3-Strip at the Dome - and 70mm too! |
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at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Written and photographed by: Tom March, Canada. | Date: 18.09.2009 |
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More
in 70mm reading: The current state of Cinerama presentation in the U.S. Internet link: |
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 "Can
I use this lens as a door stop?" |
The Cinerama Barn |
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|
 I
was invited up to the projection booth for the Cinerama pre-screening
setup and spent most of my time there during the 3-panel shows. I met up
with Dave Strohmaier just outside the Dome about 3 hours before the
scheduled start time to begin aligning the projectors. For the Cinerama
screenings, the Baker projector was wheeled into position after the
digital projector was wheeled to the side. The film paths were
meticulously cleaned and any remaining dust was blown out with
compressed air. |
|
 John
Sittig getting an alignment loop from storage. |
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 Dave
running a test loop on Able. |
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 Dave
told me that some problem will usually crop up because that is just the
nature of the Cinerama process. Sure enough, a problem with the gigolo
alignment was encountered on Able projector. |
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 John
Sittig making gigolo adjustments |
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 Spare
gigolos |
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 Everyone
got involved to work through it. Another problem with coolant leakage was
found and temporarily corrected with a work-around until some new rubber
hose could be installed in the coolant path later that day.
Kitchen-type fan (centre) used for temporary cooling. |
|
 Tom
March on Able.
Unlike what you might expect, Dave will put his visitors to work during
maintenance and film screenings. From helping with the gigolo repairs and
cleaning the film path to making fine projector adjustments during the
actual exhibition , Dave saw to it that I had a rare first hand experience
working behind the scenes. |
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 Cinerama
audience getting seated. The first show started on time and early into
it everyone had completed fine adjustments to optimally align the three
panels. During the break between screenings, there was more cleaning and
final repairs to the cooling system were completed. Then there was still
more cleaning of the film path. When the dirt buildup is significant, the
preferred cleaning solvent is saliva (spit). |
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