EASLEY — Premier Cinemas in Easley is holding a special screening of Despicable Me 3 this Saturday that caters to kids and adults with sensory processing difficulties.
The showing, which is open to all but directed toward special needs families, is designed so everyone can have a good time at the theater, an employee said.
Lights are kept a little brighter and sounds are kept a little quieter. As far as moving around or talking during the movie? It’s all good.
“These screenings are awesome, I don’t know when this all got started — but if they didn’t have this, my son would never get to go to the movies,” said Kathy Burgess of Easley.
Burgess’ son, Parker, is on the Autism Spectrum.
“When you go out to the movies, people spend a lot of money. I understand that they don’t want some kid jumping up and down or flapping his hands or repeating every line of the movie,” she said. “But that’s how Parker watches movies — he literally is not capable of sitting there quietly for two hours.”
Burgess is hardly alone. Across the country, there are tens of thousands of kids on the Spectrum: one in 68, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“This isn’t just for kids with Autism — I mean we say “Autism” because that’s the one people know about, but there are people who come in with Downs Syndrome, adults with mental disabilities, just … anything,” said an employee of the theater. “And it’s not always even a visible thing. Sensory issues can affect anyone.”
The screening is on Saturday, July 15 at 10:40 a.m. and admission is just $5.75. Doors open at 10 a.m.
“It’s just such a cool thing to be able to take your kid to the movies and not have to stress about it the whole time,” said Burgess. “I know there’s not going to be rows of people all mad at me because Parker is running around — we’re all in the same boat — they all know what’s going on.”
In addition to the sensory friendly screening, Premiere Cinema’s Summer Kids Fest still has a few more free showings on the calender.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 and 11 a.m. the theater shows family friendly movies completely free of admission charges.
The four showings left include Alvin and the Chipmunks on July 18 and 19, Shrek July 25 and 26, The Peanuts Movie Aug. 1 and 2, and Home on Aug. 8 and 9.
For more information visit www. pccmovies.com.
