Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Breakwater Vs. Theater Transit

This is topic Breakwater Vs. Theater Transit in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Richard Edward Wells III (Member # 2990) on 08-25-2005, 09:33 PM:

I just moved to Southern California, and just found out that instead of Theater Transit delivering non-Technicolor movies, that Breakwater does our delivery. Not a big deal until I found out that they deliver at 2-4am. Friday mornings... it is our policy to have a dry on on all movies, and Theater Transit always delivered on Tuesdays, leaving plenty of time to build and run the movies, and we only had to worry about our Technicolor Thursdays... Is there ANY other way to get our movies here other than Breakwater?? This is very aggrivating!!

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-26-2005, 08:53 AM:

So what ETS exchange services your area? Maybe there are other delivery companies they also work with. Are you on a intercity bus route?

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 08-26-2005, 12:16 PM:

When I was based in Los Angeles. Breakwater handled all the film transportation in the area. But this was before Technicolor and ETS started doing the service. We never had a problem with Breakwater and their delivery schedules. The first run area theatres of Hollywood, Westwood and Beverly Hills got back-up prints for all their openings.

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 08-26-2005, 12:24 PM:

quote: Richard Edward Wells III
Not a big deal until I found out that they deliver at 2-4am. Friday mornings...

Assuming you average three or four new prints per week and probably open your doors sometime around 11:00 AM, conducting dry runs on everything may now be out of the question given your delivery window.

When we had a similar delivery window some years ago, I'd arrive about 6:00 or 7:00 AM to do make-ups, but we hardly ever watched these prints. Perhaps somebody could come in and you might be able to get one or two screened, but not too many people are keen at getting up at dawn to see movies.

John offers the best advise, perhaps mine if there are no other alternatives.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-26-2005, 12:35 PM:

If the studios can't get the prints to you with a reasonable amount of prep time (meaning at the absolute latest early evening the night before), cancel the first show on opening day to check-screen it.

If the studios don't like it, they can pull their heads out of their asses and get the prints to you earlier. NOTHING gets shown to a public audience without a pre-screening.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-27-2005, 04:51 AM:

At least up here the master agrements forbid test screening prints

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-27-2005, 07:23 AM:

Even if he's not pre-screening the prints, it's completely reasonable for him to expect that the film will arrive one day prior to the scheduled engagement. If he doesn't get the film until the day of the show, there is no chance of correcting a problem with a missing, damaged, or defective reel without losing shows. I've received lots of prints within hours (or minutes) of the scheduled showtime; for the most part, there haven't been problems, but it's a risk that I would prefer not to take if possible.

I don't know how far away he is from his local ETS depot, but if it's within driving distance, he should be able to pick up his prints himself (which would save the shipping cost, too).

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-27-2005, 07:24 AM:

quote: Gordon McLeod
At least up here the master agrements forbid test screening prints

What is the logic in that? Did exhibitors abuse the practice and let too many potential customers into the check screenings? Is it out of fear of piracy?

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 08-27-2005, 07:33 AM:

Full agreement with Scott. In some more detail:

ETS is generally set up to have multiple delivery groups handle delivering their prints. Not only that, by they allow 'WILL CALL' delivery, where you go to the depot and get the prints yourself. You might talk to your local ETS depot, or call the ETS customer service line (800-734-3969) and ask.

Around here, there are two or three local companies that handle deliveries from the ETS depot. Furthermore, ETS is also willing to use shippers like FedEx to deliver prints. This is probably not cost-effective for you, but who knows.

Also, you may find that a local same-day courier/freight service may be intereted in offering specialized film delivery between your area and ETS. It's something you might want to think about and/or talk to other local theatres about.

Lastly, you might find that Breakwater is negotiable on your windows, perhaps a s a function of money or clout or holiday gift packages.

Note, also, that I think pricing structures for these kinds of services are all over the map. Some people pay per-print, others pay a flat monthly fee, etc.

Best of luck.

John P.: I imagine they are attempting to minimize "wear and tear" on prints.

--jhawk

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-27-2005, 07:40 AM:

quote: John Hawkinson
John P.: I imagine they are attempting to minimize "wear and tear" on prints.

"Wear and tear" for a single test screening where hopefully a skilled person is carefully watching and listening? I'm with Brad that pre-screenings are a good idea to catch problems missed during make-up (e.g., sound sync, wrong language, safelight fogging, etc.). Obviously no one should violate the terms of their master contract, but pre-screenings are in the distributor's and exhibitor's best interest.

Posted by Matt Fields (Member # 3211) on 08-27-2005, 07:43 AM:

quote: Scott Norwood
I don't know how far away he is from his local ETS depot, but if it's within driving distance, he should be able to pick up his prints himself (which would save the shipping cost, too).

I used to go to our depot (Cincinnati) and pick up our prints (4 theatres at that time). I did save quite a bit of money doing this. The problem was that "will call" prints were given out last . Theory being that will call prints are, in general, closer to the depot.

If the lab was late getting the prints to the depot, which could happen if the studio ordered more prints on monday, we were kind of screwed.

I also was the local film delivery driver for my area for a year and a half. On a routine friday opening, I would get my routes prints on wednesday and have them delivered by thursday morning.

Posted by Richard Edward Wells III (Member # 2990) on 08-30-2005, 05:57 PM:

yeah, well... Breakwater said that they don't start their deliveries until the theaters close. Which means everyone on our route gets their prints sometime between 2:00-5:00am. They were not negotiable at all, they simply said that is how they do business. Any way I could find out where the local ETS depot is and how to contact them?

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 08-30-2005, 06:32 PM:

That's the way Breakwater has been doing business for years.

Posted by Matt Fields (Member # 3211) on 08-30-2005, 07:09 PM:

The address and phone number of the depot is on the can labels (at least around here).

Posted by William Valdes (Member # 2690) on 08-30-2005, 11:47 PM:

We typically recieve prints during that same time window, as late as 4AM Friday Morning. We schedule projectionists early that morning and we're pretty consistent about pre-screening all prints prior to showtime.