Interactive Cinema Orientation - Next Steps

This article contains orientation materials presented to residents of the MoHA CATS+ Interactive Cinema cohort. This residency took place summer 2023.

Introduction

Hello!

Thank you so much for submitting an application to MoHA’s summer drive-in programming. We appreciate the time you spent on the application and would like to work together to present programming. Below you’ll find more details about all the next steps.

Participant Expectations

Show up to at least 1 training session

To present programming at the drive-in you’ll need to show up to at least one full training session. The goal of this training is to share all the details around how to run the drive-in. This includes setting up the project, chairs, fans, audio as well as how we check people in. We will provide all this information in written form as well as through materials shared at the training.

Help with one other event as a “shadow”

This means you’ll help someone else with their programming. We will work together with everyone on schedules. The goal of this is to support other community members and provide everyone with additional experience in helping run an event.

Bring at least one other person the day(s) of the show

There are a few tasks that require two people, including lifting the projector and moving chairs/speakers. Also, it's hard to run an event by yourself, and having friends helps! At least one MoHA staff member will be around to answer questions and help throughout the event, plus we will try to pair each event with a person who is learning (as mentioned above). However, with some people presenting a series of events, this will not be possible for every event based on schedules. If you cannot bring at least one other person the day of show, please let us know 2 weeks ahead of time and we will do our best to support you with additional staff or volunteers.

Clear communication about needs and expectations

This goes two ways! Our intention is to be as clear as possible with what we can provide and the resources at MoHA. Please let us know what your needs or expectations are around your programming in advance and we will do our best to meet those expectations and let you know where we don’t have the capacity. Please also let us know if you have any particular accessibility needs for yourself or community members at your event.

Provide written promotion at least 3 weeks in advance of show date

For us to list events through our MoHA newsletter we need written materials 3 weeks in advance as well as a banner style image for our ticket page. Banner images must be at least 720 x 377 px. For examples see [withfriends.co]. Event info can be submitted HERE. Please note: This program has ended, do not use this link.

Trainings

You only need to attend one training, but you may come to more. These hours are evening hours because we will need it to be dark to see the projection screen. Presenters should attend this training and are welcome to bring any additional support or collaborators.

• Training #1 is on July 13th, 2023 from 7-9pm.
• Training #2 is on July 18th, 2023 from 7-9pm.
• Training #3 is on July 25th, 2023 from 7-9pm

Receiving Payment

Organizer(s) will be provided a $350 stipend upon completion of training and before the events themselves. We want people to have the money ASAP. Our expectation is that you use the money to help offset the time you’re spending on the event and for whatever other costs you may incur in getting ready for your event.

We received more applications than expected and wanted to accommodate that interest. If you would like to decline or donate this honorarium we have a decision tree for guidance around financial stability linked here. All payments will be sent out via direct deposit and we can help onboard you in that system.

Program Timeframe

The events themselves may take place between the end of July and end of Oct. We can work together to hold dates and schedule programming once you complete the training. Programs that will utilize the projector need to happen after the sundown During the summer this is approximately 8 or 9pm depending on the month. A full chart of sunset times can be found here.

Tickets

It's up to you to price tickets at a price that is accessible to your audience, the broader community and MoHA’s drive-in friends. Historically we’ve priced drive-ins at anywhere from $5-10 per person or $20-30 per car. We can talk about pricing individually based on the program (is it a fundraiser, is it original or exclusive etc…). Sliding scale and free are also options!

Programming Expectations

Capacity

For outdoor seating we have roughly 50 chairs or bench seats, and we can fit approximately 10 cars in a row or 20 cars in two rows. We’ve had as many as 100 people for a drive-in but people brought their own chairs.

Promotion

We will list all events on the MoHA newsletter and via the MoHA Discord. It's up to you to supplement that through whatever ways you connect with your community. We thrive on 1:1 and personal outreach, plus community potlucks where you’re welcome to invite people. If social media is more your jam, we’ll leave that to you.

Generally people like to come to unexpected, experimental, community oriented events at MoHA and a curious or unique event name, format and/or description will bring out more audience members. Low attendance events have been movies that are new releases, easy to find on streaming platforms, or something that film nerds (said in a loving manner) would prefer to see at AFS or somewhere nicely climate controlled and not in a dirty parking lot.

Day of & Other Production Notes

If you’re expecting more people, we will encourage you to bring more organizers. We will do our best to fill in and support as MoHA staff when necessary and per event.

Some the roles during the event are as follows:

• Projectionist/host - this person will make sure the computer is playing the video and/or host audiences coming in to make sure everyone knows what's happening
• Usher - this person will make sure people in the audience have what they need. Larger audiences (more than 30-40) will require more ushers.
• Ticket taker - this person will make sure audiences are paying admission and/or know where to donate
• Concessions - this person will provide popcorn and/or any concessions available

The roles for production are as follows:

• Setup and breakdown
• Any additional labor for activities or context
• Promotion or video assets (if needed)

A Final Note

It’s very hot. You know this, we know this. Bring water and ice and dress cool.