It All Starts with Family
Description of the video:
White drive-in screen screen, then families in camp chairs sitting near their cars with pets and kids playing on grass nearby
The Starlight Drive-In Theater has been a popular spot in Southern Indiana for almost 70 years
Interview with Mark Freeman, former owner of Starlite
Mark: We couldn’t have done it without the family. It was taken in as a family, and then it was delegated as a family
Interview with Lacee Freeman, daughter of former owner
Lacee: The Freemans played a huge role in bringing the family aspect back to the theater. Having it be like a family-run business and made it super, super fun and kind of brought that family aspect back to the drive-in
Images of families spending time at the drive-in, playing games and eating near their cars
Mark: We tried to not let the public know that we were ahhh screaming and pulling our hair out
Interview with Yvonne Freeman, former owner
Yvonne: Just bringing the family atmosphere, that was our goal, was so families would feel safe
Reporter Sarah Carmona, standing in front of a mural
Hi, my name is Sarah Carmona, reporting for HSJI. Today we are going to be talking to some of the viewers of tonight’s showing Shrek
Interview with Debbie Meyer, Starlite Drive-in regular, sitting in a double canvas chair with her husband
Debbie: Nobody’s disrespectful. everyone is very considerate of others
It is now night, and the movie is starting on the screen
Debbie: We try to come as often as we can. It’s just really nice to be able to come out and not be in a loud movie theater.
Interview with Christopher Hawkins, assistance manager of the Starlite
Christopher: The visions we have for the whole thing is to make it part of the community and grow it. When people are out here playing and having fun that’s the best part of the whole thing.
Interview with Makayla Hawkins, employee. Scenes of the murals at the concession building.
Makayla: Forming my bonds with everybody here has kind of just made it like my second home and I have not loved a single job I have ever worked as much as I love working here
Christopher: Our crew is like a family, that’s my favorite moment just coming in here and just spending time with everybody else
Images of snacks and popcorn popping
Sarah: The Starlite Drive-In has earned a special place and a lot of families hearts
Mark: That just touches me because — I’m sorry — I had some mentors when I was young and want to be like them, so…
Last scenes of families spending time at the drive-in
By Sara Carmona, Bloomington High School South
Roman Jackman, Gonzaga College High School
“It was taken in as a family, and it was delegated as a family. It wouldn’t have worked without the family.” said Mark Freeman, who was owner of the Starlite from 2014-2017.
The Freeman family did not originally intend to take on the task of running the Starlite drive-in in Bloomington, as the idea of purchasing the drive originally came from the friend of one of the boys, Ryan Freeman.
After taking ownership of the theater, Mark and Yvonne Freeman quickly made sure that each member of the family took on different roles and jobs throughout the theater.
“It was taken in as a family, and it was delegated as a family. It wouldn’t have worked without the family.” said Mark Freeman.
“Everybody was all hands on deck,” Yvonne Freeman recalled.“Even my dad helped. He did the popcorn, so grandpa was the popcorn guy.”
Continuing on their ideas of family, the Freeman’s intended on changing the overall atmosphere of the drive-in to make it more family welcoming, as the drive-in that they inherited had not met their expectations.
“It kinda got to where people didn’t want to bring their families there. Our goal was to get it cleaned up and bring the family aspect back,” Yvonne explained.
Although the owners have changed a couple of times since the Freeman’s purchased the drive-in in 2014, the feeling of family behind-the-scenes has stayed the same.
“Forming my bonds with everyone here has kind of made it my second home,” claimed Mikayla Hawkins, who had been working at the Starlite, along with two of her brothers, since she was just 16.
Not only is the tradition of family still emulated by the employees and the owners, but that same feeling of family is shared throughout the frequent customers of the Starlite Drive-in
“Nobody is disrespectful, everyone is very considerate of others,” claimed Debbie Meyer, who had been coming to watch films at the Starlite Drive-in for over 5 years.