OUR SCREEN IS AMAZING thanks to Bob Usdin of Showman Fabricators who donated his time, his ingenuity, his supplies to our outdoor film series. He assembled it this evening in JJ Byrne Park.

It was so great to see it all come together. We’d talked about it on the phone. And he delivered the pipes yesterday. But it was still very abstract to me.

Yesterday he showed me the sketch. On a piece of lined yellow paper, Bob designed a really ingenious, simple aluminum frame put together with key clamps for our 12 x 15 ft. white muslin.

Tonight at our "dress rehearsal" Bob quietly went to work.

It took him over two hours to put it together; he mostly worked alone. His daughter, OSFO and Teen Spirit helped a bit.

I finally found out what webs are gromits are. They are the holes and ties that make it possible to attach the screen to the frame. OSFO and Bob’s daughter did quite a bit of the gromit/web tying. There must be 20 on each side of the screen.

Bob labeled all the pieces and it should be quite easy to take apart and put back together.

We are indebted to Bob for creating this incredible frame and screen. Thank you so much. Next Tuesday night when we attach Bob’s screen to Greg’s truck it will be a great moment.

I can’t wait. Brooklyn Film Works. Movies Alfresco in JJ Byrne Park. June 27, July 11, July 18, July 24. First up: Little Fugitive by Morris Engel and Ruth Orkin. Made in 1953, the story of a little Brooklyn boy who runs away to Coney Island. 8:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, pillows. Watch movies under the stars.

picture of a drive-in in Saskatoon at sunset by Darryl Mitchell.