Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Technicolor will ship "REPO MEN" in orange box

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-22-2010, 05:21 PM:

Email just received says that Tech will start using their print box with the Universal film "Repo Men."

"Improved" features are:

- Handle is now on top of the box (like Deluxe) because the side handles proved not sturdy enough
- There will be four velcro strips added to the flap closures on the box (I'm not sure how to picture this)
- The corrugations will run horizontally, not vertically like the Deluxe box - they say it makes the box stronger
- They will ship a maximum of 6 reels in one box

Also they expect the box to last "four turns." I guess that means shipping in-and-out four times, which seems minimal for such a sturdy type of box. You'd think a hard-plastic box would be about the same $, and last longer. But would be more expensive to make, I suppose.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-22-2010, 10:37 PM:

Oh wow I can't wait I wish everything shipped in large corrugated back-friendly plastic boxes! And for those who say your back is at risk... who cares? Certainly not the depots. The depot likes boxes better because they are easier to stack, they don't care about your back. In fact, they wish you would die.

Posted by Michael Voiland (Member # 5386) on 02-22-2010, 10:51 PM:

meh great now there are more boxes to carry up the flights of stairs. FAIL.
Meh there is an elevator in our building but it doesn't run to the level our build station is on.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-23-2010, 01:04 AM:

Do you actually say "meh" out loud?

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-23-2010, 01:22 AM:

Cans are history. Might as well get used to it. The inability of shipping companies to keep two cans together has spoken.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 02-23-2010, 11:18 AM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
Cans are history.

Unless it is 7 reels or more in Technicolors case.....unless they use two boxes for one print.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-23-2010, 11:20 AM:

That's what they are saying...anything 7 or more reels will come in 2 boxes.

Obviously this goes against what they want, i.e. keeping the print in one container, but since the majority of prints are 5 or 6 reels I can see why they're doing it this way.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 02-23-2010, 11:26 AM:

At least that would even out the load on the body carrying the prints up stairs on those 7 or more reels. I would hope but not guarantee that they would put four reels in one and three reels in the other.

Posted by Jonathan Althaus (Member # 5042) on 02-23-2010, 12:58 PM:

New Deluxe boxes have the velcro strips, and it really helps keep the top flap shut, but kind of a pain to open when new. Eventually, the velcro will wear out and will have to be replaced, with as many times as the box gets opened and closed.

Posted by Gracia L. Babbidge (Member # 582) on 02-24-2010, 09:49 PM:

I do not like getting entire prints in one box. [thumbsdown]

They're not back-friendly. They're not finger-friendly either. Lifting the entire weight of a print by a thin bit of sturdy cardboard, cuts off circulation to the fingers in a hurry.

Posted by Matt Johnston (Member # 5457) on 02-25-2010, 05:08 PM:

If this is anything like the can (I mean box) that was sent out a few months ago, they also have side handles that have plastic inserts.

From the two times I moved the box, I preferred it over the Deluxe version.

Cans or boxes... doesn't matter to me too much either way. That's what the hand dolly is for.

Posted by Michael Voiland (Member # 5386) on 02-25-2010, 08:36 PM:

quote: "Joe Redifer "
Do you actually say "meh" out loud?

Yes.

And since most of the films coming out are 7 reels or less one heavy box.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 02-25-2010, 09:17 PM:

quote: Matt Johnston
That's what the hand dolly is for.

You must have an elevator or dumbwaiter then in your complex to go upstairs if you're that neutral about the whole thing.

Some of us have major stairs to climb hauling them damned things up and down per week.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-26-2010, 12:51 AM:

One way to eliminate the heaviness problem would be to make two trips. Take 3 reels out of the box, carry the box up. Come back for the other three reels. Sure, it's two trips but think of the exercise you're getting.

quote: Matt Johnston
If this is anything like the can (I mean box) that was sent out a few months ago, they also have side handles that have plastic inserts.

They are replacing the side handles and plastic inserts with a top handle similar to the Deluxe box.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 02-26-2010, 04:31 AM:

Check the fine print on your health insurance policy and be sure you are fully covered for HERNIA.

We don't have and elevator in the big theatre. After two or three trips up 6 flights of stairs it didn't take me long to realize I better devise a better way of doing it or I was going to have to quite.

I anchored a hefty size wince in a catwalk in the hang ceiling, its aircraft cable dropping thru a hole in the ceiling. I attached two caribiners to the end of the cable and devised a pully that routed the cable so it passed directly in front of the large followspot booth window. The winch hoists the cans up to the window and projectionist (very) carefully pulls them into the booth.

Now I am going to have to figure out the best way to attach the damn box to the cable -- maybe I'll need to use one of those shipyard nets that enclose the box and gather at a single point where it can be hooked to one of the caribiners. I thought about doing that for the cans yeas ago when one of latches let loose and I looked down in horror as three reels flew out of the can hurling down 4 stories to the orchestra seats. That's quite an impressive sight, by the way.

And for Joe's edification:

Meh --an interjection, often an expression of apathy, indifference, or boredom. However, it can also be used to indicate agreement or disagreement. It can also be an adjective, meaning mediocre or boring.

The word gained popularity as a result of its use on The Simpsons. It was used in a 1994 episode, "Sideshow Bob Roberts," when a librarian reacts to Lisa's surprise that voting records are not classified, and also in "Lisa's Wedding" after Marge weaves "Hi Bart" on a loom to try to pique his interest in weaving and he says "meh." Lisa, in the 2001 episode "Hungry, Hungry Homer", spells out the word for emphasis, after Homer tries to interest her and Bart into going to a theme park. As early as 1992, however, the word appeared on a fan discussion board about the TV series Melrose Place. The word's first mainstream print usage occurred in Canadian newspaper the Edmonton Sun in 2003: "Ryan Opray got voted off Survivor. Meh."

There has been speculation that its origin is Yiddish because of its similarity to the interjection "feh". -- Wikopedia.

Here in Brooklyn, anyone caught saying "Meh," gets nuggied. For saying it twice in a single post....a reeeealy big FAT nuggie and his briefs pulled up so high his voice goes up a register. [Big Grin]

-- Noogie: The act of putting someone in a headlock and vigorously rubbing one's nuckles to his/her head,usually followed by begging for mercy and cursing with laughter from others who may be watching. -- Urban Dictionary

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-26-2010, 12:59 PM:

quote: Frank Angel
I looked down in horror as three reels flew out of the can hurling down 4 stories to the orchestra seats

Wow, I wish there was video of that. Joe R., can you re-create?

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 02-26-2010, 02:24 PM:

As many of you know, I am not a projectionist but I am very familiar with what goes on in a booth. When did they stop using cans? Also, does film now come on plastic reels? I remember a long time ago, they came on Goldberg aluminum metal reels.

-Claude

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 02-26-2010, 02:45 PM:

Most film prints shipped in the US are currently delivered in octagonal steel "ICC shipping cases" on snap-together plastic reels. The film comes from the labs on 4" cores and is delivered to the depot. The depot employees snap plastic reel flanges on the core, making a reel, and then put them in ICC cans, which they label with the name and address of the destination theatre. Cans and reel flanges are typically in fair or worse condition, and cans typically have dirt inside, which tends to attach itself to the film. Metal reels are occasionally seen, mostly on older prints or on prints from smaller distributors. They are easily bent and typically in poor condition.

ICC cans typically hold 1-4 reels of film, and a typical feature will come in two cans. Longer films require three. Increasingly, films are being shipped in the plastic boxes being discussed here, which hold about 5-7 reels per box. The boxes do not last as long as the cans, and typically separate at the folds or seams over time. The plastic handles on the top are not strong enough for the weight of the box and tend to break.

Many foreign films (and occasionally prints from small distributors) are shipped on cores in round plastic or metal lab cans (with one "reel" per can, typically with the film itself wrapped in a plastic baggie). A print on cores would typically be shipped in a cardboard box. This typically works well for the first shipment, but the box eventually consists of more tape than cardboard by the time the print has been to several theatres. The round plastic cans tend to shatter, and the metal ones tend to dent. Some theatres also do not wind the film tightly around the core and it can be difficult to rewind the film onto house reels without cinching it. Occasionally a print will arrive with the cores missing, which is always a painful experience.

Czech (?) films come on cores in lab cans in really awesome green plastic containers that look like ICC cans, but hold the lab cans perfectly and have very comfortable handles.

Russian films come in 1000' segments in lab cans (plastic or metal) either in cardboard boxes or in round metal cylinders that look like small trash cans.

Japanese films come in 1500' segments in round lab cans with a bump in the middle of the can to hold the core in place.

When films are shipped on cores, the theatre must use a "split reel" (owned by the theatre) to wind the film onto house reels and to transfer the film back to cores for shipping.

I am sure that others will fill in details for anything that I have missed.

The real issue being discussed here is that using a single container to transport a complete feature film results in a container that is too big and heavy to move, and which occupies too much precious booth space when opened.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 02-26-2010, 03:04 PM:

Scott,

It seem you guys have your work cit out for you with the way prints are shipped to you. The next time I see a movie in a theatre, I will appreciate the hard work you did to put on a flawless presentation for me and others.

-Claude

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-26-2010, 03:30 PM:

quote: Scott Norwood
The depot employees snap plastic reel flanges on the core, making a reel, adds dirt to the film and then put them in ICC cans, which they label with the name and address of the destination theatre.

Fixed.

quote: Claude S. Ayakawa
I remember a long time ago, they came on Goldberg aluminum metal reels.

Just imagine how much more we'd be complaining if we had to carry full boxes full of metal reels up several flights of stairs.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-27-2010, 10:50 PM:

Actually the metal reels were not much heavier than the plastic. It might add a pound or two to the total weight. The real heavy-ness in the old days came from those industrial steel cans with the heavy gauge metal closures and the 3/8" handles. The cans alone probably weighed about 20 pounds. An eight-reel print in two of those things was a killer.

But still easier to handle than eight reels in two of the boxes.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 02-28-2010, 12:05 PM:

Metal reels were always fun....I remember several times having someone hold the film can down while I grabbed one of the reel flanges with the clawed end of a hammer to pull it out of the can.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 02-28-2010, 12:17 PM:

Well guys, at least most of us no longer have the joy of carrying 70mm cans up four flights of stairs. Maybe Scott can add the specs of those cans and reels to his above list;>

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-28-2010, 01:16 PM:

You are wrong Martin. It was worth it for 70mm. [thumbsup]

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 02-28-2010, 01:57 PM:

When I was showing 70mm the union contract said we couldn't carry any films to the booth, so I enjoyed showing 70mm [Wink]

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 02-28-2010, 05:36 PM:

quote: Brad Miller
It was worth it for 70mm.

Absolutely!

The thing with the 70mm cans though was I was too short for them so they were 'just' too big to be able to carry up stairs without the extra lift and bend of the elbow.

I remember at Cremorne our film courier left all 20(?) reels of HAMLET out on the footpath of the back street 'cos he was shitty he'd had to bring them all over even though HE WAS OUR FREAKIN' FILM COURIER!!! Not just a courier, but a film courier. Couriering films is all he did! [uhoh]

Lucky him...it would be the last film he was ever 'forced' to bring to us. [thumbsup]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 02-28-2010, 06:17 PM:

Film couriers can make a lot of money, work 3 days a week and all they do is bitch bitch bitch. I remember back in my UA days, we did NOT carry the film up or down stairs, they were dropped off in the booth and set out in the booth when they were ready to go. Our shipper at the time, Darryl, Inc. would always be in a total bitch fit when he'd come up with the 10 or so prints we got each week (no exaggeration) and then on Monday when he had to come and take them away again. I'd just be sitting at the desk or the bench and my thought was always "STFU, just take the damn prints, slave."

As for 70mm, at least each reel gets its own can. Sure, you have to run back and forth a lot, but it is exciting because you get to build and run 70mm.

Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 03-01-2010, 11:55 AM:

quote:
Film couriers can make a lot of money, work 3 days a week and all they do is bitch bitch bitch. [. . . ] Our shipper at the time, Darryl, Inc. would always be in a total bitch fit when he'd come up with the 10 or so prints we got each week (no exaggeration) and then on Monday when he had to come and take them away again. I'd just be sitting at the desk or the bench and my thought was always "STFU, just take the damn prints, slave."

Regardless of the incompetence of your courier, would you really say something like that to "Darryl's" face?

I don't care if you have 10,000 posts, 100,000 posts, 1,000,000 posts, or whatever, no one deserves that sort of public berration unless they have committed and be found guilty of a felony or a violent crime or something.

If you've ever been working 18, 20+ hour days, your wife divorces you, and then you never see your kids ever again, maybe you will wise up a little bit to why these guys are in such a bad mood sometimes.

If you've ever had to chase a fu*&ing reel of film across a parking lot because a 17-y.o. kid didn't close it right, or the stupid studios are using cans older than your father, you'll understand why these guys are in such a bad mood.

I get really upset when people on here are so FULL OF THEMSELVES that they think they can read other peoples' minds. Put yourselves in other peoples shoes before you start stoning them to death, Mr. Redifer.

Otherwise move to Africa or the Middle East, because you can still stone people to death, chop off their hands, hang them, or cut their throats with saws if you think they are guilty [Eek!]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-01-2010, 01:42 PM:

Hey Jonathan, you might need to brush up on your reading comprehension skills. I never said that to him, I only thought that. And that wasn't the real name of the shipping company. And I don't care what happens in someone's life, that does not give them a pass to treat others like ass. You think I am stoning him to death? You are being more insulting to me than I am to him.

Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 03-01-2010, 01:50 PM:

Well,I am glad that you are only venting on here as opposed to being like that in person.

You seemed really outspoken with your condemnation of this courier or his company. I am glad you didn't use his real name.

Gossip is something that can never be disproven, only denied.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-01-2010, 01:58 PM:

I actually got along with him quite well.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 03-01-2010, 01:59 PM:

Not that Joe needs anyone to defend him, but Jonathan, please get off your high horse. As someone who hasn't been on this site very long, you should not be casting stones at anyone. All it does is make you look bad.

Joe has a very sardonic sense of humor and is actually a great guy. [thumbsup]

Please read a lot more his posts before you try to form an opinion of who he is.

On topic, I agree with Joe's opinion of the couriers that posses that bitchy attitude.

If you hate your job that much, quit and find another. Otherwise, do your job, do it right and keep your mouth shut.

Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 03-01-2010, 02:28 PM:

I am not casting stones, Tony. That attitude, even in jest, is a good way to ruin someone's reputation; it isn't professional, even in jest, on the off chance that someone who worked with Joe, or the courier, reads his post.

I'm glad at least that Joe had enough courtesy not to use the real name of the company or courier. I thought he had.

My inexperience on this site, BTW, is not paramount, my experience in this industry is.

This industry is built on trust and relationships, communication, not casting stones, drama, and judgement, or throwing other people under the bus. I don't throw people on the bus for even their own mistakes (let alone my own) if they are honest mistakes. The only time I call someone out like that is when it is utter, deliberate negligence that detracts from the customer's experience.

So let's please keep it courteous for those of us who aren't represented on this site or on the internet in general.

People who aren't the best at their jobs shouldn't be slandered in front of a worldwide audience of projectionists. That is akin to black-balling someone and it is as uncalled for today as it was when that drunk McCarthy did it with writers and film workers in the 1950s.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-01-2010, 03:12 PM:

He actually did quit and found another job... long ago. He is no longer in the film couriering business, at least not here.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 03-01-2010, 03:27 PM:

quote:
<snip>
I get really upset when people on here are so FULL OF THEMSELVES that they think they can read other peoples' minds. <snip>

You said it best. So how does this next statement justify your
sniping at Joe?

quote: Jonathan Smith
My inexperience on this site, BTW, is not paramount, my experience in this industry is.

On that subject, I've been in the biz for 29 years. And I know better than to snipe at Joe. [Big Grin]

How about you? I'm not trying to be mean, but I'd like to know (as would most everyone else) what your experience is. To make sure we're on the same ground so to speak.

I totally disagree that your experience on this site is not paramount. It is very important if you intend to voice opinions on someone based on anything other than a disagreement on procedures, products or operations.

quote: Jonathan Smith

This industry is built on trust and relationships, communication, not casting stones, drama, and judgement, or throwing other people under the bus.

You obviously have not ever worked at a studio or on a film set. [Big Grin]

There is always so much drama, boot licking and backstabbing going on it's amazing that any films ever get made.

And the exhibition end is fraught with dishonest people, rivalries between (and within) chains, etc.

I worked in banking in High school and thought that they gossiped and backstabbed a lot, until I got into the film industry. [Eek!]

quote: Jonathan Smith

So let's please keep it courteous for those of us who aren't represented on this site or on the internet in general.

Very good advice. [thumbsup]

Now please go back and re-read your post with a critical eye and open mind and you'll see why it could be construed as rude, even if that was not your intention.

I am far from perfect, and I'm sure Joe and a few others can easily point out posts where I have been rude/offensive but it's generally in context of differing viewpoints, not an opinion of anyone personally.

As in this case, I'm not going to form any opinion of you based on this thread. I just want to make clear that I think you came off in a bad light, perhaps unintentionally.

Posted by Rod Cornelison (Member # 5202) on 03-06-2010, 11:50 PM:

remember when warner bros. had the two reel shippers? this is just another bad idea. the film industry is full of them!!

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 03-07-2010, 01:06 PM:

I've gotten a lot of films from India shipped in those
burlap covered cardboard boxes. They always look to me
like some sort illegal drug shipment when they arrive.

The best shippers I've seen recently are Chinese and
look like the standard 3 or 4 "reel" type containers,
but they're much better made than the Goldberg or PRC
shipping cases. I looked but there's no name on them.
So I don't know who makes them except they're from China.

I've recently got a couple of new prints from Shaw Bros
Laboratories in Hong Kong. They ship on cores in cans,
but they use recycled cardboard spacers in the corners
of the box, that keep the cans from shifting around and
give more strength to the sides of the cardboard box.
They usually arrive in "new" shape, and can go through
several shipments before they start to show wear.

Several years ago a classic old Chinese film
from Canton arrived in this container:

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 03-07-2010, 01:58 PM:

Jim I've had several films arrive at UC Irvine in that same round can, as well as the other unique boxes you'd mentioned.

I still think the best cans I've ever handled so far are the plastic ICC cans which were shown in another thread..I'll try to find that picture again.

EDIT: Couldn't find the thread with the pic, but IIRC the cans were made by Hollywood Film Company. Yep, here's THE LINK

Posted by Manny Montes (Member # 5639) on 03-22-2010, 11:41 AM:

I've gotta agree, those were the best cans to ship in, i've only gotten maybe 5 prints in them, but they are awesome.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 03-30-2010, 05:36 PM:

Latest update from Technicolor on the cans vs box issue:

Two weeks ago we shipped ‘Repo Men’ in our latest version of print box. We were predicting up to 40% reduction in UPS errors.

In fact the result was much better:

·85.4% less errors than 2009 aggregate UPS performance
·72.8% less errors than 2010 YTD aggregate UPS performance
·Zero missed shows

And we surveyed 269 theatres who are playing ‘Repo Men,’ and 87.7% preferred box over the can.

We will be switching from can to print box for all new releases opening May 21st and forward.

Additionally, Disney’s ‘Oceans’(April) and Focus Features’ ‘Babies’(early May) will ship in print box.

In the theatre survey, 2 concerns were voiced:

Weight:
We have already shared this with you. Response to theatres on weight is:

We have and will continue to communicate tips for dealing with the weight, eg use equipment(carts, dollies) to transport, schedule stronger associates to do the lifting, safest ways to lift. We have listened and responded to the weight concerns. Deluxe ships up to 8 reel films in one box. We listened to your concerns and will not put more than 6 reels in box. 4 reel cans weigh as much as 49 pounds. The average 6 reel film with 6 trailers weighs 54 pounds. It costs too much to ship in two boxes. Will almost double our box cost because a 4 reel box costs only 17% less than 6 reel box, and freight is 38% more to ship same weight in two boxes.

Handle Response:
Box manufacturer says that this handle is an upgrade over the Deluxe box. NATO members Rand Thornsley, Jeff Logan and I are working with box manufacturer to source more comfortable handle, but not confident we will have until this until after our first order. The box handle is more comfortable than the can handle.

Please call me with questions.

Thank-you,

Tim Burke
Director

Technicolor Cinema Distribution
3418 Progress Way
Wilmington, OH 45177
Office (937)383.6089
Cell (513)646.9016

(Mike again) I take the part about UPS errors with a grain of salt. UPS's error rate is very low anyway, so any "improvement" shown probably is not necessarily attributable to the boxes alone. Could just be bad luck/good luck.

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 03-30-2010, 06:24 PM:

FWIW, Film Trans based out of my old home town of Salem Mass and serving the New England area was always professional and polite in my dealings with them. I guess I was lucky. They didn't bring the cans all the way up to the booth but they didn't leave them in the parking lot either! [Smile]

Posted by Jonathan Althaus (Member # 5042) on 04-01-2010, 01:33 PM:

What about smaller boxes? 3-4 reel boxes, just like the cans. Solves the UPS issue and keeps the weight down. Our Repo Men came in a day later than our cans do, so there's another reason to hate the boxes.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 04-01-2010, 01:49 PM:

Obviously, they are making a show of listening to customer opinions, while refusing to actually implement the ideas that they have received. We already came up with the solution in this group: a single large box containing two smaller boxes (each with handles) which can be removed and carried separately. The memos that have been posted here do not indicate that this idea was even considered.

Here is my thought for the day: if the boxes are so much cheaper than cans to store and ship, then offer a shipping discount to theatres which agree to accept shipments in boxes. Let the theatres decide whether the convenience of two-can shipments is worth forgoing a discounted rate.

Posted by Manny Montes (Member # 5639) on 04-02-2010, 11:42 AM:

Deluxe really REALLY ticked me off this week. 6 Reels max to a box please. 6 REELS MAX.

8 Reels in a box, I can't even get the box closed, when we received it I thought there was an error because it said there were supposed to be two boxes, apparently the deluxe depot thought that when they got it back from the other theater they should repackage it with 8 reels in a box for ease of shipping (their explanation when I called).

Unfortunately, my GM is on vacation and other than him and I no one else can carry a box that huge up into booth. I know thats probably our fault for not having more "strong men" but I feel that actually caring about the people who have to carry these things would be nice. I wish I could bill deluxe for all the back surgery I'll need later in life.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 04-02-2010, 05:27 PM:

quote: Manny Montes
my GM is on vacation and other than him and I no one else can carry a box that huge up into booth.

I have said this before, but some people are obsessed with carrying all the film in one trip. You DO NOT have to carry the whole box full of film at once.

Set the box on the floor, take two or three reels out, take those reels to the booth. Then come back, close up the box and take the rest of the reels in the now-lighter box to the booth.

Using that procedure, the tiniest popcorn girl should be able to get a print to a booth.

Yes it will take longer, but it beats back surgery.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 04-02-2010, 06:15 PM:

And if you're dead set on getting it in one trip, the aforementioned popcorn girl could easily help you by grabbing the other side of the heavy box.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 04-02-2010, 10:02 PM:

Or at the very least she could give you mouth to mouth at the other end of the trip.

Posted by Manny Montes (Member # 5639) on 04-02-2010, 11:54 PM:

ha, thats true, but still, when you have an awesome way of doing it (cans) and then it just gets ruined with these cheap boxes that are destroyed when you get them

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 04-03-2010, 01:45 AM:

Why not leave the boxes downstairs and carry the popcorn girl up to the booth?? [thumbsup]

Posted by Bob Jones (Member # 1756) on 04-03-2010, 04:32 PM:

What about this idea -- I understand that shipping two boxes would cost more than putting all reels in one box - but on the other hand carrying two smaller lighter weight boxes makes it whole heck of a lot easier once it gets to the theater.

Just thinking out loud here. What about some way that would still incorporate two boxes but a way to easily strap or lock them together for shipping as ONE and then break apart and carry as two boxes upon arrival.

As mentioned - they are working on a better and more comfortable handle -- which, in my opinion, is more than half the objection. I was in Home Depot the other day - and actually saw what I thought was a new product - it was individual handles that were made out of thick round neoprene type materials with heavy plastic casing around the edges and inside that could easily be snapped open and locked around the handles on heavy 5 gallon buckets, etc. -- I tried one and they worked great. Maybe the boxes would be designed to receive this type of removable handle - and then each theater would have 5-10 of these good quality handles used for transporting inside the building.

Just some thoughts.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 04-03-2010, 07:44 PM:

quote: Bob Jones
Just thinking out loud here. What about some way that would still incorporate two boxes but a way to easily strap or lock them together for shipping as ONE and then break apart and carry as two boxes upon arrival.

Or just use Brad's idea of taking two small reels and dropping them inside a large box.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 04-04-2010, 10:17 AM:

The problem with the two smaller boxes within a bigger box idea is that you would still need to make two trips to get it all upstairs, once to carry the film boxes and then once more to carry the big, empty box. Then, you'd have to fuss about to put the small empty boxes into the big empty boxes after you were done building, and then fuss about again when the time came to break everything down. Mike B still has the best solution; take a few of those reels out, carry them up and come back down for the rest. That way you don't have to fuss with extra boxes later on, wasting time and patience.

As for interlocking boxes, that sounds great in theory, but you KNOW that wouldn't hold up, probably not even for one shipment. They'd definitely come apart.