By Brett Crandall, Local News 8 Reporter
POSTED: 5:12 pm MDT July 9, 2010UPDATED: 10:06 pm MDT July 9, 2010DRIGGS, Idaho -- While most drive-in movie theaters across the country are going under, the Spud Drive-In in Driggs is getting an upgrade. The 50's-themed theater is finally entering the 21st century.When you go to the movies it’s not just for the popcorn, the candy or the drinks, but to see the picture on the larger than life screen.That’s why the Spud Drive-In has invested in becoming America’s first digital drive-in."It’s just unbelievable,” said drive-in manager Keith Zednik. “I mean if you've ever watched a Blu-ray player at home on your plasma or high definition television, you now get to see that on this 34 foot high, 76 foot wide screen. It’s just amazing."For 57 years, the drive-in has become a big part of the small community and Zednik wants it to last for 50 more."It’s definitely an expense we didn't even think twice about,” said Zednik. "It’s definitely worthwhile."The new digital system not only gives a more crisp and clear picture but also allows you to arrange the videos and trailers in any sequence you want, unlike a roll of 35 mm film.While three weeks ago, "Toy Story 3" came on five reels of film, this week, "Despicable Me" came on a computer hard drive.Zednik said 20 years down the road when someone Googles first digital drive-ins, the Spud Drive-In in Driggs, Idaho, will be the one to remember."Just being the first, just being on the frontier, we don't want to be the guys left behind,” said Zednik. "You don't want to be the guys who has the 100th digital drive-in, there's really no nostalgia to that."But despite now being the first to go digital, Zednik said its the nostalgic atmosphere that sets his drive-in apart."It brings you back to the 1950s but yet everything we've done is 21st century," said Zednik.The drive-in will also be the first outdoor theater to show movies in 3-D when its new projector arrives next month.Zednik also hopes to eventually open a museum featuring the drive-in's history."Despicable Me" and "Robin Hood" will be on tonight’s first showing in digital format.For more information on the country’s first outdoor digital theater go to http://spuddrivein.com/
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment