8mm Forum: Inflatable Screen?

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Topic: Inflatable Screen?

Timothy Price
Master Film Handler

Posts: 335
From: Minneapolis, MN. USA
Registered: Nov 2009

posted March 16, 2010 11:38 AM

I'm wondering if anybody has had any experience with showing Super 8 flicks on one of the now many available inflatable screens.

I have no idea if it would work or not and I'm not sure how big an S8 projector can project (screen size)

Walmart sells a 12 X 12 inflatable screen for $168.00.

Any info?

Thanks!

Tim

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Christian Bjorgen
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 996
From: Kvinnherad, Norway
Registered: Oct 2009

posted March 16, 2010 12:04 PM

Inflatable? o_O

Why pay 168 bucks, just flip yer' old pool over without the water in it! [Wink]

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Well who’s on first? Yeah. Go ahead and tell me. Who. The guy on first. Who. The guy playin’ first base. Who. The guy on first. Who is on first! What are you askin’ me for? I’m askin’ you!

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 16, 2010 12:40 PM

I went to kind of a "Drive-In-Movie" using an inflatable screen last summer:

It was on a beach parking lot and my only real complaint with it is I remember the surface rippled in the sea breezes. By the same token the idea of putting up a rigid screen in that wind was probably just a chance to go sailing, at least the inflatable would flex and stretch before it dragged you down the coastline.

12 by 12 is a stretch for Super-8. With the best prints and the brightest, sharpest machines, it's doable. as these become compromised it gets dimmer and fuzzier.

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Wayne Tuell
Master Film Handler

Posts: 488
From: Minden, NV
Registered: Jul 2009

posted March 16, 2010 02:10 PM

I have used a gemmy inflatable in the past for outdoor home screenings. They work ok as long as the wind is no more than a slight breeze. With a good bright bulb & lens combo a S8mm projector fills the screen fine.

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www.16mmDrive-InFilms.com

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Douglas Meltzer
Moderator

Posts: 4554
From: New York, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 16, 2010 04:13 PM

Keith Wilton's xenon GS-1200 fills that 24 foot scope screen very nicely at the BFCC.

Doug

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I think there's room for just one more film.....

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 16, 2010 05:01 PM

The exact example I was thinking of...wish I'd been there to see it!

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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John Clancy
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1954
From: Cornwall
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 17, 2010 03:24 AM

And the HTI is far superior to the xenon. 24 feet doesn't push the best super 8 prints at all - it would go much bigger. But you have to know the best prints to fully comprehend exactly how good Super 8 can be... fortunately Keith has a few of the best 'Scope prints from the first runs of the best releases.

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British Film Collectors Convention home page www.bfcc.biz. The site is for the whole of the film collecting hobby and not just the BFCC.

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Timothy Price
Master Film Handler

Posts: 335
From: Minneapolis, MN. USA
Registered: Nov 2009

posted March 17, 2010 07:48 AM

Well, I decided NOT to go with the inflatable screen. I bought a DA-LITE 60x60 (I went a little smaller so it would fit in the basement) and I'll use scissor T clips to secure it to the hung ceiling so I can use it indoors.

For outdoor I'll use the same screen plus two PA speaker stands with PVC elbows and a 70 inch PVC pipe with clamps. I've used this method for hanging band backdrops in the past.

Granted you're at the mercy of the wind, but for any inflatable screen I could afford I think I would be as well.

My son and I are going to have an outdoor Super 8 monster movie marathon! We'll invite the neighborhood kids and have popcorn!Should be fun!(at least for me)

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Gary Crawford
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 979
From: Manassas, VA. USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 19, 2010 08:28 AM

I have Gemmy screen....the 12 foot diagonal ....and i've been very very pleased with it. I even, with difficulty , was able to set it up outdoors for a Halloween event at my church during a rain storm with winds. it was a little hard to handle inthe wind..but once the stakes and lines were in , it stayed put the whole night. These things take about a minute to blow up .....just a joy in that regard...and the image , using my St1200 with a f1.1 lens was superb. The rain just ran off the thing like a well waxed car. I have a DaLite Fast fold 10 foot screen...which is so hard to erect, I have only tried to use it once. It would never have stayed up in the wind on Halloween......and there's no black masking with it like the Gemmy has. However, for indoor use....you are right to go with the other screen. The air pumps in the Gemmy might be heard inside....but outside, you can't tell they are on.

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