Surprising, there were actually still Blockbuster Videos stores in the United States, but a few days ago the news on the radio reported this interesting bit: two locations closed down in Alaska, leaving for the grand total of all stores remaining in the United States of America:
I had never heard of Blockbuster until I discovered Chadtronic's video on YouTube, and WTF were they thinking when they made these training videos back in the 90s!?
I know it must have been different actually living through it not having any future context, but just the thought of these old video tapes and the methods in which people had to use them and do things back then with these stores just hurts my brain.
I heard an interview with the manager of the sole Blockbuster on NPR this morning. I had a membership back in the day for one reason only - my kids, who were very young at the time. It was pretty much a ritual for me to be in there several times per week, especially during Summer when school was out. Seems to me all those stores smelled of stale popcorn and barf. Interestingly, there are still a few video stores in my area, not Blockbuster but a local chain that preceded Blockbuster by many years. Apparently there is still some interest in renting videos that way.
My first job after moving away from my home state was at a Blockbuster Video in Kissimmee FL in the early 90s. I had forgotten about that training video -- I guess I 'block'ed it out... We had a fun crew, many of whom were interested in the art of filmmaking. The customers were great too, including a regular stream of actors and production people who were working at Universal Studios just down the road. Good times, and actually one of the more enjoyable jobs I've ever had!
We had a fun crew, many of whom were interested in the art of filmmaking. The customers were great too, including a regular stream of actors and production people who were working at Universal Studios just down the road. Good times, and actually one of the more enjoyable jobs I've ever had!