Nashua, New Hampshire: Nashua Public Library Plaza Pics Present Movies Under the Stars With an Inflatable Screen

Someone has parked a 40-foot inflatable movie screen in Greeley Park. And that someone is Chris Malloy. Malloy, of Nashua, who owns event production company Community Events, has taken over the Nashua Public Library's Plaza Pics or at least he's staffing the free summer events and outdoor films, using his equipment and tapping area sponsors for support. But the library is still in charge of choosing the movies, he said. "It's very much still their project," Malloy said. But it was Malloy's idea to host an opening outdoor cinema event for Plaza Pics and show a local filmmaker's work before the summer settled into family blockbusters, such as "Kung-Fu Panda." Soon, the opening film turned into an artists' gathering, with local artists invited to show their work in booths around the park, a world premier of a music video, film shorts and a line up of local bands headlined by Charlie Chronopoulos. His choice for the outdoor movie was "Wrecked," created by Nashua natives Ben Proulx and Joe Lopez. "Wrecked" tells the story of the consequences of teens who drink and drive in a full-movie format. "It's . . ." Proulx hesitated, trying to find the words to describe his film. "Brilliant," Chronopoulos finished. "It's written in a way that teenagers talk," Malloy said. Proulx said he wanted to make the characters relatable for teens, and the film actually spends 40 minutes developing the characters before the central action occurs. " 'Wrecked' is not just an awareness film, it's a movie," Proulx said. And a good one, Malloy added. "After I watched the trailer, I knew it was something I wanted to do." And Proulx jumped on the opportunity. Soon, Chronopoulos, whose music is featured in "Wrecked," was involved, as well. Chronopoulos, who is preparing to kick off a three-month tour in Europe and the United States, will headline the event, sell limited-edition releases of his new CD and release the world premiere of his music video for "Widow's Gun." But the event is still growing. Local bands From Here Down, Let's Go Streaking, Horns Become Halos and Andy Krom and the Goods will also play. Students involved in the film production class at Nashua High School South will show short films before the screening of "Wrecked." Local artists will display their wares, and a portion of all sales will go to the New Hampshire chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "We're just coming up with ideas as we go," Proulx said. "Anything goes." "Anything involving art goes," Malloy corrected. Chronopoulos said the main idea is to promote the varied arts community right here in Nashua. "I think art empowers art," Chronopoulos said. All three said they'd be happy to see other similar events happen in Nashua. Proulx said he'd like to even hold more events this summer. In fact, Malloy said, part of the goal is to help people realize that independent music and films are good and there are talented artists in Nashua. "It's very good stuff. It's high quality," Malloy said. "It's right downtown. It's right under your nose." Community Events: www.communityeventsllc.com Ben Proulx: www.benproulxfilms.com Charlie Chronopoulos: www.myspace.com/cchronopoulos Nashua Library's Plaza Pics: www.plazapics.com, www.nashua.lib.nh.us Source: "Plaza Pics kicks off with a festival" by Donna Roberson -Nashua Telegraph. Read full article at: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090604/ENCORE01/306049924/-1/OPINION01&dsq=10489102#comment-10489102.