West Virginia Recreation and Parks Association Program Exchange

 

Program: Movies in the Park

Participants: Minimum N/A  Maximum: N/A

Sponsoring Organization:   Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department

Contact:  Joe Shuttleworth                Phone: 304-842-8240

Address: 164 West Main Street

Co-Sponsoring Organization:      

Contact:                             Phone:      

Address:      

Co-Sponsors Contribution (money, supplies etc.):      

Instructor:                         Phone:      

Address:      

Program Description: We built a frame out of 3” pvc pipe. We made the frame a little bigger than our 16’x20’ white tarp. This allows us to use zip ties to stretch and secure the tarp to the frame. At our pool, we just attach the frame to the fence and tie off with guy wires. We also drive stakes against the front of the screen to hold it against the fence and keep the bottom from sliding out. The screen is not completely rigid and creaks a little and has broken a few of the joints in the past while moving it or erecting it. But as soon as we secure it, it has been fine. Really strong wind could be a problem.

 

When we do it at our park, we set up on a baseball field. We set a couple heavy picnic tables near the backstop and set the frame on top of that (put the screen on first in both cases). Then we secure the top to the backstop frame.   The picnic tables allow us to set the frame up higher in the air allowing people towards the back to see the bottom of the screen better. Oh- we also strap the bottom to the tables and drive a couple big nails on each side to keep it from kicking out.

 

The tarp we have is listed under 6oz heavy duty canopy grade white polytarp on tarps.com. Icon is on the very left hand bottom side. We use a 16x20 size $32.

 

Besides that the only other thing we use is an lcd projector – like the ones for a powerpoint computer presentation. It must however have audio visual inputs – the red, white and yellow plugs like on a tv or vcr. Our local sound shop rents them for $125 day. I however, borrow a really nice from our local internet service provider/computer business.

 

Basically, you hook the yellow cable from the “video out” connection on the DVD or vcr player (you can also use an s-video on a dvd player) to the “video in” plug on the projector. You will hook the red and white cables to the “audio out” connections on the DVD or vcr and connect the other end to your sound system. So, basically, you will have the video feed going to the projector and the audio feed to your sound system.

 

I set up a table about twenty feet from the screen for the projector and DVD player. I had two (red and white) audio cables made at the local sound shop that are about 100’ long, which allows my sound guy to set his board up to the side and not right in front of the screen and the crowd trying to watch the movie. I try to get my table (projector and DVD player) on a separate circuit from the sound system to avoid any overloading problems. I pay a sound guy and set up something (just a special plug he had to buy) that allows the red and white cables to plug into his sound board.

 

Basically, play the DVD and sit back and enjoy. If you have a concession stand nearby, popcorn and soda sales are also popular. We also use www.swank.com for our movie rights.

 

The only problem we have had is that I have always used one of my DVD players from home. Well, this year I went to Target and purchased one of the new mini players (about $45). I used it the last two times and it has either gotten hot or the humidity of something, but it froze up in the middle of the movie both times. We had to restart and go through the scene selection menu to get back to where it froze. Both times we had about a five minute delay total. The first time I thought it was just the disk but now I am sure it is something with the player. Needless to say, the “cheap” player will not be used any longer.

 

We usually start the movies around 9pm. I advertise starting time as dusk and when people ask I tell them that the movie will start as soon as it is dark enough to see the screen.

Specific Goals of Program: Fun, family oriented entertainment

Publicity Information:

Supplies Needed (Manpower, money, materials etc.): Staff to set up screen

Program Evaluation: # of Participants: 469 is our largest crowd to date (Shrek at our Pool)                   # of Spectators:      

Budget Information:              Income: $ Free at Park, Regular Pool admission if at pool             Expense: $ Screen $35, PVC piping about $40, Movie Rights $200-300, LCD projector rental $ 125 or borrowed, DVD Player $40, AV cables $40