The Death of the American Drive-in 236
Hugh Pickens DOT Com writes "Claire Suddath writes in Businessweek that the number of drive-ins in America has dwindled from over 4,000 in the 1960s to about 360 today. Since Hollywood distributors are expected to stop producing movies in traditional 35 millimeter film by the end of this year and switch entirely to digital, America's last remaining drive-ins — the majority of which are still family-owned and seasonally operated — could soon be gone. 'We have challenges that other movie theaters don't,' says John Vincent, president of United Drive-In Theater Owners Association and the owner of Wellfleet Drive-In in Cape Cod, Mass. 'We have fewer screens and can only show one or two movies a night. Now we have to spend tens of thousands of dollars just to stay in business.' According to Vincent, only 150 drive-ins have converted to digital so far — the other 210 have until the end of the year either to get with the program or go out of business. It may seem silly to fret over the fate of 210 movie theaters whose business model is outdated, even compared with regular movie theaters, but Honda Motor Co. is offering help with a program called 'Project Drive-In.' The car company is planning to give away five digital projectors by the end of the year. Winners will be determined by voting from the public, which can be done online through Sept. 9 at ProjectDriveIn.com. 'Cars and drive-in theaters go hand in hand,' says Alicia Jones, manager of Honda & Acura social marketing, 'and it's our mission to save this slice of Americana that holds such nostalgia for many of us.'"
No kidding? (Score:5, Funny)
'Cars and drive-in theaters go hand in hand,'
Someone give her a coconut.
Re:Guess It's Too Late (Score:5, Funny)
That is because the pirates got there first. The Drive-in closes because there are too many pirates. It is the secret reason!
Also, when there is too much rain, the pirates tend to raid the drive-in with their ships. A significant burden on the operators.
Re:Since when are digital projectors thousands? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Since when are digital projectors thousands? (Score:5, Funny)
I do believe I picked up a brand new digital projector not too many years ago, and the charge from the online retailer was about 30 quid.
So why do they say tens of thousands?
Your 30 quid projector can display 300GB JPEG2000 files at 4096 x 1260 video at 24 frames per second with 12 bits each of red, green, and blue per pixel, and 16 channels of uncompressed audio at 24 bits and 48 kHz or 96 kHz sampling? Please let me know where you got it. I'd like to order one myself.
Re:Guess It's Too Late (Score:2, Funny)
Obviously, they should get a Dell instead.
Re:Drive-In? (Score:4, Funny)
for setting up a drive through movie just need a big printer and a loong stretch of road...