How UofSC Safely Hosts Outdoor & Drive-In Movie Events
By adopting a few, simple safety protocols, South Carolina’s flagship university kept outdoor movie events playing throughout the pandemic.
As students’ “main source for free and fun stuff to do both on and off campus,” the University of South Carolina’s Gamecock Entertainment office delivers. Do a quick scroll on their Instagram page or calendar of events and you’ll find everything from calligraphy courses to dating games to escape rooms and more. However, many of these events resulted from a creative shift to their programming in response to Covid-19, which required a lot of extra work for the office. So when the group’s members realized one of their mainstay programming events didn’t need to be removed – just altered for safety – that was a load off their shoulders.
“The greatest benefit [for programming movie events during Covid] was the fact we didn’t have to adjust the event concept as much as other events,” shared Carly Rice, coordinator for campus programs within the school’s Russell House Student Union. “This event, by nature of being outside, easily lent itself to in-person event guidelines.”
To make these events happen, the office adopted a number of safety precautions to comply with state and school guidelines. “Our main two adjustments were limiting capacity and creating a layout on the grass areas where students could responsibly distance from one another,” said Rice. Additionally, students are required to wear face masks at all university events, including those held outdoors. “Since this program is outdoors, we were still able to maintain the integrity of the event and feel confident hosting in-person gatherings while following campus guidelines.”
“We wanted to give students a reason to gather safely and movie screenings are events we can easily continue to host in a modified and safe environment.” Carly Rice, Program Coordinator
The school typically hosts movie events on their outdoor rec field – Davis Field – as well as poolside at the campus fitness center. But this spring, the office will host their first drive-in movie event at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds. Partnering with the fairgrounds made planning simple, since the parking lot already has a predetermined parking layout and a staff to assist with guiding cars. “We plan to have cars park safely and strategically (in front if they drive a sedan, in back if they are in a truck or SUV),” shared Rice. “We are requiring RSVPs to the event and vehicles will be limited to no more than four individuals per vehicle, which means capacity is 150 vehicles or 600 max individuals.”
Other precautions include having attendees remain in their vehicles, except when using the restrooms, and having University police and additional hired security present to assist with crowd control, traffic flow and public health protocol enforcement. “Have a security plan,” advises Rice. “If you have a structured plan for enforcement of safety guidelines, you will have the infrastructure to manage attendees who choose not to follow guidelines.”
For Rice and the rest of the Gamecock Entertainment office, movie events are an invaluable resource for helping students come together and share an experience. “If you have the ability to host a movie screening outside, go for it!” said Rice. “There are ways to set up to give students a quality experience in a safe environment!
Reach out to your Swank Account Executive for help planning your own safe, outdoor movie event. Or, share how you’re safely hosting movie events to help other campuses do the same.