Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Seeing (most of) 'Children of Men'...

This is topic Seeing (most of) 'Children of Men'... in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 11-09-2006, 04:20 AM:

Last night I went to see 'Children of Men'. I don't know what it's like yet because I haven't seen the end of it.

Why?

During the final two reels, the film started jumping in the gate mildly. Unfortunately, it became progressively worse until there was an earthquake onscreen. I told my friend I'd go tell someone about it.

I leave the theatre and find...no one. Not a single staff member to be found anywhere. At this location, the manager's office is located behind the counter, so I couldn't knock on the door either. Not knowing what to do, I waited. And waited...nothing.

Finally, fifteen minutes later, the movie finished and the other audience members poured out. I figured that they would want to mention something too, but nothing. Nada. Apparently, earthquake vision is acceptable to them.

Then a staff member appeared. At last!

I explained the situation, and mentioned that there was no one to tell at the time it was happening. He disappeared into the manager's office and came out a few minutes later.

'I spoke to the manager and the projectionist, and they said to tell you that the movie was shot that way - there's a lot of handheld camerawork.'

I explained that handheld camerawork moves in ALL directions, not just up and down.

'But the projectionist said he checked it.'

I asked what time it was checked; he didn't know.

He disappears again, and emerges a few minutes later again with passes to another show - fine.

My main gripes about this experience were:

a) That if there was someone on hand when I had first come out, they could have seen the problem first hand, and the projectionist could have seen it as well (and not just 'take my word for it')

b) After all the frustrating waiting, only to be told that I am wrong in the fault that I saw, especially since the show was no longer on the screen for them to prove otherwise. If I'd been stupid enough to wait for the end to say something, my bad. If I came out as soon as the problem occurred and there's no one to tell and the show's over by the time I tell them, their bad.

This was the final round of sessions for the night.

What are most theatre's policies regarding having staff on hand in the foyer for the patrons to report problems?

On a final note, I am sympathetic to these kinds of things - if there is a problem and I can tell someone about it straight away and the problem is attended to as soon as possible, then I'm fine with that. That's not my gripe.

One more thing - I am AMAZED that I was the only one who thought the image was unwatchable. WTF???

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 11-09-2006, 05:46 AM:

Next time, don't take your pills with an energy drink and you won't have that problem. [Big Grin]

No but really, this probably belongs in the stupid projectionist topic. Oh well. I does sound as if the flims slipped too tight on either the upper feed or lower feed sprockets causing it to be too tight and jump in the gate.

Posted by Matthew Peters (Member # 1495) on 11-09-2006, 08:17 AM:

Which cinema did you attend?

"We need a name."
(Demanded in a Chinese accent, Seinfeld style [Big Grin]

)

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 11-09-2006, 10:03 AM:

Charles: [Smile]

Hi Matt!

This was the Greater Union in Bondi Junction, Sydney.

Posted by Edwin Sheldon (Member # 4001) on 11-09-2006, 10:20 AM:

I want to see this movie (sans film interruptions) very badly. Alfonso Cuaron does phenomenal work.

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 11-09-2006, 10:20 AM:

I had an experience where there was a pronounced travel ghost. I was told by the manager that the projectionist had said that it was in the print. The travel ghost did get corrected when I explained that there was an adjustment that could be done on the fly that would probably resolve the issue. Bizarre thing was that no other people were or had been complaining.

Posted by John Koutsoumis (Member # 1855) on 11-09-2006, 08:12 PM:

quote:
'I spoke to the manager and the projectionist, and they said to tell you that the movie was shot that way - there's a lot of handheld camerawork.'

I explained that handheld camera work moves in ALL directions, not just up and down.

'But the projectionist said he checked it.'

That's the typical "multiplex" response. I saw "Alexander" at a Village cinema and it was weaving in and out of focus in the center. I got the same response, that it's "shot that way" [Roll Eyes]

I have also heard 'projectionists' at multiplexes comment that it's a really hard job that they have, so we should stop our whining and just watch the film regardless of how it's presented. [Confused]

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 11-09-2006, 08:29 PM:

We have some minor weaveing going on on number 4. Anyone reading this sight might pick it up, but your average customer won't, and doesdn't. Still bugs me. I've checked the lateral guide, the trap, the gate, etc. I've added gate tension, reduced it. For a while I though it was coming from the loose lens turret, and it was for the most part. Occasionally a customer commented when it was that bad. But now that the turret is secure, still have slight weave. Oh well. I'm a multiplex projectionist, and stuff like that, even unnoticed by the customer, bothers the crap out of me.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-09-2006, 08:57 PM:

You need to repost this in the "Hey You... You Suck!" thread in the Film Handla's Fo'um. Daz wut it b 4 yo.

Also e-mail the corporate office with the thread link. Actually you can't do that. E-mail them with the www.film-tech.com link and then give them specific instructions on how to navigate to the specific post you typed and tell them it is for all the world to see. Or better yet take a screen shot of your post, crop it, turn it into a JPEG, send it to them and then tell 'em it came from Film-Tech where it is public for everyone to see. That way they don't have to spend 20 minutes trying to find your post, and with their intelligence level that would be a good time for them, even with instructions.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 11-09-2006, 09:26 PM:

Of course that is all assuming those guys have the ability to read. No guarantee.
[Roll Eyes]

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 11-10-2006, 02:13 AM:

Yeah, much of this stuff belongs in other categories, but you'll find that alot. Often things will apply to different areas, but that's the way communcation happens. Someone posed a reply here that is kinda a movie review, though just a brief opinion. And me? I just wasted 2 hrs of my life previewing Borat. There weren't any problems to fix, so not only did the content of the movie waste my time, but the fact that it was a smooth show took away any consolation I may have had.

Posted by Gerard S. Cohen (Member # 994) on 11-11-2006, 02:50 PM:

Best remedy posted on F-T is to add the theater's phone number to your cellphone list before you go. If there's a problem, call the manager from your seat and ask him to have it corrected, or to put you on to the projectionist's line.