Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Theater complains about streaks from Film-Guard

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Posted by Steven J Hart (Member # 2340) on 01-30-2010, 08:30 AM:

I've been treating every film that comes through our theater with film-guard for about 7 years now following the instructions to the letter. This week, I got a complaint from the projectionist at a theater that I circuited a print to. He said that the film was damaged and he was gonna request a new print. I asked him what was wrong with it 'cause it looked perfect on our screen. He said there were "oily streaks on the film" I told him that was normal with a film-guard treated print and that it wouldn't show up on the screen. That was the end of the conversation. I don't know if he requested another print. What do I say to the distributor if they call and say I damaged the print (by protecting it using film-guard)?

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 01-30-2010, 11:04 AM:

(edit)

Posted by Jack Theakston (Member # 4484) on 01-30-2010, 12:10 PM:

Tell them that if they're disturbed by the coating, that it is easily removable by a bath in any normal film solvent such as perc or hexane.

Sounds like this other guy is just trying to give you a hard time, though.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-30-2010, 08:46 PM:

Film-guarded film looks horrifying on the bench to those not "in the know," but looks fine on the screen of course. Just tell them it's Film-guard and point them to this site for info.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-30-2010, 10:24 PM:

This is the very reason I tell every distributor I receive film from that I use FilmGuard and I tell them to let me know if they want me to stop using it. That way nobody can try to blame me for anything. If there ever are any questions I can tell them that I already have the go-ahead from the distributor.

I have never had any complaints in more than 10 years of using FilmGuard. In fact, just the opposite! People have thanked me for cleaning their prints.

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 01-30-2010, 10:39 PM:

The dude is probably feeling a little bit stupid that he called you if he uses the print and sees that it looks better than the average print! If the distributor rings you regarding it do you think they are going to worry when you tell them that you cleaned it and it left your venue in better condition than when you recieved it. If he returns it I am sure the next printwont be as good!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-31-2010, 04:56 AM:

That is a very common mistake from people who don't have film cleaners or never bothered to learn about them. What I normally do is explain to them that if they took their white cotton glove and gently wiped off the coating over a frame or two, they would see a pristine print below the protective coating and to project it before they think it is a bad print.

For the studios, I remind them that the coating will naturally evaporate over several months to a year'ish.

Posted by Steven J Hart (Member # 2340) on 01-31-2010, 07:49 AM:

Thanks guys, I think this dude had never heard of film-guard. Likely He was under the impression that my projector was spewing oil all over the print.

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 01-31-2010, 09:30 AM:

This guy obviously doesent know what this stuff does..

I will continue to use FG at my multiplex.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-31-2010, 10:02 AM:

When I first started using FilmGuard I labeled the tail of every print:

"FilmGuard applied: <DATE> -- http://www.film-tech.com/products/filmguard.html"

But, since I never got any complaints about FilmGuard, I quit doing that a few years ago.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-31-2010, 10:19 AM:

I couldn't do that with my prints since I apply fresh Filmgaurd once a week with new media pads. It's be a long-ass piece of tape with all of the dates for some movies! I have never received any complaints, either.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 01-31-2010, 02:28 PM:

Just barcode it Joe!

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-31-2010, 05:04 PM:

I was thinking of just recording the information onto the mag strip since all we run is 70mm.

Posted by Bob Jones (Member # 1756) on 01-31-2010, 07:06 PM:

This brings up a question I have been wondering - what percentage of theatres would you say use Film Guard and a media cleaner? I'm trying to get our local art house to start using it - and I want to sound educated about the percentage of other theatres that use it.

Not that it is scientific - but I only see it on about 15% of prints coming from the depot for theatrical projection (we are not first run) -- but I see it on about 60-70% of prints from the collecting community.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-31-2010, 07:24 PM:

I'd definitely say that more don't use it than do, so you'd definitely stand out amongst the dirty crowd.