Since drive-in cinemas came to Poland from America, they have become increasingly popular among Poles. No wonder - the ability to watch movies from the comfort of your car, surrounded by friends or family, is an ideal option for summer evenings. If you want to organize such an event yourself, you have several important steps to complete. We tell you what to pay special attention to to make your drive-in cinema a great success!
Location Selection - A Key Stage of Organization
The first and most important step is to find a suitable location. A drive-in cinema requires space to accommodate all the parked cars. The ideal place will be a spacious parking lot, square or meadow. It is important that the area is flat and well-lit so that viewers have comfortable conditions during the screening.
It is worth looking for places that already offer partial technical facilities - for example, parking lots at shopping centers, hotels or entertainment centers. This will make organizing the entire event much easier.
Technical Infrastructure at the Highest Level
Choosing the right equipment will be crucial to the success of your drive-in cinema . The basis, of course, is a large, high-quality screen that will provide viewers with excellent image visibility. Pneumatic screens will work best here, easy to install and use. Make sure they have a real, cinematic projection surface - this is one of the most important elements.
Equally important will be an efficient projector that will provide a clear and bright image, visible even in outdoor conditions. Remember that the higher the brightness, the better.
The sound system is also an extremely important issue. In a drive-in cinema, traditional loudspeakers are not used, but radio transmitters are used instead. Thanks to them, sound is emitted directly to car receivers. Before the show, display the frequency on the screen to set the radio to so that viewers can pick up the sound.
Legal Formalities - Don't Ignore Them!
Organizing a drive-in cinema also requires completing the necessary formalities. First of all, you must obtain permission to use a radio frequency from the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE). This is necessary because in a drive-in the sound is transmitted via radio.
The application to UKE must be submitted well in advance - during the peak summer season it may take up to 2-3 weeks. In your application you must provide, among others: the location of the transmitter, its technical parameters and the area covered. Remember that without a positive decision from UKE, you may face a penalty!
Additionally, if you plan to show commercial films, you must purchase a license from the appropriate collective rights management organizations, such as ZAiKS. The price depends on the title of the film and the expected number of viewers.
Additional Attractions - Make the Event more attractive
A drive-in cinema is great entertainment in itself, but it is also worth considering additional attractions that will make your event even more unique. Here are some suggestions:
Food Zone
Viewers like to combine a movie screening with a picnic. Therefore, it is worth providing a catering zone with food trucks or stands selling snacks and drinks. This is a great way to integrate guests even more and create a unique atmosphere.
Additional Attractions
You can also organize additional attractions, such as competitions with prizes, games and activities for children, or thematic shows related to the films shown. This will make your drive-in cinema even more attractive and memorable for viewers.
Live music
It would also be a great idea to invite local artists to grace the event with a live concert. The combination of music and film will create a unique atmosphere.
Effective Promotion - Attract Viewers
To make your drive-in cinema arouse interest, you must ensure effective promotion of the event. First of all, create attractive graphic materials - posters, banners, social media posts. Make sure they include all key information, such as date, time, location, and film schedule.
Disseminate information in local media - press, radio, television. It is also worth partnering with influencers or other local brands to reach a wider audience.
Also remember about social media - create an event on Facebook, publish posts regularly and encourage participation. This is a great way to build an engaged community around your drive-in cinema.
Attention to Details - The Key to Success
Organizing a drive-in cinema is a complex undertaking that requires attention to many details. Therefore, it is extremely important to plan each step in advance and not miss any important element.
Remember to provide a sufficient number of waste bins, portable toilets, and area lighting. Also take care of the aesthetics of the place - decorate it with balloons, flags or other attractive elements.
The key to success is also proper service and preparation of staff. Make sure that people dealing with ticket sales, technical service and security are professional and friendly.
Only thanks to careful organization and attention to every detail, your drive-in cinema will be an unforgettable experience for all participants!