Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Returning to film, need advise

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Posted by Rachael Barbash (Member # 5158) on 08-13-2012, 06:13 PM:

About two years ago my theatre went fully digital. In two months, for whatever reason, the management decided to book an actual print! Great, awesome. But since then, for obvious reasons, the old staff have all gone their separate ways. I'm the only person still working here who has any 35mm experience so they put me in charge of getting the projectors up and running.

We have one film Strong projector/platter system left in the booth. I've run one reel of a random documentary we had sitting around and, while the bulb was pretty flickery (it's at about 3500 hours), everything else seemed alright. I've convinced the theatre to buy a new bulb which should come next week.

I'm wondering if there's anything I need to be cautious of. Two years ago the projector was working fine but until last week it hadn't been touched since then.

(edit: on a side note, I want to mention how sick I am of reputable studios sending us DVDs of films they want on our 70 foot screen. Then the customers are upset and blame the theatre about the quality of the picture.)

Posted by Jim Henk (Member # 3628) on 08-13-2012, 06:33 PM:

Studios sending DVD's... customers complaining... *management taking it seriously*...

Must not snicker... Trying HARD not to snicker... Oh gawd, we couldn't hope this is a chain, could we?

Oh, we must help this person!

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 08-13-2012, 06:59 PM:

Make sure your oil levels are good.

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 08-13-2012, 07:10 PM:

Yes we do Jim, maybe you could as well instead of snickering at her.

Like Victor said, check the oil levels. Make sure all your rollers are aligned still and are freely spinning. Don't want to scratch the print on the first run through because of a stuck or mis aligned roller. Make sure there are no dings or dents in the film gate/path.

Just a few things to help get ya going, welcome to the forums. (Even if you are from Buck Eye land [Razz]

GO BLUE!

)

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 08-13-2012, 07:49 PM:

Were the projectors moved to install the digital? You may need to realign.
Were the lenses properly stored? Clean them.
Is the sound system still properly connected to the projector, aligned and tuned?

And yes, distributors send DVD's and then claim they are interested in quality [fu]

Posted by Jim Henk (Member # 3628) on 08-13-2012, 09:30 PM:

quote: Kurt Zupin
Yes we do Jim, maybe you could as well instead of snickering at her.

Oh please don't misunderstand! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean that I was snickering at her. Oh far from it!

I was snickering because we've all railed at theatre ownership not taking these things seriously in the past, and now finally someone is! I could hardly believe what I was reading! Yes! Audiences *do* notice this stuff!

It's just so rude to say "I told you so". I'm snickering because mgmt at this fine cinema is taking action to my unbelieving eyes. Hurrah! Go get 'em! Rachael, we are *cheering* for you!

Posted by Edward Havens (Member # 4715) on 08-14-2012, 01:50 AM:

I keep reading people saying reputable studios are sending out DVDs to theatres to play instead of DCPs, and I'd like to see one example named. Which movies were these are and how far in to their overall run were these DVDs were being sent?

Otherwise, please stop perpetuating this myth.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 08-14-2012, 02:05 AM:

That is interesting though - on the topic of studios sending out DVD's with this comment:

quote: Rachael Barbash
on a side note, I want to mention how sick I am of reputable studios sending us DVDs of films they want on our 70 foot screen.

Please fill us in on this since you've got some experience on this one.

I've always get questions like this from patrons if the studios sends out DVD's for d-cinema owners to play...and they have to educate them different, like how we used to educate the public that we simply can't rewind a film back to the beginning being the film is on a platter system.

(Gee, that's beginning to sound ancient..sad..)

-Monte

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 08-14-2012, 07:56 AM:

RE: DVD's

At least in the art film world it is becoming common. I've run full week runs of shows from Sony Picture Classics, Milestone and other indies over the last several years. There's one distrib (I'm not at work and don't want to name it without confirming) who does all its releases DVD. Docs in particular are fewer and fewer available on 35mm and not converted to DCP.

In the rep part of the biz, WB in particular is very stingy about sending out prints and actively encourages DVD.

The Majors may not be sending out first run DVD's but the majors don't control everything.

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 08-14-2012, 08:12 AM:

If the 35mm has not been moved, start it all up, with the electronics turned on. Let it warm up thoroughly. After you know that the oil levels are good, and all the rollers on the platter are free-moving, start the projector and let it sit there and run for an hour or two. Then, clean clean clean the entire film path, and rollers, guides, etc...

When you get the new lamp, you will have to align it to your lamphouse. In the meantime, if the bulb is clean in your lamphouse, fire it up and allow it to run with the dowser closed for awhile, then see what the image looks like on screen while the projector is still running. DO NOT shine the light beam through the stopped projector lens. It will cook it very fast.

I've typed this fast. Anything else the OP should do??

Posted by Christian Appelt (Member # 1067) on 08-14-2012, 09:07 AM:

How about running a loop of expendable film (from an old trailer or leader) to check if any damage occurs? Just to make sure.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 08-14-2012, 10:23 AM:

Back to the OT, DVD issue: I just got a cold call from a new distrib I've never heard of who wants to show a feature here in January. I asked if it was 35mm and they said, no, only BluRay/DVD. When I explained we are an arthouse they said they were really more interested in commercial theatres.

So, it is happening.

Now, back to getting those 35mm running.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-14-2012, 11:50 AM:

This whole DVD/Blu-Ray thing is happening probably due to one thing: The distribs have realized that most people are just fine watching a Blu-Ray projected through a good digital cinema system. It looks "close enough" to the real thing for them. Even a DVD looks amazingly good on our system.

We haven't run any film through our film projector for 2+ years, but every month or so I go up and turn it on and let it run for a while just to keep the gears lubricated. I hadn't turned the bulb on for a few months so the other night I went to turn the bulb on and it would not light. But, the "manual strike" button managed to fire it up.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 08-14-2012, 12:33 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
I hadn't turned the bulb on for a few months so the other night I went to turn the bulb on and it would not light. But, the "manual strike" button managed to fire it up.

The capacitors in your rectifier are drying out and losing capacitance. To help prevent that or slow the process down you need to fire up the lamp and let it run for at least 15-30 minutes every few weeks or monthly at the least.

Rachael:

Bruce and Christian have the best suggestions so far. I would add that if you can afford it, a quick service call by a tech to check the "A" chain alignment would be a good idea as well.

Posted by Rachael Barbash (Member # 5158) on 08-16-2012, 12:30 PM:

Thanks for all the input guys!
The sound is still connected and I don't believe the projector has been moved. I know the lights in the house are no longer connected to the cues but I think they're just going to have me do them manually, which isn't a problem.

We are about half art house half mainstream. So we play tons of indie movies and a handful of "classic" films along side with the big studio pictures.

I did run through one reel of this random documentary we have sitting around, I'd like to build the whole thing and run it once the new bulb gets in.

(I'll mention IFC and Magnolia as a couple who might be sending us DVDs...cough)

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 08-16-2012, 01:29 PM:

I'm guessing you work at the Gateway? You might want to talk to projectionist Bruce Bartoo over at the Wexner Center. He runs a lot of film there and he might be able to lend a hand.

Posted by David E. Nedrow (Member # 4981) on 08-25-2012, 09:26 PM:

Rachel, what theatre is this? Lennox?

-David

Posted by Edward Havens (Member # 4715) on 08-26-2012, 11:28 AM:

Ah, so it was tiny independent distributors with limited resources and not a studio that was distributing movies via DVD and/or Blu-Ray. That makes more sense.

Posted by Tony Gallimore (Member # 5358) on 08-26-2012, 12:07 PM:

I would recommend one additional thing if your projector has been setting around and not in use for a year or two and that would be to change the oil in reservoirs such as the intermittent in addition to replenishing it on the gears. Used oil tends to age even when just sitting around and can thicken, putting extra burden on the intermittent movement or similar components. Good luck! I'm glad 35mm is sticking around a little longer!

Posted by Rachael Barbash (Member # 5158) on 08-27-2012, 10:19 AM:

Yup, at Gateway! I've met Bruce, neat guy.

I guess they FINALLY ordered a new bulb... which hasn't come in yet. But I was checking out the inside and saw that the reflector was super dirty. I'm not sure if this is dust or oxidation but is there a good way to clean it? If at all?

Here's what it looks like: http://i.imgur.com/3wZVm.jpg

Posted by Michael Putlack (Member # 6523) on 09-02-2012, 12:52 PM:

What movie is it that your theatre decided to book on 35?

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 09-02-2012, 03:18 PM:

It might be best not to clean the reflector at all.

What I see in that picture looks like some of the silver is flaking off the reflector's surface. If that's the case, leave it alone. Once lost, the coating is gone for good. You might have to send the reflector out to be resilvered but, more likely, you'll end up replacing the whole thing. In either case, you'll be in for quite an expense.

The conservative approach is to leave it alone but, if you do decide to clean it, be VERY careful. Use a soft, lint-free cloth or lens paper and alcohol. If any of the coating starts to come off, stop and leave well enough alone.

Posted by Larry Zuverink (Member # 1483) on 09-10-2012, 02:49 PM:

totally agree with Randy, It's better dirty than rubbing the silver off. I've cleaned reflectors with just spray alchol at our drive in, NO RUBBING. I did this a few times over a couple of day before we were open for the season. If this is (and guess it will be) a short run with no plans or very limited plans, dont touch it.