Help Send Carl West!

It's the twilight of the all-American drive-in theater. Photo by Carl Weese.

Our friend Carl Weese, who has written numerous posts and articles for you here on TOP, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help him fund the final leg of his drive-in theater travels before it's too late. You probably recall that one of Carl's pictures in our Platinum Print Offer from back in 2010 was of a drive-in movie theater, and that Carl's drive-ins had, at that time, just been featured on the New York Times Lens blog.

For years, Carl's been documenting the remaining drive-in theaters in the East and Midwest, often making epic trips in his little truck that keep him away from home for weeks on end. He's made it as far west as Montana. Well, also for years, he has intended to make one giant swing out to the West Coast and through the areas of the country that are least accessible from his home in Connecticut in order to document many of the drive-ins out there. It's the last piece of the puzzle he needs to finish up the long-term project he's been working on for ten years. Before now, knowing that it's going to be a big, long, hard task, he's put off that last leg.

But now, he can't wait any longer. The reason is that theaters are being forced to make the switch to digital projection. That works fine for year-round, indoor theaters, but drive-ins are a seasonal business, often run on a shoestring. Most of the still-surviving drive-ins just won't be able to justify the huge expense of converting to digital. Many also make ends meet by showing older, classic movies that are only available on film. Drive-ins have been in decline for years, but chances are that digital is all but the death knell.

So the time has come for Carl: it's now or never. A scant few years from now, many of the surviving drive-ins all over the West Coast will have closed their gates for good. Carl does photograph abandoned, overgrown drive-ins, but he'd rather not photograph ruins. He'd rather photograph as many as he can while they're still going concerns. A big part of the eventual book is going to consist of the people who own and run the theaters (a lot of whom are, shall we say, colorful) telling their own stories. (Carl says, "There's no such thing as a boring drive-in theater owner.")

Carl is very good at traveling light and cheap (well, okay—not light), but the trip's going to cost a heap. He plans to make a giant figure-8 loop to hit not just the west coast itself, but the southwest on the way out and the central corridor on the return. The trip will keep him out on the road for six weeks. If you can, head over to Kickstarter and allow him to make his pitch—there's a short video as well as the same information in writing. (Maybe it's me, but I just like the video too.)

Take a look and see what you think. Even a small donation helps a lot. Help send Weese west!

Mike

UPDATE: I'm happy to report that Carl's project was 100% funded in a little less than 21 hours. Don't be reticent about making a contribution if you haven't already, however—the rewards will go to everyone who wants them and Carl has said that all of the money raised will be put towards the project. Congrats to Carl and thanks to everyone who helped!

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Original contents copyright 2012 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Comment by Jesper Lauritsen: "The Pike print is one of my favorites in my little print collection. I just love it! Of course I am backing this Kickstarter project!"

Featured Comment by Rod Graham: "I grew up in NW Arkansas. When I was a kid we'd go to the Hwy 71 Drive-In Theater, halfway between Fayetteville and Springdale, with a big bag of popcorn made at home beforehand. Had some of my first dates there as a teenager (yes!). I'm now 61 years old and for the last twenty years that beloved piece of ground has had a Walmart Supercenter sitting on it. Yes, I'm in Carl; good hunting!"

Comments

[Ken Ford]

I'm in, not for much but I hope it helps, Go, Carl!

[darr]

I'm in! Good Light Carl!

[Edie Howe]

Unfortunately I can't help financially, but there's a really lovely Drive In Theater on Route 21 south of Ellington, MO you might want to photograph. Shoot me an email if you'd like some scouting shots of it!

Best of luck to you, Carl.

[pxpaulx]

Fifty bucks for half a dozen 5x7s that I can frame along with a nice thank you note for my home theatre? Sold! Heck, even that 11x14 6 photo set is pretty darn tempting.

Great subject, we are lucky to have not one or two but three here in the twin cities area - I hope they last a long while.

Did this just get put up on kickstarter? I'm guessing this post will get it funded with ease!

[Andrew Molitor]

What a great idea! I've seen kickstarter's for various things, but not something I think is as cool as this. Whether you're supporting a great project, or just buying a print for really cheap, sign up everyone! (I'm doing a little of both here)

[Tim]

I'm in as well (wish I could be in for more...), great project I wish you the best Carl!

Thanks for the heads up Mike! I enjoy helping artists I'm familiar with on Kickstarter, but I don't frequently check the site.

[Derek Lyons]

I'm in too... First time contributing to Kickstarter despite a variety of blandishments over the last year or so.

I should drop him a note and offer to buy him a beer if he makes it to the one down the road..

[David Dyer-Bennet]

Kickstarter is amazing. I'm now supporting four projects (including this one). Two of them I'm in the agonizng engineering wait phase (they're actual physical products that have to be refined past prototype to actually make and sell).

[Chris]

Wish I could afford that $800 option for a private workshop! Alas, I can't afford to do too much right now, but did commit a little bit. Best of luck with the project! I know how it feels to be racing with time. I've started a project documenting the grain elevators of Eastern Colorado and I'm already finding about some elevators that I "just missed."

[Patrick Perez]

I'm in. I wish I had a job when his TOP offer had been running,as I really like the Drive In subject/personal project of Carl's, and the actual, you know, photos look reallllll pretty.

It looks like the project is going to fund sometime today, based on hitting 38% in about one hour. August can't come soon enough.

Also, thanks, Mike for hep'ing us to the Kickstarter project.

Patrick

[Carl Weese]

Thanks to everyone, the project is moving ahead with amazing speed. After just twelve hours we are around 42% of goal.

Edie, just last week I researched theaters and was surprised how many survivors there are in Missouri. I'll be sure I've got Ellington in the list.

I'm a little busy with this, but will check back here again later today. Thanks again to all.

[Mikal W. Grass]

There is a 14 screen drive in at the Swap Shop in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area. The Hunger Games is playing so the owner seems to play the latest releases. It is a popular place, kind of an institution in the area.

Maybe Carl will need a widelux.

[Filippo M.]

"The reason is that theaters are being forced to make the switch to digital projection."
Like forcing everyone to shoot just digital full frame or nothing. Sad.

[Godfrey]

I'm in.
Go for it, Carl!

[El Inglés]

I guess there's no point asking Kodak for sponsorship...? OK, I'll put in a Euro or two. Just hope our German brothers don't withdraw their underwriting of the currency first.

[Michael Ibach]

Alright, I'm in!!

[Chad Thompson]

My local drive in just converted to digital. I can only assume that it's because our season here in Southern California is a bit longer than normal.

http://www.santeedriveintheatre.com/

[scott kirkpatrick]

I've signed up. I hope the funding goes well above the trip cost, because there is a lot more work to be done to get a book out of it when he comes back, and I've been waiting for that book for a long time.

scott

[fred]

Alas, no PayPal option on Kickstarter. I can now only offer moral support. Best wishes Carl!

[Mike Plews]

I'm broke but I'm in. The Council Bluffs picture still breaks my heart as it is now a Google server farm.
I have some nice memories from that place. Go Carl!

[Ted]

Near me there's a drive-in on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound. We've been several times w/ the kids. There's also an abandoned one close-by. Plenty of other photogenic stuff out here, too. Let me know if you're going to be in the area.

[Carl Weese]

Chad, A year-round season would certainly make a big difference. An expense like conversion to digital projection has to be supported by cash flow, which is tough if your "year" is only six or eight months long.

Ted, there are five or six theaters in the Seattle area that show up as still active in my online research. Can you give me some more detail on these, either here or by email/links at my website?

Great thanks to Mike and to TOP readers. Support for the project came in from all over, but the stats I have access to at KS show the overwhelming portion of contacts came from right here. Thanks again to all of you.

[Gert-Jan]

Hi Mike,

given the interest for this project among TOP readers, what about helping an interesting kickstarter photo of your choosing by presenting it here on TOP, including an interview with the people behind it, and so on? Might be interesting to do so a couple of times per year.