Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: White House Screening Room

This is topic White House Screening Room in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Joshua Lott (Member # 240) on 09-30-2002, 01:04 PM:

I was wondering if any one had pictures or stories about the white house screening room. I wonder how one would go about getting that job?

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 09-30-2002, 02:51 PM:

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson inaugurated the brand new White House Screening Room in 1915 with D.W. Griffith's controversial film, The Birth of a Nation.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 09-30-2002, 08:29 PM:

I stand corrected from off-site. The current Presidential Screening Room was a part of the East Wing expansion in 1942.

However, Wilson watched the film with his cabinet staff, so they had a screening in a room in the White House.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-30-2002, 08:43 PM:

So do they have Dolby Digital? CA21 automations? Kinoton projectors? Oops, they can only have "Made in the USA" stuff so it will probably be a Strong package. I hope it is at least a Century projector and not a Simplex.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-30-2002, 08:52 PM:

Does anyone know if the White House is using carbon arc or xenon?

Joe: they could also be using Brenkerts or Motiographs! (But, yes, I hope they have Centurys.)

Posted by Thomas Hauerslev (Member # 566) on 10-01-2002, 02:42 AM:

Why don't you contact them? It's all here, or is the government to paranoid to answer such questions? Clearly they must have equipment suppliers and projectionists working there. Get in touch with them, and ask them. With the historically open nature of the US administration, it should be a simple task to find out.

------------------
Cheers, Thomas
www.in70mm.com
www.dp70.com
www.70mm.dk

Posted by Robert Throop (Member # 61) on 10-01-2002, 03:49 PM:

Before Lester Isaac became Supervisor of Projection for Loew's in 1926, he'd been White House projectionist for presidents Wilson, Harding and Coolidge.

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Bob Throop

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 10-01-2002, 04:29 PM:

OK, I accept your challenge Thomas.

I asked a number of technical questions, and suggested that my email be directed to whomever is in charge of that function there. If I receive any reply, I will post it here.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 10-01-2002, 04:35 PM:

I hope we hear from David again. National Security and all.

If I can get enough information, or maybe an invite, I'd love to do a profile on my website.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 10-01-2002, 04:43 PM:

I thought of that. I'm probably on some "list" now. The only faintly provocative question I asked was how many people the screening room seats. The rest of it was technical stuff. I also requested pictures. Will be interesting to see if they come up with anything. Will also be interesting if someone from the FBI comes knocking on my door tonight.

I just figure Peter's right -- it's not like any of this is a state secret.

Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 10-01-2002, 06:05 PM:

The White House Screening Room was handled by the US Information Agency. Most of their supplies use to be ordered from the Navy Motion Picture Service through a NYC Dealer. There is a lurker out here who can answer most of your questions..so I will be quiet for now and see if he will join in as he could become a valued member.

No Joke....

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-01-2002, 06:30 PM:

I know (Name blanked out)can answer these questions. I think he has worked there..........
Mark @ CLACO

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-01-2002, 06:45 PM:

A few links:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/facts.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/whtour/
http://ns.kreative.net/cooper/TourOfDC/tours/WhiteHouse/

AFAIK, the movie theatre is located in the East Wing.

------------------
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 Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 10-01-2002, 07:03 PM:

Come to think of it, Bill Clinton was a big movie fan and it is said that the screening room was one of his favorite perks. Maybe someone in his office would be able to enlighten us.

Or maybe the White House Historical Association, 740 Jackson Place NW, Washington DC 20560 202-737-8292

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 10-01-2002, 08:19 PM:

Hot on the trail ... the following is from the White House History Association's website:

In 1942, Roosevelt ordered an East Terrace cloakroom called the "Hat Box" converted into a movie theater. Here the president enjoyed watching news reels and took special interest in the battles fought in Europe and Asia.

Source: William Seale, The President's House

The “Hat Box” as it appeared during the Reagan administration.

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 10-02-2002, 12:05 AM:

Didn't Al Gore invent cinemas about three years before he invented the internet?

------------------
Samual Hunter Sr.

KC5ZSL

Posted by Jim Ziegler (Member # 86) on 10-02-2002, 12:30 AM:

Hmmmm... Maybe Al Gore invented digital cinema...

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 10-02-2002, 12:45 AM:

That's why it looks so lifeless!

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 10-02-2002, 01:12 PM:

Sam, Jim and Daryl,

As a life long Democrat and one of the majority in the country that voted for Mr. Gore, I find all of your comments very offensive and insulting!!! While we have all been asked not to discuss politics and religion on this forum, I thought the way religion is now being discussed is fine because it never made fun or attacked anyone's religious belief as yours did to my political preference.

-Claude

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 10-02-2002, 01:17 PM:

Bogey never said, "Play it again, Sam!" and Al Gore never said he invented the internet. He did make a poorly worded statement taking some of the credit for initiatives which helped make turn the early internet into what it is today. He does deserve some credit although obviously he didn't "invent" anything. But he never said he did.

How about we leave Bush v. Gore aside and instead rate the daughters!

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 10-02-2002, 01:43 PM:

How about we talk about the White House screening room?

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 10-02-2002, 02:05 PM:

Many heartfelt Conservative Apologies to you Claude.

------------------
Samual Hunter Sr.

KC5ZSL

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-02-2002, 03:28 PM:

Links to some of Al Gore's speeches about technology and the Internet:
http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/EOP/OVP/speeches/itu.html
http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/EOP/OVP/speeches/edtech.html
http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/EOP/OVP/speeches/nyu.html
http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/EOP/OVP/speeches/microsof.html

While he may not have "created" it, Vice President Gore certainly supported and promoted the Internet. He was one of the first government officials to have a personal Web site and coined the phrase "information superhighway." In 1991, then Senator Gore authored the "High Performance Computing and Communications Act." As Vice President, Mr. Gore promoted the expansion of Internet commerce and taken on Internet security and privacy issues:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/blgorenet.htm
http://www.firstmonday.dk/issues/issue5_10/wiggins/

As far as Digital Cinema, legend has it that Thomas Edison invented it! When Mr. Edison approached George Eastman to make movie film for his invention, Mr. Eastman asked how wide? Edison held his first two digits (thumb and index finger) 1-3/8 inches apart, and said "about this wide". And so Digital Cinema was born.

Actually, Edison's assistant W.K.L. Dickson purchased film from Eastman that was slit from the 2-3/4 inch wide film being made for still cameras. On receiving the film, Dickson wrote:

Eastman Dry Plate Co. ..........................Sept. 2nd '89

Dear Sirs:
Enclosed Please find sum of $2.50 P.O.O. due you for one roll Kodak film for which please accept thanks -- I shall try same today & report -- it looks splendid -- I never succeeded in getting this substance in such straight long pieces.

Sincerely yrs.

Wm. K. L. Dickson

We've come a long way in 113 years.

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 10-02-2002, 03:44 PM:

Steve and John:

Thanks for clarifying that. Like a lot of people, I just assumed that he really did say that he invented the internet.

Adam...I'm with you...I can't wait to get the low-down on the White House screening room.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 10-02-2002, 03:51 PM:

I received an auto-reply msg from the WH, but nothing else yet. I also spent about an hour with Google and other search engines, and couldn't find much at all except that it's in the East Wing.

Posted by Joshua Lott (Member # 240) on 10-02-2002, 04:35 PM:

I to have sent an email to the white house. Received the auto response as well. I searched for awhile and could only find out the stuff that is already posted on this site...

That would be one of the coolest perks! I read a couple of press releases that stated Bush had invited some stars over when he played there movies. Also he invited some of the Kennedy's over when he played 13 Days.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 10-02-2002, 04:48 PM:

Claude, I did not intend to offend anyone with my comment. Living in a small rural town on the 'other side' of the border I don't always get to hear the whole story. I too thought that Mr. Gore did infact claim to be the 'father of the internet'. Regardless, I should have known that there is a culture difference and I appologize for offending you.

From what I read during the last US election, I too would probably have supported the same candidate as yourself.

Daryl

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 10-02-2002, 06:26 PM:

Thank you for your apology, Sam & Daryl. I humbly accept them.

Although there are difference in the platform of every political parties, most elected officials regardless of their party are all honorable men and women. The sad thing about politics is how mean spirited some people can be towards their elected officials if the person belongs to another party and their belief is contrary to theirs. One of Hawaii's representative to the US congress just passed away last Saturday, and two days later, one person called Patsy Mink a "HICK" in the 'Letters to The Editors' in our morning newspaper because of her strong libral beliefs. Some businesses with outdoor flag displays are also showing their disrespect by flying both the national and state flag at full staff even after our governor had asked that all flags in the state to be lowered until her funeral on Friday.
It is very sad when some Americans behave like this.

Enough about politics! What did you guys find out about the White House projection booth?

-Claude

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 10-03-2002, 11:41 AM:

>> I find all of your comments [about Al Gore] very offensive and insulting!!!<<

But it's perfectly OK for Charles Everett and others to bash President Bush?

I think I smell hypocrisy here.

FWIW, I have always been opposed for non-film topics (ESPECIALLY politics and religion issues not directly relating to motion picture industry) here on Film-Tech as the potential for things to get out of hand is very real, plus there are many other forums out there to argue politics...

-Aaron

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 10-03-2002, 11:45 AM:

We are all buddies on this forum

------------------
Samual Hunter Sr.

KC5ZSL

Posted by Martin Brooks (Member # 1269) on 10-03-2002, 05:55 PM:

I agree that I don't think we should be discussing either religion or politics on Film-Tech, except as it affects the business.

Posted by Per Hauberg (Member # 529) on 10-03-2002, 06:21 PM:

FILM-TECH on the edge of civil war.
And this fine place is inhabited by good friends and colleques.
No wonder, the world explodes now and then.
Please keep both politics and religion far away and stay with fighting over who left start out on one reel and end on the others...

Happy thoughts !

Per

Posted by Howard I. Neustadt (Member # 1447) on 10-04-2002, 03:17 PM:

I was projecting at Todd-A/O in nyc when Mike Nichols was sound mixing "Wolf" starring Jack and Michelle. The fist asistant editor had to travel to DC to screen the picture for Bill C. in the WH screening room. Upon the editor's return to NY, his comments were "What a crappy room with mono sound!" During the show, the editor requested that the volume level be increased and the reply from the Secret Service A/V dude was "Uh, no, not unless The President says so!"

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Posted by Martin Brooks (Member # 1269) on 10-04-2002, 06:12 PM:

Well..would you be happier knowing that a state of the art screening room at the White House had been paid for by taxpayer dollars?

I think I remember reading many years ago that the then supposedly state-of-the-art White House audio system had been donated by Avery Fisher.

Maybe if the White House screening room isn't up to snuff, some hardware companies can donate some products. Wouldn't want Dubya to miss the sounds of any explosions.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 12-26-2002, 11:42 AM:

UPDATE: I never heard a word from them. I suppose they could be preoccupied dealing with Saddam and North Korea. [Wink]

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 12-26-2002, 02:54 PM:

Send them a letter. Then, if they don't answer, call up the BBB in DC and complain about the poor customer service! [Smile]

Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 12-26-2002, 09:41 PM:

This thread seems to have escaped me. I can tell you that back in the early 1990's I won a bid to put new projection equipment in the Theatre at Camp David. This bid was sent to the company that I worked for at the time by the US Information Agency and in conjunction with the Navy Motion Picture Service.

I also was able to ship supplies o the White House through the same channel.

Hope this helps whoever needs this information.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 12-28-2002, 06:59 PM:

Careful what you say, Bob. Can't have our projection secrets falling into enemy hands! Look at how the Soviets ripped off Todd-AO and Cinerama! What could a determined enemy do with advanced 1960 Smell-O-Vision technology?

Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 12-28-2002, 09:13 PM:

Steve, As long as they are smelling "Martini's" I promise you I will never lose. [Smile]

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 01-22-2009, 02:57 AM:

It has been 2216 days since the last post.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 01-22-2009, 02:57 AM:

Today's New York Times reports that on Tuesday night

quote: Jeff Zeleny; White House Memo: A Busy Night on the Town, Then a Busier Day at the Office

Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, had a sleepover party with classmates from Sidwell Friends School. They watched two movies — “High School Musical 3” and “Bolt” — and romped around the house in a scavenger hunt arranged by the White House staff.

I wonder if they watched them on 35mm in the white house screening room? Or just on DVD? I realize neither DVD is out commercially, but I'm sure awards screeners are floating around, at least for Bolt.

--jhawk

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-22-2009, 03:02 AM:

I have it on good authority that they were bootleg copies camcordered from a theater and transmitted over the internet via file sharing.

Posted by Joe Tommassello (Member # 4632) on 01-22-2009, 12:54 PM:

Seems to me from occasional news over quite a few administrations that the White House screening room has access to current 35mm features pretty much at their request.

Or maybe they just transferred them to 8mm and loaded them up in Kenner Easy-Show Projector loops for the kiddies.

Easy Show Commercial

[ 01-22-2009, 02:44 PM: Message edited by: Joe Tommassello ]

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 01-22-2009, 02:52 PM:

I expect, Brad, that the Obama girls have a few years before that becomes a real issue. The oldest is what, ten? Hmm...maybe not. Maybe a few months.

--jhawk

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 01-22-2009, 08:06 PM:

Yes, the White House screening room can get any current film available from the studios. Just like select Producers, Directors and Actors in Hollywood have access too, as long as you are on the their list for this service or perk. Some have it written in their contracts with the studio.
And it's a fun job.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 01-22-2009, 08:18 PM:

quote: Brad Miller
I have it on good authority that they were bootleg copies camcordered from a theater and transmitted over the internet via file sharing.

Actually the word on the street is both these films are available for download either in digital form (DVD screener) and/or telesync. Meaning that they were indeed NOT camcorded inside a theatre's auditorium.

Thank you very much!

[Razz]

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 01-22-2009, 09:03 PM:

If only that were true.

--jhawk

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 01-22-2009, 11:18 PM:

Why would you post that when right above your yellow mark is the telesync version?

If you read my post I said 'and/or' available in digital or telesync.

Telesync is a much higher quality than a cam.

Anyways...

Thank you very much! [Big Grin]

Posted by Daniel Wright (Member # 1983) on 01-22-2009, 11:43 PM:

http://gizmodo.com/361235/white-house-home-theater-reveals-laura-bushs-bordello-tastes

The speakers are by a company called Snell. You can see a projector inside the booth. Perhaps someone here who is more savvy then I am can ID it.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 01-23-2009, 12:20 AM:

quote: Dennis Benjamin
Why would you post that when right above your yellow mark is the telesync version?

Because you implied that cam versions weren't available and that it was only telesync and/or dvd.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 01-23-2009, 12:27 AM:

quote: Daniel Wright
You can see a projector inside the booth. Perhaps someone here who is more savvy then I am can ID it.

It pains me to say this, but it looks like a Ballenswine PRO-35!! [Eek!]

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 01-23-2009, 12:36 AM:

[thumbsdown]

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 01-23-2009, 01:17 AM:

quote: Brad Miller
I have it on good authority that they were bootleg copies camcordered from a theater and transmitted over the internet via file sharing.

You have such a head for knowing...you know everything! [Big Grin]

Posted by Mark Strube (Member # 4190) on 01-23-2009, 07:46 AM:

quote: Dennis Benjamin
Why would you post that when right above your yellow mark is the telesync version?

If you read my post I said 'and/or' available in digital or telesync.

Telesync is a much higher quality than a cam.

Anyways...

Telesync isn't really higher quality than a cam. It means the video source is a cam, while the audio source uses a direct line instead of the cam's built-in mic. Whether this comes from someone working in the booth, or by hacking into the hard of hearing systems, I'm not sure.

A "telecine" is the one that's better than cam quality, but usually not great since it's usually from an older or lower quality telecine machine, while a "R5" uses a Russian rental DVD, which only has Russian-language dub audio, so the pirate version is usually re-dubbed with English audio, usually from a theatre line source. These releases are usually rather rushed (and legal in Russia, I believe), so the quality is usually not quite as good as the final US/Canada retail versions, but worlds better than any cam or telecine version.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 01-23-2009, 11:18 AM:

Telecine, Telesync... both done with a machine in which the film is run through a projector and the image is recorded. Typically the audio is patched through cables and recorded directly.

My whole point is that most of the stuff on the Internet is pretty high quality now-a-days. It has become very rare that people are throwing around crappy cam versions of films. I am still trying to defend exhibitors from being blamed for all the stuff on the Internet, when actuality it is the distributors and film companies themselves.

Anyways- back to the original subject:

I wonder if there will be any changes with the White House Screening Room with the new administration? I believe changes are made when new Presidents move in.....

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 01-23-2009, 12:04 PM:

I don't know who the last one to re-do the White House was. Back in the early 1980's, Nick Moenssens, who was with National Cinema Supply/Baltimore, installed some form of basic Dolby Stereo. Louis

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 01-30-2009, 05:17 PM:

Incidently (on the tangential topic),
Andy Baio's recent blog post, Pirating the Oscars has a spreadsheet of when 2008 Oscar contenders became available on peer-to-peer networks, and various statistics. It's disturbing reading.

--jhawk

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 01-30-2009, 07:37 PM:

Please take the peer-to-peer piracy discussion to a new or existing (relevant) topic.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 01-31-2009, 01:13 AM:

Looks like Mr. Obama will be hosting a Super Bowl viewing party in the White House Screening Room. Wonder if that is a new permanently installed capability, or if they're just renting the appropriate equipment for the event?

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 05-08-2009, 06:18 PM:

Looks like the White House got a 3-D Digital system. Bet it was for the Jonas Brothers for their daughters.

(Picture from Office White House Photo Stream via Cinema Treasures)