With the coronavirus pandemic forcing us all to spend more time at home, routines can get a little stale. Even movie nights can become a little repetitive, and perhaps you’re missing the cinema experience. Why not build your own outdoor movie theater in your own backyard for you and your family and friends to enjoy! Here’s how:
How To Build A DIY Outdoor Movie Theater: Step By Step
1. Building The Frame
The first step is building the frame of the screen. This is where the canvas will hang to project the films onto. You will need:
- Canvas drop cloth
- 24 deck screws
- 3 2×4 studs (wood)
- A saw
- Screw driver
- Staple gun
- Tape measure
Once you have decided on your screen size, measure and cut the studs. After the wood is cut, begin cutting the legs and feet. For the legs, add 2-3 extra feet to your screen height. Lay your pieces out and screw them together, draping the cloth over the frame. Whilst holding it in place, staple the cloth to the frame. Then cut off any additional fabric from the edges. Screw the legs to the back of the frame, ensuring that the cloth is facing outwards. Finally, screw the 1-foot pieces perpendicular to the legs to complete the feet.
2. Projector
You don’t need to break the bank, but it goes without saying that higher priced projectors will provide a better experience. The projector is the equipment that will project the image onto your screen, so it is arguably the most important element. You should consider:
A Media Player / USB Stick
A good idea is to have a streaming stick that uses your Wi-Fi connection to stream movies. The stick will draw power from the projector via its HDMI port. When choosing your projector, ensure that it has both a USB and a HDMI port.
There are other alternatives, such as connecting your laptop directly to the projector. You can also use a wireless HDMI transmitter to connect.
Speakers
The speakers of the projector most likely won’t be sufficient if you are creating an outdoor movie theater. Speakers are therefore a good investment for this project if you don’t already have them. Your speakers will connect to the analog output of the projector, or via Bluetooth.
3. Adding Final Touches
If you have a little more budget, there are some accessories that can intensify the outdoor movie theater experience further. You could purchase a popcorn-maker, a mini fridge for snacks and some comfortable chairs for seating. Outdoor lighting can help set the mood of your cinema, so grabbing some inexpensive lights to drape around your backyard will add a nice touch.