This is topic who makes a device for moving prints? in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Carl King (Member # 398) on 02-02-2002, 10:35 PM:
Does anyone know if there is a manufacturer who makes such
a thing as a cart or some sort for moving prints around the booth/
I know of a projectionist who has made one or two on his own but
was wondering if there is one that can be bought.
Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 02-03-2002, 12:54 PM:
We make a pretty decent film mover - here in Canada but we can ship anywhere.
The mover lets you lift a film roll off a platter, move it anywhere, and reinstall it on another platter much easier, more securely, and safer than any other method I know of. The film pack is very securely clamped and can't unravel, fall apart, or even get distorted much.
It moves on wheels with the film pack vertical so it will handily manoever around equipment in a tight booth.
Even for LOTR size prints where EZ movers are impractical, it works great. You'll need 2 people to handle the weight of that much film when transferring from/to the platter or on stairs but it will roll easily on a smooth or carpeted floor - no more carrying from one end of the multiplex to the other.
I've not weighed one, but it's likely under 20 pounds.Email me if you want more info, I don't have a price book with me (home).
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-03-2002, 02:29 PM:
Dave, send me the info as well. I'll post it here if anyone else expresses an interest.
Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 02-03-2002, 02:31 PM:
Do tell ...
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 02-03-2002, 03:04 PM:
Id like to see it.
Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 02-03-2002, 03:30 PM:
I'm in.
Posted by Keith Peticolas (Member # 971) on 02-03-2002, 06:05 PM:
Count me in. I wouldn't mind getting one of those myself.
Posted by Darren Solomon (Member # 1120) on 02-03-2002, 06:22 PM:
Yes, les see this device and how much for 2?
Thanks
Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 02-03-2002, 06:57 PM:
I've sent a draft users manual to Brad. Tomorrow when I'm back at work I'll try and get some kind of brochure-type document together with a picture and pricing. I don't want to guess at the price and post something totally wrong!
Bear with me, it's a new product for us and we haven't finished the sales info yet.
Posted by Tom Fermanian (Member # 1094) on 02-03-2002, 07:41 PM:
Dave, are you refering to the A frame Easel type movers that where I believe made(at first in Alberta) for Famous Players? The ones with a Plexiglass 'slider' and metal A Frame with Knobs & wheels? if it is, I have two and they always work very well, I didn't know that they where still available. Tom 
------------------
Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 02-04-2002, 03:39 PM:
Tom:
These are similar, but solve some problems with the ones you have. Their plexiglas is brittle and the sharpened edges crack off rather easily or the whole plate cracks in pieces. We use a HDPE material (like in those opaque white cutting boards) that will not crack (I haven't managed to, at least)and we sharpen just the corners so they aren't easily damaged. Also the wheels are better plus one swivels so it is much easier to manoever. And there is a proper lifting handle rather than the metal strap. The basic principle is the same.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-04-2002, 04:13 PM:
Here it is...
CLICK HERE
Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 02-04-2002, 07:13 PM:
Bravo, Dave! And now for the price?
Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 02-05-2002, 08:01 AM:
I'm out on a service call this morning, if I get back to the shop I'll post a price. The final price was only recently worked out and I haven't seen it yet (I'm a tech, not the salesman).
Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 02-05-2002, 02:44 PM:
The price for the film mover:
$750.00 (Canadian dollars) F.O.B. Toronto
Today this is under $500.00 US but that changes every day... if you need a price in US$ call.
Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 02-05-2002, 07:07 PM:
Hmmph. The phone number isn't on the instructions. (Good plan, can't get complaints!)
800 811-3611
Talk to Mike or me (Dave).
Posted by Kris Brunton (Member # 432) on 02-15-2002, 03:20 PM:
We also make a device to move prints from booth to booth. Price is $540.00 Canadian. You can email me or contact me at 877-277-3611 for more info.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 02-18-2002, 06:24 AM:
A few individuals may not like what I am about to say, but some of that equipment people buy to help move films from one house to another may be totally unnecessary and a waste of money. I can see the necessity for this equipment if the print is being circuited in your theater chain.
However, spending money on something to aid a film move from one house to another in the same theater that shares the same projection booth without any obstacles to trip over or a stairwell that has to be used might not be necessary.
With Strong platters, Xetron platters, Potts platters, and even the old CFS platters outfitted with removable payout heads, I just switch the platter disks themselves. Do as you please. I have been doing this for the better part of 17 years and I only recall several times where I had to re-time the platter.
I cannot speak for Christie Autowinds, LP Associates, Eplotz or some of the ORC Platters that come equipped with removable pay-out heads because I never tried it. I don't know if those machines would react to it.
End of rant.
Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 02-18-2002, 08:18 AM:
Paul, the problem is mostly that a lot of multiplex booths are too congested. Some architect puts 2 projectors back-to-back in a 12 foot wide booth. A loaded platter can't be moved through there. Multiple booths are common here as well, with stairs and doors between them.
Some chains must allocate more room to the booth, or stagger the projection points so this is OK, but not all.Also, I would be fine with a real projectionist and helper moving a platter - but today's "booth ushers"? No way.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 02-18-2002, 12:28 PM:
Yes, Dave. That would be a problem in the crackerboxes. Actually, the clamps Christie makes work very nicely. Problem is, the operators abuse them and scratch the platters up so bad. Did you see the "where the heck is your dog" tread on Film Yak? Poopers was sitting on platter. Brad even saw the scratches on the platter. It is sad.
You said:
"Also, I would be fine with a real projectionist and helper moving a platter - but today's "booth ushers"? No way."
No truer words were spoken.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 02-18-2002, 01:41 PM:
Dave, in addition to the one Brad came up with, there was another that looked like a shipping case. I don't know who made them, but one part was taped to the platter, the film was taken up in it. At the end of the show the tape was simply removed, the tail was then taped, the top cover was put on and the whole thing was clamped by a huge Marman clamp.You could then carry the entire print like a spare tire through the rain and throw it in the trunk and deliver it to the next theater.
I use one of these devices to move prints around in our little circuit.
Has anyone seen these? If not, I'll get you some pictures of it.
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-18-2002, 02:22 PM:
Was that the S. Bose, Inc. "Movie Mover"?------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 585-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 585-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 02-18-2002, 04:17 PM:
John I don't know. But it is really nice. 
Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 02-18-2002, 05:43 PM:
The other option is a Golberg "show shipper" reel, the Toronto film festival supplies made up and checked prints to platter houses on these, and they stand up to moderate abuse OK.
One problem with these solutions is that forethought and communication is needed. The operator has to be told the print is moving before the final show. The other is that you need as many reels as there are prints changing.
The wheeled film mover or clamps don't have that problem. Going back to the "booth usher" situation, clamps offer lots of ways to drop a print plus the scratching.
The film mover we make works quite nicely. I haven't seen the Napanee (Cinex?) model, so I can't comment on it. Do you have a picture, Kris?
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 02-18-2002, 06:57 PM:
The "A FRAME" mover was invented by NEPPS in Alberta how also made the trailor insert ring for platters
Posted by Andy Muirhead (Member # 712) on 02-20-2002, 08:01 PM:
It's about time i added to this post.Perhaps i even initiated this post as i was suffering back problems from carrying prints, see my thread 'Moving prints is killing my back', soon afterwards, this thread started.
We looked about, but nobody was selling the type of film mover we were looking for.
So we built our own.
It's not so hard. You have to look at your own individual cinema, the layout, how often prints are moved, the number of staff available for moving etc..
Then come up with a design, and get prototyping!
Build your first version and test it, iron out the glitches, see what works and doesn't. Use wood for your prototype, and when you get it perfect, go to an engineer to get a final lightweight metal version made.
You don't have to spend too much, we are on version 8 of the prototype, and have only spent around £120 UK Sterling so far on the project, and thats total spend, final version is expected to be much less.
So the moral of the story is, if it doesn't exist, make it! You know what you want, and you know what you want it to do. It is that easy