Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Regal Theaters Quality Question

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Posted by Edward Jurich (Member # 1787) on 02-14-2005, 02:47 PM:

I've just recently been exposed to a Regal Theater for the first time. Saw Aviator last week and Sideways this week. Both shows were poor presentations and I'm wondering if this is the norm for Regal. Aviator was out of focus on the right side of the picture for about half the feature and there was a constant 60HZ hum during the entire show including the pre-show video torture. The sound during Sideways glitched for just about the entire feature. I know it wasn't optical because the splices did not effect the sound so it was a digital format. Both pictures looked like bad (cheap) lenses with a slight haze effect. The picture jumped vertical for the entire showing of sideways, I assume a worn intermittant or someone threaded with too small a loop. At any rate, not what you'd expect for the $8.75 admission they charge, or is it the norm.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-14-2005, 02:53 PM:

I think "Sideways" was shot with lots of diffusion. Many scenes were desaturated and had "halation" (halos around light objects). I think this was the "look" they wanted.

Posted by Jim Ziegler (Member # 86) on 02-14-2005, 02:57 PM:

Edward,

Are you talking about the KC-18?

Posted by Eric Hooper (Member # 1730) on 02-14-2005, 02:59 PM:

My experience is that every theatre, no matter which chain operates it, is different. It really depends on the management of the particular theatre. You could possibly go down the street to another Regal theatre and get a great show....or not.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-14-2005, 03:17 PM:

Of course, well-managed circuits have a higher percentage of really good theatres. They invest in good presentation quality and in recruiting, training and keeping the best people, knowing that "Film Done Right" makes the audience want to come back to enjoy more movies. No one is perfect, but if presentation quality slips, you sink into mediocrity or worse.

Posted by Jarryd Beard (Member # 2543) on 02-14-2005, 03:36 PM:

quote: Edward Jurich
I know it wasn't optical because the splices did not effect the sound so it was a digital format.

At the theatre I work at, we have three out of six houses optical only. I've never heard so much as a pop when the splices go through in these houses, ever. However, I've been to the newest theatre in the State College area, sitting through previews is like hell. Every splice between trailers is quite audible. (I that find strange because they're all DTS. DTS doesn't cut out momentarily before every trailer, does it?) Anyway, my point goes back to what Eric said. I work for Carmike, which is probably one of the worst-run theatre companies of them all. However, we are one of the few Carmikes that has union projectionists in our booth five out of seven days a week, for all makeups/teardowns, and for any other booth related repair or modification. Maybe that's why I've never heard a splice. The Carmike 40 miles away doesn't have a contract; it shows in their presentation. While I'm not trying to make a plug for IATSE, I am trying to say that there will definitely be variation among theatres within a company.

Posted by Robb Johnston (Member # 239) on 02-14-2005, 04:24 PM:

I don't have much experience with them. I saw a film at their 16 plex north of Wilmington DE the weekend it opened, and a new release had 2 thick emulsion scratches throughout. So I was underwhelmed since they should have been top notch across the board opening weekend.

The only other time I have attended anything else there was when the Phish concert was simulcast to theatres across the country last summer. their Digital preshow projector in those 2 houses were top notch, but other than that I couldn't judge

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 02-14-2005, 04:35 PM:

If you ever get out to the State of Washington stop by our Poulsbo 10, a Regal owned theatre and the most popular in the area.

Poor presentation is not a Regal policy but, frankly, is dependent on the GM. Ours is a stickler for quality presentation and we have auditorium checks three times during each performance. We have the brightest pics I have seen on any multiplex screen (we use 4500w xenons) and the focus and sound are always the best our equipment will give.

"Avaitor" had a pretty sharp image when it played here although the focus was not even from edge to edge. But I suspect that was a problem with the scope lens and not the print. "Sideways" was shot with "halation" as John said and I couldn't get a sharp focus on it to save my life. One of the sharpest films I have run recently was "Racing Stripes". I really never had to touch the focus knob after it was set and it seemed I could count the hairs on the zebra's back.

Posted by Thomas Dieter (Member # 2507) on 02-14-2005, 04:36 PM:

I have to say that from my experience Regal Cinemas and most Corporate Theatre companies, that they really don't care about the presentation of the theatre or the film. All they care about is the GreenBack that is lining the inside of their polyesther suit.

I've been to 1 Regal Cinema that I have attended, twice now, was their 20 screen theatre in Kent or Auburn Washington. Nice theatre, take after, and compliments Boeing. They have a nice Boeing 747 inside hanging above the lobby of concessions.

The first time that I went to this theatre, I think Randy, the tech that services all the theatre for Regal on the West Side of the Casscades had just been in there, and the presentation was AWESOME. The Sound was Perfect, and that was the first time I'd seen an SDDS Trailer, and loved it.

The Second time that I'd watched a movie there, I watched Shrek 2, and the Sound again was awesome, but the picture was horrible. Scratches through out the print, and the projector was off center. there was a 4-6" gap of screen before the masking, and it showed.

Those are my two experiences of the theatre managed by Regal. I've yet to try one here in FL, and I've applied for the Winter Park 20. I have to say that I don't know what the work ethic is of Regal Cinemas is like, but for the love of film, I'm willing to try it.

-=Thomas=-

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 02-14-2005, 05:21 PM:

Robert Allen: Do you know if your theater was formerly owned by Act III? Do you know when it was built, or when the last major refurbishment was? Act III did a lot uprading and expansion around 1995 and they seemed to do a pretty good job selecting quality stuff. The Regal here in Eugene is a former Act III. When it was remodeled in 1995, it was all-THX, Simplex, CP-65, DTS/SRD and a couple SDDS, 4.5KW lamps, etc. and they're capable of putting on a pretty good show if the operators pay attention. Most of the time they do OK.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-14-2005, 05:49 PM:

It is entirely dependent upon the particular theater.

First and most important is the caring of the management and projection team. (Actually I've known some theaters with management that couldn't have given a rat's ass about presentation, but the projection staff was a picky bunch that put on phenomenal presentations anyway.)

Second is the quality and laziness status of the tech servicing that theater. If the tech is a lazy waste of space, that theater doesn't stand a chance no matter how incredible the projection team is.

So if you find that a chain theater (Regal or otherwise) has a lousy presentation at all of their theaters in a certain area, odds are the tech is to blame. Otherwise if it is hit and miss in terms of quality, the management of the crappy locations are to blame.

Posted by Edward Jurich (Member # 1787) on 02-14-2005, 06:05 PM:

quote: John Pytlak
I think "Sideways" was shot with lots of diffusion. Many scenes were desaturated and had "halation" (halos around light objects). I think this was the "look" they wanted.

Aviator had the same look

quote: Jim Ziegler
Are you talking about the KC-18?

I'm in Indianapolis now, it was up in Carmel, In.

quote: Robert E. Allen
We have the brightest pics I have seen on any multiplex screen

Oh, I almost forgot, the lamp flickered the entire show during Sideways and picture brightness was not what you'd expect.

The scope lense for Aviator was not in straight, not bad enough to say it was bad but there was a slight twist to the picture.
The only other theater I've been to here is an old AMC. Kinda dingy but at least the picture and sound were good. I'll have to try some other theaters around Indy.

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 02-14-2005, 06:42 PM:

FWIW, Why would anyone who knows better sit through such a crappy presentation without trying to get it resolved? The Regal here in Manassas (originally Hoyt's) has a first rate presentation. Razor sharp focus, uniform screen illumination and good sound.

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 02-14-2005, 07:17 PM:

Regal in the late 1990's bragged on their investors page that they spent less money per square foot on their multiplexes than any major exhibitor. I've been to one multiplex actually built by Regal, and it certainly reflected that. But at the same time, it all worked, and since the audio had a strikingly similar tone to a cheap home bookshelf system, their patrons probably think it's just awesome.

To Regal's credit, I'm impressed that they've basically kept up the old Act III houses. I used to drive three hours south to see EVERYTHING at Kansas City 18 when Act III opened it. I don't get down there much now, but when I do, everything still works. And the staff there is much nicer now than they used to be.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 02-15-2005, 12:35 AM:

David:

The Poulsbo 10 and Lakewood 15 were the last of the ACT 3 theater designs before Regal took over. Both opened in 1997 IIRC. The new Regal Martin Village 16 under construction right now here in Olympia is being built very nicely indeed. Top of the line concrete block walls are mostly done now. I understand this will be an all Strong booth. Looks like this will be a very nice theater complex when it's finished.

Posted by Jim Ziegler (Member # 86) on 02-15-2005, 12:52 AM:

Sam,

I lived in KC for years and never saw a show there... You have to wonder what Act III was thinking putting that theatre in a casino in the middle of no where..

How is that new Century in Des Moines?

Posted by Chase Hanson (Member # 2779) on 02-15-2005, 02:36 AM:

As far as Im concerned Regal Cinemas has never been anything special. Very minute differences in quality inside the same market...baring individual staff member performance.

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 02-15-2005, 06:40 AM:

Central Ohio is very competitive, with AMC, Marcus, Cinemark, Marquee and Regal all with first-run houses. Rave will be coming into the market next summer.

The one Regal is by far the worst in town, with very poor presentation. Picture is usually very dim, and sound quality is just average at best.

They have the southwest corner of the county all to themselves, and I don't think they have much incentive to improve.

Note this is just one Regal location, and I am not indicting the entire chain. But this location is to be avoided.

Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 02-15-2005, 06:51 AM:

In the north Atlanta market the two big choices are Regal and AMC. If there is a movie I need to see I pray it's at the AMC.

IMHO AMC has the BEST show in Atlanta.....hands down. The on- screen presentation is much better [thumbsup]

. I won't even get into employee courtesy [thumbsdown]

Don

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 02-15-2005, 07:18 AM:

quote: Jim Ziegler
I lived in KC for years and never saw a show there... You have to wonder what Act III was thinking putting that theatre in a casino in the middle of no where..

That plex was part of a development deal they had with Station Casinos, which is how they established their base in Las Vegas. Without that relationship, it would have never happened.

It didn't hurt that Station Casino built a magnificent facility overall. Two "riverboats" (they aren't, really, which ended up being a long legal battle ultimately put to a public vote to define just what a riverboat was), several restaurants, the 18-plex, and a hotel. I don't gamble, and I could keep myself entertained for a weekend there without ever leaving. It was the most successful casino in town, but the company ended up selling it when threatened with losing their license over some questionable tactics in the process of getting said licence.

Today, Ameristar owns it, and hasn't changed it much (if it aint broke...)

KC-18's presentation was a typical Act III all-THX "Stadium Riser" design and decor (Regal dropped THX certification, naturally). It was THE place to see movies in Kansas City when it initially opened...until AMC got their stadium beasts going. It's not exactly a huge grosser, but I doubt it's exactly in trouble either.

quote: Jim Ziegler
How is that new Century in Des Moines?

Aside from occasional electrical problems, at least initially, and the satellite concession stands' seeming inablility to ever be able to make change for a $20, it's good. I've seen movies on a little over half their screens, and have no complaints.

Well okay, one complaint (to Hollywood)...Give us something decent to watch. When your local 20-plex is showing "Hitch" on their FOUR LARGEST SCREENS, something's wrong.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 02-15-2005, 03:21 PM:

Ken is right David. It was started by ActIII but completed by Regal. According to my GM it opened in '99. The "ActIII" logo is on our Strong consoles.

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 02-15-2005, 03:43 PM:

I have to say I actually really enjoyed going to the Regal in Appleton, WI. Only once did I have any problem with their presentation and I've been there many many times! That is my favorite theater in a chain.

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 02-15-2005, 07:53 PM:

I do Regal preshow verifier audits. They used to make us note the numbers on the preshow opening screen(i guess to note the light levels and the framing?). But I don't know if they even bother to send auditors to find out about regular presentation standards.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 02-16-2005, 01:52 AM:

Interesting..we're back on the REG topic.

Hopefully, and hopefully, with all of the complaints and few praises that are mentioned here and in the past, that the REG people and other big circuits, both nationwide and worldwide, are taking these comments from all of us in this FG forum to heart, (for I used to work for REG, and must apologize to this company and to this FT forum for my share of bad-mouthing that I've mentioned in earlier posts on the topic of REG. For I absolutely had no business of presenting myself in a unprofessional state, to the public and in this FT forum, on comments that really were not of importance. For such comments were not important to the members of this forum and to the subject circuit mentioned) and truefully do their best to remedy these conditions that are presented here for if they plan on existing, or being successful, they must do something about these presentation conditions.

These comments by us are just a inkling on what the general movie-going public are witnessing. What comments would they be saying, good or bad?

Granted, we "tekkies" see FAR,FAR more flaws and impefections than the normal movie going individual. It's being that we are selves are serious "professional profectionists" in our trade.

Thus, we have a tendency to be more "nit-pickey" on areas that the average movie going person don't even see - like flickering bulbs, slight out-of-focus pictures, offset masking issues, skewed anamorphic lenses, using opaque tape in the splice joining areas, et.al.

Yet, it seems when a dialog picture is in play, and since the left/right/surrounds aren't driving, these people DO come out and complain that "all of the speakers aren't working!"

I do believe that sound is more of a greater issue to some of the public than the visual of the presentation.

And with these comments written in this forum are written and spoken proof of our testimonies in this trade that we hold so dear and proud of having.

We ARE a unique bunch of "film handlers"

thx-Monte

Posted by Chase Hanson (Member # 2779) on 02-16-2005, 12:17 PM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
Thus, we have a tendency to be more "nit-pickey" on areas that the average movie going person don't even see - like flickering bulbs, slight out-of-focus pictures, offset masking issues, skewed anamorphic lenses, using opaque tape in the splice joining areas, et.al.

Thats actually part of the irony present in what we do.

I recently transfered theaters inside the same market, and I was almost shocked to see that my new home theater was recieving higher marks in film presentation than one I had just left. This new theater has a significantly more difficult time keeping prints clean, and appears to scratch movies at a significantly higher rate than the previous theater.

It appears that our Customers(Guests) have a significantly different opinion of what a good presentation looks like, than we do.

Posted by Thomas Dieter (Member # 2507) on 02-16-2005, 01:19 PM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
Granted, we "tekkies" see FAR,FAR more flaws and impefections than the normal movie going individual. It's being that we are selves are serious "professional profectionists" in our trade.

Thus, we have a tendency to be more "nit-pickey" on areas that the average movie going person don't even see - like flickering bulbs, slight out-of-focus pictures, offset masking issues, skewed anamorphic lenses, using opaque tape in the splice joining areas, et.al.

I totally agree with this. Having previous work at a drive inn theatre that ran Reel to Reel projection, I trained myself to look for the queue for reel change, and still to this day, I look for it. The funny thing is, everyone I watch a movie with is courious at why I count and make hand jestures about every 15 to 20 mins. After the show is over, I tell them why and everything, and they say, I've never seen that, or I didn't know that.

I mean, when I go to a theatre, I see all the factory splices and theatre splices (even the good ones), and they don't even notice the blatant ones.

I guess it's just because of the fact that they rather enjoy the film for the film and not pick out the inconsistencies in the presentation of it.

Thomas

Posted by Jarryd Beard (Member # 2543) on 02-16-2005, 03:59 PM:

quote: Thomas Dieter
After the show is over, I tell them why and everything

The meanest thing you can do to an unsuspecting moviegoer is point out motor/changeover cues. I've never been able to loose myself in a movie since I had my first cue pointed out to me. No more the feeling of "where did the time go?" when I leave the theatre. I've only ever shown them to one other person, one of my best friends. He hates me for it and I don't blame him. I swore I'd never point them out to anyone again.

Posted by Thomas Dieter (Member # 2507) on 02-16-2005, 04:11 PM:

Notice Jarryd, I said it was at the end of the movie, after it was over. I didn't show it to them while in the movie cause of that very reason. Most of them still never look for them or even notice them.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 02-16-2005, 09:20 PM:

..on this comment on cue marks:

When I was back in changeover booths, esp in the drive-ins where our booths were on the same level and next door to the snak-bar,customers would stop by the open door of the booth, (being the nights were kinda warm and no AC in the booth) to see my machinery (Motiograph AA's, Motiograph sound and Ashcrafts Corelites lamphouses), the people would ask me why of the two machines.

Course, I told I had to tell them the "golden story" of the two machine operation, due to the reels were only 18 minute reels, and within a chapter of this story is the magic "cue marks" that we've been trained to see.

Back then, there were more than one kind of cue mark. We had 9-pointed black stars, green circles, black circles, then the now common black dot, then the common homemade circular cue mark made by the cue maker that pratically every booth had.

I told them that there are two sets of cues: first set 7 seconds before the beginning of the end leader, and the second set, one foot before the end of the leader, or 5 seconds apart between the two sets of cues.

I remember showing one couple watching me make a changeover that night. They knew me well enough to where I would let them in the booth to see what I did.

The end of reel drop ding rang, I checked my carbons, then swung the switch and struck up the arcs and focused the arcs to the focus card, and waited for the cues. First set,I started the motor, and opened up the hand dowser. Second set, I stomped on the foot dowser button and swung the sound lever to accept the proper machines's sound. Then shut off the lamp, and turned off the motor to rewind the reel in the Goldberg rewinder, then proced to thread the next reel to repeat the operation again.

This couple saw this and was quite amazed of this operation that I was doing and asked me if I went to college to learn this operation (wow, I wonder if this should have been a required thing for making excellent projectionists..lol).

..and to this day, whenever when I meet this couple, they STILL tell me that they can still see the cuemarks when they go to movies and remember of my demostration that I presented to them and still is amazed of this unique trade, even though they chide me in a joking matter, of "ruining" their movie going experience by watching for the cues (LOL).

..just stuff we can't do today with automated booths.

-Monte
-Monte

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 02-16-2005, 10:40 PM:

Don, I dont think AMC is that good. The part of town you stay at , you got the best AMC (Barrett Commons) and one of the worst Regals in town. Regal Hollywood 24 is better than some of the other AMCs. AMC Phipps has gone down the tubes. AMC Mansell is inconsistent too.

Regal Perimeter Point, when remodeled , had two great auditoriums. Now the projection is crap.

Posted by Eric Hooper (Member # 1730) on 02-17-2005, 10:40 AM:

I saw Moulin Rouge a few times in theatres, and everytime on the scene where The Duke figures out what's going on, and Nicole Kidman tells him they'll have dinner and discuss how things shoud end their way, the cue mark hits her right in the head!

Posted by Brandon Willis (Member # 2345) on 02-17-2005, 01:08 PM:

quote: Pravin Ratnam
But I don't know if they even bother to send auditors to find out about regular presentation standards.

Regal's secret shoppers come to the theatre and watch the movie, and check very basic presentation standards. Is it in frame? In focus? No scratches? Sound at an acceptable level? The kinds of things that the everyday customer would notice.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 02-17-2005, 01:14 PM:

When I was doing ad checks for Regal (either they've discontinued that program, or I was fired [Wink]

) they had the checkers note things like start time for the rolling stock, start time for the feature, what specific ads were shown, the lighting levels, and we were supposed to note any sound or picture problems. This was ads-only, nothing relating to the feature itself. We also checked things like looking for certain standees, one-sheets, and promotional handouts at the box office and/or concession stand. There was nothing secret about these visits -- The theater staff knew why I was there, and often a manager had to sign some of the forms.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 02-17-2005, 04:10 PM:

The Regals in the Richmond area seem to do a pretty good job. They sometimes are annoyed if I stay to the end of credits though.

Posted by Edward Jurich (Member # 1787) on 03-07-2005, 06:30 PM:

Well, I've been to this Regal 3 times, 3 different screens and all have problems. this time the picture was sharp but I did notice the picture briefly now and then go out of focus like something was loose. Sound had 60hz hum but not as bad as the first screen. But the sound also had a bad wow, I mean sour music. It was optical, a lab splice popped. So I'm thinking it's a tech problem. Guess I need to find another theater.

Posted by Christopher Duvall (Member # 284) on 03-09-2005, 08:32 PM:

Have you said anything to them? IF they are worth a damn, they will fix it. You can send a comment card via the web as well at www.regmovies.com The tech department at the corporate office will see it and pss the info back at the theatre and local tech to fix it. Good luck.

Posted by Martin Brooks (Member # 1269) on 03-10-2005, 11:27 PM:

The UA/Regal Union Square 14 in Manhattan does a pretty good job. No major complaints at my local UA either. Of course, they both started out as UA, not Regal theaters.

About two weeks ago, I was in West Palm Beach and went to the Regal Multiplex on State Route 7. Looked like a decent physical facility, but when I entered the screen to see Million Dollar Baby, the first thing I noticed was that the theater had not been cleaned between shows. This caused massive confusion because people entering the theater thought seats were already taken because drinks and popcorn containers were left at seats.

Then, during the show, the house lights came on twice during the screening. It took someone banging on the projection glass to get them off again. During the closing credits, the theater was kept at full darkness and the audience was half-jokingly screaming for them to put the lights back on.

The tragedy is that the technical presentation of the film itself was pretty good. No problems at reel changes, it was in focus, even-brightness across the screen, decent, if unspectacular sound, no dirt or scratches, etc.

I complained to the Customer Service desk and the manager (?) gave me passes. He claimed "kids were fooling around with the lights" to which I replied, "aren't the switches in the booth?" He had no answer. (Maybe he didn't know what a "booth" was.)

I was telling other friends in Florida about the incident and the same night, they saw the same film in a different Regal. At that showing, the video ads projector didn't shut down and the ads played over part of the first reel of the movie.

These chains are committing suicide by cheaping out in the booth. Is it really worth saving a few dollars an hour across 18 screens when such an unprofessional presentation results? I think movie theaters are going to be the biggest promoters of HDTV in the home.

Posted by Brandon Willis (Member # 2345) on 03-11-2005, 08:37 AM:

Maybe some kids were fooling around with the clean-up lights? We get this every now and then at my theatre since the switch is right by the door. The cops always chase them down and kick them out.
As far as staying to the end of the credits, I've seen ushers go into the auditoriums and stand around looking impatient while someone is watching the credits. We instruct them to wait outside until the blue tag comes up at the end. If I catch an usher standing inside the auditorium, I can just say that they were watching a movie on the clock and write them up.
As far as presentation goes, we are trained through Regal's booth certification program and as long as we follow all the guidelines, obviously presentation will be good. While nobody can be spot on 100% of the time we do the best we can.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 03-12-2005, 08:42 PM:

If the switch for your cleanup lights is right by the door, consider replacing the switch with a tamper-resistant lightswitch, that needs a special tool turn on/off. It's easy to install (no requirement to have an electrician run wires to the booth), and solves the problem. [thumbsup]

--jhawk
[edit to add parenthesis]

[ 03-12-2005, 10:03 PM: Message edited by: John Hawkinson ]

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-12-2005, 09:46 PM:

Hook the friggin' switch into the automation such that it can NOT be turned on when a show is running. Problem solved.

Posted by Brandon Willis (Member # 2345) on 03-15-2005, 11:37 AM:

The ushers need to be able to get to the switch, though. On the other hand, if it were controlled in the booth, we could turn it off after a set amount of time, giving the ushers a set length of time to clean before the auditorium goes dark. They'd better have it cleaned up before the lights go down or they get written up.

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 03-15-2005, 08:41 PM:

Some local codes require a working switch in the back of the theater for emergencies.