The type of marquee/building lights you describe are called “chaser lights”. They are ordinary light bulbs arranged & wired to appear they are ‘chasing’ each other. Many times they are mounted in a sheet metal channel around the copyboard of a marquee (then they’re called “border chasers”). Chaser lights are all controlled from a device called a chaser controller. For most sign applications (and for reliability) these are electromechanical units consisting of a motor, cams, and a stack of switches activated by the opening/closing action of the cams. There are electronic versions of these, but they are not that good for outdoor use because of temperature extremes, moisture, and corrosion. In many jurisdictions the laws state the controler must be mounted within the sign itself or attached to the sign. However, before you decide to put chasers on a sign or building you better check ALL your local and state building & sign codes. Many jurisdictions have banned the use of chaser lights. Nothing wrong with chasers in my opinion, it’s just that some jurisdictions get a wild hair up their butt and pass laws banning them.
To get better and more answers to your questions, I suggest you join the forums at www.bigscreenbiz.com and check out the FAQ’s there too as many questions have already been answered.
My friend Daryl Lund, owner of the historic Chehalis Theater (just 30 miles or so from the Raymond Theater) has offered help and suggestions. Apparently his offers keep falling on deaf ears at the Raymond. He has over 20 years experience operating historic single screen (and multiplex) theaters yet no one at the Raymond Theater even bothers to talk to him.
I live in Olympia, Washington and I can confirm that picture of the “Olympic” is indeed the Olympic theater in Olympia, Wash. It first opened in 1924 as the Liberty Theater. In March of 1948 it was extensively remodeled and the name was changed to the Olympic Theatre. In 1982 it was torn down and the Washington Center For The Performing Arts was built in it’s place. The city of Olympia owns & operates this place now.
All your movie sound should be running through the CP-500 and QSC amplifiers you got from Scott Hicks. Movie sound should never be patched through a mixing board. With as few movie showings you do, they should have kept the original two projector setup and not gotten a platter.
Why are the movie speakers NOT behind the screen? Why was a huge picture window cut into the front wall of the projection booth?
Those seats don’t need reupholstering, they need to be replaced with new seats with cupholders. You would be surprised that people don’t tell you about bad seats—-they just never come back.
Did they move the projectors too? Or are they still in the original projection booth? Sounds to me like the ‘faction’ that wanted stage shows must have won out over the calmer heads that wanted movies done right. I’ve been squaking for several years that they need to fix the ceiling and do something about those “hard-as-a-rock” seats!
The acoustics there were already fine without a $90,000 sound system. Have you heard the rumbling from the new HVAC unit on the roof? When it’s running it reverberates throughout the whole auditorium. Sounds just like somebody running a Coleman generator inside the building.
It’s a pity that a nice place like this is being ruined by incompetence.
Um…where are the pictures inside the projection booth showing what projection and sound equipment you already have in place? Your “technical photos” should always include the projection booth equipment and movie speakers behind the screen.
Many times some simple upgrades or kits are all that’s needed. You may not need to shell out big bucks.
Those are the end ‘standards’ for American (American Seating Co.) model “Bodiform” seats. These were very popular in the late 1940’s to early 1950’s.
BTW, the “LEV” means the seat was designed to be installed on a level (flat) floor such as the stepped floor of a balcony. If the seat were made for a sloped for instead of a “LEV” there’d be a number which indicates the degree of floor slope.
What an excellent opportunity to restore and reopen a single screen movie theater. Check out the Chehalis Theater in Chehalis, Washington. Same vintage as your theater and I helped to restore and reopen it. It shows first run movies 365 days a year and is very successful.
The ratings system is voluntary. Always has been. A theater can choose to either use or not use the system. In my opinion the ratings system today is totally useless anyway.
There’s a pdf file about this building but it makes absolutely no mention of it’s life as the historic Avalon Theater, only it’s last life as Griswold Office Supply. Check out the link at:
The adults need a code of conduct too. Everyone should be REQUIRED to be dressed formally, leave their cells off, and be respectful.
However, the theaters should also have a code of conduct too. Tthey should not show commercials, provide a top notch presentation every single show, and keep prices down.
Most theater equipment dealers have tons of great condition used projection, sound, seating, and snack bar equipment available. Many make good package deals. One excellent company is American Cinema Equipment (www.cinequip.com) in Portland, Oregon. Be sure to telephone them, explain what you’d like to do/need, and they can quote you a nice package deal.
The left hand house has the DTS sound system (I installed it). The right hand house is Dolby type A stereo running thru a Dolby CP-55 processor.
The Sherman Anti-trust applied to the major oil companies (Standard Oil in particular).
You want to check out the “Paramount Consent Decree of 1948”.
The type of marquee/building lights you describe are called “chaser lights”. They are ordinary light bulbs arranged & wired to appear they are ‘chasing’ each other. Many times they are mounted in a sheet metal channel around the copyboard of a marquee (then they’re called “border chasers”). Chaser lights are all controlled from a device called a chaser controller. For most sign applications (and for reliability) these are electromechanical units consisting of a motor, cams, and a stack of switches activated by the opening/closing action of the cams. There are electronic versions of these, but they are not that good for outdoor use because of temperature extremes, moisture, and corrosion. In many jurisdictions the laws state the controler must be mounted within the sign itself or attached to the sign. However, before you decide to put chasers on a sign or building you better check ALL your local and state building & sign codes. Many jurisdictions have banned the use of chaser lights. Nothing wrong with chasers in my opinion, it’s just that some jurisdictions get a wild hair up their butt and pass laws banning them.
To get better and more answers to your questions, I suggest you join the forums at www.bigscreenbiz.com and check out the FAQ’s there too as many questions have already been answered.
My friend Daryl Lund, owner of the historic Chehalis Theater (just 30 miles or so from the Raymond Theater) has offered help and suggestions. Apparently his offers keep falling on deaf ears at the Raymond. He has over 20 years experience operating historic single screen (and multiplex) theaters yet no one at the Raymond Theater even bothers to talk to him.
I live in Olympia, Washington and I can confirm that picture of the “Olympic” is indeed the Olympic theater in Olympia, Wash. It first opened in 1924 as the Liberty Theater. In March of 1948 it was extensively remodeled and the name was changed to the Olympic Theatre. In 1982 it was torn down and the Washington Center For The Performing Arts was built in it’s place. The city of Olympia owns & operates this place now.
All your movie sound should be running through the CP-500 and QSC amplifiers you got from Scott Hicks. Movie sound should never be patched through a mixing board. With as few movie showings you do, they should have kept the original two projector setup and not gotten a platter.
Lane Youmans:
Why are the movie speakers NOT behind the screen? Why was a huge picture window cut into the front wall of the projection booth?
Those seats don’t need reupholstering, they need to be replaced with new seats with cupholders. You would be surprised that people don’t tell you about bad seats—-they just never come back.
I agree 100% Ron.
Also, the bathrooms are sorely neglected and really in need of major repairs.
Ron:
Did they move the projectors too? Or are they still in the original projection booth? Sounds to me like the ‘faction’ that wanted stage shows must have won out over the calmer heads that wanted movies done right. I’ve been squaking for several years that they need to fix the ceiling and do something about those “hard-as-a-rock” seats!
The acoustics there were already fine without a $90,000 sound system. Have you heard the rumbling from the new HVAC unit on the roof? When it’s running it reverberates throughout the whole auditorium. Sounds just like somebody running a Coleman generator inside the building.
It’s a pity that a nice place like this is being ruined by incompetence.
Um…where are the pictures inside the projection booth showing what projection and sound equipment you already have in place? Your “technical photos” should always include the projection booth equipment and movie speakers behind the screen.
Many times some simple upgrades or kits are all that’s needed. You may not need to shell out big bucks.
http://driveintheatrealliance.4t.com
I don’t think it gets any updates though.
The food is very good there.
Those are the end ‘standards’ for American (American Seating Co.) model “Bodiform” seats. These were very popular in the late 1940’s to early 1950’s.
BTW, the “LEV” means the seat was designed to be installed on a level (flat) floor such as the stepped floor of a balcony. If the seat were made for a sloped for instead of a “LEV” there’d be a number which indicates the degree of floor slope.
“Dissatisfaction with the movie-going experience”. You see…commercials are having an effect!
Screens are too narrow. Sounds like they got the dreaded 2:1 screens.
Updated leasing information as of Jan 2007:
Gramor Development LLC
John Graham
(206) 284-4066 or (206) 284-4060
www.gramorgroup.com
Theater is part of the “Lakewood Colonial Center” on Gramor’s website.
Shoot me an email and I will give you his phone number.
What an excellent opportunity to restore and reopen a single screen movie theater. Check out the Chehalis Theater in Chehalis, Washington. Same vintage as your theater and I helped to restore and reopen it. It shows first run movies 365 days a year and is very successful.
Another case of big government run amok. Why can’t government leave private businesses alone?
The ratings system is voluntary. Always has been. A theater can choose to either use or not use the system. In my opinion the ratings system today is totally useless anyway.
Bad news….all work stopped and building put up for sale.
Hodges Commercial Real Estate
626 Columbia St. NW, Suite 1-A
Olympia, Wash. 98501
Phone: (360) 943-5079
Contact: Larry Gilliam at extension # 209
www.hgdre.com
There’s a pdf file about this building but it makes absolutely no mention of it’s life as the historic Avalon Theater, only it’s last life as Griswold Office Supply. Check out the link at:
www.hgdre.com/pdf/308-310_4th_Ave.pdf
The adults need a code of conduct too. Everyone should be REQUIRED to be dressed formally, leave their cells off, and be respectful.
However, the theaters should also have a code of conduct too. Tthey should not show commercials, provide a top notch presentation every single show, and keep prices down.
That is something that a film booker or studio rep could answer.
Most theater equipment dealers have tons of great condition used projection, sound, seating, and snack bar equipment available. Many make good package deals. One excellent company is American Cinema Equipment (www.cinequip.com) in Portland, Oregon. Be sure to telephone them, explain what you’d like to do/need, and they can quote you a nice package deal.