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Author Topic: What is this film measuring machine? Michael Hossen Expert Film Handler Posts: 136 From: Perth, Australia Registered: Apr 2007 posted 09-27-2009 08:53 AM                        Hi Guys When I was visiting a new complex my employer just opened this week I came across this film measuring machine. I can't find out any details about it on the net so I thought I'd ask the experts. It seems like a very nice little unit, runs very smooth and looks well built. Cheers Michael  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 09-27-2009 08:56 AM                       Moviola, by J&R.  |  IP: Logged Michael Hossen Expert Film Handler Posts: 136 From: Perth, Australia Registered: Apr 2007 posted 09-27-2009 09:00 AM                        Well Tim, that makes it easy. Thanks for that. Are they actually any good?  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 09-27-2009 09:08 AM                       The best. The multiple-sprocket versions of that (2-6 gang) are called synchronizers, and they were used in the production of most all movies for decades; every editor had one. Until editing went digital. I have a 4-gang version myself.  |  IP: Logged Michael Hossen Expert Film Handler Posts: 136 From: Perth, Australia Registered: Apr 2007 posted 09-27-2009 09:21 AM                        Ok, cool. So I should just go and steal it from them now? I'll have to work out where they got it from... Thanks for the info.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 09-27-2009 09:56 AM                        Most of the 4 gang units found out here in Mid-America were originally Cinerama units: 3 picture reels and one sound reel. I have one, too. Most were converted to "single wheel" units as an aid to finding frame lines. These have a side made of plywood. Louis  |  IP: Logged Richard P. May Expert Film Handler Posts: 243 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Jan 2006 posted 09-27-2009 12:20 PM                     Louis, Were the Cinerama synchronizers you are familiar with set up for the six-perf frames? When we were doing the restoration of HOW THE WEST WAS WON, the negative cutter who was converting the film setup from autoselect to a/b rolls was able to find one of these that had come from the ex MGM studio. They seem to be extremely rare. In our lab work today, the four-rank synchronizers are important when working with original 3-strip Technicolor negatives (YCM+sound). DM  |  IP: Logged Mitchell Dvoskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1869 From: West Milford, NJ, USA Registered: Jan 2001 posted 09-27-2009 01:21 PM                     Actually, it looks exactly like the Hollywood brand frame/footage counter. The numbers on the sprocket wheel are frames, the counter is feet. I have seen a number of items where the "Moviola" and the "Hollywood" versions are identical other than the name plate. I don't know if one company made for the other, or they both sourced from the same manufacturer.  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 09-27-2009 02:06 PM                     I had two in my multiplex, we used them to cut in frame trailers and adv. Very heavy, very well made, very useful. I think they bought them from Jack Roe UK. I saw some other frame counter elsewhere, not as heavy as them, almost useless because they tend to follow the print  |  IP: Logged Christopher Seo Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 530 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-27-2009 06:58 PM                     This editorial type of footage counter is much better than what I've seen for normal cinema use. The sprocket is conveniently 1 foot (16 frames) in circumference, and hollowed out so you can see the film over a lightbox. Works smoothly and reliably even at fast speeds. Reading the feet and frames separately can be a bit tricky at first (just before the sprocket turns 16 frames, the counter already indicates 1 foot).  |  IP: Logged Damien Taylor Master Film Handler Posts: 493 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2007 posted 09-27-2009 11:10 PM                     Michael, which company are you with? I always assumed you must have worked at the Busselton hard-top or drive-in  |  IP: Logged John Hawkinson Film God Posts: 2273 From: Cambridge, MA, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 09-28-2009 12:49 AM                     Formally speaking, this is a one-gang sync block. As noted above, it's the best kind of footage counter to have. They show up on EBay periodically, though generally 2-to-4 gang versions. Not quite as compact as the 1-gang, but perfectly servicable. Get one. --jhawk  |  IP: Logged Michael Hossen Expert Film Handler Posts: 136 From: Perth, Australia Registered: Apr 2007 posted 09-28-2009 09:27 AM                        quote: Michael, which company are you with? I always assumed you must have worked at the Busselton hard-top or drive-in [Confused] Damien, I'm with Ace. The cinema down here has been an Ace site for the last 4 or so years since we renovated. We're now a three screen. Thanks everyone for the information, I will be on the lookout for one.  |  IP: Logged Matt Skilton Film Handler Posts: 43 From: Bromley, Kent, UK Registered: May 2009 posted 09-28-2009 09:49 AM                        That does look like one mean footage counter. Hmmmm, when I'm a manager I know what my first purchase order will be  |  IP: Logged Brian Guckian Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 594 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Apr 2003 posted 10-01-2009 05:39 PM                     This essential equipment continues to be manufactured / supplied as new. Ask your local service engineer / tech for details  |  IP: Logged

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