From: Christopher Harris (email suppressed)
Date: Sun Mar 20 2005 - 07:23:40 PST
Hello all,
In the last seven months I have had three different 16mm prints of the same
film come back from screenings with moderate to severe damage (i.e.
scratches). I have had to have replacement prints struck twice (but so far
in each case the venues in question took responsibility so my direct costs
have been minimal). I am somewhat dismayed that 16mm projection conditions
seem so hit and miss particularly since in a couple of cases these were
established venues that inflicted the damage (I would rather not name names
because, as noted above, they handled the situation in a forthcoming
manner).
I am very careful to check every print before I send it out for a show and I
have never had any problems with my projector so I am certain that the
problem is not with my equipment. I also clean the projector before running
a prints through.
My questions are:
1) Has anyone else had this kind of problem with recurring damage? Is this
common or unusual?
2) I now tape notes to the top and bottom insides of the film can with each
print requesting that the projectionist clean the projector before the
screening. Does anyone have additional advice?
3) I seem to recall someone telling me about a way to apply some kind of
substance or other to 16mm prints that is supposed to help protect them from
scratches. Has anyone heard of this? What is this called? Is it
expensive? How well does it work? Are there any drawbacks to doing this?
In case it makes a difference, the prints in question are on 7361 and they
are B-wind.
Any advice is much appreciated.
Best,
C. Harris
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