When You Wish Upon a Starlite

The Starlite Drive-in Theater, El Monte, CA. Closed since 1997.



THE SHORT VERSION:

Hello there! My name is Jonathan Young and my dream is to one day own and operate my own drive-in movie theater and continue to raise awareness of the importance of drive-ins and their culture for generations to come. Now, if you're sitting there thinking, "Perhaps I clicked the wrong link," or "Surely you must be joking, drive-ins are dead!" please bear with me. YES, it is 2022, I'm dead serious but they're far from dead, and don't call me Shirley! 

Over the past two years, I've lived an entire story. The Rewind Road Trip  chronicles my adventures as I embark on multiple cross country road trips, leave my years long magic making job at Disneyland to pursue an old dream, and renovate a 1988 Winnebago Chieftain 31RT that will serve as home as I pursue this dream. In order to finish my home I need YOUR HELP! 

Day 1 of purchasing my new home

After accepting a position managing a drive-in for the 2022 season, my plans and deadlines have shifted significantly, and my current job cannot meet my financial needs. I have exactly two months to hit my campaign goal.

As a result of your contribution towards my $5,000 goal, I will have a roof over my head and be able to continue my journey and mission to prevent other drive-in theaters from closing, preserve the culture it supports through exposure and education, and introduce new and creative endeavors within the theater I will manage or possibly own in the future that I hope will set an example for others to follow.



THE LONG VERSION:

Simply put, I LOVE movies. I grew up in the 1980’s and my father was a cable guy. Makes sense right? But this gift came with a curse. We never went to the theater. “Why would we pay to see that movie when it will be on cable next year?” It was a valid question from a blue collar father of three in Baltimore, Maryland. Thus, I was starved of the silver screen for most of my childhood. My awakening to film exhibition outside the living room came mostly in the form of my first two jobs in high school. The first at a multiplex in town and the second at the nearest Blockbuster Video. It wouldn’t be till I purchased my first car that I would attend my first drive-In, the one that had been, and still is, 10 minutes from where I’ve lived the majority of my life, Bengie's Drive-In, Middle River, Maryland. The nostalgic look and feel, the showmanship of the projectionist and owner, and the ability to make a movie your own and watch it how you want to watch it. From the privacy of your own car or as a group with a tailgate in the back, it was always a place for anyone who loved an evening under the stars with a couple of movies. When I can show people films they’ve never seen before or experience them in a communal environment, that is my happiest place on earth. 

The only remaining pirated tape of my childhood collection meets my first Drive-in, Bengie's Drive-in, Middle River, MD

VHS lent to the downfall of many but now can be celebrated within the same vein of nostalgia and passion as the theaters before it


Speaking of the happiest place on earth let’s fast forward…about 10 years. I mentioned I like movies, right? Well, after moving to Los Angeles in 2011 to be around that world, falling prey to the enrollment scams of the “Art Institutes of California”, and stumbling pretty hard out of the gate, I finally landed a job at Disneyland. This job would not only save me from financial ruin, but would extend my time away from home. Few people knew I didn’t have a vehicle or that I was living in a garage because I refused to call it quits. I spent the next 7 years of my life “making magic” for the Disneyland Resort. A dream job for so many. I worked from special event to special event within the resort decorating and installing what you might have seen, participated in, posed or played with. From Food and Wine, to Halloween parties, from corporate parties to weddings and any event in-between our talented creative team of designers, producers, artisans, and crew were responsible. Honestly, that was the best part, getting to watch the guests interact with what “we”, as a team, had created. But I wasn’t ready to make the change I needed in order to be happy. I couldn’t quit, I’ve come this far and this place saved me. What would I do if I left? I needed better for myself, and COVID-19 was gonna give it to me. 


A few of the numerous events designed by me and the rest of the amazingly talented and creative team of artisans

When the world first fell apart, so many people suffered. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to be more than a single male without children. I used the time off and unemployment benefits in the beginning to pay off thousands in debt and started to think about what I wanted in life. All I’ve known is Disney and now I have the time and money to explore. My hobbies for collecting VHS tapes, movies and nostalgia, and roadside attractions led me onto numerous road trips for treasure hunts and to discover the drive-ins around me. Through those visits, well, that’s when I fell in love all over again with an idea I had long forgotten about. What if I had my own drive-in?

As I’m visiting these drive-ins through 2020, I find myself so enamored now I'm Not just visiting local theaters in California, but making multiple cross-country trips. What I discovered is not only have drive-ins continued to thrive in those years since I attended Bengies but they have grown, they have adapted. In this pandemic, they have once again risen from the ashes like a phoenix ready to save Hollywood and reintroduce themselves to a movie hungry country. Yes, some have closed, but others have opened or even re-opened to take their place. New outdoor theaters have been built in the past decade. Five brand-new drive-ins are slated for construction this year. Even Delaware is about to get one once more! Wow! Delaware! So if that's possible then anything is! Could I possibly have a shot at owning my own theater? 

Litchfield Skyview Drive-in, Litchfield, ILMeeting Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl at the first ever Joe Bob's Drive-in Jamboree @ Mahoning Drive-in, Lehighton, PAOcala Drive-in, Ocala, FLJessup Drive-in, Jessup, GA66 Drive-in Theater, Carthrage, MO South Drive-in, Columbus, OHDouble feature presented by American Cinematique and Beyondfest at MIssion Tiki Drive-in, Montclair, CA






But how do I operate one? I know very little about the day to day business. Over the past two years, I have visited numerous drive-ins. I have creative and informed ideas to bring to the table, I have dived deep into history, the existing theaters, the over 100 pieces of closed property and the still operating ones that are for sale as well but that still doesn’t get me any closer financially or experienced within my goal. Also where ever I land, I’ll have to take a pay cut to follow my dreams for quite some time if not for the rest of my life. If that was the case I wanted to ensure I have a sustainable roof over my head for uncertain times ahead. Uncertain times that came to a head when Disney officially parted ways with 32 Thousand people in October of 2020, including myself.  


It was clear to me at that point, I’m pursuing my dream of owning a theater, I’m renovating an RV as my home, and I’m preparing for my future to answer the call to serve the Drive-in Gods!



I completed much of this project with the funds from a severance package from Disney. In addition, I received the remaining unemployment benefits from the Pandemic Unemployment Insurance program over the next year. Yet numerous repairs and upgrades have brought us to this point. From breaking down on day one, to engine work, to replacing an entire roof and numerous setbacks you could imagine from a 34 year old vehicle everything I have learned I have learned from Youtube, Google and my own perseverance. I have replaced windshields and windows, antiqued cabinets and learned DC voltage. I have come so far but long story short (TOO LATE) I have run out of funds to complete the project and a new deadline has risen! One that I am very proud to share that propels me leaps and bounds towards my goal, but It doesn’t happen without YOU!

BEFORE

NOW  - New slatted ceiling, LED lighting, reclaimed barn wood wall paneling, Antiqued Chalk White Cabinets, Vinyl displaying cabinets
BEFORE
NOW - New slatted ceiling, LED lighting, reclaimed barnwood wall paneling, Antiqued Chalk White Cabinets, VHS china cabinet
BEFORE
NOW - New slatted ceiling, LED lighting, reclaimed barnwood wall paneling, Antiqued Chalk White Cabinets
BEFORE I TORE THE ENTIRE ROOF OFF.
COMPLETELY NEW STRUCTURE, PVC MEMBRANE ROOF AND MAXX AIR FANS
BEFORE
NOW - More VHS Shelves added, Multi-color changing LED Illumination
BEFORE

BEDROOM RENDERING - Still to be completed through your contributions
RENDERING - Living Room TV, Lift and Fireplace Cabinet. Still to be made through your contributions

I have teamed up with a drive-in and pitched an offer to become their manager in order to help build business, try out new ideas and learn the process of operating a drive-in theater. I feel the best way to learn and ensure that this is the right path and location for me is to jump right in and learn how to run one. They want me to start Mid-March to de-winterize the property (gotta learn that too!) to start the season by April 1st! I couldn't be more excited and proud of how far I've come on this journey but now I need my Winnebago to be livable to make the move towards my dreams becoming a reality as I will need to find a livable location in town. Even with my current new job found that I am working in the interim, it is not enough to make this deadline. I truly wish it was as I have come this far without asking for help. But being that the time frame is two months away, the time for help is now!

I have determined I need about $5000 to be able to relocate by Mid-March and live comfortably while I work and continue to make upgrades. With $10,000 I can finish completely and if we hit our first milestone we can adjust our goals! With your donation you can contribute to my on-going journey towards learning the business of drive-in theater and one day owning one of my own. With your help you can contribute towards a personal goal that will begin to further the film and drive-in culture for generations to come.

WITH YOUR HELP I CAN FINISH MY HOME IN TIME TO MAKE THE 2022 DRIVE-IN SEASON AND WE CAN BOTH CONTRIBUTE TO DOING OUR PART TO ENSURE THAT "THE DRIVE-IN WILL NEVER DIE"

My contribution to Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX


As of now I have budgeted this project within 2 tiers of funds. Wants vs Needs

Funds and items needed to be livable by March 15th:


Front Tire
$600 
 - My Front Driver Side Wheel has a wall leak and needs replacement


Kitchen Counter Top  
$279

Kitchen Sink 
$274
(Purchased $274.04)

Kitchen Sink Drain 
$10.86 x 2
(Purchased $21.72)


Bathroom Sink  
$80 


Bathroom Medicine Cabinet
$100
(Purchased - $53.00)

Floor Underlayment 
$60.00

Closet Maid Wardrobe 
$175.03


Closet Maid Drawers 
$53.33 x 4 = $213.32


Wireless Back Up and Side Cameras 
$399.99


Windshield Wiper Arms
$120 for a pair
Private Manufacturer 

Power Panel and Converter and Smart Charger 
$220


LED HeadLights 
$50


Wood/Materials/Shower
$1500

$500 for Jeep Repairs (Radiator has sprung a leak)

Total $4561.33

Goal of $5,000








WANTS
Short Queen Memory Foam Mattress with custom 10” Radi at Foot 
$849


Jackknife Sofa 
$819


TV 
$549


Waggle RV and Dog Safety Temperature and Humidity Sensor GPS and Power Loss Alert 
$300


Fireproof Safe 
$35


LED Road Flairs 
$35


Renogy 800W Solar Kit 
$1,133.99

DC to DC Charger 
$159


1000W Pure Sin Wave Inverter Charger 
$299

Tire presure Monitor 
$349



$500 Supplies for Fire Place and Bookshelves


$5,027.99

Second Goal of $10,000



Updates to the project will be provide through this campaign and through my website Rewind Road Trip. To see other options on how you can support me and this cause in other ways please direct yourself to the donation page of my site.

Follow my journey on all social networks from one place on the website and continue to visit as I I will be updating with my progress with the build, telling relative stories from my past, what I learn moving forward, and just what life working at a drive-in is all about!

Thank you again for your donation, or even a like or a share of this campaign will go a long way! I look forward to seeing YOU at the box office!

- Jonathan Young
Drive-in Manager and future owner
Two Guns, AZ