Nigeria has revived the concept of Drive-in cinema that was popular between 1915 and 1970s in Europe and America.
This followed the industry’s loss of more than N3 billion ($8.3 million) and 250,000 jobs due to lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to industry sources.
Babatope Moses, managing director of Film One Entertainment, said in an interview with Pulse Tv that the sector has lost about N3 billion since February.
This however, compelled big shots to begin to think of new ways of how to keep the Cinemas running. Swift think, an innovative idea development and management company came up with the idea of a drive-in cinema. A kind of cinema where people come in their cars to watch movies.
SwiftThink successfully hosted Nigeria’s first drive-through cinema experience with its eye-catchy mobile High Definition LED screen. The experience held from March 23 and lasted a few days held at Car Park B, Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The physical distancing regime Nigerian government introduced following the pandemic, practically grounded the country’s thriving cinema as well as leisure and tourism activities. Entertainment shows, cinema houses were shut down since they are avenues where the virus can easily spread.
Akatarian learnt that the popular AY show, which was scheduled for Easter 2020, could not hold. The comedian had to do an online show from his home with Ushbebe and it was televised on Hip tv.
Productions was put on hold at the beginning of the lock down only to resume some weeks later.
Drive-in Cinema/theatre
A drive-in cinema is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor movie screen and a large parking area for automobiles, according to Wikipedia. Customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars within this enclosed area.
Some drive-ins have small playgrounds for children and a few picnic tables or benches. But drive-in attendance in Europe and America began to decline in the late 1960s due to improvements and changes to home entertainment, from color television to cable tv, VCRs and video rental.
Drive in cinema allows people to go to cinemas without being scared since there is no contact with other people.
Abuja and Lagos have so far successfully organised a drive-in cinema. Though, the turn out was not as high but it was a welcome idea.
Other sectors should also come up with ideas that will assist with keeping the economy afloat as the pandemic is not going away anytime soon.
We should all learn to live with it and do our utmost best to curb the spread by observing personal hygiene, maintaining social distance and avoid crowded places as much as possible.
