Is this movie appropriate? There's an App for that!

I have often been asked if a film is appropriate for the target audience of an outdoor movie event.   I always pass on the great website www.commonsensemedia.org. They highlight the good stuff like educational value, message and role models as well as indicating what to look out for such as violence, sexy stuff, language, consumerism and drugs.  An age rating is suggested for each film.  This site is also great for TV, video games, music, websites, books and even Apps.

Common Sense Media also offers an app called KidsMedia which has many of the great reviews and recommendations stored on a local database on your device. So when little Johnny is begging to purchase a new movie or video game at the local big box store, you have access to all the great Common Sense Media information.

In addition, you can enter the ages of your children and the KidsMedia app will provide recommendations for each child, plus which films are appropriate for all ages entered... cool.

Setting up Child in KidsMedia

Easy to see what is appropriate for the whole family

You can also scan or say a movie name and the app will search for the movie, the majority of new popular movies are in the database.

You can create favorites lists for the next time you are looking for a movie.

Create Favorites 

KidsMedia is available for iPhone at the App Store,  Android at Google Play and Kindle at Amazon Apps

Appy Downloading
Paul the Outdoor Movie Guy

Is the Drive-In really Dead? 5 unique movie experiences inspired by the Drive-In

ZipCar drive-in at Candlestick Park

The Drive-in
The first drive-in opened in June of 1933 in Camden, New Jersey.  In the 1950's, there were over 4000 Drive-in movie theaters across the USA.  Today, this number has dwindled to about 350 nationwide.  The multiplex theater, real estate prices and home video sales are thought to have lead to closures.

The drive-in is a part of Americana.

Classic Drive-in

Classic Drive-ins do still exist! I took my son to experience one near our home in the Bay Area.  We backed up the station wagon (yes, we still have one), opened the up back and sat back to watch Man of Steel.  The picture was great and the audio over our speakers was crisp and clear.  Staff were friendly and the snack and movie admission was cheaper than the local multiplex.  West Wind theaters are located around California in Concord, San Jose, Sacramento and Santa Barbra.


American Icon Celebration
Macy's recently celebrated the Drive-in across the nation during their salute to American Icons.  They used a variety of screening venues such as classic drive-in theaters, movies in the park, popup drive-ins in the Macy's parking lot and even Union Square in San Francisco.  The Drive-In is An American Icon!

Popup Drive-in
Odette Estate has re-imagined the drive-in for the wine crowd with their Secret Cinema drive-in.  Clues for the movie selection are placed on social media in the week leading up to the event.  Food truck dinners, fine wine and the drive-in make secret cinema a cool movie going experience!  Check out their video.

The Urban Drive-in
Mobile Movie (aka MobMov) is taking the drive-in to a warehouse wall near you!  Armed with a projector and an FM transmitter, MobMov finds a wall to project on and then through word of mouth and social media gets the word out for a spontaneous take on the Drive-in  http://mobmov.org/.  Can't get enough of the Urban Drive-in, check out Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive-in.

The Driveway Drive-in
Over the July 4th holiday, outfitted with a driveway, a laptop, a projector, an FM transmitter and an old bed-sheet we made our own Driveway drive-in.  The kids loved it and asked to do it again the next night.  Why not, we were on holiday!

Sounds like fun?  You will need :

• A wall or bed-sheet
• A projector
• FM Transmitter
• Laptop
• Inverter (If you truly want to be mobile)

Whether it is first run movies at WestWind theaters, or recreating the magic in your own driveway, the drive-in makes an amazing summer activity. Treat your family to some Americana this summer!

Long Live the Drive-in!
Paul the Outdoor Movie Guy

See our cardboard box drive-in

Future Folk and NVFF invade Napa Valley!

A delightfully quirky film from the 2012 Film Festival, "A History of Future Folk," invaded Napa Valley this past weekend. The film follows General Trius and the Mighty Kevin from the planet of Hondo, they discover music and love and have really cool red helmets that look nothing like a bucket.

The real treat was co-director Jeremy Kipp Walker and The Mighty Kevin (Jay Klaitz) made the trip to California to introduce the film and entertain us with a wonderfully engaging musical performance.

Saturday, our friends at Chappellet hosted the film at what may be the most amazing outdoor theater in the world.

Incredible food grown and prepared by Kelley Novak (chef/gardener at Kelley's funny farm), the Sizzle real from last year's festival, and the guitar stylings of the Mighty Kevin made for an unforgettable night!

On Sunday, with the threat of rain looming, the crowd was reduced but those who attended were treated to a super film and a super moon at Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead.  The Mighty Kevin wandered in playing this guitar as the credits rolled... now that's 3D!  Jeremy invited everyone to the bar for an up close and personal Q&A.

Super Moon and Future Folk

Event Timelaspe at Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead

(with music performed by Mighty Kevin)

The History of Future Folk is available on itunes or watch it in select Theaters Nationwide June/July 2013
You can watch the trailer here.

In a few short months the third annual Napa Valley Film Festival takes place November 13 – 17, 2013. The festival offers food, wine and films.  Throughout the summer NVFF will have a series of events and films in some breathtaking locations.  Check their site for more details.

Thanks to Ben and the NVFF crew, the Chappellets, Chris Hall and Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead, Jeremy Kipp Walker and  The Mighty Kevin (Jay Klaitz) for an incredible weekend!

Hondo!
Paul the Outdoor Movie Guy

Top Items to Bring to an Outdoor Movie

Summer is here, with it many communities and Park & Recreation Departments have started their summer movie series.  But what should you bring to an Outdoor Movie?

Packing List

1. Chairs Simple, low back, fold-up chairs are ideal 
2. Blankets to sit on or bundle up with
3. Bug Spray Being eaten is no fun!
4. Hooded sweatshirt or jacket
5. Long pants, PJ's or change of clothes
6. Allergy Medication
7. Your favorite movie snack or candy
8. Small flashlight
9. Sleeping Bag and Pillow (My son insists that this is a must!)

Snacks

What is your favorite movie snack?  Milk Duds, Junior Mints and of course POPCORN all make the list.

If you are looking for something new and different that you can make yourself,  Chex has a huge selection or recipes available on their website.

You can make yours sweet, savory or even gluten free

Cheers

Paul the Outdoor Movie Guy

Party Idea - Wreck it Ralph Drive-in

Last weekend we provided our inflatable outdoor movie screen for a kids Cardboard Box Drive-in.  The movie was Wreck it Ralph and they decided to create activities based on the movie.  It was a lot of fun and the kids really got into creating their "cars".  Here are some simple "How to's" to create your own incredible event under the stars.

 The Car 

Have the Children make cars for their drive-in out of cardboard boxes.  It can be as simple as a box with the top cut off or for the more creative you can add racing strips and change the shape. This is a great gathering activity for the party and can help fill time before showtime on long summer nights.

You will need:

• Cardboard Boxes
• Duck Tape in lots of fun colors
• A sharp box cutting knife (which the adult will use)
• Pens, pencils and scissors
• Stencils, Colored Paper and Foam shapes
• Glue
• Brass-Plated Round Head Fastners
• Old paper plates for wheels (you know you have a cupboard full of plates from other events!)

Child Designs Shape of Car

Adult Cuts Out Design

Fancy Car with Whale Tail

 We Love Cake

In Sugar Rush (the racecar game in the film), cars are constructed with candy.  Have the children build their own cake cars with candy! 

• A simple small rectangular cup cake pan was used 
• Cakes were pre-frosted
• Children created their own masterpieces using candy to decorate their cakes.
• Bowls of assorted candy (kit-kat's, lifesavers, sour punch straws and licorice, etc) were set out for the children to choose their own decorating tools  

Party Decorations

In keeping with the film, decorations were bright with a yummy candy center piece, candy cutouts and bricks from the apartment building in the Ralph game.

Yummy Center Piece

Brick Theme Livens up a Table Cloth

Cool Hanging Candy

Parting Gifts

Party guests get to take their drive-in car and a piece of candy from the center piece... but don't forget the hero medal

"You're My Hero"  cookie medal 

Other Cool Kids Car Movies for a Cardboard box Drive-in

• Cars (or Cars 2)
• A Herbie Movie
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (warning... its long)
• Speed Racer

See you at the Drive-in

Cheers

Paul the Outdoor Movie Guy

Tiny in the Big City

This week, we had the pleasure of helping with the screening of Tiny - A Story about Living Small.

The screening took place in Annie Alley in San Francisco and was co-presented by the San Francisco Green Film Festival and SPUR (sponsored by the Yerba Buena Community Benefits District).  In keeping with the green theme, all power was supplied by a solar generator from Sol Solutions.

After the film, director Christopher Smith and writer Merete Mueller answered questions about the film and the process of building their tiny house.  Chaz Peling of Sol Solutions was on hand to provide information about solar power.  Rachel Caplan from the Green Film Festival hosted the Q&A.

The 3rd Annual San Francisco Green Film Festival runs May 30th - June 5th.


Here is a trailer for the film and a few photos

Up goes the solar powered screen (video Brian Schulz)

The audience waiting for the sun to set

Christopher Smith introducing Tiny - A story of Living Small
The solar generator can be seen behind him

Christopher on Screen

Tiny in an alley, in BIG San Francisco

Q&A (left to right) Chax Peling, Christopher Smith, Merete Mueller and Rachel Caplan 

Cheers

Paul the Outdoor Movie Guy

Relay for Life

Whether its a family member, friend or acquaintance, everyone has, at some point, been effected by cancer.

I have been fortunate to assist with various Relay for Life events.  These 24 hr events are the largest fundraisers for the American Cancer Society.  Listening to the stories, experiencing the amazing Luminaria Ceremony and the incredible sense of community these events create is something to behold.  FunFlicks provides screens and projection for slide shows as well as entertainment throughout the night.

Thanks to all who walk, research and care.  If you want to get involved you can search for your local Relay for Life.

Here are a few photos from a Relay for Life event held at Stanford University this month.

Walkers circled the track with glow sticks, then placed them in the Luminaria bags dedicated to loved ones.  Amazing... Beautiful... Touching...