On June 14th, Studio Movie Grill rolled out the orange…yes, the orange carpet as they utilized a theme built around THE INCREDIBLES 2 to honor groundbreaking educator Lisa Schmidt of Creative Solutions and Big Thought. Co-Hosted by WFAA’s Alisha Laventure and featuring Incredibles cos-players, a giant golden ticket, free popcorn for attendees to enjoy and an audience of co-workers, colleagues, supporters, well-wishers, and of course – students, that filled two theaters, the third SMG Opening Hearts and Minds Award was a spectacular and oftentimes, emotional event.
The film world often honors directors, actors, technicians, even reality “stars” and more, but Studio Movie Grill’s OHAM Award reaches out and makes a point to shine a big spotlight on the people that make a difference in the day-to-day, the “glue” of the communities, the less heralded, but so very needed to help make things work. Student after student spoke during a tribute reel to Schmidt created for the occasion, and then following the ceremony, Schmidt literally stepped out of a photo shoot of her with Studio Movie Grill executives to corral a wayward student and usher him back into the theater where his evening’s guardian was. It was a telling and fitting moment exemplifying where her priorities are and how her eyes are always open and looking out for those under her watch.
Studio Movie Grill clearly chose wisely and demonstrated yet again the legitimacy of their work to benefit the communities that their theaters call home. It’s great to show movies and entertain us. It’s greater to actually demonstrate real caring and build a relationship with the people that choose your theater to go see the movies and enjoy them with their families, dates, etc.
Studio Movie Grill honors a real life “Incredible” Lisa Schmidt at their Opening Hearts and Minds Award