DDEC.net, CID host Outdoor Cinema

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Downtown may once again become the place to go for big-screen entertainment with the Outdoor Cinema at Founder's Park, a collaborative effort of DDEC.net and the Springfield Community Improvement Dis-trict.|ret||ret||tab|

A total of 14 movies will be presented July 13-Sept. 1 in the amphitheater of the new downtown park, which is located at Water and Jefferson streets. |ret||ret||tab|

The concept for "a community-oriented, big-screen celebration of movie classics, cartoons ... and old-fashioned, outdoor summer fun" originated in Seattle about 10 years ago, according to Matthew Miller, DDEC.net executive director. |ret||ret||tab|

"I think we all reminisce about the drive-in theater," he said. "This has that same sort of atmosphere. To be able to see a movie under the stars is ... a fun concept."|ret||ret||tab|

The commission researched the idea for about six months. Miller said that research mainly consisted of talking with other cities that have put on similar summer evening events. |ret||ret||tab|

"(We began) to find out that it was really a nice idea to get folks to their urban area," he said. |ret||ret||tab|

Both Miller and CID Board Chairman Gregg Bennett said that is the goal of the downtown cinema.|ret||ret||tab|

"There isn't a better way to promote the image of downtown than to get people down here to experience for themselves what downtown is all about," Bennett said. "You can talk to people about what downtown is, and you can convince them there's neat things going on, but until they come down and experience it themselves your message is probably not getting through."|ret||ret||tab|

To attract audiences the outdoor cinema will have an interactive format, including contests for the best costumes, an Applause-O-Meter and impromptu games.|ret||ret||tab|

"We're going to encourage people to have fun," Miller said. "It's interactive theater. It gives people a chance to hoot and holler and make fun of a movie or sing along with it ... really something for everybody." |ret||ret||tab|

Miller said he hopes about 250 people will attend each movie, but the park can hold as many as 500. |ret||ret||tab|

The gates will open at 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday with movies beginning at dusk. Tickets will be sold at the gate for a $5 donation, $3 for children ages 12 and under. Patrons should bring their own chairs.|ret||ret||tab|

The summer series is set to begin with "The Matrix," and other planned features include "A Bug's Life," "Casablanca," "Toy Story," "Grease," "Gladiator," "Psycho" and "Something About Mary."|ret||ret||tab|

The films will be presented by digital projection on a 20-foot-by-30-foot screen in the park, Miller said, and the outdoor cinema will be surrounded by four to six amplified speakers for a theater atmosphere.|ret||ret||tab|

"A lot of work went into finding the right location," Miller said. |ret||ret||tab|

"Founder's Park is newly developed so we thought there'd be some excitement surrounding that."|ret||ret||tab|

Miller said DDEC.net will promote the movies through posters and handbills, and he is currently working on a radio partnership. |ret||ret||tab|

At press time the partnering station had not been determined, but it will have weekly on-air contests to give away movie tickets.|ret||ret||tab|

The Friday night films which Miller calls "date nights" are geared toward couples, while Saturdays are reserved for family nights.|ret||ret||tab|

"When you deal with entertainment, a lot of times it's designed for an adult audience," Miller said. "This allows us to ... appeal to our youth here in the community, and it gives us an opportunity to introduce our young people and families to the downtown area."|ret||ret||tab|

Bennett said he also thinks the outdoor cinema will be a great venue to welcome families downtown.|ret||ret||tab|

"It fits with the theme that's kind of been adopted over the past several years by most of the downtown organizations," Bennett said, "and that's clean, safe and friendly.' We're promoting that atmosphere and environment downtown."|ret||ret||tab|

DDEC.net, which specializes in event management, will develop and manage the cinema. CID is underwriting the program. |ret||ret||tab|

"We needed a community underwriter to make this happen, and we thank CID for stepping up to the plate," Miller said. "We think it's going to be a good thing for the city."[[In-content Ad]]