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Friends Family Theater/Friends Family Drive-In |
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Our first Screen |
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About Us |
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Friends Family Drive-In was begun in the summer of 2002 as a ministry of the Ypsilanti Evangelical Friends Church (Church history link from contact page) at the corner of Bemis and Tuttle Hill Roads,, with a big white 24’ tarpaulin, an excellent super-bright projector, a very expensive lens, and a FM stereo transmitter on a baseball diamond. Our schedule consisted of one dry-run film and two public films. Our first public film, August 9 (the Billy Graham film The Climb) had an attendance of only about 60 people. Our second film was ‘rained out’ and moved into the white frame building which later became Friends Family Theater had 99 people in attendance, still our highest indoor attendance. Both films were licensed directly by World-Wide Pictures. Our original leadership team consisted of Matthew Lamkin, Edland Malick and Larry Elie.
In 2003 we got a much better reinforced 25’ tarpaulin, installing it on two large aluminum irrigation pipes and ran for 5 weeks. We used a rented popcorn popper. We finally cracked 100 attendance. Advertising included microwave popcorn passed out to 200 ‘neighbors’ with a flyer attached. We were able to show our first premiere: the Billy Graham/World-Wide Pictures feature Last Flight Out, the first showing of the film in Michigan, and only the second showing in the US! February 14 2003 we started showing some films inside at Friends Family Theater on selected weeks using the same big screen. We began using CVLI licensing for most of our films, greatly expanding what we could show. Our first scheduled indoor film was Friendly Persuasion followed March 7 by our first cartoon; the Veggie Tales Jonah. Rob Herman joined our leadership team in 2003. In 2004 we got a real 24’ x 12’ seamless theater screen and ran for 9 weeks, showing another Michigan premiere. We passed out several thousand flyers at the Ypsilanti Independence Day Parade, pushing attendance over 150. We also began to feature live music before some films. We also greatly expanded our indoor schedule. Better outdoor speakers were also installed.
In 2005 we added a bigger 27’ x 13’ theater screen modified to be used outside. We added a better digital FM stereo transmitter and better outdoor speakers and electric winches for the screen. We also featured flashlight and black light glow stick routines set to music during some film intermissions. We ran for 12 weeks of the summer. We showed 5 separate Michigan premiers, including the first screening of one film in the entire US! We also showed two separate old time film serials, including the first serial showing of The Sugar Creek Gang. The older 24’ x 12’ theater screen was permanently installed inside of Friends Family Theater on an electric winch. The Friends Family Theater schedule was expanded for films every second week, with several months running on a weekly basis. We were also featured in a full color article in the Ann Arbor News
In 2006 we finally added our own theater style popcorn popper instead of borrowing or renting one. We ran 9 weeks outside, and 8 of the 9 weeks featured brand-new 2006 features, 4 were state premieres, and one was a world premiere. We also added this web page. In 2007 Greg Compton joined our leadership team. We added flavored popcorn on occasion. We ran 7 weeks outside (although two were moved in for weather reasons). We had one premiere. 2008 Drive-In featured a better digital audio system 2009 had an average attendance of over 100 people, with two weeks of over 150 and 160 and one with over 50 cars (Secrets of Jonathan Sperry). In September 2009 we tried a free “Pizza and a Movie” at the indoor theater. We had to stop after 4 weeks when we were giving away 11 large pizzas a week… the logistics are too hard!
In 2010 we even had two free ice cream weeks at the Drive-In! One was at a rare Saturday screening. In early October 2010, we installed a silvered circularly Polarized 3D ready theater screen 25’ wide, and about 100 REAL® 3D Glasses to the indoor theater. On October 22 2010, Friends Family Theater became the very first Church based theater to present theater-sized screen full color feature in the entire world (How to Train Your Dragon 3-D). We now show 3D regularly. Yes, the glasses are high temperature dish-washer washed or new, your choice. For the 2011 Drive-In season, we featured a commercial bounce house before each film for both kids and adults. We also ran into the 180 to 200 attendance for the first time (Soul Surfer) and ran improved mosquito control the last 2 weeks of the season.
November/December 2011 featured indoor bounce-house, wii games and dinner before the movies. |
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Early Concessions |
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Bleachers |
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Our third Screen |
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Our fourth & current outdoor wide screen |
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Pre-Electric Winch Days |
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Why is everything free?
First, we don’t think anyone should have to pay to be ministered to. Sure it costs us plenty, but it’s free to you. Remember, God’s free gift of salvation cost Him plenty too! Aren’t you glad that His costly gift is free to you?
Second, we enjoy the privilege of doing this with you! |
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3-D Film booth with 2 projectors & computer |
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Friends. Family. Friday. Fun. Food. Fine Films. FREE! Always a MOVING Picture Free Indoor Films on a big 25’ 3D ready theater screen every Friday. Free Drive-In Films on a BIGGER 27’ theater screen every Friday in July & August. Even the popcorn is free! Finished our 10th Drive-In Season! Our 8th Indoor Season! |
