Start-Up Routine

There are many facets involved in the presentation of a film, prior to the film itself arriving on the screen. At Warwick Student Cinema, there is a full start-up routine that should be followed as closely as possible.

Allowing the Audience into L3

After the setting up of the speakers and other facets of front of house, L3 should be readied for the entrance of the audience. The Duty Manager (DM) will ask the projectionist if they are ready to let the audience into L3, unto which the answer should only be yes if all of the following hold:

1. The slideshow presentation is being projected on screen by the digital projector (play the 'START_UP_2019' playlist).

2. The masking has been set to wide (1.78:1).

3. The spotlights are the only lights on and they are set to high.

Note. 1-3 are automated within the 'START_UP_2019' doremi playlist, with the exception of tripping some of the fluorescents if required.

4. There is music playing in L3 from a CD/Media Server (usually at 3.0, but potentially higher or lower).

5. The corridor light is turned off.

6. There are no issues with the front of house (on-stage) area.

7. A sound and vision check has been undertaken within L3 to ensure that 1-6 are all OK.

Starting the Ads and Trailers

This should be done at the scheduled start time of the film (always!)

At the end of the penultimate slide hit the P3 button. During the final slide fade the music. The play list on the digital projector will then go straight to the sponsors video and continue on through the Ads and Trailers.

Starting-Up the Film

35mm

When the “Feature Presentation” logo fades out (after the last trailer): run film (of reel 1), open the dowser, change over, set masking, and set sound format.

(Note: DTS should never be manually pressed - if your film is in DTS select SR or SRD and the DTS will automatically takeover.)

The projectionist should immediately concentrate on racking and focusing during the sound trailer and certificate. Once these seem OK, you should ensure the lamp in the digital projector has indeed been turned off. This should be followed by another sound and vision check inside L3, still during the opening titles. During the film, monitor the temperature of the digital projector head (via the air exhaust vents), when it is around room temperature the projector head can be turned off.

Digital

Nothing need be done. The film should start after the “Feature Presentation” logo fades out on the playlist.

Shutdown Required

On various occasions, either due to a special screening (such as the sponsored event or The AllNighter), or at particularly busy screenings where the DM has informed the projectionist of the need, it may be necessary to perform a shutdown prior to the start of the film. If this is the case, then all of the above should be performed in exactly the same manner, up until the end of the last trailer.

Due to Busy Showing

35mm Show

Pause the start-up playlist during the 5s of black following the last trailer. Eject the playlist. Select the ‘busy_show_back_to_slides’ playlist and play. Get the CD playing again.

When you want to start the film – end the slides as you would to start KPMG (P3), this will show the ‘Feature Presentation’ Logo. Start the film when this ends.

Digital Show

1. When initially informed of a shutdown by the DMs:
   1. Load either the "SHUTDOWN_Scope" or "SHUTDOWN_X_Wide" playlist depending on the aspect ratio of the film.
   2. Add in the sound trailer, rating card and feature where their respective placeholders are located.
   3. Double check that there is music playing on the CD player/Media server.
2. Unless the DMs later cancel the shutdown:
   1. Eject the current playlist during the 2s of black following the last trailer and play the prepared shutdown playlist.
   2. Be ready to press P3 when asked to end the shutdown by the DMs.

Problems with audience member

This is caused by a problem amongst the audience that have already entered. The DM will ask you to shut down. To do this, merely pause the playlist on the digital projector (perhaps consider manually closing the dowser if film is on screen) and adjusting the lighting in whatever way the DM has requested.

Only when this is over and the DM asks you, should you start the playlist playing again (remember to undo whatever changes you have made to the lighting etc.)