MAITLAND, Fla. — It’s been more than a month since screens went dark at the Enzian, Central Florida’s hub for independent films.
While the big screen stays black, the nonprofit theater is working overtime to come up with creative ways to continue its mission of bringing independent film to the greater-Orlando community from a safe social distance.
“Right after we went dark, we worked on figuring out ways we could provide independent movies and bring in some revenue,” said Janie Pope, director of development and public relations for Enzian Theater, Eden Bar and the Florida Film Festival.
That meant launched Enzian On Demand, allowing moviegoers to essentially pay the cost of a movie ticket to stream films that would have been played on the big screen at the Enzian on demand at home.
She said that’s been a great way of connecting with the community, since most people are at home looking for new things to watch as they burn through their Netflix and Hulu to-watch lists.
“Our priority is the safety of our patrons,” she said. “We want to make sure the people we love and people who love us are home and safe.”
The theater is also always accepting donations from those able to contribute. But, Pope said, little things like streaming a film, buying a T-shirt can go a long way toward making a difference in keeping the theater and its employees afloat.
Their latest effort happening this week is a part of the Feed the Need Florida initiative. Three Winter Park restaurants are selling meals that will be available for pickup at the Enzian in Maitland along with to-go cocktails from Eden Bar.
Restaurants 4 Rivers, Agave Azul and The Ravenous Pig are offering two-person and four-person hot meal options priced at $30 and $60, with $5 and $10 from each sale, respectively, benefiting Enzian.
Orders placed by noon on Thursday will be available for pick up from 5 to 7 p.m. at the theater on Thursday. Click here for the menus and instructions on how to order.
The event hosts are hoping customers make a date out of it, picking up dinner and cocktails, and then going home to stream an on-demand movie from the Enzian’s selection.
“Between all of those things we’re trying to band together and survive until we can open our doors again,” Pope said.
When that day does come, Pope said Enzian staff know the moviegoing experience will look different than pre-coronavirus. But she said the theater is in a unique situation to be able to adapt with its unconventional seating set up.
Pope said ticketing will be limited for showings, and tables will be moved at least 6 feet apart to allow moviegoers the comfort of a safe social distance. She said the most important thing is that people know, and feel that they’re safe when they’re ready to come back to the theater.
“We want to host our patrons as soon as possible in the safest way possible,” she said.
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