How Physical and Online Film Communities are Responding to COVID
For the past 10 years, The Sonic Transducers, Washington D.C.’s live cast for The Rocky Horror Picture Show, performs at Landmark Theatres E Street Cinema on the second weekend of every month, For a routine screening, the theater is usually packed with both veterans and virgins alike as they watch a dedicated group of performers dress up in film-accurate costumes and act with the movie on the screen. It is not uncommon to see fresh faces with lipstick Vs on the cheek or a returning fan to wear their best inspired outfit. From cards thrown in the air, to an underwear run in the theater, and the audience engaging with the call back lines, the community centered around the event has made the theater its home. However, the once full theater has been quite empty over the past few months because of COVID.
With theaters closing down due to COVID, many movie groups who were based at theaters have begun the process of transitioning online. While some groups have found success, other movie organizations are still adapting to the online landscape. Also, online film communities have been adjusting to COVID as well. COVID has impacted both physical and online movie organizations through different aspects.
According to Leandra Lynn, the group’s artistic director, “E Street Cinema is very much our home. We present an experience to our patrons that is not just film and not just art- for many people, Rocky Horror is a life-changing event.” The Sonic Transducers play an essential role in the area’s Rocky Horror fan community since it allows for fellow fans to come together for the performances. The theater is more than a location for the event. It becomes a shrine for fans to meet and connect.
Kevin Ledgewood, head of publicity for the Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa, Ala., states The Bama Art House Film Series “is certainly a social event for some people, and I don’t mean that in a derogatory manner. Like minded people finding their ‘tribe’ in town.” Beyond showing movies, the film series also fill a social function by existing as space for cinephiles to be with each other. It creates an opportunity for fans of cinema to get watch movies as a group.
But, many of these communities who once met physically are currently adapting to the online space. While some theaters and groups have changed well with this transition, others are still adjusting.
The Robinson Film Center in Shreveport, La. has been using Facebook and the internet to continue its educational programs. From Facebook Live weekly movie clubs to video movie recommendations, the theater has kept a strong online presence before reopening on July 7. But, one reason for Robinson’s success is its staff size. With a more extensive staff, it is easier for theaters to plan and host online programming.
Theaters with a smaller staff, like The Capri Theatre, a small independent theater in Montgomery, Ala., have had more trouble with moving to online. After hosting an online panel with two living Freedom Riders, a specific section of Civil Rights activists from the 1960s who protested segregation by riding buses in the South, and Dawn Porter, the director of John Lewis: Good Trouble, the documentary about the late Representative and Civil Rights leader, the theater has mainly focused on virtual cinema. Martin McCaffery, the director of the theater, mentioned the events were “not getting feedback online.” It can be harder for online panels to receive similar feedback then an in-person discussion.
Lynn brought up that “The concern with that is the lag between the video stream and the performer. The video stream does not immediately populate to the person in the video conference, and the person shadow-casting would then share their video feed with everyone else and it would also lag.” Because of live video streaming, it is difficult for the cast to interact with each other and the movie. Lynn adds, “Not having an audience to play with makes for a less vibrant experience. If we are all performing remotely in our homes, it’s even harder to get the same level of interaction with scene partners.”
“Streaming is already so readily available and part of our society that a theatre offering that opportunity is not going to grab anyone’s attention,” Ledgewood stated. Streaming has become an engrained medium within the culture. As selected movies turned to streaming instead of being theatrically released, it puts a dent in the traditional viewing of films. Ledgewood claimed, “The public is desensitized to streaming film as a novelty.”
Aside from physical film organizations, online movie groups have been impacted by COVID as well. Trace Thurman, one of the hosts for Horror Queers, a movie podcast on the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network, discussed the strength of podcast’s Facebook group since “We have a lot of listeners who live in the midwest United States or even countries like Russia, which are areas that aren’t very queer-friendly. These listeners are able to connect with other queer (and like-minded) people and have discussions.” With COVID, online movie communities are used to this online non-face-to-face type of interaction. Through the internet, it has become easier for fans of specific niches to connect. Even without a physical location like a theater, social media and the internet have allowed film groups to thrive on the mediums.
Thurman brought up earlier how he and his co-host Joe Lipsett started doing online activities like a zoom book club or an interview for an upcoming horror movie. Best put by Thurman, “I’m grateful we have online film communities to help us connect with other people like us. It helps us to keep from feeling alone in this world.”
Although physical and online film groups may seem quite different, they serve the same purpose: connect movie fans. Especially now, with social distancing and being at home, it is crucial for movie fans to feel still connected. Even if you cannot buy popcorn at the snack bar or talk to your seat neighbor after the film, the sentiment remains the same. Physical and online film communities are still attempting to provide that connection to fans during COVID. Even if it may be a while before the Sonic Transducers can return to E street cinema, their audience will wait patiently.
