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Author Topic: Theater complains about streaks from Film-Guard Steven J Hart Master Film Handler Posts: 282 From: WALES, ND, USA Registered: Mar 2004 posted 01-30-2010 08:30 AM                        I've been treating every film that comes through our theater with film-guard for about 7 years now following the instructions to the letter. This week, I got a complaint from the projectionist at a theater that I circuited a print to. He said that the film was damaged and he was gonna request a new print. I asked him what was wrong with it 'cause it looked perfect on our screen. He said there were "oily streaks on the film" I told him that was normal with a film-guard treated print and that it wouldn't show up on the screen. That was the end of the conversation. I don't know if he requested another print. What do I say to the distributor if they call and say I damaged the print (by protecting it using film-guard)?  |  IP: Logged Jack Ondracek Film God Posts: 2348 From: Port Orchard, WA, USA Registered: Oct 2002 posted 01-30-2010 11:04 AM                        (edit)  |  IP: Logged Jack Theakston Master Film Handler Posts: 411 From: New York, USA Registered: Sep 2007 posted 01-30-2010 12:10 PM                     Tell them that if they're disturbed by the coating, that it is easily removable by a bath in any normal film solvent such as perc or hexane. Sounds like this other guy is just trying to give you a hard time, though.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-30-2010 08:46 PM                        Film-guarded film looks horrifying on the bench to those not "in the know," but looks fine on the screen of course. Just tell them it's Film-guard and point them to this site for info.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-30-2010 10:24 PM                     This is the very reason I tell every distributor I receive film from that I use FilmGuard and I tell them to let me know if they want me to stop using it. That way nobody can try to blame me for anything. If there ever are any questions I can tell them that I already have the go-ahead from the distributor. I have never had any complaints in more than 10 years of using FilmGuard. In fact, just the opposite! People have thanked me for cleaning their prints.  |  IP: Logged Cameron Glendinning Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 845 From: West Ryde, Sydney, NSW Australia Registered: Dec 2005 posted 01-30-2010 10:39 PM                     The dude is probably feeling a little bit stupid that he called you if he uses the print and sees that it looks better than the average print! If the distributor rings you regarding it do you think they are going to worry when you tell them that you cleaned it and it left your venue in better condition than when you recieved it. If he returns it I am sure the next printwont be as good!  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 01-31-2010 04:56 AM                     That is a very common mistake from people who don't have film cleaners or never bothered to learn about them. What I normally do is explain to them that if they took their white cotton glove and gently wiped off the coating over a frame or two, they would see a pristine print below the protective coating and to project it before they think it is a bad print. For the studios, I remind them that the coating will naturally evaporate over several months to a year'ish.  |  IP: Logged Steven J Hart Master Film Handler Posts: 282 From: WALES, ND, USA Registered: Mar 2004 posted 01-31-2010 07:49 AM                        Thanks guys, I think this dude had never heard of film-guard. Likely He was under the impression that my projector was spewing oil all over the print.  |  IP: Logged Bruce McGee Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1776 From: Asheville, NC USA... Nowhere in Particular. Registered: Aug 1999 posted 01-31-2010 09:30 AM                     This guy obviously doesent know what this stuff does.. I will continue to use FG at my multiplex.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-31-2010 10:02 AM                     When I first started using FilmGuard I labeled the tail of every print: "FilmGuard applied: <DATE> -- http://www.film-tech.com/products/filmguard.html" But, since I never got any complaints about FilmGuard, I quit doing that a few years ago.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 01-31-2010 10:19 AM                        I couldn't do that with my prints since I apply fresh Filmgaurd once a week with new media pads. It's be a long-ass piece of tape with all of the dates for some movies! I have never received any complaints, either.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 01-31-2010 02:28 PM                     Just barcode it Joe!  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 01-31-2010 05:04 PM                        I was thinking of just recording the information onto the mag strip since all we run is 70mm.  |  IP: Logged Bob Jones Film Handler Posts: 47 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Jun 2003 posted 01-31-2010 07:06 PM                     This brings up a question I have been wondering - what percentage of theatres would you say use Film Guard and a media cleaner? I'm trying to get our local art house to start using it - and I want to sound educated about the percentage of other theatres that use it. Not that it is scientific - but I only see it on about 15% of prints coming from the depot for theatrical projection (we are not first run) -- but I see it on about 60-70% of prints from the collecting community.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 01-31-2010 07:24 PM                        I'd definitely say that more don't use it than do, so you'd definitely stand out amongst the dirty crowd.  |  IP: Logged

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