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Author Topic: Theater Closing - Prepping booth for future re-opening Dan Crittenden Film Handler Posts: 11 From: Calgary, AB, Canada Registered: Dec 2009 posted 11-02-2011 03:33 PM                     So the theatre I'm currently at is shutting down for at least the winter, possibly up to a couple of years. It's a sad week here for all of us, as this two screen theater has operated since 1951, and under current management for the last 19 years. Anyway, I've got to pack down the booth for the closure, and I'm wondering if anyone has some advice or special considerations to make when doing this. I was planning to at least take the bulbs out of the projectors, pack them away and put plastic covers over all the equipment. Any other thoughts? We're running a Vic 8(35/70), a Vic 5(35), and a Prevost 16mm  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-02-2011 05:12 PM                     If there are any plans to reopen the theater at any point in the foreseeable future, I wouldn't worry about the xenon lamps. They can stay in place as long as the power is turned off at the panel and the lamp houses are kept shut. The thing that I would be worried about the most is the oil and/or grease getting old and hard. I'm not sure what to do about that. I might just change the oil and grease the gears and let the projectors be. If the machines are all covered in plastic bags to keep the dust off, I don't see why they couldn't sit for several months to a year without worry. If possible, it might be good to turn the mechanisms over every once in a while, either running the motors or just turning the flywheels by hand. The idea being to keep oil or grease on the gears so they don't rust, etc. I guess the real question is how long the theater is going to be mothballed. If it's only a few months, up to a year, I would be inclined to just clean everything well, cover it all up and come back when it's time to reopen. If it's going to be several years, I would consider doing more but, without knowing how long it's going to be, I can only guses.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 11-02-2011 08:43 PM                        We use the plastic from mattresses to mothball the projectors. They stay pristine. If no heat is possible, a small light bulb (15 watts) located on the floor under the plastic will provide enough heat to stop any moisture or dew. Louis  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 11-02-2011 10:06 PM                        I doubt it would re-open with film projectors.  |  IP: Logged Jim Cassedy Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1661 From: San Francisco, CA Registered: Dec 2006 posted 11-02-2011 11:21 PM                     Depending on the climate and "urbanizaion" of your area, you may want to consider either: a)Using styrofoam or foam rubber to block off the lamphouse flue pipes if they are vented to the outside. or b)Even better and recommended- - disconnect the lamphouses entiresly from the exhaust system and block it (the exhaust flues)completely off. Here in the San Franicsco, I've seen quite a bit of lamphouse deterioration in the form of both corrosion (from salt air) and soot/dirt from city traffic) in theaters that have been closed for as few as six months from being exposed to the outside air coming down the exhaust flue stacks. In worst case I've seen, some small bird or other animal actually made its' way into the lamphouse through the exhaust flue & built a nest in there! The lamphouse had to be replaced since many of the wires had been chewed through and acid from animal urine & feces totally corroded the interior. Yuk!  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 11-03-2011 01:23 AM                     I doubt it would re-open with film projectors.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-03-2011 02:08 AM                        Agreed with Brad & Joe. Two years ago I would have said, keep the film systems as a backup -- which is what we did here. But, we haven't shown a movie on film since we digitized, and if our digital machine needs service in the next few years it'll be covered by the service plan, which by the time that runs out film will probably be unavailable anyway. I also thought I would enjoy watching my collection of old trailers and other stuff on the film system once in a while but to date, I haven't done that either.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 11-03-2011 02:42 AM                     I doubt it would re-open with film projectors.  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 11-03-2011 08:56 AM                     What is film? Can I get it on my i-phone or big screen tv?  |  IP: Logged Paul Gordon Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 580 From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Registered: Aug 2005 posted 11-03-2011 09:05 AM                        Best option now... sell as much of the film stuff as you can. In two years you will have really big boat anchors. Can the projectors run 70mm? do they have mag heads, do you have a cp-200? if so you might be able to sell them.  |  IP: Logged

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