It can be overwhelming to try and pull off a new type of party for your school, company or neighborhood event. A Drive-In Movie is the perfect activity to gather your crowd and have a great time! Here’s everything you need to know to pull of a Drive-In Movie party at your location.
How much does it cost to rent a Giant Inflatable Movie Screen for a Drive-In Movie?
Approximate prices for equipment needed for a Drive in Movie at your location include:
- Huge movie screen that can be seen by up to 200 cars (comes with technician to manage and speaker system)- $1500
- FM Transmitter with 1 mile radius ensuring all attendees can receive the signal- $175
- Setup on asphalt- $100
- Generator (needed if access to power is more than 100 ft. from set up location) $100
- Popcorn with Delivery Attendant- $75 for 30 servings + $100/hr for attendant
- Basic Portable Restroom– $150
- Handwashing Station– $150
- Luxury Restroom Trailer– $1,000-$1,125
- Licensing for a copyrighted film varies (see below)
How to Secure Sponsorships for Your Drive-In Movie
Our clients have had great success in finding sponsors for their drive-in movie events. Since the entire event should cost less than $2,000, the ideal sponsorship package is to offer a Title Sponsor for $1,000 and two general sponsorships for $500. Inquire in your community for business owners that are looking to increase their customer base or sales in the area.
The Title Sponsor will earn the event name: “Community Drive In Movie Presented by Business X.” Offer signage at the event (on the big screen!), social media and email advertisements leading up to the event. Also offer VIP parking at the event which the sponsor can use for their own family, or perhaps give away to a VIP customer or community member.
The regular sponsorships can have similar benefits, but not be named in the event title. For more ideas on securing sponsorships for your school or non-profit event, check out this blog.
Do I need to license the movie for a Drive-In Movie event?
The Federal Copyright Act specifies the rules and regulations to follow when displaying a movie publicly. We love using Swank to confirm and acquire the licensing because they make it so easy! The cost to license varies depending on a few factors. It’s best to request a quote for your event at least a few weeks ahead of time to avoid any last minute confusion. For an additional fee, Swank will provide the DVD. You can also buy/rent yourself or even use one from your personal collection.
Family-Friendly Drive In Movies to Show
Some fun, family-friendly movies to consider for your school event include the new Trolls World Tour movie, Dr. Dolittle, One & Only Ivan. Check with your school to see if there is a policy for movie rating. And be sure your choice is appropriate for the expected age group. Also consider showing films that fit the season, like the film Coco near the Day of the Dead or a Holiday movie later in the year.
Contactless Payment/Tickets
To avoid any money-handling and unnecessary contact the evening of the event, allow guests to sign up through something like Eventbrite. Then, have them print a ticket to display on their dashboard. O, allow the purchasing of tickets online through your school or organization’s website. Then, email or print tickets to be distributed prior to the event.
Important FAQs about Drive-In Movie & Giant Inflatable Movie Screen Rentals
How Dark does it need to be to Use a Giant Inflatable Movie Screen?
It needs to be dark to be able to see the projection on the inflatable screen, so we recommend events begin after sunset to have the best viewing quality. Additionally, be sure that the location you are utilizing does not have large overhead lights turned on during the show. Many commercial or school parking lots have overhead lighting for safety at night. Discuss turning these off with your custodial services prior to the event.
What sort of power do I need for a Giant Inflatable Movie Screen?
This can depend on the specific screen you are using. Usually, one or two typical 20 amp circuits provides sufficient power. If access to power outlets is not available within 25 feet of the screen set up location, use generators to provide adequate power.
How does the sound work on a Giant Inflatable Movie Screen for a Drive-In Movie?
For a Drive-In Movie, the rental setup should come with a speaker system which projects to the first few rows of cars. Additionally, you can add on an FM transmitter. This will transmit the sound over a certain radio frequency that cars within a 1 mile radius can pick up.
How many cars will be able to see the screen for a Drive-In Movie?
This will depend on the screen size and how high the screen is. Our favorite giant inflatable movie screen is 20 feet off the ground and can be seen by up to 200 cars parked nearby.
How is a Giant Inflatable Movie Screen Rental secured to the ground?
This can depend on the size of the specific screen you are using. Use water barrels to tether the screen on asphalt, or stake the screen into the ground. Sometimes the vendor will tether a large vehicle to the screen to ensure maximum safety on a windy day.
What do we do if there is bad weather for our Drive-In Movie?
Inclement weather (rain or too much wind) will require rescheduling your Drive-In Movie. This is incredibly disappointing, but necessary as the equipment can not be exposed to water and the screen can be damaged in high winds. Most vendors offer free rescheduling in these situations. Make sure to ask your vendor about these policies before you put down your deposit!
What else can I watch on a Giant Movie Screen?
You can watch anything on a giant movie screen that you can watch on your computer! Rent a Giant Movie Screen for a big sports game, to watch a livestream of wedding, or to share a presentation with a crowd.
We hope you have a great event! If you need help sourcing your Drive-In Movie rentals, reach out to info@reventals.com and we will be sure you find what you need.
