PJ Windle has an idea to help bust your boredom while maintaining social distancing.
He’s starting a business that will bring drive-in movie theaters to parks and parking lots across the state. So far, Jackson, his hometown, has committed to hold one. And a semi-permanent pop-up drive-in is also planned at the Oak Tree Lodge in Wall Township, he said.
Windle is also in talks with more than a dozen towns throughout the state to bring “Back to the Movies Drive-Ins” to them, as well.
“I’ve gotten a very good response,” he said, from towns and restaurants with big parking lots that he’s reached out to.
The company will charge the towns or property owner a flat fee for bringing his high-end projector and screen to them. And Back to the Movies collects a per car fee of $20 to $25 from attendees, who can buy tickets through the company’s website.
Windle, who also owns a wedding entertainment business, says he saw a need for entertainment during these times of social distancing and he saw many of his wedding bookings postponed until next year.
“I’m in an adapt or fail situation,” he said. “I can sit here and sulk or adapt to the current situation.”
The pop-up showings will comply with social distancing because people will be inside their own cars, port-a-johns will be spaced out and patrons can order food by phone from food trucks (or the venue itself if the pop-up is at a restaurant) and it will be delivered to your car, he said.
Attendees will be able to hear the movie through an FM radio station in their car, by rolling down their windows to listen on big DJ speakers or through a Bluetooth speaker or earbuds.
Back to the Movies will show classic films — such as Jaws, Jurassic Park and Independence Day — and is working on getting licenses for some new releases.
Each location will have a 5 p.m. matinee movie for kids and then an 8 p.m. showing of a PG-13 movie, he said.
The pop-ups are expected to start the third week of May, Windle said, now that parks are reopening Saturday. He’s also waiting for the 8 p.m. curfew to be lifted.
“I’ve been in lock-step with the mayors,” he said. “They’re giving me the direction.” (Source: nj.com)
