Whether you're camping in the back of your house or planning a movie night under the stars, impress your friends and family by setting up an outdoor movie theater, it's the way to get a night everyone will remember.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Setting up the scene
Step 1. Find a location for your outdoor theater
Identify the place in your patio that will host the screen and your guests. If you plan to project the film on a screen or on a white sheet that you would hang on the side of the house, take the layout of the elements into account.
Step 2. Choose the seats
You can place a few loungers around the screen or you can modernize and arrange bales of hay or large blankets and bedspreads on the floor.
Step 3. Think carefully about all the elements you need
Mosquitoes may be present at night, in which case you should have mosquito spray on hand, as well as lemongrass candles around the perimeter of your "theater."
Step 4. Think about where to place the projector in relation to where your guests will be seated
Method 2 of 3: Create Your Cinema Screen
Step 1. Hang a clean white sheet on the side of your house to project onto
This may be the most “homemade” option, but also the cheapest and easiest to implement. Consider ironing the sheet to avoid wrinkles and securing it with thumbtacks or a substance that won't harm your home, but will keep the sheet in place. Hold the sheet at all four corners and along the top.
Consider using white vinyl instead of a sheet. You can get one the size of the sheet, made to measure, as it is softer than a sheet
Step 2. Create a framed display
Take measurements of the area where you want to hang the display and head to the home tools store. Purchase wooden planks to use as a frame (following the specific measurements on the display). Fit the plywood with the well-stretched butcher paper or white sheet or vinyl.
Step 3. Buy a large piece of wood and use it as a display
Paint it with reflective white paint and lift the wood onto the chairs and lean it against the wall, positioning it in front of the projector.
Method 3 of 3: Preparing the Projection and Audio
Step 1. Use a stool, chair or some block to support the projector and that is in line with the screen
You will also need to experiment with distance to determine the best place to place the projector.
Step 2. Try to operate the projector you want to use
The larger the screen, the higher the resolution you will need, so consider your projector to be high definition. Do a test run before projecting the film so you know how it will look on screen.
Step 3. Connect the sound to an external sound system
Unless a sophisticated sound system is already installed in your backyard, use your home stereo and speakers.
Advice
- Don't forget the candy and popcorn for each guest. Put together some goody bags for everyone to keep them chewing and crunching throughout the movie.
- Please review the DVDs before screening to make sure there are no glitches or problems.
- In the event of rain, prepare a cozy spot on the porch, if you have room.
- If you are hosting a specific theme night (horror, romance, etc.) ask your guests to come dressed as their favorite character from the movie and play a “who's who” guess before the screening begins.
- Prepare movie posters and shows for each guest. Use clip art and photos taken from the Internet to prepare your guests with what is to come.