Struthers father-son team starts backyard business

By EMMALEE C. TORISK

etorisk@vindy.com

STRUTHERS

Justin Cutlip has spent the better part of his summer vacation temporarily transforming local backyards into makeshift theaters with the help of a large, steel-framed movie screen, projector and popcorn machine.

To the 20-year-old, no other summer job could be more perfect. Plus, it helps that he and his father, Tom Cutlip, own the business, which they’ve named Backyard Cinema Rental.

“I love it. It’s almost like a dream,” said Justin, a telecommunications major at Youngstown State University who’d love nothing more than to devote his life to editing films. “Movies are my passion, so being able to do something like this is spectacular.”

One particularly nice evening last summer inspired the father and son, both self-proclaimed film buffs, to show a movie — projected on the side of a tent — in their Sexton Street backyard.

Although this first jury-rigged projection system wasn’t exactly ideal, it immediately was apparent that the two had latched onto a unique idea as well as a worthwhile business venture, Justin said.

A few months and several equipment upgrades later, Backyard Cinema Rental was born. Its first official rental was in May, and the Cutlips have since had more than 20 additional rentals.

Tom said clients have heard about the business primarily through word-of-mouth advertising, adding that sometimes people aren’t quite sure what Backyard Cinema Rental actually does.

“They don’t understand until they see it, but then they say, ‘Wow. This is great,’” he said. “It has both the comfort of home and the outdoor atmosphere, and you have the popcorn machine going. People have told us it’s better than the movie theater.”

Clients, who must be located within a 25-mile radius of Struthers, can choose to rent either the 8-foot by 16-foot “standard big screen” or the 10-foot by 20-foot “super-size giant screen.” The rental cost for each — $200 and $300, respectively — includes practically everything required for the conversion from yard to theater except for the movie itself, which the client must furnish.

“The scale of the screen is massive,” Justin said. “You can sit back and relax in a lawn chair or in your pool, and be outside while watching a movie.”

In addition, Backyard Cinema Rental employees stay at the rental site from start to finish, just in case any problems arise. But Justin said doing so is another “good part” of the business, as he and his employees get to enjoy the movie as well.

Rentals can last up to four hours, which doesn’t include the time spent assembling the screen. Setting up the small screen, which requires only two people, takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, while the larger screen — “a big, intricate system” — needs more manpower, such as three or four people, and at least an hour devoted to assembly, Justin said.

And though Justin adores his summer job, he acknowledged that with all the startup costs, it’s not exactly profitable — yet. A few more rentals, however, will bring the business into the black.

Both father and son agreed that they’d like to stick with Backyard Cinema Rental and see it expand. Justin’s dream, for example, is to have a show “every night of the weekend, every weekend.”

“We want to rent it out so everybody can do the same thing we did in our backyard one day last summer,” he said. “A great way to top off your birthday — or whatever — is to watch your favorite movie on a giant screen.”

To reach Backyard Cinema Rental, call 330-360-8313, or email backyardcinemarental@gmail.com, or visit backyard-cinemarental.com