|
|
 
|
|
Author
|
Topic: To tree or not to tree
|
Ken Lackner
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1907
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Sep 2001
|
posted 10-02-2001 09:25 PM
Do you thread with the soundtrack towards the platter tree, or away from it?I was taught to the tree, both during payout and takeup, and that is the way I have taught others. But my current manager brought up an interesting point. During payout, if the soundtrack is away from the tree, the film is twisted in such a way that it is going with the direction that the platter turns, rather than against it. That way, if the tension gets too loose and the film sags for a second, it won't get caught on any knicks in the platter. Well, why would there be knicks in the platter!?!? I really don't think it makes a difference one way or there other, during payout. However, I have noticed that it seems to takup easier with the soundtrack towards the tree.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Ken Lackner
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1907
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Sep 2001
|
posted 10-02-2001 10:08 PM
Actually, he's not. But anyway, they are on the operator side. At the theater I was taught at, they were on the non-op side. Why would that make a difference in the film coming off the platter? (I could see how it would make a difference as to whether the soundtrack faces towards or away from the wall).So, I checked out the tips. Why to the tree? (As I said, that's the way I've always done it. Just wonderin why.) Also, if the soundtrack is never supposed to be down, how are we supposed to put FilmGuard on both sides of the print? I assume that's the only exception? (Sorry brad, we won't be getting a media cleaner any time soon.) Yes, I know I posted this in the wrong forum. Hopefully Brad will be moving it soon.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Brad Miller
Administrator
Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99
|
posted 10-03-2001 01:21 AM
The answer to the ideal way is based entirely upon what make/model platter you have as well as which side of the projector it is on. Also important is whether you are running the soundtrack edge of the film up or down on the platter as well as the orientation of the tree with respect to the wall/projector.For example. Let's say you have a Christie AW3 platter on the non-operator side running soundtrack up (probably the most common senario). On a Christie, the film should be pulled from the brain with the soundtrack toward the tree to minimize the twist. Just looking at the angle of the rollers in the brain dictates this. From there the soundtrack edge should follow against the tree down to the lower roller. As the film is brought up to the top of the tree, it should be twisted so that the film is now away from the screen both to and from the projector. From there the soundtrack will already be re-oriented with the soundtrack edge against the tree so that the takeup will be with the spinning of the platter and not against it (which can cause scratching). Let's say you have the same exact setup, but with a SPECO LP270 or LP280 platter. In this instance, the film should be brought out of the brain and to the tree with the soundtrack edge facing away from the tree. Again, this is dictated by the angle of the roller in the brain AS WELL AS the possibility of the film snagging on an outward center drop from a trailer change. From there the film should be brought to the top of the tree with the soundtrack edge away from the tree the entire time. Upon return, the soundtrack edge should be toward the tree at all times. With a SPECO LP270, running the soundtrack on the elevator away from the tree is foolish, for when running onto the top platter there is little room to twist and although many operators will argue it is a 90 degree twist either way, as the outer diameter of the film roll increases during the movie, the twist will get more extreme if soundtrack is ran away from the tree. It all just depends Ken. You need to be specific with your equipment and setup.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brad Miller
Administrator
Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99
|
posted 10-03-2001 10:50 AM
I wouldn't recommend that idea. Let's think about this. That assumption is that running the emulsion side of the film on the rollers will cause scratches is absolutely not true. Rollers are meant to spin, and they do. When a roller spins, the film cannot be scratched. Furthermore, even if a roller does not spin, they are all beveled inward so that only the outer edges come into contact with the film and the emulsion would still not get scratched. The only platter I've ever seen where a roller did not spin was in the brains of the old model SPECO platters, but there just isn't enough tension to matter anyway. Also, there is no way to thread a platter while maintaining the base side on the rollers without adding a ridiculous amount of twisting. Twisting of the film should be kept to a minimum. That's one of those ideas that looks great on paper, but does not work in the real world. Besides, running the emulsion side of the film on the rollers cuts down print shedding. Your rollers will stay cleaner, longer. Just take an old film that has accumulated a bit of dirt and run it over a web cleaner and look at the resulting pads. Regardless of the roller's threading pattern, the base side will always carry the dirt moreso than the emulsion. It's a nice idea in theory, but does not add up in the actual booth.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
All times are Central (GMT -6:00)
|
|
Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM
6.3.1.2
The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion
and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.
|
Home
Printer-friendly view of this topic