The pleasant temperatures in summer and the long evenings invite you to linger in the gardens and in public spaces in general. Outdoor cinemas are organized in some cities and smaller towns and are a great idea to spend time in the open air instead of sitting at home in front of the screen. An open-air cinema can be put together relatively easily in your own garden and serve as a highlight at a garden party.
Having your own open-air cinema is certainly a real attraction for young and old alike. You just need to have a garden or a large enough terrace, a Beemer (you can also rent one) and of course a power connection. Everything else is a matter of creativity and craftsmanship.
But if you don't have a Beemer available, we'll reveal a makeshift version for a cinema projector made from a shoeboxSmartphone. This enlarges the display image tenfold for a small sum. You need a shoebox and a jeweler's loupe, followed by the cell phone.
You already have a home-made Beemer, but what about the cinema screen? There are several craft variants to be found on the internet, and we offer an overview of some of them. The most stable and really sustainable way is to build a stretcher frame yourself and stretch either white paper or fabric onto it.
The stretcher frame can be attached in different ways depending on the space available and the circumstances and converted into a stable cinema screen. A sustainable option is to use rope tensioning sets for curtains, stretch them between two stable points and hang the cinema screen on them.
Additional hooks ensure a stable position in the lower area so that the cinema screen wobbles when there is a current of air and thus spoils the picture. It would work very easily if you have two trees in the garden with enough space between them. Accordingly, consider how big the cinema screen should be.
A stable and sustainable cinema screen that you can use several times can be made yourself from stretcher frames. Beforehand, think about how much space in the garden you are able to donate for the outdoor home cinema and accordingly how big the cinema screen should be. Then get wooden slats to build a proper frame with. Simply putting together a rectangle out of wooden boards is not enough, as it would swell and would not be stable enough. Crossbars are needed to stabilize the structure and a proper right angle is a must.
Any paper or fabric can be stretched onto the stretcher frame. No matter which of the two variants you choose, the material should be white and not transparent or semi-transparent. Because of the large area, the opaque fabric can appear slightly transparent, so put another layer of dark paper or cardboard on the back.
For good image quality, it is also important that the stretched material, paper or fabric, consists of a single piece. Maybe you should also find out about the variable sizes of paper materials and textiles in advance. The back can consist of several pieces, but pay attention to the seamless connection between the elements.
This is basically what a homemade cinema screen made of stretcher frames looks like and is hung between two trees in the garden. At the top the frame hangs on the cable tensioning sets and at the bottom it is fixed to the trees in the two corners with hooks. Hooks are also incorporated into the frame - at the corners and four at the top for hanging.
Another possible alternative for a homemade cinema screen is to make one out of white bed sheets. In order for the craft project to be successful, the conditions in the garden are very important. The bed sheets are slightly transparent, as we know, which is why a solid background, such as an opaque fence, brickwork or other, is required. Then you need to pull two long ropes and stretch the bed sheet between them.
Alternatively, there is reasonable equipment for projectors and therefore also tripod screens available in stores. These can be placed on any type of stable and relatively flat surface, are transportable and particularly flexible. If the weather is bad, you can quickly store the equipment in the garage and continue filming there.
In view of the change in the weather, it is also very practical to store the cinema screen under a terrace roof or pergola. Additionally, these are sturdy garden structures that will hold up well to outdoor cinema equipment.
There are often places in the garden that are not used properly. For example, the somewhat modest space behind the garage or behind the house, which is closed on three sides, is perfect for a private open-air cinema. The back wall of the garage or house is a stable background for a cinema screen and allows for perfect installation and there is also a power connection.
At an open-air cinema in your own garden, the seating options can be arranged as desired and are much more comfortable than in public facilities. Floor cushions and blankets can be much more comfortable than folding or folding garden furniture.
Small wooden boxes serve wonderfully as ordering tables on which cooling drinks, popcorn and perhaps tea lights can be placed for a relaxed atmosphere. Ensure your comfort and that of your guests and be creative when designing the spectator seats.
Depending on the space and circumstances available, there are different options for designing an outdoor cinema in your private outdoor area. Pleasant, subtle lighting can be helpful if someone needs to get up from their seat to get a drink or something else.
Undisputedly, a private open-air cinema delights young and old alike, as you can watch your favorite film on a huge screen.
Open air cinema can be wonderfully designed for children's birthday parties or parties for the little ones outdoors. Provide creative, playful design with themed decorations and of course an exciting children's film. It is very imaginative to design or decorate the children's seats in an unusual way. In the example photo there are carts made out of cardboard for the little spectators.
*You can find the entire instructions for 'Open Air Cinema with a homemade cinema screen'here
