Walnut Creek, California: Outdoor Movies Under the Stars

Sit around the projector with an Open Air Cinema technician long enough and you’ll hear war stories. The tech rescued by two dozen beachgoers after falling into a pool while floating a screen. Three techs pelted with camping gear as they held down a 50-foot screen in the middle of a Nevada sandstorm — nearly everything in the venue except the inflatable screen ended up in the desert.

Among veterans, one story comes up again and again: Movies Under the Stars in Walnut Creek, California — the Rite of Passage for every OAC technician. Walnut Creek has been hosting the free monthly outdoor cinema event since 2003, and the experienced organizers pull out all the stops: live folk bands, hula dancers, spotlights, and an MC in a sparkling jacket, all staged in the middle of the Heather Farm Park baseball diamond — a venue that strikes fear into every tech who’s set up on a baseball field.

We arrived early for the Elite 40’ setup. Our contact came loaded with cold drinks. We laid down a tarp, rolled out the screen, staked it, and flipped on the blowers. With two techs on the front ropes and one watching the back, the screen lifted itself into place — always remarkable to watch something that large go up so easily and safely.

As the audio team arranged the Mackie speaker chain along both sides of the screen, we spotted a potential generator issue. A spare was standing by; the main unit came around and the backup stayed close but never needed. By twilight, over 2,500 people had laid their blankets on the lawn. We got the cue, faded up the presentation, and handed the stage to the MC.

Showtime in Walnut Creek. No rescue team required.