quote:

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Studio Movie Grill's First Houston Location Continues to Earn Rave Reviews
Monday June 19, 11:56 am ET

DALLAS, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Studio Movie Grill's first Houston area location has been bursting at the seams as customers catch their first glimpse of a concept called "the future of the industry." In a theater that was renovated down to the studs, local moviegoers have enjoyed everybody's two favorite entertainment options -- dinner and a movie -- in the same place at the same time.

"Studio Movie Grill's unique combination of film, food and fun created significant 'buzz' before we even opened our doors," said Brian Schultz, president of Studio Movie Grill. "Once customers were finally able to see what we are all about -- watching the latest blockbuster while enjoying a delicious meal -- the buzz developed into a quiet roar, with sold out shows since the opening weekend."

Studio Movie Grill-Copperfield is the company's first Houston location of a concept that revolutionized the industry at its Dallas area theaters. Customers have raved about watching the latest hit movies while eating food from a menu that has been featured twice on Food Network. Some of their quotes include:

"This blows away the competition!"

"I'll never go to a traditional theater again."

"My husband and I had a great time and thought the burgers were great!"

"What an exceptional movie event -- the staff was superb, friendly and accommodating."

"This Copperfield location is simply the first opportunity for Houston to see what sets Studio Movie Grill apart from competitors," said Schultz. "Soon enough, people in the central part of the city will get to experience how watching a movie in your own individual leather recliner; being served a complete and delicious meal by a superior staff; and enjoying the ultimate in movie sound and projection is an unbeatable combination!"

Studio Movie Grill-Copperfield is located at 8580 Highway 6 North, Houston, TX 77095. Information about show times, menus, ticket purchasing, special event listings and other details can be found by calling (832) 593-6684 or visiting www.studiomoviegrill.com .

About Studio Movie Grill

Studio Movie Grill, the pioneer and leader in the movie grill concept, currently has three locations in Texas -- Addison, Houston and Plano -- and is expanding to Arlington and Frisco. Studio Movie Grill has spent more than a decade refining its concept, and is now aggressively sought by developers as the perfect "entertainment anchor" in new and existing retail centers.

Source: Studio Movie Grill

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From Yahoo!Restaurants

Brad - Is this your handy work?
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-19-2006, 04:18 PM:
 
Yeah that's it. Despite phenomenal problems with the blueprints and ten times the amount of work I should've had to do, it's open and doing amazing business.

Yahoo sucks though, as there were far more compliments about the picture and sound than there were about the food and service. I guess that is to be expected from the restaurant section of Yahoo though.

A picture tour is in the queue for tomorrow's update.
 

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Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 06-19-2006, 05:00 PM:
 
How do they serve the food without bothering people watching the movie?

It's definitely an interesting concept. Of course, I'd be more impressed with the picture and sound. The food would just be an added bonus.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-19-2006, 06:39 PM:
 
They try to get all of the food out during the previews, so that once the feature starts there is very little amount of servers moving around in the auditorium. The patrons are given a tiny light to turn on when they want service. If the light is off, the customers are left alone. The servers are supposed to bend down and not obsruct patron's views and such. They also wear black to help be less obtrusive.
 

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-19-2006, 09:52 PM:
 
How many seats per auditorium? Was it a big cut-down on seats?
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-19-2006, 11:07 PM:
 
Almost half were lost to convert from a traditional theater to a dinner theater. I think the actual percentage was about 60% of the original seats.
 

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Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 06-20-2006, 12:47 AM:
 
I have looked through the picture tour...
I am printing this and taking it to work. It's a certainty my staff has never seen a booth like this.
I can't think of the adjectives to describe it...
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-20-2006, 01:22 AM:
 
Very Milleresque.
 

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Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 06-20-2006, 11:46 AM:
 
A couple of other questions after looking at the (awesome) picture tour.

How did they get away without having to do handicapped ramps in the auditoriums?

Also, what was the approximate cost for one of those sound systems?

I'll need to arrange a trip to Houston sometime to check that palce out.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-20-2006, 12:26 PM:
 
The 3rd and 4th rows from the back are all handicapped accessible since the entry is on that level. I'd have to go back through the books to figure out roughly what a particular auditorium cost. It wasn't as much as you might think, and the customers certainly appreciate it.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-20-2006, 12:37 PM:
 
I think the customers would more appreciate a nice fountain in the lobby, or perhaps an aquarium or a bulk candy machine. It's what customers want.
 

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Posted by Cory Isemann (Member # 2517) on 06-20-2006, 01:07 PM:
 
Is this your place, Brad, or are you a partner in the Studio Movie Grill enterprise?
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-20-2006, 01:20 PM:
 
Main question Brad: (outside of your descript of the platter arrangements in the middle of the room, which is understandable and a good idea of using UPS systems), Wouldn't there be more horrific complications due to the massive threading length, esp. with that massive travel down that hall to that one house, than worrying about moving prints if needed by using "pizza" boards so the decks won't get all scratched up by using clamps - just to keep the platters by the machines and facilitate simpler film handling?

Bet, you did some SERIOUS booth training up there ...

But..still...congrats on all of this!! Quite some fancy layout!

thx-monte
 

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Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 06-20-2006, 01:27 PM:
 
Monte,

It doesn't add to the complications much to speak of. Annother advantage of using this method, is that interlocking is a SNAP.

I've yet to see a print damaged due to this design, which we can't say about moving prints using clamps, boards etc.

Brad,

One thing I would change in that design, is for the platters, install L5-20R's and put L5-20P's on the platter plugs. This would make the connections twist lock, reducing the possibility for "accidently" unplugging a platter, but could still disconnect for service. It would also eliminate someone from plugging a vacum cleaner into those circuits.

[ 06-20-2006, 03:22 PM: Message edited by: Jason Burroughs ]
 

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Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 06-20-2006, 02:40 PM:
 
No slouches in that booth, for sure. The more you have to thread, the better. It sets a high work standard in a way I'd believe you could only accomplish doing an all changeover multiplex. Very cool.

No DirecTV for your guys, huh
 

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Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 06-20-2006, 02:50 PM:
 
Congratulations Brad. Good to see a first class cabling job on the sound racks. I've seen too many spaghetti factories in the past.
 

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Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 06-20-2006, 03:02 PM:
 
Other than interlocking, I really don't see the advantage of having all of the platters in the same area? It just seems like ALOT could go wrong possibly effecting multiple auditoriums at once by having the film flying everywhere.

I do have to admit, it really does look cool though.
 

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Posted by Dan Lyons (Member # 1454) on 06-20-2006, 05:51 PM:
 
What the hell!! They ruined a warm and inviting lobby and turned it into something cold and sterile that reminds me of a hospital waiting room.

They didn't even leave the great wood panelling or the fun curvy wall with the movie stars on it. Who wouldn't want to walk into a theatre and see Marilyn giving you a lascivious look.
And that great lighting arrangement over the candy stand...all gone.
They could have easily turned the candy stand into the bar and left everything alone.
 

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Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 06-20-2006, 06:25 PM:
 
While I love me a good cheesy 80's lobby as much as the next guy, I can see why they did everything they did. At least the lobby is a place to interact, at Studio Movie Grill in Plano, the lobby isn't very welcoming.

What I'd like to see is auditorium photos BEFORE they were remodelled. Were the auditoriums in decent 80's Loews shape? Were any of them respectable in size or were they all less than 250? (I'm not from an area plentiful in those Loews designs)

As far as the booth goes, I've been to Brad's booth in Plano and it's similar in concept and equipment. Luckily Loews builds bigger booths than UA did, so there's much more room to spread out here.

The first time I saw Brad's platter array I was dumbfounded, it is truly an amazing thing to behold. Though once you watch people use it for a few hours, it loses it's novelty. I've argued and debated Brad as to the benefits and drawbacks of the platter array, and ultimately concluded that he's right, it's a great idea. The thing that gets me though is that apparently moving movies was just sooooo much work that something had to be done to alleviate the burdens of moving films!!!

Though in the end it has allowed Brad to setup the booth to run with little worry. As long as the equipment is maintained and the cues are placed properly, the automation starts the projector as long as it's threaded. Brad even has Plano setup so the work-lights shut off over the projector when the movie starts. Thanks to the automation monitor, you can sit at his desk (which I've done!) and see what cues have gone through the projector.

Brad has a lot of nifty ideas that if I were still running a booth, I'd want to put in place. However many of us don't have the knowledge/budget/permission to try some of the things he's done. I'm sure back at Cinema West if I told the owner I wanted to wire the work lights into the automation he'd cut my hands off to make sure I never attempted any such thing.

Ultimately I wish I had some sort of movie tavern around Northern California... we have nothin... a beer and pizza place at an awkwardly twinned single screen is as close as we get. The presentation in Plano was excellent, and the food looks damned good.

But everybody please... I beg of you... don't go arranging platter arrays at all your theatres. Movies were meant to be moved.
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-20-2006, 06:46 PM:
 

quote: Scott D. Neff

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What I'd like to see

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....is some booth pictures taken with flash or decent lighting so some detail can be seen.
 

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 06-20-2006, 06:54 PM:
 
Brad has his platter central...I still prefer all 2-projector rock-n-roll projectors. As for rack cabling...it was alright but I wouldn't go to the 1st class statement...definately better than a rats nest.

Rack neatness has been discussed here.

You can even have a contest on counting how many wire-ties Gordon uses in a typical rack

I know Brad practically killed himself getting this one open. The amount of time and effort on this job is what is really impressive (in addition to the picture and sound quality which I'm sure are top-notch).

Steve
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-20-2006, 07:06 PM:
 

quote: Mikey

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What I'd like to see is some [sic] booth pictures taken with flash or decent lighting so some detail can be seen.

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Camera flashes are pure evil. They make virtually all pictures look like complete crap. Maybe a sightly longer exposure could have been used, but I don't think you'd see too much more details in pictures that small. There are only 260,000 pixels in each picture. There was some talk of increasing the picture size, but I don't think anything was ever done. Even if it were, not too much more detail would be discernable. It might be cool to be able to click on the 625-pixel wide images and it opens up a new window with the 7.2 megapixel originals. Would that be enough detail for ya?
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-20-2006, 07:46 PM:
 
I'm still entertaining the idea of creating larger images, but at least for right now the 625 pixel standard remains. I couldn't agree more with Joe though, flashes are pure evil and I only use them when I have to.

Jason, I like your idea of using L5-20P connectors on the platters. I may just go back and swap those out. The future buildings though are having the sockets mounted in the slab underneath the platters, which feed from the UPS power racks, so it's probably not going to be an issue on any of the future buildings. For that matter I am putting everything in the floor for the future buildings to eliminate the sealtight and EMT on top of the sound racks.

As far as the platter array, it's definitely not for everyone. You can't throw a bunch of kids up there without some solid training, however I will point out that the 3 "kids" running it right now were pulled right off of the street having never touched a piece of film before, and even at the ages of 23, 20 and 16, they are all doing excellent work and have no issues running the system (and can all do an interlock with one print through all of the projectors no problem).

Steve, what I wish QSC would do is provide 12 inch power cords. I really hate bundling up 6 foot cords that only need to be 6 inches long. Anyway, the rack pictured wasn't finished, but it's a general idea. I stopped trying to wire up racks that were perfectly pretty because I found they were more hassle down the road when changing out components or tracking down problems. The approach I've been following more recently is to make them "serviceable", such that they are tied up relatively neat, but effortless to troubleshoot. I'm always open to new ideas and approaches though.

Scott mentions neat features, well check out these two which I had in the original plans, were nixed, but are now being added back in.

#1 the mighty CA21s will handle powering on and off the booth. Essentially the CA21 will look at the CALink program (which gets it's data from the ticketing system) and says "hmmmm, the next show isn't for more than X number of hours, so this is the last show of the day" and then at a preset number of minutes after that last show tails through the projector, the entire auditorium powers off and permits the janitors access to their lighting controls. The reverse is true in the mornings, where the CA21 will power on the auditorium a preset number of minutes before the first show of the day in there (say, 45 minutes). This is an energy management thing and also helps to preserve the video projector's bulb life for the preshow by not burning it when it isn't needed. Of course the overhead threading lights will be tied into an always on panel, so as to not hinder earlier threading. (And yes all theaters have automated threading lights. Why flip the switch when you don't have to???)

#2 I am tying the HVAC into the CA21s to control the system's set points in relation to each individual auditorium's schedule, thus actually saving even more money than an energy management system like Novar can.

I'm surprised there haven't been any comments on the status panels in the sound racks. Most projectionists who walk into there can't get over the convenience factor of them.

(Scott, I've got pictures of the auditoriums pre-SMG somewhere, but I couldn't find them when I was assembling the picture tour page. I will update it when I find them.)
 

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Posted by Jon Miller (Member # 163) on 06-20-2006, 08:07 PM:
 
I was wondering about the purpose of the flat panel display mounted at the top of the screen #2 sound rack; now that I know what they're for, it's a great idea.

And the thing I like most about the booth: not a CP-2000 projector in sight!

Well done, Brad!
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-20-2006, 08:16 PM:
 
I like the CA Link monitors in each sound rack, but what if the projectionist is between projectors? He's screwed and the whole theater could grind to a halt. The only way to fix this huge flaw is with CA Link LCD goggles. One eye allows the projectionist to see what is around him and the other has a permanent CA Link status screen in front of it. It should be wired so that the projectionist cannot punch in on the timeclock until he has the goggles on, and cannot remove them until he clocks out. This is the ONLY way to be sure.
 

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Posted by Chad M Calpito (Member # 3736) on 06-20-2006, 10:34 PM:
 
When I saw the pictures of the Projection Booth, I was really impressed with the layout and concept of the Platter Array. I think it is really neat and impressive, including the soundracks and projectors, etc. I'll have to one day make a trip out there to experience a movie at the theatre.
 

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Posted by Brian Michael Weidemann (Member # 2243) on 06-20-2006, 11:40 PM:
 
With the central platter system, when a film ends, I imagine you will have the entire tail leader (a long one, I presume) draping loose as soon as it tails out of the projector. Is that all wound back by turning the platters by hand? And how much drags along the floor? OR ... is it just all cued so it won't tail out, and you unthread and walk the tail back to the platter as it accumulates? I'd get a kick out of just watching daily operation in that booth.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-20-2006, 11:44 PM:
 
The film returns to the platters via rollers along the ceiling. The tail can easily be taken up just by pressing a bit on the Christie take-up arm for the particular disc. I had a custom CA-21 program that I made myself that kept the return deck spinning for 30 seconds after the movie dropped, but Pennywise didn't incorporate it into Brad's chip since I copywrited my code and demanded lots of $$$.
 

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Posted by Brian Michael Weidemann (Member # 2243) on 06-20-2006, 11:47 PM:
 
Well, from convenience, luxury, and just plain clever-idea standpoints, that booth sure is a work of art in itself.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-21-2006, 01:15 AM:
 

quote: Brad Miller

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I'm always open to new ideas and approaches though.

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Hey Brad - have you looked into these right angle computer power cord connectors retrofit so you can cut down those QSC power cords to size?

Color code for these plugs would be - Brown-hot, Blue-neutral and green/yellow for ground - from the cord.

Yea, saw the pict of that amp rack and do agree: an excellent job of doing a good wire harness assembly and the proper use of ty-wraps. (Got the Thomas and Betts , or the Panduit version for a ty-wrap gun??)

Granted, seen so many amp rack wiring jobs that looks like a horrible 'spiders nest' in there - really makes you wonder how that could ever have passed code...

thx-Monte
 

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Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 06-21-2006, 01:58 AM:
 
hmmm, where have i seen that studio movie grill font before?

so will this location be running delayed interlocks? i didn't see the accumulators in any pictures.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-21-2006, 02:25 AM:
 
That's what is nice about the AW3 units - the return arm can act like an accumulator - especially when you use the arm as such and not for the purpose of winding the film back on the platter.

You just lace the film through the traveller roller assembly differently where the film bypasses everything and heads on up to the other machine, or platter via the top tower rollers of the payout platter.

..but, the film travel that heads on down that long hallway to No.1 make me wonder on if there is an accumulator -either Kelmar or STRONG - in this travel...mounted on the wall somewhere.
 

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Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 06-21-2006, 03:55 AM:
 
oh, but i'm talking about those 20-minute delay interlocks as seen in this thread.
 

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Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 06-21-2006, 10:24 AM:
 
Brad,

If QSC and other manufactures would switch to a IEC-C14 recipticle on their equipment, you could then use a standard "computer" power cable, which you can get in varying legnths.

I'd also think that the amp manufacturers should switch to using 208 Volt instead of 110, or at least provide the capability of using 208. The amplifiers would be much more efficient at the higher voltages, not to mention, it would cut down on the number of circuits that would need to be run.

This isn't a sound rack, but still a pretty decently wired rack


 

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Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-21-2006, 11:30 AM:
 
About 40% of our racks that we built in the past decade have been 208VAC and power strips all set up for IEC + internal sub-breakers + surge protection + backups on Processor / monitor / crossover QSC monitor / crossover system make it an easy wire layout due to the computer plug harnessing, this has been copied by other manufacturers. I prefer to use tie bars at the crossover / processor / monitor and run the speaker lines on the "high side" of the rack with the power receptacles. I hate feeds coming from the ceiling to the racks; we preferred wall to floor with sealtite. We found in many locations with top feed racks had damage from maintinance people moving the racks or "bumping" while cleaning floors. Long power cables are a pain to dress so we would either purchase ( 10 amp @208/15 amp@ 120VAC, not 2 -5 amp computer power cable ) short power cables from Interpower or plugs locally
The use of high and low feed wireways is excellent which we have done with an occaisional addition of a wiretray to allow other "trades" to do runs without disturbing projection wireways.
The CA 21 video status monitor at every location...very, very good idea. I love the Pennywise units and their capabilty is great for all things Brad plans to do.
The Kinoton PK-60 how can you go wrong Back up on the platters, great. All and all it looks like Brad has pulled off a nice install
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-21-2006, 12:14 PM:
 

quote: Richard Fowler

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I hate feeds coming from the ceiling to the racks; we preferred wall to floor with sealtite.

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Aha, I am exactly the opposite. I guess you've never tripped over some sealtite running along the ground and busted your head into something like a slide projector shelf, eh? All future installs of mine are going into the slab itself.
 

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Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-21-2006, 12:55 PM:
 
Slab is better expecially if you have accurate blueprints and construction follow through....there is always rack risers and computer floor set ups
 

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Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 06-21-2006, 01:53 PM:
 
Nice pix and all, Brad. I'm curious about the delay, too.

One can certainly just cut off the plug and trim the cord to length and attach a new capcord. This sort of thing seems to be quite common in the telecom industry (esp. where installers put in twistlock plugs). Yeah, it's a pain. Have any dealers lobbied QSC on this?

I see QSC has a 230V models, though. Has anyone checked with them to see if they run on 208V? You can also install a buck/boost transformer (perhaps it's something heftier if you want to have it ahead of the panelboard...).

Also, the DCA 4-channel series, at least, does have IEC-320-C14 connectors...

--jhawk
 

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Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-21-2006, 02:00 PM:
 
They run fine on 208VAC.
 

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Posted by Alex Grueneberg (Member # 2652) on 06-21-2006, 02:54 PM:
 
The platter array is a work of art brad. Seriously.
 

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Posted by Dan Chilton (Member # 2288) on 06-21-2006, 04:00 PM:
 
Brad: did you (or the buyer) get a bulk rate on all those executive leather chairs? Is there any concern about people flipping over in them? And, finally, are the semi-circular tables behind the chairs bolted to the ground? This is a very cool set-up indeed!
 

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Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 06-21-2006, 04:34 PM:
 

quote: Jason Burroughs

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This isn't a sound rack, but still a pretty decently wired rack

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Pretty, Yes. IMHO, the tails on the tie wraps should be trimmed; and closely so that they do not protrude and present a sharp edge that'll cut you.

In my other life, equipment installers preferred to use lacing twine because they felt tie wraps could cut into cables if installed to tightly.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-21-2006, 04:53 PM:
 
I don't own the theater, I just did the projection and sound for it. I don't know what they paid or where they came from, but when you buy that much quantity of anything, I'm sure they got a good deal on those chairs.
 

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 06-21-2006, 05:29 PM:
 
A proper tie-wrap gun will make for a good clean cut without over tensioning the cables. My personal favorite is the one made by Panduit. I've seen MANY MANY tie-wrap guns that truely suck despite their high price tags.

I like conduit coming in the top. if you can get the conduit in the floor, that is nice too since it is much cleaner...get get them to cut it off low enough such that you don't loose the bottom spaces of the rack to conduit stubs (hopefully with bushings).

One thing in all of my racks are service loops...that is, the cables can often go a great deal longer than where they actually land...this is to allow for changes that always seem to happen. My service loops are hidden and not actually loops (to avoid hum). A rack can be neat/clean as well as be servicable.

As for troublshooting...my cables are generally color coded throughout. I also label all of the cables. Most of the time, the cable type will adequately define what it is doing...the color and label will finish the job.

I'm not a fan of the short power cord though I definately can empathize with not wanting to wad up power cords. For some reason, power cords just are the worst part for me when it comes to racking. Brad would like Crown's amps...the CE and CL stuff come with 1-foot or so cords...only problem...they come with Crown amps.

I guess I don't use many vertical power strips so I don't get the benefit of the short cords. However, if I did (in quantity), I would buy the short cords. Time is money and spending time to dress a stupid power cord sucks.

I'll probably be the last guy but I'm not jumpping on the the VGA connector bandwagon. I only use them for video and that is begrudgingly (prefer BNC). I'll stick with conventional and proper connectors (Phoenix and XLR) and keep the high level/low levels separated. I can't dispute the tremendous time savings the VGA thing offers and it requires almost no intelligence to wire a rack up with them (and QSC offers them in 1-foot increments). With the snake cable I use, generally the hook up goes pretty darn fast (D-sub at one end and phoenix/XLR at the other and yes I make my own Dsubs (even the miserable HD15s).

Steve
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-21-2006, 05:40 PM:
 
I love the idea of tying the Air Conditioning into the automation! Nice work!

Mark
(Live from Mike Blakesley's Auto Parts Store!)
 

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Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-21-2006, 06:21 PM:
 
Panduit GS2BL gun with three tension settings for different ty-wrap sizes, good for scaring off muggers since it really looks like a hefty gun .....personally Phoenix connectors / XLR over VGA connector/cables anyday...but we will build it to whatever the client's techs are comfortable with
 

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-21-2006, 09:01 PM:
 
I'm thinking the platter array formula will be copied a bit from here on in. Excellent idea and a just great install full-stop.

John
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-21-2006, 09:21 PM:
 
John, if you are going to copy the idea, you might want to go with another design I came up with. Essentially you put the platters right beside each projector, as would be found in a conventional multiplex. The tree is away from the auditorium wall toward the master film track and slide bars as they are positioned here, but essentially the film threads into the track, flies about 10 feet, then turns to head into the projector. This way most of the time the threading path is very short, but when needed, the platter can feed to another projector on the fly and can also takeup from another projector.

The major con with this design over the one shown in the Copperfield picture tour is that you end up potentially using much longer leaders because they have to be long enough for that "worst case senario". We use 150 feet of junk trailers on the tail ends of our prints just to be safe, although it's rare for more than the last 20 feet to hit the floor.

Anyone who actually wants to set up a platter array needs to be prewarned of these points.

*You NEED dual payout! Trust me, if you are "crossing" prints between two auditoriums and one movie is a 90 minute feature and the other is a 2 1/2 hour feature and they both start at 1:00, that short feature is going to need to restart before the first movie is over!!! Essentially, you will be stuck and unable to run the shorter movie unless you pick up the print and carry it back to the originating platter, at which point then you have to do the same thing to the long movie, and then again to the short movie, and so forth as the day continues. The Christie AW3 platter is the only platter I am aware of that can be easily modified do this simply by adding extra rollers on the payout side. The Kinoton platter can only have one center feed installed at any given time whereas most other platters rely on the takeup speed to derive payout speed. Neither design works in this situation. Does that leave any other platter? (Not that you would want to be using any other model of platter, but I ask just out of curiosity.)

*You will need a drop ceiling. Without that, mounting all of the slide bars will be a major pain.

*You will need a decent automation. By this I mean one with a start cue or run-down cue. This is a mandatory feature, as your leaders will be fairly long and your projectionists don't have the time to stand by the projectors "motoring down" the leader.

*You will need leader...lots of it! I make my own. Just imagine the costs if you went out and bought thousands of feet of regular frameline mylar!

*You will need rollers, and there are different kinds of rollers that must be used for different parts of the array. In addition you need clips and other hardware. It turns the project into a fairly expensive date, so make sure your theater has a genuine need for the pretty much unlimited functionality.
 

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Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 06-21-2006, 11:02 PM:
 
Wow. That theatre looks excelent. I'll have to make an effort to drop by next year and check it out. I must admit that I'm becoming more and more in favor of platter arrays. My GM plays around with house placements a lot, and the advantages are becoming increasingly clear. (My booth could never actually support a platter array system, as it is spread across three rooms with a publicly accessable hallway in between each).

With all of the automated funtions in that booth, I imagine it must be a joy to operate. Just thread and the automation handles everything else!

Seperated at Birth: The Film-Tech Logo and the Studio Movie Grill Sign?



 

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Posted by Chad M Calpito (Member # 3736) on 06-21-2006, 11:31 PM:
 
I would also have to point out as well, that, in my location, a Platter Array would not be feasible due to three seperate booths for all ten screens as well as due to not a whole lot of space. But, I am leaning towards the awesome thing of having a Platter Array.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-21-2006, 11:55 PM:
 

quote: Brad Miller

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The Christie AW3 platter is the only platter I am aware of that can be easily modified do this simply by adding extra rollers on the payout side. The Kinoton platter can only have one center feed installed at any given time whereas most other platters rely on the takeup speed to derive payout speed. Neither design works in this situation. Does that leave any other platter? (Not that you would want to be using any other model of platter, but I ask just out of curiosity.)

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quote: Rick Raskin

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Pretty, Yes. IMHO, the tails on the tie wraps should be trimmed; and closely so that they do not protrude and present a sharp edge that'll cut you.

In my other life, equipment installers preferred to use lacing twine because they felt tie wraps could cut into cables if installed to tightly.

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The tie wraps were left long, as there are frequent changes in cabling, and also as you could see, the rack isn't full yet,
 

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Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 06-22-2006, 03:15 PM:
 
I take it then that you used removable tie wraps. We never had such luxuries. What used to get me was when the installer would tie wrap cables, cut the tails with a pair of dikes, and leave about 1/16" of sharp protruding plastic. Its almost impossible to work in such an environment and not emerge without at least one annoying cut. As part of the acceptance test procedure I'd insist the tails be re-cut flush. The tie wrap guns mentioned earlier are supposed to eliminate such hazards and close the band without excessive pressure.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-22-2006, 04:12 PM:
 

quote: Steve Guttag

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The Strong SCDC has independent payout heads and does not reference the take up.

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Are you SURE about this? Normally I would never doubt you, but we're talking about platters here.

(The issue is moot to me anyway since I would never install a Strong platter, but curiosity on the subject is interesting regardless.)
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-22-2006, 07:12 PM:
 
Steve is correct on that, just completely rebuilt one that was water damaged. Be sure to get the Strong software if you ever work on one!

Mark
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-22-2006, 07:15 PM:
 
Any platter that needs software should be avoided.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 06-22-2006, 07:19 PM:
 
Joe, I totally agree!

Also, it's beyond me why the wannabe "professional" EE's at ALL of the platter companies cannot make a simple and reliable servo for a simple task like a platter.

Probably too much "book learnin'" and not enuff real world experience.

Most don't get it that it's a "marriage" between the mechanicals and electronics that makes it all work smoothly.
 

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Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 06-23-2006, 02:03 AM:
 
I see where you're going with the platter setup, Brad....

Gotta make room for all those DLP units, eh?
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-23-2006, 02:57 AM:
 
Yup, and there's a 2nd port window with all the necessary wiring already in place too.

Of course there's no need to switch to an inferior system since what they have right now is pretty much as good as it gets, so the place will probably be one of the last to do the switch to video.
 

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-23-2006, 07:00 PM:
 
A Kinoton platter also can take up two prints at once thanks to its odd bottom plate roller system, but as has been said cannot payout 2 at once.

Brad, do you have a pic of the other platter format you mentioned?
 

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Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 06-24-2006, 05:20 PM:
 

quote:

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"Soon enough, people in the central part of the city will get to experience how watching a movie in your own individual leather recliner; being served a complete and delicious meal by a superior staff; and enjoying the ultimate in movie sound and projection is an unbeatable combination!"

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That statement puts chills in my spine.....
 

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Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 06-25-2006, 07:13 AM:
 
I've always wondered what is it that makes people feel they have to stuff their faces like pigs in order to enjoy a movie? Mike Todd felt so strongly that his film OKLAHOMA! was what the public should be concentrating on, that he banned the sale of popcorn and candy at the opening of that landmark film.

Would you want to be scoffing down a greasy steak dinner when you are looking at a Monet painting or listening to a symphony at the Philharmonic?

Some may say yes, but those are the unwashed Philistines -- might as well just put monitors at the tables and forget about projection altogether; forget the theatre sound as well....just put a pair of Drive-In speakers with volume controls at the table as well so the sound can be turned down when the imbeciles want to TALK.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 06-25-2006, 10:21 AM:
 
Brad: really nice looking install. Louis
 

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Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 06-25-2006, 11:42 AM:
 
Brad

Quite the engineering. Very impressive.

Strangely seeing all those platters grouped together in that dimly lit atmosphere kinda reminds me of that scene in the movie "Coma" where all the bodies are hanging grouped together in one room.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 06-25-2006, 12:51 PM:
 

quote: Frank Angel

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I've always wondered what is it that makes people feel they have to stuff their faces like pigs in order to enjoy a movie?

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quote: Bobby Henderson

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The thing that makes me wonder is why so many people feel the need to spill their popcorn and drinks on the floor, leave trash all over the place

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It's like they're eating in the dark or something.
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-25-2006, 01:56 PM:
 
He's got a point about the popcorn though. I swear, some people must play a game where they attempt to toss each kernel into their mouth rather than place it in, and they miss half the time.

I agree with Frank though...I wouldn't want to eat dinner while watching a film. I hardly eat candy or popcorn...just a drink is fine for me.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-25-2006, 03:36 PM:
 
Drinks are something like $2 with unlimited refills. A bottomless container of popcorn is also absurdely cheap in movie theater prices.

(I think the menu is on their website.
 

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Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 06-25-2006, 03:40 PM:
 
So, Brad, does an unlimited refill at the Studio Movie Grill really mean an unlimited refill? If so, great! It'll be like the one movie theatre where it's true (OK, I know there must be half-a-dozen other dinner theatres out there...).

(Since an "unlimited refill" where you have to leave the movie is really no refill at all).

EDIT: What I meant, Brad, was that the servers will come to your table and refill your drink without your having to leave, unlike a normal theatre. I was actually trying to compliment you guys!

--jhawk
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-25-2006, 03:49 PM:
 
Yes it is quite literally UNLIMITED. You can buy a ticket and have free refills for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, so long as you die before you return.

Geez John, you know what they mean.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-25-2006, 10:01 PM:
 
Re: EDIT - sorry I thought you were trying to be a stickler for the term "unlimited". Yes, there is full service at your table. You only need to get up to go to the restroom.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-25-2006, 11:54 PM:
 

quote: Frank Angel

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I've always wondered what is it that makes people feel they have to stuff their faces like pigs in order to enjoy a movie?

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quote: Brad Miller

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You only need to get up to go to the restroom

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The Cinema Grills up here must either not employ or capitalize on this feature. They'd be building those type of theaters everywhere if more people knew about such a perk! Minnesota people seem to want eveything done for them, so they don't even need to turn their heads. At least they don't when they're crossing the street
 

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Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 06-27-2006, 02:24 AM:
 

quote: Brad Miller

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You only need to get up to go to the restroom

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quote: Brad Miller

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You only need to get up to go to the restroom.

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If Steve Martin ever turns up he should dress as Ruprecht - The Monkey Boy from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He'd sort out that problem.


 

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Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 06-28-2006, 11:32 AM:
 
It occurs to me -- I know some theatres play audio from the auditorium in the bathroom, presumably for the benefit of patrons who have got up during the movie (this clearly works best if the bathroom is associated with a single auditorium...).

But anyhow, does anyone know of a theatre that plays the Mopix DVS (Descriptive Video Service) track (obtained via a DTS CSS or a Dolby Screentalk) in bathrooms? It gives you a descriptive narration of what's going on in the picture, for the benefit of the blind.

Hmm, I suppose we could do this...

--jhawk
 

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Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 06-28-2006, 12:59 PM:
 
I'd love to see the looks on the faces of the first patrons to walk into the restroom & hear narration
 

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Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 06-28-2006, 04:16 PM:
 

quote:

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Minnesota people seem to want eveything done for them,

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Hmmm....now there's an idea -- your own personal valet who will come over to your seat/feeding trough and bring you your apetizers, your food, your beer and when you've had your fill and are ready, your bedpan.
 

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Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 06-28-2006, 05:23 PM:
 
Exactly the kind of device that would suit them, Frank Only 'Minnesota Nice', which is really just lazy modesty prevents them from admitting it.

We cycle through cinema fads like any other market, I just hope I see well-made cinema grill-type theaters in this market soon.
 

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Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 06-28-2006, 06:15 PM:
 
As was noted above, playing the dialog through the restroom speakers would only work in a single screen theatre. In a multiplex, people could be coming from any room and from any feature.

Of course, you could have a selector switch like those in a sports bar, then maybe a little tv screen to see what you are missing .
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-28-2006, 06:17 PM:
 
...which would get destroyed by vandals within a couple of weeks.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 06-28-2006, 07:32 PM:
 
Of course, if disgusting scumbags want to be lazy enough then we can just step it up a big notch:

Usher installed catheters and colostomy bags!

Don't wan't to get up and answer nature's call? We'll just jam a couple pipes in your lower orfices so you can stay put. Once the pipes are in place we'll whack you one across the forehead with a crescent wrench so you can be rendered unconscious and let those natural reflexes spill whatever waste you have down those hoses. Nevermind you'll miss much of the movie (and perhaps require a very expensive hospital visit afterward -of which the extreme bill is ALL your responsibility, not ours). But hey! This is the United States of freaking America! Don't bother to get up, Jabba! Shit in your pants if you feel like it! We will roll your fat, disgusting ass all the way home. Primo customer service!!!

 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-30-2006, 02:31 PM:
 
Maybe, not as fancy as Brad's arrangement, but to run 5 prints for one house...still pretty slick.



-Monte
 

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