Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: How wide does a booth need to be?

This is topic How wide does a booth need to be? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Bruce Felt (Member # 2590) on 08-24-2004, 03:25 PM:

I am working on a design for a new theater and need to know how wide to make the booth. I assume wider is better but how wide is necessary? Two projectors pointing the same direction and one pointing the other way.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 08-24-2004, 03:34 PM:

As wide as it has to be to accomodate all the equipment and accessories, and to comply with any local fire codes regarding a clear pathway thru the booth.

Hint: bigger is usually always better: Compact booths are neat looking if properly laid out, but they can be hell to comfortably work in. Been there, done that. I'll take the 'wide open spaces' anytime. [Smile]

-Aaron

Posted by Bruce Felt (Member # 2590) on 08-24-2004, 03:38 PM:

Aaron,

How wide in feet?

Posted by Chris Mosel (Member # 1451) on 08-24-2004, 04:22 PM:

Our booth has projectors facing either direction (not directly back to back though) and is 10 feet wide. Works fine

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 08-24-2004, 04:27 PM:

if the booth you are designing only has three projectors in that formation, I'd make it like 12 feet...give ya a little extra room

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 08-24-2004, 06:14 PM:

I presume you mean how deep to make the booth as opposed to how wide since the literal answer is wide enough to put each machine on center for that screen plus room for the platters. I'll second Dean; nice if one can walk straight through without zigzagging.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-24-2004, 06:47 PM:

If you will be using platters, be sure to allow enough room to move the makeup table to each platter. I've worked in one booth which was tight enough that it required that the reel shaft and drive pin be removed to get a Christie MUT from one house to another, which was far from ideal.

Also, check the manufacturer specs on required ventilation for rectifiers, lamphouses, etc. Some of these items might require a certain amount of unused space on some or all sides of the unit.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-24-2004, 07:48 PM:

This question came up from one of our customers...their Architect drew it at 10-feet....we showed them the difference 14-feet would make....they went with 14-feet....10-feet works but is stupid. 14-feet is practical and allows a clear pathway down the middle.

Steve

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 08-24-2004, 07:52 PM:

I'm with Steve. The 14' booths I've worked in are so much better. 10' is just insane.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-24-2004, 08:19 PM:

Don't you mean just over 4-1/4 meters? [Wink]

Steve

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-24-2004, 08:32 PM:

New designs should leave room for a Digital Projector and its support rack. There will be a period of time when you will want both film and digital cinema projectors side-by-side:

http://www.kodak.com/go/dcinema

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 08-24-2004, 08:32 PM:

Nope, ceiling tiles are still 2' wide.

I thought the lifespan of an average theatre was only about 20 years John. [Smile]

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-24-2004, 08:41 PM:

John,

I think he is referring to back-to-back space...not front-wall width.

In my case, I need to allow for all three projectors...two film and one TV.

Steve

Posted by Edward Jurich (Member # 1787) on 08-27-2004, 09:26 AM:

Don't forget to provide plenty of ventilation and a way for air to enter the room. The exhaust from the lamps pull air out of the room, you must have a way for new air to get into the booth.

Posted by Peter Schoell (Member # 919) on 08-28-2004, 11:43 PM:

If your planning a new building, go big. If a remodel or add on, sometimes you have to work with what you got.
I've got one booth that's about 8 x 10 ft for one projector, platter, wall sound rack, and makeup table. This would be OK if They hadn't had a stairway taking a 3X 5 ft chunk out of one corner.
I'm, putting in another booth that will be in a room about 8 X 9 ft with a furnace in one corner, a walkway in front of the projector, and I'm going to have to cut the pedestal about a foot, so I can clear a ceiling beam. The alternative is to build a bigger booth and project with mirrors.

Say Hi to Tom for me, and tell him he needs to join NC/Nato, we need somebody to plan parties.

Posted by Peter Schoell (Member # 919) on 08-28-2004, 11:44 PM:

If your planning a new building, go big. If a remodel or add on, sometimes you have to work with what you got.
I've got one booth that's about 8 x 10 ft for one projector, platter, wall sound rack, and makeup table. This would be OK if They hadn't had a stairway taking a 3X 5 ft chunk out of one corner.
I'm,

quote: Peter Schoell
putting in another booth that will be in a room about 8 X 9 ft with a furnace in one corner, a walkway in front of the projector, and I'm going to have to cut the pedestal about a foot, so I can clear a ceiling beam. The alternative is to build a bigger booth and project with

mirrors.

Say Hi to Tom for me, and tell him he needs to join NC/Nato, we need somebody to plan parties.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-29-2004, 07:28 AM:

"The alternative is to build a bigger booth and project with mirrors"

Peter,
Projecting with mirrors is probably the worst choice that any theatre owner could make.

MArk @ CLACO

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 08-29-2004, 11:24 AM:

Awe...you're slamming all those Delrama owners! [Wink]