Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Indoor Drive-In Theatre Coming to Nashville

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Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 02-07-2017, 09:54 AM:

Fox News

quote: Fox News
Movie-goers in Nashville are in for a unique experience as plans have been unveiled for an indoor drive-in with a 1960s feel, Fox 17 reports.

The “August Moon Drive-In” is slated to open at the intersection of James Robertson Parkway and Interstate 24 in 2018.

But this is not your typical drive-in.

The environment in the 40,000 square-foot space with an air-supported dome will be complete with 50 classic cars, full-sized trees, hammocks, a starry night with an August “sailor’s moon” and even fireflies. It also boasts the largest non-IMAX movie screen in the North America.

“The August Moon Drive-In will be the first of its kind and an attraction that dramatically enhances the way people experience movies,” a news release sent to Fox 17 News said.

The drive-in will operate daily, with an initial schedule of 18 showings a week.

The project is being designed by Michael Counts, who is based out of New York and has been called a “master of immersive entertainment” by the New York Times. Counts is best known for creating “The Walking Dead Experience.”

“The August Moon Drive-In is conceived as a mini indoor theme park that transports people in space and time to a quintessentially American experience – where that perfect summer night at sunset, where crickets chirp in the distance and the audience breathes in the scent of fresh meadow air, can be repeated with absolute consistency within what is effectively a giant movie set. In addition to being a re-invention of the movie-going experience, August Moon will allow audiences time to explore, play, and dine, and of course, watch their movie.”

Seating will also prove to be a unique experience as viewers can choose from seats in vintage cars to a picnic blanket spread out under the stars.

Movie-goers can enjoy American comfort food in multiple dining areas or grab a drink at several bars. There’s also a private dining “tree house” for events and parties.

Perfect for Music City, the drive-in will have live music programming before and after the movie.

Movies shown will be first-run movies as well as film favorites. The “August Moon community” will be able to vote on certain titles through social media to choose the programming at selected times.

Ok, not a real drive-in, but rather an indoor theatre that simulates a 1960's drive-in.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 02-07-2017, 11:08 AM:

Is it in Nashville or Atlanta?

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 02-07-2017, 11:45 AM:

Nashville. On must have Falcons on the brain. Subject corrected.

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 02-07-2017, 03:33 PM:

Fascinating. But this one room is the whole operation? I could see it working if it was one auditorium attached to a premium multiplex, but on its own, I don't know.

But if it opens, I'll, be interested in checking it out. (Quickly, before it abruptly closes.)

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 02-07-2017, 04:25 PM:

Umm, will they be listening to the movie through crappy drive-in speakers, just to get the real effect?
If they are going to use behind the screen and surround speakers (and maybe even Atmos) how the hell are they going to balance a room with all of that stuff in it?

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 02-07-2017, 06:19 PM:

quote: Martin McCaffery
will they be listening to the movie through crappy drive-in speakers, just to get the real effect?

Nobody I know has relied on "crappy drive-in speakers" as their main sound system for nearly 20 years. Since we converted to FM in 1987, a new generation of patrons has found us. Radio sound is now what people consider the "real effect", with window speakers and AM being mostly a faded memory.

It would be a real embarrassment to have digital projectors and all those channels of sound in the booth, just to shove them through a cheap Bogen PA amplifier and a bunch of bug-eaten 4-inch speakers.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 02-07-2017, 06:39 PM:

Better have tons of ventilation if using a dome to rid of the CO emissions.

I saw this also, but find it rather exciting that the interest of the drive-in is returning, since I began industry at a drive in and spent a good quarter of my career in the drive-in.

For those who do Facebook, there is a group dedicated to the interest of the drive-in.

Do a search on "The Speaker Post."

thx - Monte

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 02-07-2017, 07:50 PM:

Looking at the pictures on the link, it seems that drive-in should be in quotes. It appears you don't actually drive your own car in, but that you sit in a classic car that has been converted to seating. It's an intriguing idea.

Posted by Terry Monohan (Member # 8285) on 02-07-2017, 10:24 PM:

Thanks Mitchell for this news. I think they will go with pole stereo speakers or have right,center and left speakers built into the dash in the front of the car and rear surrounds in the back seat area with a volume control. Hope they put a limit on the sound level per car. At one time a company did make a 3 speaker stereo small hang on the pole speaker and It did give some of a stereo sound effect from a 4 ch mag movie. I think they were the company 'Eprad' out of Toledo Ohio with stereo die cast aluminum speakers. Very hard to find one these days. The large screen sounds great but will It just be a big square or will It have masking and go wide for scope? They will have to clean all the cars after each day of business as the public will make a mess out of the inside with all the junk food they will buy at the refreshment stand and spill over the seats and car floors.

Posted by Jonathan M. Crist (Member # 413) on 02-08-2017, 01:16 AM:

Wonder if Disney gets a cut for coming up with the original idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9qz9LP0lSk

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 02-08-2017, 03:35 PM:

quote: Jack Ondracek
Nobody I know has relied on "crappy drive-in speakers" as their main sound system for nearly 20 years.

What can I say? I haven't worked in a drive-in for over 30 years [Wink]

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 02-08-2017, 05:42 PM:

WTF

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 02-08-2017, 07:56 PM:

Digitally applied bugs/rain on windscreen.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 02-08-2017, 09:20 PM:

Ok, what we really want to know is if they can steam up the windshields and climb into the back seat.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 02-09-2017, 04:30 PM:

Might be a wanna be copy of this location at Disney World

The Sci-Fi Dine-in Restaurant

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/sci-fi-dine-in-theater/

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-09-2017, 06:35 PM:

The Disney one gets high marks for atmosphere but the food there is mediocre and it's way overpriced. Plus, just like in a real car, you don't sit facing your carmates.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 02-10-2017, 08:20 AM:

DIs could easily have had surround sound thru FM transmission using Dolby's Virtual Surround processing that used in TVs and all sorts of consumer audio devices.

Way back in the early 90s, Sony made a processor for home use -- DP-FI5100 -- that took a digital output from DVD players and matrixed it into a two channel output that when played thru headphones or any two channel system, gave the illusion that the surround channels were coming from behind you.

This particular device could easily have been adapted to be used in a DI sound system.

I hear it used with a two channel sound system and it certainly delivered. Surround channel sound were so real that you almost could believe there were speakers behind you. DIs could easily apply that very inexpensive technology to their two channel FM transmission so that in the car, the occupants could get a simulated surround experience. While it is not discrete surround, it certainly would be impressive enough that a DI could use it as a great marketing tool -- "Hear Dolby Surround Sound in you car...better than in the multiplex because it's close up and personal -- and you're in control." I never could figure out why no one, to my knowledge, ever used it. The Sony processor was only about $300. It would have been a natural when the DIs converted to digital to be able add that "surround" claim.