Rhett, There are 2 problems with the masking issues. The first problem is that a lot, if not most of the theaters, do not have movable maskings so 1:85 flat fits fine but scope gets chopped off. The second problem is that clearview and other chains are using non union operaters (Managers) to run the booth instead of real union projectionists. They go in, start the machine and walk away and assume everything is fine.
Automations and platters were the begining of the end for projectionists. I’m talking about the quality of the picture. Cost is an issue too. It will never look like film. There have been too many issues and problems with digital projection. Yes it looks good, but will never be as good as film. The whole transition to digital was supposed to start happening years ago. They were so up on doing it in the begining. Now I hear less about it then before. I,m not saying this just as a projectionist. I am saying this as a service tech, projectionist, and someone who has worked with and worked on digital projection. I do not see it being widespread any time soon.
Most people that I deal with as a projectionist do not want digital projection. They have been trying this since I started in the business. It will never match the effect of film.
That wasnt the ceiling in the small booth. That was the staircase to the balconey that you had to duck under to thread the other machine. In my case it was crawl on your knees.
When cineplex ran the theater, there were many breakdowns. I have the service reports to show it. Cineplex never put any money into the place. The landlords do run the theater now and have put lots of money into renovations. They get first run movies and do well. I’m there enough to see it. They have been trying to put a theater in Riverhead for a while now and it fell through.
The center was first twinned down the middle with one theater added in the basement. Then about 6 years ago the two upstairs screens were split in half to make a total of five screens for the building.
I don’t know how the Greenport stayed open but they are planning a huge renovation over the winter. With the new hotel opening right next store and more people coming out every year, this theater should do very well.
I did the booth installation for the quad. 2 tiny theaters side by side in the back. 2 small theaters side by side in the front. Theater still does very well.
Steven, I think your mixing up the calderone with the Hempstead. These were 2 different theaters even though they were only a couple blocks apart. The Calderone was on North Franklin street and only closed about 2 or 3 years ago.
Not only did they renovate the lobby and candystand a few years ago, but in the last year they changed all the seating in the theaters. They also changed all the screens and theater wall material. The Quad, unlike many theater chains, try to continually improve the theater in ever way they can. All of the sound systems were upgraded to give the best quality sound available. The light on the screen can’t be beat by any theater. They also have a tech on staff to make sure everything is running perfectly. There are never any complaints about presentation at the Quad. Not to mention all of the film festivals from all over the world that they run. More and more every year. (Italian,Swiss,Iceland,Korean,and others).
If you lift up the drop ceiling in one of the projection booths you can still see part of one of the old staircases that went up to the balconey. Still has carpet on it
I don’t know if the theater is in Nassau or Queens, but I am a union projectionist for Local 306 which covers all of the five boroughs ( not nassau). The Bellerose theater was one of our theaters to cover.
Movieman007 is right, 4 ¼ oh sorry 4 ½ screens.
There are 2 long narrow hellish screens in this hellhole building. Trust me its not very nice inside. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Clearview cinemas runs Millburn.
Millburn was quaded around 1999
Rhett, There are 2 problems with the masking issues. The first problem is that a lot, if not most of the theaters, do not have movable maskings so 1:85 flat fits fine but scope gets chopped off. The second problem is that clearview and other chains are using non union operaters (Managers) to run the booth instead of real union projectionists. They go in, start the machine and walk away and assume everything is fine.
Automations and platters were the begining of the end for projectionists. I’m talking about the quality of the picture. Cost is an issue too. It will never look like film. There have been too many issues and problems with digital projection. Yes it looks good, but will never be as good as film. The whole transition to digital was supposed to start happening years ago. They were so up on doing it in the begining. Now I hear less about it then before. I,m not saying this just as a projectionist. I am saying this as a service tech, projectionist, and someone who has worked with and worked on digital projection. I do not see it being widespread any time soon.
Most people that I deal with as a projectionist do not want digital projection. They have been trying this since I started in the business. It will never match the effect of film.
That wasnt the ceiling in the small booth. That was the staircase to the balconey that you had to duck under to thread the other machine. In my case it was crawl on your knees.
I agree with that but there is a huge difference between the quality of the presentation then and the presentation now.
Mr GG. I wonder what ever happened to him.
Actually, the theater has been sold twice in the last two years.
When cineplex ran the theater, there were many breakdowns. I have the service reports to show it. Cineplex never put any money into the place. The landlords do run the theater now and have put lots of money into renovations. They get first run movies and do well. I’m there enough to see it. They have been trying to put a theater in Riverhead for a while now and it fell through.
The center was first twinned down the middle with one theater added in the basement. Then about 6 years ago the two upstairs screens were split in half to make a total of five screens for the building.
I don’t know how the Greenport stayed open but they are planning a huge renovation over the winter. With the new hotel opening right next store and more people coming out every year, this theater should do very well.
This theater does very well. No more breakdown like when Cineplex owned it. This place will be here a for a long time.
Malverne has 5 screens not 6. They also run film festivals.
I did the booth installation for the quad. 2 tiny theaters side by side in the back. 2 small theaters side by side in the front. Theater still does very well.
What a horrible booth to work in the 90’s
Steven, I think your mixing up the calderone with the Hempstead. These were 2 different theaters even though they were only a couple blocks apart. The Calderone was on North Franklin street and only closed about 2 or 3 years ago.
Not only did they renovate the lobby and candystand a few years ago, but in the last year they changed all the seating in the theaters. They also changed all the screens and theater wall material. The Quad, unlike many theater chains, try to continually improve the theater in ever way they can. All of the sound systems were upgraded to give the best quality sound available. The light on the screen can’t be beat by any theater. They also have a tech on staff to make sure everything is running perfectly. There are never any complaints about presentation at the Quad. Not to mention all of the film festivals from all over the world that they run. More and more every year. (Italian,Swiss,Iceland,Korean,and others).
If you lift up the drop ceiling in one of the projection booths you can still see part of one of the old staircases that went up to the balconey. Still has carpet on it
I don’t know if the theater is in Nassau or Queens, but I am a union projectionist for Local 306 which covers all of the five boroughs ( not nassau). The Bellerose theater was one of our theaters to cover.