will ask that you do not reveal any info to them.

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 01-07-2004, 08:46 PM:

I try to accommodate studio requests but I simply can't program trailers that I don't have.

If trailers come with the print -- or if I have prints of the trailers -- I am happy to include them in the trailer pack.

Sometimes we get too many trailers! This happened with LOTR 3 and BIG FISH. In those cases, I program the same-studio trailers and then make judgement calls on the others.

Has there ever been a case of a studio requesting that a specific trailer NOT be played with a specific movie? (Not counting instructions about putting appropriate trailers on G Rated movies.)

Remembered something else about "The Phantom Menace." There was an 8-min limitation on the trailer pack. Some studios produced special 30sec and 60sec teaser trailers so they could get some exposure on that feature.

Posted by Jonathan M. Crist (Member # 413) on 01-07-2004, 08:53 PM:

Certain studios cut deals with the major chains all the time regarding placement of trailers. I know that Universal had a deal with AMC a while ago (don't know if it is still in effect or not) that AMC would run at least one Universal trailer on every show on every screen in their circuit. Used to drive my local AMC manager nuts trying to comply. I understand that AMC was paid by Universal for this deal.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 01-08-2004, 01:26 AM:

Scott N.: FOX Rewards gives incentives in return for programming their trailers, and so I think they have checkers to keep you honest...

--jhawk

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 01-08-2004, 09:36 AM:

I wonder if I could print up a letter with some studio logos on it saying I have to check [name of movie I want to see] for trailers and see if they let me in. I bet some of these chain managers are in such fear of corporate or the studios that they won't even ask for ID or such. FREE MOVIE! [Big Grin]

Oh, and has anyone ever had/heard of a print being "pulled" from theaters after its release because certain trailers weren't on it? I know there's been instances where a studio won't give a theater a print because of previous trailer problems (as happened to Regal with Rush Hour 2). I've always had managers tell me, "MAKE SURE we have this on there, even if you have to pull it off another movie because they will take away our print if its not on!" [Roll Eyes]

Good! Maybe that's a way to get out of the 2-week minimum! [Wink]

=TMP=

Posted by Mike Babb (Member # 1379) on 01-08-2004, 06:09 PM:

I remember a trailer checker who used to try to call the theatre and get a list of what was playing on certain features rather than coming out and checking them. I also know several who would prefer to try to take them off our list at the theatre if they could find someone who would let them. Strange thing is, there was big trouble when what was on the report didn't agree with what was on the screen so people had an incentive to cooperate with both above situations and it was quite an uncomfortable situation when I recommended they actually watch the films...

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 01-09-2004, 11:55 AM:

Regal requires their ad checkers to buy a ticket (for which the checker is later reimbursed). You can't just walk in, flash some official-looking letterhead, and see a free movie. [Wink]

Posted by Travis Hubrig (Member # 1745) on 01-09-2004, 10:46 PM:

We have had all sorts of checkers.
Some count seats before any customers even come in to the auditoriums, Some count patrons once the previews are over, some check for placement of trailers, some check placement of ads, and some are the 'mystery shoppers'

Most I know by name, some ask to see my information, some don't.
I will usually check what they have before sharing numbers, mostly to help ensure that they did it correctly.

It is kinda funny, but the few times that they came to count seats was opening night for disney (I think) movies... I had to help the checker count seats. She would start by pointing at the end of the row and count 1, 2, 3, etc. She would've taken all night!

For the most part none of the regular checkers (we have three) like to stay for the movie. I wouldn't stop them from staying, as I think they all very polite and professional. They also make sure that all the info is reported correctly. I have had checkers that have no clue, then I have to explain why the info is incorrect. They understand when I am busy and when I have time to verify their documentation.

On the other hand, I worked at a smaller theatre for about 9 months and never once seen a checker.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 01-11-2004, 04:57 PM:

We had checkers come in for head counts years ago when we first began a regular art house format. But our numbers were always so accurate that the studios eventually stopped sending anyone. When they did come, they never announced themselves and evidently bought tickets like regular customers. I once noticed a lady sitting in the last row and when I passed I heard the click -- she had one of those counter clickers in her hand in plain sight and was clicking away. Once I got a call from Columbia asking if we had made a mistake on our box office report because the checker had under-counted by some 200 ticket sales! I have a feeling they were more concerned about the inaccuracy of their checker rather than wanting to be sure we hadn't overpay them.

We've never been checked for trailers though. But then again, we only run trailers for titles we will be playing, never for those we have no intention of booking.

When we run sneaks, I'll play whatever the studio has attached to the print or what's in the can, but only as part of our attraction/trailer reel -- it gets removed from the head of the print. And we only play it if it is a flat trailer. If it is a scope feature, I ask the company to supply flat versions of any of the trailers they want played with the sneak. That's because our attractions are always 1.45:1 and our main feature is either 1.85 or scope. When they do send a flat version, it gets played; when they don't, it doesn't. Lots of times they send more than what is normally attached because they want their other product advertised with the sneak.