Warm weather lovers will be celebrating to make it through another cold Winter and welcome some sunshine and outdoor time. For many of those living in cold areas, the end of Winter also means they can get back to having a normal social life, a luxury that is often overlooked in brutal Winter months when merely going outside is a challenge.
In warm weather, there is no shortage of outdoor adventure and entertainment. From camping to hiking, to time at the beach, nature offers a plethora of different options to get reacquainted with the elements after months spent indoors. Perhaps the only thing to be missed about the cuffing season is the extra time to catch up on some of your favorite movies and TV. With the rise of online streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Now, and Disney Plus, most people have a backlog of content they simply haven’t had the time to watch.
For all of its drawbacks, Winter does offer the chance to catch up on one’s favorite shows and movies. In warmer months, it’s easy to fall behind, or even forget about some of the content that you were most excited about.
Moreover, streaming TV shows and movies are becoming an increasingly social experience, giving rise to phrases like “Netflix ‘n Chill,” and the skyrocketing popularity of platforms like Twitch, and other social streaming sites. Millennials, in particular, are showing an interest in not just being entertained, but in making entertainment a more social and interactive experience.
A backyard movie night is a fun way to catch up on the movies and shows you’ve been putting off while enjoying some social time with friends in the process. Others use a backyard movie night to relive all of their favorite cult classics with people close to them.
In fact, some backyard movie nights have grown so substantially that they’ve become backyard movie festivals. The New York Times reports on one backyard film festival that has become particularly popular in Astoria, Queens.
A backyard makes sense particularly in more crowded cities, where it can be difficult to find the space in a cramped apartment for a more traditional movie night. Any host would want all of their guests to be comfortable, and a sofa can get uncomfortably crowded very quickly.
The backyard can offer a more spacious alternative that also allows guests to enjoy the added benefit of being outdoors in the fresh air. Sadly, many backyards are underutilized. A movie night is a great way to make sure all that extra space goes to good use.
Hosts that have large backyards can even consider bringing some outdoor games to the movie night for everyone to enjoy before showtime. If a backyard is big enough it can be a perfect venue for some legendary ping pong or badminton games. Bocci Ball or Horseshoe is another great add-on to a backyard movie night.
According to Kate Huber at NJGamblingFun, “One thing to consider is that if you host a backyard movie night, a TV is not likely to cut it. An overhead projector is a must for most backyard movie nights, particularly if you’re inviting a decent number of guests. What’s great about using a quality projector is that you can achieve a large display so that no one will have trouble seeing the movie.”
Buying a quality projector means that guests can experience a more immersive viewing of the movie without sacrificing the clarity, sharpness, or resolution of the display. There’s nothing worse than trying to watch a movie you can’t see properly and buying the right projector will help make sure no guest has that problem.
Another way to avoid this common issue with backyard movie nights is to carefully plan seating arrangements. While it might be tempting not to worry too much about seating and throw something together last-minute, that might not be the wisest approach.
The reason why is that backyard movie nights with even a modest attendance present a common problem in terms of field of vision. Viewers that simply sit side-by-side tend to obstruct each other’s view. Often, a good solution is to come up with a seating plan that has viewers sit at different heights.
Having viewers sitting near the back of the viewing area be more elevated can help make sure that everyone present has a good view of the screen. If you want to go one step further, have shorter viewers sit closer to the screen and taller viewers sit further away.
Determining what movie to show can be tricky. Sometimes, keeping in the loop with what’s been released with a quality review site can be a good source of inspiration. After you have some solid ideas, taking a poll via social media with invitees can be a good way to make sure you’ll show a crowd favorite.
The next important aspect to look at is the screen itself. Using a projector against a wall or cloth is definitely not advisable for a backyard movie night. In fact, it’s all but sure to ruin the display and resolution of the movie. It doesn’t stop people from trying, but if you’re already taking the time to plan a movie night and invite your friends, you might as well also invest in a proper screen.
One very solid idea is to go with an inflatable movie screen. The benefits of an inflatable screen are that it’s very easy to set up and take down, stable in outdoor climates, and adaptable. As an additional perk, it ensures the comfort and enjoyment of your guests.
Another good addition to a backyard movie night is some good drinks. If you’re looking to save some time and effort, you can advertise your movie night as BYOB. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, it can be a good idea to hunt down some different varieties of alcohol.
Different alcohols can be paired at a cocktail bar. Mixing drinks can be a fun way for guests to engage with one another. And, let’s not pretend alcohol doesn’t act as a good entertainment enhancement and social lubricant.
Backyard movie nights are a nationwide trend that’s likely to continue. They’ve become increasingly popular in Washington DC which offers outdoor movie screens in many locations.
It’s a great time to get in on the trend towards backyard movie nights, and with some simple preparation, you can make sure you and all your friends have a good time enjoying all the new TV and movies available today.