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This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
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Author
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Topic: Classic trouble calls.
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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man
Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 05-26-2002 02:39 PM
I think this belongs in this tread. Anyway, for years of servicing and running projection booths, I have heard some lame-brained boner statements about equipment malfunction from the operators/projectionists. The best one I have heard was: "Duh, you know that axle that sticks out of the back of the camera with the fan blade on it? Well, it don't go around." That one held the record until this weekend. I received a trouble call that was equal or better than the above. "Duh, the voices in Star Wars don't work." Sorry, I just could not resist posting this.  Jeeze........Have some of you heard better ones?
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-26-2002 03:02 PM
I'd rather get those calls for help...My people used to get a little ahead of themselves..."...I noticed that the projected image looked extremely blurry on screen. At first I suspected that the lens may have been dirty but after cleaning it the problem still persisted. It was then that I suspected that the gears in the projector may have been off. But after checking them and tightening the washer I realized that the problem was slightly beyond my basic knowledge..." Solution: Lens needed focusing. Another problem used to be incomplete reports which didn't specify which location/complex or screen # and, in the case of platters, which disc. I solved this by creating a form which - for the most part - only calls for circling. There is a very small space for a free-form written commentary on the problem and we added a training module to teach the operators how to (or how NOT to) report a malfunction. ------------------
~Manny. Some people can read "War and Peace" and come away thinking it's a simple adventure story while I, on the other hand, can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.
Lex Luthor, "Superman: The Movie"
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Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!
Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 05-26-2002 03:08 PM
"How make stick light?""Film no longer fit on platter!" (no film was added) "Everyone sounds like adults from the 'Peanuts'!" (actually a very good description for the non-techie)
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Antonio Marcheselli
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1260
From: Florence, Italy
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 05-26-2002 04:37 PM
A bit Off Topic but sounds like when I'm doing PC network manteinance (during spare time).No matter what is the problem, a power plug not connected or the mouse broken. The problem description will be
"We cannot access the network".  Once I found that the PC was completely dead and on the monitor there was "NO SIGNAL OR CABLE DISCONNECTED". Cable disconnected=no access to the network I imagine that theater manteinance should be very fun sometimes... Bye and sorry for the OT. Antonio
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Adam Wilbert
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 590
From: Bellingham, WA, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 05-26-2002 04:44 PM
"Duh, the voices in Star Wars don't work."You got that call too?! They called me first (don't know why, i'm not the tech!) And I explained that, "No, you mean the center channel." Not wanting to get into an argument over the phone, I just dropped the whole thing after the response came back, "No, it has nothing to do with the channels, the voices aren't working." I can't stand people who don't care enough to learn anything. Paul, don't forget the "The movie is showing on the top and bottom of the curtains" when the (top) masking was set to scope for a flat film. argh.
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-26-2002 04:50 PM
Oh yeah...the old standard..."the picture is falling off of the screen."Translation: we're showing a flat movie with a scope plate. ------------------
~Manny. Some people can read "War and Peace" and come away thinking it's a simple adventure story while I, on the other hand, can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.
Lex Luthor, "Superman: The Movie"
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Pete Naples
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1565
From: Dunfermline, Scotland
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 05-27-2002 03:12 AM
"I've got no sound in any of my three screens"
"Is everything on?"
"Yes"
"Are you sure? Are the LED's on?"
"Yes"Turns out that the vis leds were not on, he thought I meant the leds on the power amps! Or "I changed the lamp and the new one won't strike"
"Is it in properly?"
"Of course, I've been doing this for twenty yearsw, do you think I'm an idiot?!"
"No, just checking. Is it trying to strike?"
"Yes the striker buzzes and I can see a flash in the lamphouse"
"Is the rectifiers ok?"
"Yes, 110v off load" This 20 year experienced expert had managed somehow to connect both cables from a 2000W lamp to the cathode stud!
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John Wilson
Film God
Posts: 5438
From: Sydney, Australia.
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 05-27-2002 07:35 AM
I once had:The screen is moving back and forth sideways!!! The century lateral guide spring had sprung and was not tensioning the film as it entered the gate. ------------------
"It's not the years honey, it's the mileage". - Indiana Jones.
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Ken Lackner
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1907
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 05-27-2002 01:29 PM
Why do people always say "the screen" when they are really referring to the picture on the screen!?? That bugs the shiot out of me!Can you fix the screen?
The screen is messed up.
The screen is cut in half.
The screen is on the wall.
The screen is not centered. No, people. There is nothing wrong with the screen here. It is the picture on the screen! Grrrr... ------------------
This one time, at Projection Camp, I stuck a xenon bulb....
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