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Author Topic: What causes static? R. Andrew Diercks Expert Film Handler Posts: 232 From: Marion, Iowa (In the middle of everywhere) Registered: May 2003 posted 01-08-2004 10:32 PM                     Forgive me if this has been discussed in the 220 odd pages of this forum. I am just curious how static suddenly arrives in a print after over a week of a static free run. Print has not been moved or damaged in any way. This has happened a couple times through the years, but I have never understood why. None of my booths have been overly dry or full of static. I keep things very clean and as dust free as possible. This always seems to have a source bubble as well, all static originating from one location on the film. This is not frequent by any means, but it just occurred tonight on Cheaper by the Dozen and made me think to ask. No damage occured as projectionist was babysitting the print. Last time I can remember was We Were Soldiers at my previous location. Thanks for any input.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 01-08-2004 10:37 PM                        Just a gut feeling that the recent very cold weather in the Midwest has resulted in a significant lowering of your projection room humidity. When it's below 0F outside, the humidity inside can drop into the teens. MEASURE your humidity with an accurate gauge, and use an evaporative humidifier if necessary.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 01-08-2004 11:02 PM                     That, and also replace those bent center rings. What kind of platter system are you using?  |  IP: Logged Sam D. Chavez Film God Posts: 2153 From: Martinez, CA USA Registered: Aug 2003 posted 01-09-2004 01:20 AM                       I have not been a party to past postings on the subject of static generation, but it is this man's opinion that the last person on earth who understood the true nature of electrostatic energy was Mr. Tesla. The rest of us mere mortals can only flail away at keeping it at bay. As Ming the Merciless stated in the 1980 Flash Gordon, "Pathetic Earthlings, who can save you now? I feel better already.  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 01-09-2004 02:38 AM                         |  IP: Logged Nate Lehrke Master Film Handler Posts: 396 From: Denver, CO Registered: Oct 2002 posted 01-09-2004 02:41 AM                     quote: That, and also replace those bent center rings. How does that cause static? Tonight, on our Peter Pan print, we suddenly had a static problem & it does have a bent center ring.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 01-09-2004 02:42 AM                     The bent center ring doesn't cause the static, but it's the reason multiple layers of film are being pulled in to the brain. (That and the fact that if you have static you are not using FG.)  |  IP: Logged Dave Macaulay Film God Posts: 2321 From: Toronto, Canada Registered: Apr 2001 posted 01-09-2004 07:41 AM                     Sam, although Mr. tesla taught us all we know about A/C power and most of what we know about RF systems... he really didn't have much time for DC electricity; electrostatic charges are entirely DC. Tesla did invent something he called a "static eliminator", it looks a bit like a desk microphone stand and is full of tuned circuits. He never explained it and nobody has apparently figured it out, but it has something to do with high frequency AC rather than our difficulty with static charges and sticky film. Perhaps Mr. Edison, with his unshakeable faith in D/C, could help us here?  |  IP: Logged R. Andrew Diercks Expert Film Handler Posts: 232 From: Marion, Iowa (In the middle of everywhere) Registered: May 2003 posted 01-09-2004 10:36 AM                     We have strong platter systems, everything was new in April when we opened, no rings are bent, but that has caused problems at other locations. What level of humidity is ideal in the booth?  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-09-2004 11:07 AM                     ideally 50% at 22C  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 01-09-2004 11:47 AM                     Check where the leader is tucked into the Strong ring. Odds are you will notice a bit of a bulge there. Atmospheric conditions will then aggravate that part of the print on payout. The better solution is to drill new holes in your platters and use Christie rings.  |  IP: Logged Sam D. Chavez Film God Posts: 2153 From: Martinez, CA USA Registered: Aug 2003 posted 01-09-2004 09:01 PM                       I don't believe Dave is correct in the larger sense. For instance, RF has both an electrostatic and electro magnetic component. In shielding cables non ferrous metals are useful in interrupting electrostatic fields, but ineffective with electro magnetic fields, thus Mu metal and such are used in our trade to shield mag heads. As it pertains to a film charge it appears to be a large capacitor and thus DC. Tesla worked for Edison for a time and considered him hopelessly stupid. Telsa's insight far exceeded Edison's and in Edison's case, it was 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration.  |  IP: Logged Kevin Wale Expert Film Handler Posts: 167 From: Guymon, OK USA Registered: Aug 2003 posted 01-09-2004 09:16 PM                     quote: As Ming the Merciless stated in the 1980 Flash Gordon, "Pathetic Earthlings, who can save you now? Actually, that was only in the trailer. Didn't make the actual cut in the film. Don't see too many quotes from that movie. I actually love it. Seen it a thousand times. lol. The Queen soundtrack doesn't hurt it any either. Ming: "Clitus I'm boooored. What plaything can you offer me today?" Clitus: "An obscure body in the SK system Your Majesty. The inhabitants refer to it as the... Planet Eaaaaarth." Ming: "How peaceful it looks." Clitus: "Will you destroy this... Eaaaaarth?" Ming" "LATER! I like to play with things awhile... before annihilation. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!" I love it. LOL  |  IP: Logged Sam D. Chavez Film God Posts: 2153 From: Martinez, CA USA Registered: Aug 2003 posted 01-10-2004 11:36 AM                       You are right about the quote. Made a great tag line. I did some of the research screenings for Dolby in Scottsdale. Loved the erotic scene in the cockpit.  |  IP: Logged Phil Hill I love my cootie bug Posts: 7595 From: Hollywood, CA USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-10-2004 12:15 PM                  That was a great film! Todd AO35 blown up to 70mm. The erotic scenes in "Flesh Gordon" were much better, Sam. quote: Telsa's insight far exceeded Edison's and in Edison's case, it was 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. Absolutely! Tesla was a genius. Edison was waaaay over-rated. He had talented people working for him, but he hogged all the "credit". Not to say he didn't have some good ideas and inventions, just in general... >>> Phil  |  IP: Logged

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