Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Fox movie channel

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Posted by Jerry Chase (Member # 660) on 05-17-2001, 11:06 PM:

I just about split a gut guys, and I'm beginning to know what Bob Maar is talking about when he says it hurts. I tivoed the Fox Movie Channel presentation of the first version of the film "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," and was fast forwarding through the filler at the end when I glimpsed a guy lacing up a platter. I thought to myself "Huh!?!" and watched the three minute fill.

This experienced projectionist for a major movie circuit was shown explaining the advances in film technology and saying that there was no future in projection as a career. From his statements, I inferred that he had been exposed to the business since 1968.

As he was threading, I was thinking "No, that isn't how I would thread..." and began to wonder a little more when the stated most important knowledge that his father had passed on to him was "thread as fast as you can," but I fell off the couch when, in a full frontal serious shot, he explained in all earnestness that the first films were made of silver nitrate and would explode if they caught fire.

Uhhhh... silver nitrate??? Well burn my warts, I always thought it was nitrocellulose! I'd pass it by if I was told that in casual conversation, but for it to make it past him, the camera crew, the director and editor, and onto the Fox Movie Channel???!!! Give me a break!

The story went on to say that film was now made of the same polyester used in clothing (NOW we know what happened to all those indestructable leisure suits!) and that use of the film reduced the number of annoying breaks in the film. Hmmmm.

The filler continued on with another major gaff that I'll leave for you to discover if you get to see it. Karen at DTS would be happy to know the improvement in the DTS technology.

Man, if this is what passes for good filler these days, I've got to get into the action.

BTW, when did DTS start getting into consumer recordings?
http://store.dtsonline.com

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 05-18-2001, 12:43 AM:

DTS has been making 6 channel music CDs for some time now. I even have a few of them. They sound pretty damn good!

Posted by Evans A Criswell (Member # 381) on 05-18-2001, 09:13 AM:

Yes. I have Marvin Gaye "Forever Yours", The Police Greatest Hits, and one of the Sting CDs (The one with "Fields of Gold" on it), plus a DTS demo CD. I really like the DTS mixes, although the Marvin Gaye DTS mixes seem a bit artificial at times, but some of the songs sound better than the mono versions available on the Motown discs.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 05-18-2001, 10:10 AM:

Jerry said: "Uhhhh... silver nitrate??? Well burn my warts, I always thought it was nitrocellulose! I'd pass it by if I was told that in casual conversation, but for it to make it past him, the camera crew, the director and editor, and onto the Fox Movie Channel???!!! Give me a break!"

Unfortunately, there is alot of misinformation from so-called "experts" that gets passed along as fact. Much of the press coverage of digital cinema refer to modern motion picture films as "celluloid", which AFAIK, properly refers only to cellulose nitrate. IMHO, the term is used to give the impression that film is very old fashioned and not "with it". (BTW, Websters Dictionary defines "Celluloid" as a trademark used for a tough flammable thermoplastic composed essentially of cellulose nitrate and camphor).

Kodak stands ready to help the press correctly describe film technology, as well as Kodak's very substantial efforts in developing and improving digital imaging technology. Much of the information is already on the Kodak website. They just need to ask for the facts, rather than pass along misinformation.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 05-18-2001, 11:53 AM:

I guess I'm getting old...but I am not surprised. It is also good to know that there are people out here that really care about film and are willing to share their knowledge with all who read and absorb. I have always tried to put myself in the "director's chair" when setting up screen sizes and presentation to the consumer. I have lectured at the University Of Connecticut, The New School, New York University and addressed many High School film classes in the New York City area. These are the people who will be working with us and carrying on the real truth about exhibition and I have found that these students really care. It is nice to know that what we do and say now will be carried forward into the next generation.

I feel bad for the fellow who Jerry Heard because he has been living for years with false knowledge.

Can you teach old dog's new tricks?

I think some of us can learn.