Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Power of a Movie

Back in the '90s, I seem to remember a number of destinations that had hosted major movie productions being disappointed that large number of visitors didn't follow. That has certainly changed during this century, as movie locales are increasingly seen as bucket list destinations.

And now, Guam is about to have its moment in the sun. Yes, the same island that saw its tourism arrivals tank for a few months when the President and North Korea were in a pissing match in 2017 is now hopeful that a new Netflix movie will put Guam on everybody's list.

Here at the compound, we've relaxed our standing rule against Holiday movies before Thanksgiving during the 'VID. And yes, Sunday afternoon, Terri and I watched the completely formulaic "Operation Christmas Drop." And, yes...it measures up to any Hallmark Holiday movie. And actually, it was better...because it wasn't shot on a "Truman Show" lot. It was actually shot on location.

That has Guam Visitor Bureau CEO Carl Gutierrez pretty excited. Not only that the storyline is based on a long-standing humanitarian tradition...but the shots of the island are mesmerizing.

Need some affirmation? Midway through the movie, Terri (typically an extremely discerning arbiter of where to go next) turned to me and asked, "why haven't we ever considered Guam?"

And, now we are.

Well, That's One Way to See It

Four porn stars are reportedly facing charges for filming in a Mexican National Park. Officials are apparently furious that such antics harm the brand image and culture of Chiapas. 

On the other hand, the head of the Chiapas Hotel & Motels Association said he hoped the video would spur tourism, saying "I see it as a promotion to the destination. (The actors) are coming because it is a safe place and they chose this location due to its nature.”

Well, that's one way to look at it, I guess.

The Re-Imagined Annual Meeting

One of the few positives that have emerged from the pandemic is how creative some of us have become. What started with Zoom Happy Hours in an attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy in the early days of the 'VID has blossomed into some pretty ingenious ways.

Take, for example, the ubiquitous DMO Annual Meeting. For the most part, these have been relatively staid events over the years...and we've been honored to keynote a bunch. But, in an era of physical distancing, DMOs have had to get creative, like the Greater Springfield MA CVB did last month.

Theirs was typically an event with food and drink...so Mary Kay Wydra and her team sent boxes to each registrant to the Zoom meeting, with instructions to not open said box until the event began. Once the Annual Meeting was gaveled to order, participants opened their boxes to find wine, beer and snacks for the meeting, as they listened to Mary Kay's recap of the year and her vision for the future. It was a great twist on an old theme in which I was honored to play a part.

Visit Jefferson Parish holds their Annual Meeting next week as a hybrid event. Those who feel comfortable gathering will mask up at a local theatre to mark the occasion while those who don't will be able to tune in from home.

And then, there's Visit Tulsa...which recently hosted their Annual Meeting at a local Drive-In movie theatre. Over 150 people munched on popcorn and watched the annual show from their cars at the Admiral Twin. And then were treated to a movie recently shot in Tulsa.

I love this industry and the creatives we get to work with every day.

The Next Victims

Last autumn, I had the opportunity to attend a fascinating presentation on the future of higher education by the Associate VP for Enrollment Management at the University of Iowa, Brent Gage. In a nutshell, Brent shared that demographic shifts, already in play, over the next 10 years would place under-branded liberal arts schools at risk.

Little did any of us in that room believe that day of reckoning would be coming much sooner due to a ham-handed response to a pandemic.

A friend from college (one of those schools that are on the "they're toast" list) sent me this chilling post from NYU professor Scott Galloway and his team as they looked at the health of every U.S. college (and thus, every college town) in the face of the 'VID. The article links to an exhaustive spreadsheet to show their analysis of the likely survivors...and those schools who won't. 

It's not a pretty picture. But, as Galloway says, "denial is more expensive than facing reality."

Or, be like Bluto: "My advise to you, is to start drinking heavily."

Your choice.

Where it Was Filmed

Sadly, I'm old enough to remember when destinations were giddy to welcome visitors to where major motion pictures had recently been filmed...and ultimately heard crickets.

Today, those destinations must be shaking their heads in disbelief, because visiting film locales is a serious thing. Maybe it's our selfie culture...but visiting where movies, TV shows and videos were shot is big business.

And, the newest town to cash in on this phenomenon is Húsavík, Iceland, home to the fictional characters of Sigrit and Lars, the stars of the Netflix film "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga," starring Rachel McAdams and Will Ferrell.

In a great interview in wiwibloggs, the Director of the Húsavík DMO says internet traffic is up 400% and that the movie has been "a blessing." 

"I think we realize that they are making fun of us, both Icelanders in general and townsfolk as well. We can take the joke, and laugh along, especially when the movie is giving us this fantastic promotion."

Jaja Ding Dong!

 

 

Shakespeare on the Zoom

One of the delights in living in South Central Wisconsin is American Players Theatre. Shakespeare (and other classics) are performed each evening under the stars (and the bats) and weekend afternoons, on a stage nestled into a hillside near Spring Green (Frank Lloyd Wright's former Wisconsin haunt). It is one of the blessings we look forward to as Winter gives way to Spring, and Spring to Summer.

Alas, poor Yorick, there will be no outdoor season in this year of "the VID." But, that's not stopping APT from "playing in the woods" (albeit virtually). Tomorrow evening, they'll be performing "Julius Ceasar" via Zoom on Wisconsin Public Television and their own American Players Theatre Facebook page.

And yes, I know tomorrow is also the premiere of "Hamilton" on Disney+. Luckily, both will be available to stream on your schedule...and Wisconsin Public TV is waiving its geographic restrictions so anyone can see all of APT's Zoomy productions through July 26. 

Thanks APT...this will make this season's parting a far less sweet sorrow.

Non-Essential My Ass

Calling any business non-essential is an insult. Every business is essential to someone...just not to people within government who claim to know better than the rest of us.

Take, for example, a drive-in movie business in New Jersey; the only one in the State. It was rolled up in the decree that found movie theatres non-essential. But, wouldn't a drive-in theatre be among the safest of environments?

The owners of the Delsea in Vineyard NJ have pleaded their case to every level of government (including the Governor) with nothing but crickets in response.

Really...why must it be this hard to understand that blanket orders are often not the appropriate response (only the easy one)?

Toga!

Sometimes, you roll into a town for the first time and just know you've been there before.

That was the experience I had last week as I rolled into Cottage Grove OR. A cute downtown; one with real potential. But, it was the banner across Main Street that caught my eye. I'd seen this streetscape, this architecture and that sign before. But, where?

Try 40 years ago (and every time I've watched the movie since). It's the parade route for the climactic scene in Animal House, filmed in Cottage Grove.

This weekend, they'll attempt to regain the Guinness Book of World Records' status as largest Toga Party in history. If you're near...go.

We planned this for Music Friday, but, we're going with it right now. It's back to Otis Day and the Knights...and the song that is forever linked to Togas.

Shout!

Wait'll Otis Sees Us...

The Summer of 1978 was the Summer of Animal House.

Forty years later, I find myself still quoting lines from the film (usually the exchange between Otter and Flounder...but also, Bluto's call to action upon learning they've been kicked off campus). 

But, imagine my surprise on a road trip in Oregon to find THE Dexter Lake Club to which Otis Day was so happy to return.

It's still there, looking pretty much as it once did from the outside. Sadly, the inside has been renovated and the iconic booth is no longer there (we so wanted a selfie there). But the NW Brisket is orgasmic.

On this Music Friday, it's Otis Day and the Knights with "Shama-Lama-Ding-Dong."

So, hit tit!

Without a Plan B

While the importance of the Visitor Economy and the work of Destination Marketing Organizations is becoming more and more understood...there are still those among us that haven't a clue. And, when they are also the very people that are elected to ensure the highest possible Quality of Life for residents, it can be a scary combination.

The City of Santa Clara has elected to cancel its contract with the Chamber/CVB at the end of the month, effectively putting 14 employees on waivers.

The City's Plan B? They apparently don't have one.

With hundreds of millions of visitor spending (and hundreds of jobs) on the line, wouldn't you think a City Council would have a plan to replace a DMO before cutting their current one loose? But, because most politicians aren't anything more than part-time amateurs at running cities, this is what you get.

Imagine if an audit came back raising concerns about the Fire Department. Think the Council would shut it down and then go on summer vacation without a plan forward?

Of course not.