Regular movie dates are entertaining but have you ever considered outdoor movies at night? Imagine the beautiful trees, flowers and scenic views that are outdoors on a regular sunny day. Now imagine how this beauty is elevated when the moon and stars are now glowing on all that scenery, elevating nature's looks and taking beauty to a whole other level. It's probably like a scene from a movie right? If you want to try setting up and enjoying this enhanced movie experience with your friends, here are things you need to consider for your outdoor movie experience.
Location
Just because you're outside, it doesn't make the location right. You need to ensure that the location is suitable for the number of people you want to enjoy your movie night with. You also need to make sure that the area is not insect-infested and unsuitable for hosting a movie night. The movie area should have a flat surface so that people can sit comfortably and so that the equipment can be arranged well. The location determines everything, so you need to ensure that it is convenient and accessible to all your guests.
Sound Projection
Normal household speakers are not adequate for the projection you need when you are outdoors. Instead, you should have external sound systems that will allow you and everyone else you may invite to hear all the sound messages from the movie. After all, what good could a movie be if the sound aspect of it is not up to speed? The sound projection is important to the movie night going well.
Visual Considerations
You need to consider the visual aspect of your outdoor movie night. This is not only limited to you having the responsibility to ensure that you clean up the area you want to use for the movie. It extends to making sure that the screen projection is suitable and convenient for everyone. If you are inviting a small crowd, a mini projector may be adequate and be capable of doing the job. However, the moment you decide on inviting more people, you will need to ensure that you use a bigger projector so that everyone can see the screen without any disturbances. You also need to ensure that you project the movie on a plain white cloth so that the audience can have an optimal screen quality experience.
Decor and Lighting
If the outdoor movie is for a themed party or occasion, you can enhance the aesthetic look of the whole thing by incorporating decorations that match the theme. This will make the movie interesting and exciting, even before it starts as people will be prepared for the dazzling experience through the decorations. Ensuring that surrounding areas are dimly lit is of high priority as the lighting will distract the viewing experience. If you want to guide guests to the sitting area, you can opt for reflectors or dimly lit string lights so that they can find their way.
Comfortable Sitting
You need to create a comfortable sitting area so that people can maintain good posture and sit through the movie without fidgeting or giving up on it. A movie experience should have comfort at its core. Therefore, you need to set up a comfortable seating arrangement that everyone can enjoy. Add comfort items such as blankets, cushions and neck pillows to the mix. Also ensure that everyone can see the movie clearly, at a comfortable angle and without having to strain themselves. Everyone should have a good view of the movie.
Weather
Make sure you befriend the weather app on your phone and stay conscious of whether reports before planning for an outdoor movie night. As we all know, the outdoors is susceptible to bad weather conditions, so to prevent any disastrous situations, one should not host an outdoor movie night when there are extreme weather conditions like rain, snow or hail (unless you have a roof over the sitting area). If you plan on hosting the movie on a cold winter night, make sure you have heaters and blankets for everyone so that they can comfortably enjoy the experience without fear of colds.
Schedule The Movie
Although it may be fun to watch an outdoor movie, the intention is not for people to stay outside all night; otherwise, the outdoor experience will cease to be magical. You should ensure that you have a start time and an end time for the movie so that your guests know when to arrive and so that people can be prepared for the duration of the movie. You should also consider the timing for your movie so that it doesn't coincide with your guests’ other events. Make sure everyone is free at the time you plan on scheduling your movie, that way, you will avoid people coming in an hour into the movie, asking for explanations and acting confused.
Legal Obligations
Some neighbourhoods require you to have permits when you are hosting a larger number of people or if you plan on having your sound projection higher than usual. You, therefore, need to ensure that you do your research on your legal obligations as a host so that you avoid unknowingly breaking the law. You should also ensure that your guests respect the neighbourhood laws and guidelines of the location you end up deciding on hosting the outdoor movie. If there is a need for a permit, apply for it in due time to avoid any disappointments close to your movie date.