| My memories of youthful summer evenings bursting with the symphony of crickets, crackling speakers slung precariously on rolled-down windows and the crunch of gravel underfoot have left me with an unwaveringly romanticized version of the good, old-fashioned drive-in. I can still smell the popcorn and deep-fried goodies emanating from a garishly lit food kiosk.
From the time I was wee, clad in pink pyjamas and brimming with excitement to see Star Wars, then later, sprawled out on a friend’s flatbed truck for the guilty thrill of slasher horror nights, memories of those sultry nights stick in my head like bare flesh to pleather seats. I’ll never forget squishing three people into my best friend’s trunk to avoid paying for tickets to Road Warrior all those years ago.
Thankfully, a local company has reinvented the drive-in experience, sans car, with the use of 30-foot inflatable outdoor screens. Statement Productions CEO Tyler Hall says he hopes to create enough interest to have movies in several Calgary communities as early as next summer. For now, he’s working with local neighbourhood organizations, small towns and festivals across the province to offer a celebration of summers past.
From a showing of the Passion of the Christ in the space across from the Calgary Drop-In Centre for the homeless on Easter Sunday, to a drive-in re-creation complete with roaming clowns and a live band in Camrose, Hall says he’s been able to show both first-run movies and classics.
"Most people actually enjoy it better than the drive-in," he says. "You’re not stuck in a vehicle and there’s a vibrant social aspect to it. The idea is to make it as communal as possible."
He adds that it’s a unique way for families to spend an evening outside and be entertained simultaneously, joking that hyper kids full of sugary goodness can run amok without fear of being shushed.
Hall is quick to caution people not to bring their own picnics to these mini movie fests because of licensing concerns and also to encourage more sales at the concessions.
So much for sipping on shiraz while taking in Pirates of the Caribbean.
While some events are staged by community associations that cover the cost of the screen rental and set up concessions to recoup their costs, some of Calgary’s bigger companies are taking advantage of the service and throwing splashy movie nights to honour important milestones and impress clients.
He gets excited when asked about the Rotary Park perched atop Centre Street North with its ample green grass and pristine view of the city’s ever-expanding skyline. Nothing is confirmed, but he hopes to stage an event there next summer.
Ward 6 Ald. Craig Burrows has already booked the screen for the Wildwood community block party this year and Hall says more associations are showing interest in the concept.
If there is a glitch to report in his grand plan to screen films in parks around town it’s the tender green grass that many don’t want to see trampled by hundreds of blankets and lawn chairs.
Hall will be bringing his Movie in the Park to the South Centre Mall for back to school festivities in August and travelling Alberta to showcase his dusk-themed idea.
Check www.movieinthepark.ca for event listings and booking information, |
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