Post #91266 by mig on Fri, May 14, 2004 1:29 PM

I think the dive-in movie serves a definite purpose, although what that purpose is, might be a little bit different than what it might seem at first.

Look at what leads up to the movie: a couple days of mayhem, sun, and tiki drinks. Bands have been playing and whipping everybody into a frenzy. Yet... it doesn't seem to be quite the right time to have everybody disperse and hit room parties.

The dive-in movie helps to bridge this gap. It gives people something to do for a bit; a cool-down after the bands. It lets the room-party-throwers sneak back to their rooms and start preparations before the crowds hit. A lot of people sit around and socialize. Some actually want to watch the movie. Some just want to splash around.

Some people do watch the movie with keen interest. For others, it's the background noise that is going on while they continue to socialize. This should not be discounted at all-- it is quite a crucial part of the whole thing.

The fact that everybody approaches the movie differently (watching vs. not, pool vs. chairs, talking vs. watching, watching whole thing vs. leaving early)-- this is not a weakness of the movie, but it's strength. It ensures that everybody there is reasonably happy.

Parents with small kids can start to wind down, rather than be part of a big mob of people suddenly looking for a party.

Anyway, I'm starting to be redundant, but you know what I mean.

mig