Do you remember the first time you saw a movie at the drive-in? Was it Godzilla? The Muppets? E.T.?
Watching a movie under the stars is an unforgettable experience.
The Pandemic has left many movie theatres in the dark and moviegoers longing for the good old days of double features, carload nights, and starry skies.
If you are a drive-in die-hard, you can still catch a flick in Pembroke at the Skylight Drive-In, but if you would rather stay a little closer to home, you can create your own outdoor movie experience right in your own backyard.
THE SPACE
Take some time to tidy your lawn and get the space ready for outdoor entertaining. This might include scooping up pet waste, clearing out large branches and debris, or raking up leaves. If you need to mow the grass, plan to do this the day before so fresh clippings, pollen, and other allergens aren’t in the air triggering your guests’ allergies.
Once the backyard is tidy, clear the space to make room for your cinema station. Remove items like garden decorations, planters, portable fire pits, grills and the like. Also, make sure to check your yard for large rocks, sprinkler heads and other hidden trip hazards.
If you’re hosting the movie night for a birthday party or other occasion, now’s the time to set up any banners, balloons, streamers, and other decorations.
THE SET UP
Your outdoor theatre experience requires a screen, projector, speakers and a movie source. An LCD or DLP projector can easily be hooked up to your laptop. You can also invest in a pocket projector, a super compact wireless projector that plays audio and video from a cell phone.
Set your projector on a flat surface and test the positioning by playing a few minutes of the movie before guests arrive.
Not many people have access to pull up screens these days, so instead of buying or renting one, keep it simple. Project the movie on to the side of a building or use an old bedsheet for a make-shift screen. Hang the bedsheet between two poles, on a fence or use a wire to tie it between a couple of trees.
Finish setting the atmosphere by illuminating the yard with some outdoor string lights and hanging lanterns. Consider lighting citronella candles and torches to help keep the mosquitoes and other summer bugs at bay.
VIP SEATING
Arrange the seating close enough to the screen so that everyone will be comfortable and have a good view. Set up lawn chairs, blankets, benches, or sleeping bags. Pile on the rugs, poufs, pillows and throws. These extras make the space fun and inviting and offer more places to lounge – perfect for kids and pets!
CONCESSION STAND
Popcorn can’t be beat, it’s a movie night after all, but don’t forget a few other traditional movie snacks: candy bars, gummy bears and licorice, cotton candy, and bags of chips.
Don’t forget to set out napkins, hand sanitizer and a trash bin to make cleaning up the snacks and drinks easier at the end of the night.
INTERMISSION
Just like the classic drive-in movie experience, pause the movie midway through to allow guests to get a refill on snacks and drinks – cue the dancing hotdog on the screen.
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