The Oklahoma Film + Music Office’s “Innovation Insight” series profiles a variety of Oklahoma film and music professionals who have found creative ways to continue their craft or businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we continue adjusting in these uncharted waters, our creatives around the state continue finding innovative ways to use technology and we agree with their mindset: “The show must go on”.
August’s Innovation Insight harkens back to a classic pastime era of movie watching that’s finding new resurgence given the current health and safety guidelines across the world: the drive-in movie theatre. With most traditional movie cinemas temporarily closed at this time, movie audiences have flocked to drive-in theatres, which allow them to more safely social distance while watching films on the big screen. A number of recent Oklahoma film releases have found success on the drive-in circuit, including “Infamous”, which landed at #2 on the U.S. Box Office Charts during its debut weekend. Even Oklahoma music icons like Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton are trailblazing ways to recreate their live concert experiences by hosting televised concerts with exclusive drive-in screenings around the country.
Oklahoma has a number of drive-in theatres across the state where audiences can enjoy film and music screenings and events, including Winchester (Oklahoma City), Admiral Twin (Tulsa), Beacon (Guthrie), Tower (Poteau), Chief (Chickasha), EL-CO (Shattuck) and Cool Breeze: RV Cinema and Resort (Springer). Click on each one for the latest news on screenings and music events.
Submit your own stories or nominate another Oklahoma film and/or music professional or business’ innovation, whether they found creative ways to retain employees, bring education or entertainment to new virtual audiences, provide emergency relief or even simply staying in business during these unprecedented times. Oklahomans will come out stronger and better as we rebuild our future. SUBMIT HERE.