How The El Capitan Theatre’s Free Screenings of Disney Movies For Wildfire Victims Reinforced the Bond Between the Iconic Venue and Los Angeles
Earlier this week, we brought you the news that Disney’s El Capitan Theatre was hosting free screenings of Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
As it turns out, the idea for the screenings came from The El Capitan team themselves, who saw the destruction around the greater Los Angeles area and wanted to help.
According to James Wood, General Manager of the theater, the team quickly came to a conclusion:
Photo: Disney
“Well, the best thing we do is entertain,” he said.
Disney Jumped Into Action
As it so happened, the Disney Corporate Social Responsibility team was also brainstorming ideas to help the community when they came up with the idea of hosting complimentary screenings of Disney films. Within 48 hours, the plan was put into action.
“We have opened our doors to the entire community,” Wood said. “We want people to have a sense of normalcy in a very challenging time.”
Photo: Disney
To help spread the word, Disney invited local school districts, and nonprofit organizations supporting kids and families who have been directly impacted by the fires, to the screenings. This included several Boys & Girls Clubs in the Los Angeles area.
To make the experience as magical as possible, Disney and The El Capitan provided audience members with free drinks, popcorn, collectibles, and film posters. Additionally, Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop, which is located next door to the El Capitan, donated chocolate bars.
To staff the screenings, Disney relied on the generosity of VoluntEARS.
Credit: Disney
“Disney VoluntEARS greet all of the families as they come in, making sure that their experience is top notch, and really to that Disney standard,” Sarah Whitney, Senior Manager, CSR at Disney Entertainment, said.
Making Memories
According to Whitney, the goal of the screenings was “to provide new memories for these families.”
“We hope that this gives families the opportunity to have that safe space and be able to come back rejuvenated.”
Photo: Disney
Wood, who was able to look into the theatre during the screenings, was thrilled with what he saw.
“It seems like a joyous, normal moviegoing experience, which is what we wanted it to be,” he said.
Disney’s Home on Hollywood Boulevard
For nearly 100 years, The El Capitan Theatre has been part of the Los Angeles community. The screenings, then, were a small way to reinforce those bonds.
Photo: Disney
As Wood explained, having the screenings at The El Capitan, “a place that’s close to 100 years old, really showcases that we are going to keep going, that Los Angeles is a place that is strong, that will continue and will always continue.”
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