I remember when I first moved to Los Angeles, and my friends told me about the Cinespia Screenings at The Hollywood Cemetery and how it is a cult part of this city. I was a little worried at first, being that it takes place in a cemetery and all, but had to do it if I wanted to become a true Angeleno. () If you live in Los Angeles and have not attended one of their summer screenings, you are missing out. In honor of their special 4th of July weekend showings, which is one of Cinespia’s memorable back-to-back screenings, we talked to founder John Wyatt.

It is always interesting to see where people start, to get a perspective on how they were lead to some of their accomplishments. John was born and raised in Los Angeles and was highly influenced by his film teacher at Santa Monica’s Crossroads School, Jim Hosney. Jim Hosney has been hailed as one of the greatest behind-the-scenes influencers in Hollywood, and has shaped many people’s careers in the film industry. After school, John went on to becoming a set designer and then founded Cinespia. This year is Cinespia’s 14th season, and it is going to be better than ever.

There are many factors that make Cinespia one of its kind. John has had to get many permits to make it happen including a liquor liscence that lets moviegoers bring their own wine/beer for a picnic style viewing. They also create a photobooth specific to each movie that is almost identical to the movies’s set. I mentioned to John that when I went to the Almost Famous screening during Memorial Day Weekend, there were so many girls dressed as Penny Lane, including myself. During that particular screening, the director Cameron Crowe came out to introduce his movie, which was a surreal moment, plain and simple. John actually told us that Cameron Crowe never planned on introducing the movie that night. Due to the excitement that Cinespia brings to the crowd, Cameron’s friends told him that he had to make it down for the showing, and ended up introducing the movie on a whim.

This 4th of July weekend will bring as much excitement and even more to Cinespia goers. Cinespia will start by screening The Goonies this Friday, which is one of their second fastest selling shows of all time, then they will screen Top Gun on July 4th. Expect many surprises and come dress the part. All that we can tell you is that there will be state of the art fireworks and a world famous DJ that will be spinning both nights. If you cannot make it for these screenings, especially since they are most likely sold out by now, you can check Cinespia’s schedule for this summer’s upcoming shows that will go on until the end of September HERE.