107.7 The Bronc brings Scream Screen to “Us”
By Sofia Santiago
SPOOKY season swung into full effect with Rider’s annual Scream Screen drive-in theater hosted by the student-run radio station, 107.7 The Bronc.
On Oct. 18, over 40 decorated cars parked in the SRC parking lot with candy and games, ready for the Trunk-or-Treat portion of the night.
Entering the event, guests were greeted with Monster Mini Golf, inflatable ax throwing and a haunted maze. New and returning food trucks lined the back perimeter and offered spooky green mac n’ cheese, cheesesteaks, 1911 Smokehouse Barbeque and Lady and the Shallot, which served vegan options.
The trunk-or-treat area offered more than just candy, with pumpkin decorating, spin art and game prizes available to take home. Students, community members and their children walked around in costumes, enjoying the activities and atmosphere as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and other Halloween classics played.
Later in the night, cars loaded the parking lot to await the presentation that the giant screen had to offer.
“Our events make [students] feel like a kid again,” said John Mozes, general manager of 107.7 The Bronc.
Mozes explained the organization process and plans for the drive-in movie. 107.7 The Bronc works with a company called Funflicks that rents out and sets up the giant inflatable screen and projector.
There were speakers set up in front of the screen to provide the movie’s sound for outside spectators, while cars further away tuned in to 88.9, a free signal in the New Jersey area, on their stereos. It was not through 107.7 The Bronc, as other programming was broadcast at the time.
It was the ninth year Scream Screen has taken place on campus. The movie is always a secret until the very last moment, a tradition that creates suspense and intrigue for the event. This year, 107.7 The Bronc showed the movie “Us.”
Mozes shared plans for the 10th anniversary, including additions to make it an extra special celebration.
Since 107.7 The Bronc is student-run, students are involved in every aspect of the event, from organization to graphic design and social media. This provides valuable work experience in marketing and branding.
Junior Emily O’Connor, double majoring in film and television and arts and entertainment industries management, is the social media director for 107.7 The Bronc.
O’Connor shared how marketing included creating brand awareness through weekly email blasts sent to students and the larger Rider community, flyers around dorms and campus and a special 10-day countdown on Instagram, showcasing the different movies that could be chosen.
Kye Taran, a freshman biology major, said her favorite part was the trunk-or-treat, recalling how she used to do it in elementary school and still finds it a lot of fun.
“It’s a lot of fun to get out and get in the Halloween spirit and trick or treat since we are kind of too old to do it,” said Taran.
Mozes shared this sentiment when mentioning what he hopes people take away from Scream Screen. He says that students are at an age where they are “not kids anymore.”
“It’s a great way for people to come together… and give a sense of normalcy back, and I think that’s really, really important,” Mozes said.
The Rider News and 107.7 The Bronc are developing a new promotional collaboration this year. However, The Bronc had no part in the writing or editing of this story.