Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Print Pocket

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Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 10-03-2004, 12:28 PM:

One of our new booth people suggested this to me and mgmt. Anyone have any experience with them? I saw the advertisment and it looks kinda weird, but I just want some opinions. Keep in mind we don't have problems moving prints with two people

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 10-03-2004, 12:55 PM:

We don't have problems moving films with one person. [Razz]

At the Greenwood 12 in Denver, Colorado we had Strong platters and moved films without clamping them. We just taped the end and picked it up.

With Christie or Speco platters, just use two clamps and pick it up. With 13-titles in our 5-plex we move prints a lot! [Eek!]

Brad's manager is so notorious about moving prints that Brad rearranged the booth and all 7-platters are in one place. He can thread whatever film to whichever projector in a moments notice without moving a single print. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 10-03-2004, 01:27 PM:

we use Strong Platters and unless we are building prints up, we can't move them without two people (they are simply too loose).

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 10-03-2004, 01:42 PM:

We move prints around a lot on weekends to "maximise grosses". We use a little board with a "U" shape cut into it. Just tape the ends, slide the board under and a single person can move the print by themselves. (Christie AW3s)

What exactly is a "Print Pocket?"

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 10-03-2004, 02:04 PM:

it's like an actual pocket for carrying prints...the prints slides in this little thing and you can carry it by yourself...I'll try and get the .pdf

Posted by Andy Aggieri (Member # 2398) on 10-03-2004, 02:31 PM:

Other theaters near me have tried the print pocket, but it started to fall apart on them very early. It seems that they are not built very sturdy. However I have not personally handled one.

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 10-04-2004, 11:17 PM:

It works pretty well, I think it depends on the size of your booth whether or not it would really be useful. Either way, if you are handy you can build your own for about $30 worth of materials. It is a pretty simple design.

Posted by Ramin Hashemi (Member # 2694) on 10-04-2004, 11:58 PM:

We used to use 2 straight edges, and two people. Now we have clamps, but still takes two people.

They do make caddies, with the use of which you can move it with one person, but you need a removable brain.

Posted by Brian Guckian (Member # 1678) on 10-05-2004, 08:55 PM:

Sounds interesting! In our theatre we use 13000ft reel flanges as well as Goldberg Platter Spools to move prints.

Who makes it, Dean?

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 10-05-2004, 09:14 PM:

Metro Tech or something like that....

Posted by Nicholas Simmons (Member # 2489) on 10-05-2004, 11:47 PM:

I have used them. We have 2. They are rather flimsy however, especially considering their cost. If you get one, put a bunch of screws in it first, because the glued sides start to come off quite quickly. As for usefullness, they are good for long moves, obstacles (stairs), and when you are alone. Otherwise, two person moving is much easier. We don't clamp, just grab them and move (Christie platters). In short, probably not worth it unless two person moving is too difficult currently. With 18 screens, using the pocket for every move would just be a waste of time.

Posted by Dave Black (Member # 1994) on 10-07-2004, 11:25 AM:

We began manufacturing PRINT POCKETS three and one half years ago, in response to an obvious need for a safer way to move prints between screens in a multiplex. Basically they are a pocket which you hold up to the platter and slide the print into. After you lower the PRINT POCKET to the floor, you can effortlessly roll the print to its destination. Unlike clamps, the print removal and installation process takes only a few seconds, and will not scratch platters. And unlike the two-projectionist carry method, prints can be moved long distances and there is little chance of damaging a print.

PRINT POCKETS are especially useful when screens are separated by long
corridors, stairs, and narrow doorways. Their primary purpose is to prevent
dropping a print. But they also make it quite practical for one person to move
all but the largest films single-handedly. And they serve as excellent
temporary storage for assembled prints. PRINT POCKETS have even been used to transport assembled films between multiplexes.

Currently PRINT POCKETS are in use all across the US, plus several countries around the world. Until recently, they have been sold primarily by word-of-mouth. Chains of customers telling other customers. Or when a manager moves to a new theater, he orders a set for that theater. Maybe a third of our orders come from theaters which have recently dropped a print. We sold a pair after one theater dropped HARRY POTTER on its opening weekend.

We do not believe PRINT POCKETS are flimsy. Because the user must lift the
PRINT POCKET plus as much as 3.5 hours' worth of film in it, the weight of the
PRINT POCKET is an important issue. Thus a tradeoff must be made between strength and weight, and this determines the material used. We could build it to withstand being run over by a truck, but the added weight would make the product unusable. The PRINT POCKET is more than strong enough to do its job if it is handled with reasonable care. However, it may suffer damage if it is dropped down a flight of stairs while loaded with film. [In the case I know about where a loaded PRINT POCKET went down a flight of stairs, the print itself was not damaged, and the PRINT POCKET received only minor damage.]

We are always glad to hear feedback from users. We have made numerous improvements to the product over the years, and will continue to do so. To date, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. By the way, our first six PRINT POCKETS have been in daily use at a local multiplex for over three years. They are all still in use, and the theater recently bought two more.

At one time, we experimented with shipping PRINT POCKETS in a 'knocked down' mode, saving on shipping costs but requiring the purchaser to do some of the critical final assembly. We have quit offering that option, as it took an important part of the quality control out of our hands. For a short while we assembled PRINT POCKETS with a different (and, as it turns out) inferior glue. Now we use glue that's stronger than the material itself.

It's true PRINT POCKETS are not cheap. But have you priced 42" movie reels lately? There is much more labor in a PRINT POCKET than a film reel. Its price is quite low compared to the cost of a ruined print or cancelled shows.

We make two sizes of PRINT POCKETS: Standard and Large. The Standard holds 160-170 minutes of film and is capable of moving 95% of all assembled prints. Large is for those Big films such as LOTR3 or PEARL HARBOR. Of course, the Large will also carry smaller films, but personally we prefer to use the Standard PRINT POCKET when possible, because it's lighter in weight and more easily maneuvered. Each theater should have one Large PRINT POCKET for the big films, however.

Because PRINT POCKETS are so useful, we recommend theaters have one PRINT POCKET for every 4 or 5 screens. This ratio works out very well, permitting storing built-up prints awaiting delivery to their screen or awaiting teardown. It also allows several projectionists to move prints simultaneously.

While it's true a theater can move prints without our film mover, projectionists who have used them say "Never move a print without a PRINT POCKET."

Please contact me if you'd like a flyer.

Dave Black

Posted by Jason M Miller (Member # 2597) on 10-07-2004, 12:13 PM:

We are required to move prints w/ 2 people or we are fired..This came about when one person was moving Harry Potter 3 and dropped it [Eek!]

We also have clamps that need to be used. We use strong platters

Posted by Peter Mork (Member # 1336) on 10-07-2004, 12:53 PM:

If the Strong platters don't wind film tightly enough to move without it threatening to collapse, this is bad. I'm not familiar with them, but maybe someone can suggest a way to increase the winding tension. (With Specos it can be done by adding a little weight to the takeup control roller carriage.)

Posted by Charles Phillips (Member # 2594) on 10-07-2004, 01:49 PM:

I've only worked with Christie and Strong platters. The strongs wind so loose that its always a good idea to moving using two people. Christies wind so snug I could move a print by myself with no problem. There's a thread about loose winding Strong platters here.

Are ther any platters that the Print Pocket won't work worth, besides nonremovable brains?

Hey Jason, do you work for a Goodrich theater?

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 10-07-2004, 10:23 PM:

Holy Advertising Batman....
I have the flyer at work, called and they were VERY expensive. Thanks for all the input

Posted by Dave Black (Member # 1994) on 10-07-2004, 10:33 PM:

PRINT POCKETS are readily available for either Strong or Christie 52" platters with removable brains. We can special-order PRINT POCKETS for almost any size and brand of platters. But the platter must have a removable brain in order for the film to be able to slide off the platter.

Dave Black

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-07-2004, 11:08 PM:

The print pocket is a great idea and long overdue. Platter film clamps scratch platter surfaces... the pocket cannot! We've sold a bunch of them to one of our customers recently and there are alot more customers wanting to buy them in only a short period of time. The construction quality of them is impeccable. For those that want to build theor own remember that there is a Patent Pending on it. Someone STOLE Brads Film-Guard idea and seperately marketed it. And now that Film-Guard is patented I wouldn't want to be that person! These guys also deserve a break and since the quality is great you really should buy it from them(or us if you're one of our customers!).

I have two minor complaints about it and both are easily rectified....

The first is that the pocket needs at least a velcro strap,or some other securing method around and through the carry hole to keep the print in place in case of a catastrophic accident with it. Not everyone moves prints around within the same building or on the same floor level! Accidents such as loosing it down a stair way, or someone slipping in an icy parking lot and loosing it would very likely cause the print to slid out of it. Then you have a possible mess of film and lost shows on your hands.

The second problem is the packing/freight cost. If a dealer buys a bunch of them they need to be shipped knocked down with the parts bulk packed for easy assembly. This would save big on the packing costs. Right now the cost for the carton & packing ($30.00) and the extra charges incurred for shipping the huge carton is just a bit ludricous. I can see that these things would be far easier to assemble than alot of the complicated standees that theatre people have to assemble, so there would be few if any problems assembling them in the field. A one hour job at best for any person that can read instructions on a sheet of paper. To not offer the pocket in a knocked down form with the correct glue and hardware, all predrilled, is a BIG mistake!

Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-07-2004, 11:30 PM:

Doesn't matter, the CPI knockoff causes film damage over time. He who buys from them, deserves the consequences. [evil]

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-08-2004, 07:12 AM:

Does anyone have a picture of this thing?

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 10-09-2004, 12:59 AM:

Is there a patent law about reproducing something for personal use? I wasnt suggesting that anyone reproduce it to sell, but why spend $200+ when you can build your own for $30?

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-09-2004, 01:25 AM:

If you want to build your own of anything that is patented, solely for your own use, not for sale...knock yourself out.

Posted by Brent Neal Jones (Member # 1048) on 10-09-2004, 02:06 AM:

I know the clamps are expensive, however, I've never had help and I;ve never dropped a print. I've used them on all the major platters. (Teco, Christie AW-III, Strong, Potts, and Speco) Also, I've never had a problem with scratching platter discs. Ive always lifted pulled/slid at the same time at an angle. Except of course on strong and old non-upgraded Speco's where the brains are not removable. Then you just have to pick up and trust thats it's wound tight enough to stand it. I've moved titanic and Green Mile with those clamps as well, not modified. I was told that couldn't be done. I did have some sort of help on that one. I was nervous so I had someone hold a door for me.
Those print were moved from a Speco (non-removable brain)to a Potts platter (w/ removable brain). After changing reels on a Cinemacanica V-18 forever, believe me, moving prints from platter to platter is not a hassle or a worry for me.( man I miss those projectors [Big Grin]

) So forgive me if I don't understand where the problem lies or why it takes two people... [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 10-09-2004, 02:13 AM:

$200+?? That'd be a really good deal...and as far as I know, you copy whatever you want for personal use. Obviously you can't sell or market it (make any type of profit I guess is what I mean). This is all of course within reason...but if you want to build a print handling device, who can stop you? No one, unless it sucks.

Posted by Nate Lehrke (Member # 1460) on 10-27-2004, 11:55 PM:

Well, we got our very own Print Pocket today.

I have yet to use it, but it seems utterly useless. I don’t think it’s worth a thing but my higher up’s liked the idea of moving a print without potential of collapse.

I will use it tomorrow night & see if it’s worth the space it takes up.

Snapped this real fast before leaving tonight; I will snap better ones tomorrow.

Posted by Paul Trimboli (Member # 1509) on 10-28-2004, 06:09 AM:

Hahahaha is that all it is, we have been using them for ages over here. I know there a few cinemas that use them, where I worked we did, home made and look identical to those. $200 is a bit expensive when you could make one cheap.