The Tribeca Film Festival continued one of its larger traditions last week with three nights of free movies as a part of the Tribeca Drive-In outdoor screenings at the World Financial Center Plaza. About 6,500 people showed up on Thursday night for the Michael Jackson-themed kickoff.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of Jackson’s album Thriller, filmmaker and video director John Landis hosted the presentation of the title song's 14-minute video and an accompanying Making of Thriller documentary. People who arrived early enough were also able to catch a Michael Jackson look-alike contest, a performance of the zombie dance routine by the cast of Bravo’s Step It Up and Dance, and a brief lesson in the dance’s key moves.The festival has exploded in many ways since its inception, but the drive-in is one event that still holds on to the goals of its first outing, which sought to drive commerce and activity to the neighborhood. Evidence for this could be seen in the overcrowded patios of every restaurant on the plaza and in the hundreds of children dancing in a space normally reserved for Mercantile Exchange staffers grabbing a quick lunch.
Josh Cicerone, vice president and creative director at Dalzell Productions, who oversaw the event, told us last week that activities like the drive-in are what continue to inspire the festival and its many volunteers year to year.
The drive-in followed "Thriller" night with screenings of the new Meerkat Manor film on Friday and the winner of Tribeca/ESPN Fans' Favorite Football Flick competition, We Are Marshall, on Saturday. Public events will continue this weekend with the Tribeca Family Festival street fair all day Saturday and the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day on Sunday afternoon.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of Jackson’s album Thriller, filmmaker and video director John Landis hosted the presentation of the title song's 14-minute video and an accompanying Making of Thriller documentary. People who arrived early enough were also able to catch a Michael Jackson look-alike contest, a performance of the zombie dance routine by the cast of Bravo’s Step It Up and Dance, and a brief lesson in the dance’s key moves.The festival has exploded in many ways since its inception, but the drive-in is one event that still holds on to the goals of its first outing, which sought to drive commerce and activity to the neighborhood. Evidence for this could be seen in the overcrowded patios of every restaurant on the plaza and in the hundreds of children dancing in a space normally reserved for Mercantile Exchange staffers grabbing a quick lunch.
Josh Cicerone, vice president and creative director at Dalzell Productions, who oversaw the event, told us last week that activities like the drive-in are what continue to inspire the festival and its many volunteers year to year.
The drive-in followed "Thriller" night with screenings of the new Meerkat Manor film on Friday and the winner of Tribeca/ESPN Fans' Favorite Football Flick competition, We Are Marshall, on Saturday. Public events will continue this weekend with the Tribeca Family Festival street fair all day Saturday and the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day on Sunday afternoon.
Many watched the festivities from the sidelines while taking advantage of outdoor happy hours.
Photo: Aliceandchris.com for BizBash
Dancers dressed as the performers from the original "Thriller" music video.
Photo: Aliceandchris.com for BizBash
The cast of Bravo's Step It Up and Dance performed the "Thriller" routine twice during the night.
Photo: Aliceandchris.com for BizBash
Several face-painting stations were set up throughout the plaza for children (and adults) who wanted zombie makeup.
Photo: Aliceandchris.com for BizBash
Michael Jackson fans competed in a look-alike contest before the screening.
Photo: Aliceandchris.com for BizBash
