WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – A Woodbury filmmaker is working on a documentary called “Let’s All Go to the Lobby” about Filmack Studios, the company that produced the famous dancing concession ads. Justin Atkinson, the founder and CEO of Justin Films, describes the project as “a celebration of cinema’s golden age and the power of moviegoing traditions.”
Atkinson is the writer, director and producer of the feature film, “Bobby’s Intermission,” which is now available on streaming platforms like Tubi, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. To complete the documentary, he’s raising money through his first crowdfunding campaign. WNN asked and he answered a handful of questions about his work.
What should we know about the documentary?
“I am very excited about it! I traveled all around the country to tell this story, including to LA where I interviewed Randal Kaiser, the director of “Grease” and April Wright, a fellow drive-in filmmaker; to Pennsylvania where I interviewed the managers of the Mahoning Drive-In (the only drive-in in the world that still projects movies on film); to Chicago where I interviewed the owner of Filmack; and even right here in MN where I interviewed Dave Quincer of the Cozy Theater in Wadena.
What’s your brief description of the film, Bobby’s Intermission?
Bobby’s Intermission is a coming-of-age story about a teenage boy who dreams of attending USC’s prestigious film school. He gets a job at the Vali-Hi Drive-In Theatre where he meets others his age who help him make a short film to get into USC, while also teaching him about the value of friendship. It is a sweet comedy for the whole family with a lot of heart. It is also a love letter to the Vali-Hi, and drive-ins in general, in the way that places like that help to bring us all together.
How autobiographical is this story about a teen who dreams of going to USC’s film school?
Bobby’s Intermission is a very personal film all about my experiences after graduating from Woodbury High School. Like Bobby, I dreamed of making movies some day just like my cinematic heroes Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. And just like Bobby, I had a difficult time making friends. What changed all of that was when I got a job at a movie theater (the former Carmike Cinemas in Oakdale) which is where I met all of my best friends, all of whom helped me make Bobby’s Intermission.
What is your connection to Vali-Hi Drive-In that was once a popular destination in Lake Elmo?
Vali-Hi Drive-In holds a special place in my heart. I grew up going there, and it was a place where I fell in love with movies. It felt like stepping into a different world—one where stories came to life under the stars. I’ll never forget my mom taking me to see Jurassic Park there and that was the movie that inspired my dream of wanting to make movies someday. I have loved drive-ins my entire life. Bobby’s Intermission is my love letter to drive-ins like Vali-Hi and the unique, communal experience they offer. With so many drive-ins disappearing, I wanted to capture that nostalgic magic while it still lasts.
What was the biggest challenge of making the film?
Working on an indie film with a limited budget is always a challenge. Balancing creative ambition with practical realities meant we had to get resourceful—whether that was borrowing locations, having the cast wear a lot of their own clothes, working with a small crew of my friends, or finding creative solutions on the fly. But those constraints also made the process more rewarding and pushed us to be more inventive. I always say that there are no setbacks; only creative opportunities, and I learned that on this film. The only way to really solve the problems that came up daily was by being creative, which is how it should be on an endeavor like making a movie.
What was the biggest reward?
Seeing the film connect with audiences has been one of the most rewarding parts. Watching people laugh, cry, and reminisce about their own memories of drive-ins reminds me why I wanted to tell this story in the first place. We were fortunate to sell out several screenings of the movie at the Woodbury 10 Theater, as well as being shown at the Erda Drive-In in Utah. However, I think the most rewarding part was being able to tell a personal story with all of my friends and family there to help me out, as well as collaborating with such a talented cast all of whom helped bring my characters to life. It was truly the experience of a lifetime.
