How to Create an Outdoor Cinema
Spring is almost here and summer is following close behind, so now is the time to start planning for that backyard cinema party you keep dreaming about. It may look simple on Pinterest, but it’s best to make sure you have it all planned out. If you overlook a couple technical details, the result may not seem worth the effort. Rather than reminiscing on a fun night with family and friends, you remember lots of work to watch a fuzzy movie on a wavy screen with inaudible dialogue. So here’s a checklist to at least make sure you got your basics covered:
Location. Where’s the party going to be? On the grassy lawn, at the side of the house, keep it simple on the patio, or add some fun by taking it poolside. Choosing the location is going to determine what is possible or fitting, so choose carefully.
Projector. If you’re going to do it right, you’ll need a reliable projector. If you don’t already have one, check out this list from goodhousekeeping.com. They rank and categorize the best outdoor projectors for 2022, as well as give you some things to take into consideration when choosing one, such as brightness, throw size, screen size, resolution, and streaming capabilities.
Screen. If you don’t have a large, smooth wall to use as your screen, it's likely your quick go-to will be a bedsheet. However, there are other options that can save you some of the hassle of trying to straighten out all the folds and waves. If this is going to be a routine event, it may be worth the cost to go ahead and buy a projector screen with a frame, but if you are curious about other options, PCmag.com suggests trying white foam board or seamless photography paper.
Speakers. You may have a lot of background noise to compete with when you watch a movie outdoors, and without high quality speakers, you’ll likely have to turn the volume up to neighbor-angering levels just to understand the dialogue. Why take the risk of bursting an eardrum or receiving a noise violation, when you have a good excuse to finally buy those speakers that have been sitting in your online shopping cart for months. But before you push “confirm” on those speakers, take a look at what Sonos has to offer. As if their exquisite sound wasn’t enough already, their smart design makes for almost effortless use, which is a big relief to outdoor cinema party planners.
Seating. There are many options when it comes to choosing an acceptable place to rest your rump: lawn chairs, blankets, seat cushions, bean bag chairs, hammocks - it’s even been done with inflatable jacuzzis. If you're sticking to an outdoors theme, seating could be as simple as turning a log into a bench, but if you prefer something a bit more posh, carry your sofa set outside and enjoy the movie in comfort.
Lighting. Lighting is where it gets a bit tricky. Too little light, and your environment becomes an accident prone area; too much light, and it’s hard to focus on the film. If your outdoor lighting has dimmers, this is when they would come in handy. If your outdoor lighting does not, this is when to consider upgrading. Discover some of the lighting possibilities available with Lutron, as they are able to integrate their technology into your smart home to dress it up with a wide array of lighting options. You shouldn’t have to choose between blinding light or pitch black, get adjustable lighting that suits your mood and needs.
Food. For some people, this may be of more importance than the movie itself, but if you are doing all the work of setting up on your own, you may just want to order out. Or if you do have the time, consider whipping up something that fits with the theme of the film, unless of course you’re watching a documentary on the Donner Party.
Now this may seem a bit overboard if you are only planning for a single night, but with how enjoyable outdoor cinemas are, we’re betting you are going to want it to be a bit more permanent. If this is the case, get Smart AV on the phone, because we know what available tech will best suit your needs to ensure your home outdoor cinema will give you unforgettable experiences.
Sources:
https://www.lutron.com/en-US/pages/default.aspx https://www.sonos.com/en/home Diclerico, Dan and Rachel Rothman. “The Best Outdoor Projectors of 2022” Good Housekeeping. 2 December 2021 (visited 21 March 2022).https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/g36302920/best-outdoor-projector/ Stone, David M. “The Best Outdoor Projectors for 2021.” PCmag.com. 20 Nov. 2021 (visited 21 March 2022).https://sea.pcmag.com/projectors/41053/the-best-outdoor-projectors-for-2021