Update: The American Drive-In Movie Theater

Photo by Carl Weese

For those who were following along, I'm pleased to report that Carl Weese's epic western journey did indeed get funded, and then some.

An excerpt from his message to backers:

The American Drive-in Theater Kickstarter campaign ended with an amazing 196% of the initial funding goal. This means that I'll be able to cover many more theaters than allowed by the original bare-bones itinerary. I'll also add an additional loop later in the fall to work with theaters in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. The response has been wonderful, with a total of 272 Kickstarter Backers. People around the country are looking  up theaters and sending me scouting pictures by email. Theater owners, when I can make contact with them, are enthusiastic about being included in the project.

It's been quite an experience. There have been a number of media interviews about the project. An arts organization in Florida has invited me to do a week-long Artist in Residence session in the fall. An arts and culture magazine in Paris has asked to publish a portfolio of the pictures. And I can't wait to hit the road, though because of the way the funds are handled through Amazon Payments the trip won't be able to begin until about May 18th. Thanks to everyone who has participated in the smallest to the largest ways. Every backer at every level is important because the support shows how much public interest there is in the subject and this project. Again, thanks to everyone.

Carl tells me that an important percentage of his backers (though not the majority) arrived from TOP, so you can pat yourself on the back!

If he's able to do it, I'll ask him if he can provide a progress report or two for us from the road.

Mike

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

Featured Comment by Carl Blesch: "Drive-ins aren't really my thing; while I dimly remember a few from my childhood, I was a bit young for their heyday. Still, I made a modest contribution to Carl's project because I admire the way he has a theme, a goal, and a historically valid and worthwhile mission. As such, he sets a good example for me to look for themes in my endeavors and to focus my efforts. Best wishes for success!"

Comments

[Roger Bradbury]

With the help with Carl Weese's project, and the print sale by Peter Turnley and Ctein, we have here a website that promotes photography. This is great, thank you Mike.

And there's even been a bit about motorcycles! I am indeed a happy man!

[Speed]

Mike picked a great photo to represent the project.

[carlweese]

Speed,

That's one of my favorites too. The screen was torn down about ten years ago. I was there for the sad event.---Carl

[Nissin Flash]

Happy to hear that the Carl Weese's project got funded.

[Mark]

Despite not ever having been to a drive-in (we dont have them over here, I really should have made a point of visiting one when I was in the states) the project really struck a chord with me, as I'm doing my own self-directed project. It's great to see the funding of self directed projects like this. They may not be commercially viable but as a photographic record and visual document it has so much worth.

Keep pointing us to projects like this Mike.

[scott kirkpatrick]

Carl, where is (was?) the Flea Market picture taken? I don't recall seeing it in the galleries on your site. Is sharing the area with a flea market a sign of decline or health?

With local airports, opening a flea market seriously undercuts the feeling of the place, exposes aircraft to vandalism -- although there is a successful airport, Old Bridge, in NJ, which runs top of the line drag races every weekend, keeps a runway open and has secure hangars, so dual use is possible.

And you are never too young for a drive-in. My kids (12 and 14) think they are great and scout for them on trips.

Best of luck.

scott

[carlweese]

Scott, it's gone. The owners, who have a hardtop in the town as well, were basically told to sell the land to the state for an expansion of a highway department facility next door, or face eminent domain.

Running a flea market isn't necessarily a bad sign. Before the digital conversion issue, the problem for DIs was running a seasonal, and often weekends-only, business that requires 15+ acres of commercially zoned land. Coming up with another revenue stream is just good sense. Like investing in the equipment to make pizza as good as the competition, and 'fast food' better and a little cheaper than the big chains (they aren't franchised and don't have to pay advertising chain assessments, so they can pull this off and make a profit).