![]() ![]() So Moonstruck makes fresh popcorn for every showing, along with selling the classic movie theater candy boxes, bottled soda, beer, and wine. Movie theaters rely on concession sales to keep operations running as they represent 40% of profits. ![]() “They can enjoy that family atmosphere without feeling so constrained in a movie theater, not just in COVID but just in the fact that they can’t speak to each other, you know, comment on the movie or make a little bit of noise while they’re eating their popcorn, just in a more comfortable atmosphere,” said Tashiro. People are free to set up how they want while still respecting and following health guidelines. On May 3, they finished installing a third permanent screen so they now have a capacity for 300 cars. “It’s roughly two to two and a half times brighter,” which Thomas says will give them the ability to start the movies earlier. Another benefit from laser projection, it’s way brighter. He explains it doesn’t require nearly as much cooling as the big, bright bulbs do. “Sometime probably in the early summer, we’re actually going to convert all of our projection to laser,” Thomas said. But as innovative as they had to be for an effective cooling system, innovation in technology will soon help them out in that technical aspect. As Thomas explains, it was a struggle to make it work in an environment that it’s not designed for. The projectors currently at Moonstruck use big light bulbs and require a lot of light output which in turn requires a creative cooling system, especially given Houston’s heat. The team works with a film buyer who helps them book Hollywood releases. Officially opened in August 2020, they used Blue Moon inflatable screens while building two permanent ones which allows for simultaneous showings. With a combined 15 years of experience, Tashiro and Thomas were able to get things up and running quickly. ![]() He enjoys, “Getting to introduce the whole concept to a demographic that never knew.” When speaking to the predominantly first-generation immigrants about the experience, Thomas says many of them didn’t know something like a drive-in existed. Thomas has noticed they have a large Hispanic audience. Moonstruck sits on the dividing line between Houston’s fifth and second ward, in historically Black and Hispanic neighborhoods respectively. This was a great example because was able to create an activation that was family friendly and COVID safe during the pandemic,” Joyce said. “This is an example of a developer… is working on a site or the site is in transition and using and activating that site while the development is either on pause or taking shape. So not only is it used for the preservation of cultural arts but also for economic development through the arts. Dan Joyce, director of public affairs of the East End District, says the area was designated as one of the official state cultural districts. In Houston’s East End, there’s a growing entrepreneurial community making waves. And I mean, nothing beats the view that we have.” We were just struck by the moon, it was just so beautiful there. “The moon was so bright so that’s kind of how we came up with ,” said Tashiro. The team toured their current property several times to ensure good lighting and sound would function in the space. Thomas is the owner of Showboat Drive-In, an outdoor theater 40 miles northwest of Moonstruck.īefore the pandemic began, Tashiro and Thomas were looking for a permanent downtown location to provide the same theater grade equipment as AMC or Cinemark. Tashiro is the owner of Blue Moon Cinemas which specializes in turn-key outdoor movie and event productions. are actually benefiting from the coronavirus.” While there is no data currently available for 2020, we can surely add Moonstruck as Texas’ 13th site.Ĭo-owners Alisha Tashiro and Andrew Thomas are no strangers to the movie industry. Jim Kopp, the administrative secretary for UDITOA said, “Only 5% to 10% of drive-ins throughout the U.S. While the demand has died down over the years, the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association reports, as of 2019, there are 305 theater locations in the country, and 12 of those are in Texas. ![]() In their prime, the 1950s, drive-ins provided Americans with a novel and entertaining activity that could be done from their vehicles. A year later, most of these ‘pop-ups’ have shut down but Moonstruck Drive-In remains standing in Houston’s East End. As indoor theaters closed their doors and more people searched for a fun yet safe outing, businesses took the opportunity to convert outdoor spaces into drive-in theaters. (HOUSTON) - Drive-in cinemas made a popular return at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |