Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Circuit Wide Booth Policy

This is topic Circuit Wide Booth Policy in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Bob Brown (Member # 1205) on 08-09-2002, 09:35 PM:

Hey Gang.. I first wish to say that I have really learned quite abit from these forums and I am trying to put your ideas to work, but have been running into some problems with doing this. To give you some background, I work for a 100+ screen circuit and only been on staff for less than one year. But, I bring many years of experience with me. I have been visiting some of the other theatres in our circuit and seeing for myself what others are doing in the booth. To my sursprise, every booth that I have visited, has different polices on just about every phase of booth operations. I have talked this over with some of the lead projectionisst and one GM who has many years of projection experience, most other GM's in the company, have worked there way thru the concesssion. We feel that it is now time for this company to formulate a circuit wide policy manual. I have taken on this task and I need to sit down with our VP for operations and sell him on the idea. This is where you all can help. Please give me some ideas and reasons why this is important to our company. I have compiled a list of my own reasons and ideas, but I think with all your help, I can pull this off..

Thanks

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-09-2002, 10:43 PM:

Well first and foremost I'd recommend threading the projectors "bottom up" to keep the leader off of the floor. No film or leader should EVER touch the floor. Many projectionists will probably complain, but it really is for the best. If you want to learn why and also learn about more good procedures, I suggest going to the "TIPS" section of this site and then clicking on the "Improving Your On Screen Presentation" link. Many good things are discussed within.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 08-09-2002, 11:27 PM:

Cleanliness is of primary importance, the entire booth but especially the machines. The gates, aperture, shoes and intermittent sprocket should be cleaned before every showing. The lenses, sound scanners and port glass should be cleaned every day. And the operator should stay with the machine until the feature hits the screen, adjusting sound levels and focus where necessary.

But whatever you include in your policy it should be included as the first page in every managers manual as well as required reading for ALL operators.

Bob
The Old Showman

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 08-10-2002, 12:22 AM:

>>And the operator should stay with the machine until the feature hits the screen, adjusting sound levels and focus where necessary.<<

Good luck.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-10-2002, 10:15 AM:

The new SMPTE Projection Manual can form the basis of training:
http://www.smpte.org/smpte_store/books/

Kodak has lots of training materials on-line:
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/newsletters/pytlak/
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/support/h1/
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/support/filmIndex.shtml

The Kodak ScreenCheck program also provides training:
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/screencheck/

Film-Tech has lots to include from its' "Manuals" and "Tips" section.

And always: "Film Done Right"

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 08-10-2002, 11:07 AM:

I have done a lot of booth training and I learned quickly that they all sit there and nod their heads and agree with everything you say...and then they go right back to doing it their way.

The solution: If you are serious about having uniform procedures and if you are sure that your way is in fact the best way (and to establish/maintain a sense of authority) then you will have to (1) train everybody and (2) be prepared to document the offenses and (3) possibly even dismiss the offending operators.

I've got a training session coming up and all of the existing projectionists must attend because things got really REALLY (incredibly) out-of-control during my 2 year absence. I'm training a few newbies with them because I have a strong feeling that a couple of the old ones will either quit during training or work towards dismissal (for the severance pay).

Bottom line: "My way or the highway."

...and by "my way" I don't literally mean MY way...I'm always learning better ways of doing things and I'm not ashamed to adopt a better way in favor of something I've been doing for years. A lot of what I'm about to teach is actually "your" way!

Maybe it might help if you could see some of these pictures I've been collecting over the past few months.

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 08-10-2002, 03:12 PM:

I have to register my disagreement with cleaning lenses on a daily basis. If your lenses are getting so dirty they need to be cleaned every day there are more serious problems that need to be addressed. Lenses should only be cleaned on a weekly basis, if that. Every time you clean a lens you rub away a little bit of the protective coating on them, and no matter how carefull you are you increase the chance of putting small scratches on the surface.

Another thing to keep in mind about lens cleaning is to make sure your booth staff is only cleaning the lense currently in use. No point in cleaning the flat lense if the movie playing in that auditorium is scope.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-10-2002, 04:13 PM:

I agree with Dustin. This has been discussed before, but lenses and port glass should only be cleaned on an "as needed" basis. I'd rather the operator pay more attention to getting everything else done right than having to worry about getting the lenses clean each day. Also if one uses Filmguard you won't need to clean the insides of the projector as often.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 08-10-2002, 05:12 PM:

Dust can be removed from both the lenses and the port glass with a camel's hair brush (two different brushes, two different sizes) every day without any damage to the lens coating. Lens cleaner should be used only when your klutzy operator gets his paw print on the thing. Light is lost through even a clean lens and port glass. Most plexes today are underlit as it is and need all the help they can get to light to the screen.

Bob
The Old Showman

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 08-11-2002, 01:20 AM:

port glass I can see getting cleaned frequently. Clean the lenses once a week and clean both of them reguardless. That way if you have to move a print for some reason or you have two prints sharing the same house with different ratios you do not have to worry about the lens being dirty.

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 08-11-2002, 02:20 AM:

Daryl, idealy the projectionist would be alert enough to check the cleaniness of a lens before putting it in/switching the turret, but I can see your point.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-11-2002, 02:31 AM:

What Robert suggests with the camel hair brushes sounds fine to me. It is quick and easy, and shouldn't damage the lens, unless there is an unusual amount of dust on the brush. But as for using lens cleaner and tissue once a day or even once a week, I say "no way" unless you have an extremely dirty booth.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-11-2002, 06:51 AM:

I agree with Joe. Lenses and port glass need to be clean, but should be cleaned only when there is a visible haze or smudge. Use a soft camel's hair brush to brush off any dust specks. Cleaning should be done when you SEE that the lens or port glass is dirty, not on a schedule:
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/newsletters/pytlak/dec99.shtml
http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/white_papers/lens_cleaning.pdf

Although a dirty lens or port glass does reduce the light level slightly, the major problem is that they reduce the contrast and sharpness of the image (optical flare).
------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 08-11-2002, 12:52 PM:

Sadly some companies put an emphasis on keeping the booth clean, but NOTHING about the onscreen presentation! Yes, it's important to keep the booth clean, but not at the expense of presentation (like a print getting trashed because someone was more concerned with their cleaning duties!)

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 08-11-2002, 02:05 PM:

well, as far as lenses go I have been cleaning them once a week with no problems at all to the lenses.

If your print is getting scratched or trashed it's not because you were caught up in your cleaning, it's because you didn't double check your threading prior to and after you start the projector. A 30 second procedure that should never interfere with your cleaning. I am not talking heavy duty cleaning only general cleaning. If everyone in the booth is doing there part, this should be a breeze.

In all the booths I have worked I have never seen a camels hair brush. When I have mentioned it to someone I have always gotten strange looks like what are you talking about. So just where do I find one of these brushes. Do I have to go to Bagdad or something.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-11-2002, 03:56 PM:

Most camera stores will carry camels hair brushes, used for gently cleaning dust off lenses and negatives. Tiffen carries the line of Kodak Professional film accessories:
http://www.tiffen.com/Kodak%20Professional%20Accessories%20catalog.pdf

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 08-12-2002, 01:17 AM:

quote:
The new SMPTE Projection Manual can form the basis of training: http://www.smpte.org/smpte_store/books/

And it's the most expensive book on the SMPTE bookshelf, to help assure the maintenance of the boutique status of high presentation standards.

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 08-12-2002, 06:36 AM:

While I am happy to have it in my library, the SMPTE book has not been very helpful in terms of creating a training program and/or booth policy. And it was very expensive, too.

The digital camera was a better investment. I'm doing my own training materials (again).

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-12-2002, 06:43 AM:

Well, at least the information on the Kodak and Film-Tech websites is FREE!

Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 08-12-2002, 01:15 PM:

Moving back to Bob Brown's original question as to why his VP should agree to a circuit-wide policy manual for booth operations.

Why is it important for everyone in the company to be on the same page?

1. Knowing what is expected makes the job easier for everyone.

2. Evaluation of job performance is made easier if everyone has an understanding of what is expected and how it is to be accomplished. You will be able to measure performance using set standards.

3. It will be easier to assign operators to other locations, should the need arise, because the operating procedures will be the same in the other locations. This will offer your chain flexability, and be especially helpful if you have to fill a spot quickly- you have someone there who can step in.

4. Makes it much easier to train new people, as people will have an understanding of the way you want things done. If they do not choose to conform, you can save yourself a lot of time when they wash out early. For those who make the grade, you have the assurance, initially anyway, that they will be doing things the way you intend them to be done.

5. It demonstrates to employees that management has expectations and cares about good presentation, or you wouldn't be writing a policy manual in the first place.

Good luck, Bob. I hope some of these points are of use to you. Do keep one thing in mind. This will be your "Bible", so to speak, and it will be important for employees to have a good working knowledge of it, to the point where they should be tested on it from time to time. Additionally, don't be afraid to change something if you find a better way to do something. I'll admit I have found some better ways just being a member of this Website.

Posted by Richard Miller (Member # 1405) on 08-20-2002, 11:45 PM:

We have a "detailing" list to follow for cleaning our projectors. It gives a basic outline of what to clean each shift. It goes over the lamphouses, sound racks, platters, and the projectors. We also have cleaned the lenses once a week with no problems whatsoever.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-21-2002, 11:22 AM:

Considering the size and the amount of information the SMPTE book is not all that expensive (especially if you are a member)
Considering the amount of information available it is not an unreasonable expense