How to Host an Outdoor Movie Screening This Halloween
Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA will be hosting a costume ball and outdoor screening of “Willy Wonka” this Halloween Eve. It is a tradition at Halloween for the Cemetery to host outdoor movies, usually scary ones, as a means of raising funds for care of the cemetery. And hundreds of people show up.
Nowadays, an outdoor movie screening isn’t something you get to experience very often, but in just a few easy steps you can easily create an outdoor movie event of your own that brings your community together in a fun and unique way. Not only that, Halloween is the perfect time to host an outdoor movie because there are so many movies to choose from.
To start you’ll need is a white sheet or convenient wall (a white food truck would work, too), a projector, assistive hearing technology that can transmit the audio directly to your audiences smart phones (especially if you don’t want to monitor your area for noise pollution or obtain a sound permit), and a favorite movie! Guests can bring their own blankets and chairs–even their comfy pickup truck bed, if the venue permits! Consider selling or giving away popcorn as an added treat.
Practically any type of organization or business could benefit from an outdoor movie night. Here are some ideas for how you can host outdoor movies in your community this Halloween:
Church or Youth Groups
An outdoor movie screening is an especially fun event for children and can provide community outreach as well as fellowship and recreation for your members, regardless of their age. Select family-friendly movies that help to spread your organization’s message.
Live Theater Venues
Thank your patrons by bringing them out of the building and use it as an outreach method for the upcoming performance season. You could also pair an outdoor movie with a live music ensemble, dance troupe or vaudeville act!
Tour Groups
Begin or finish an ghost tour with a movie related to the location or just something fun and spooky to set the mood. It’s the perfect way to make your tour extra memorable!
Schools & Clubs
An outdoor movie night can be an excellent fundraising opportunity. Select a popular movie that appeals to a broad range of people, get sponsors to donate snacks and drinks, and ask for a small donation at the entrance.
Public Libraries
Cooler, cozier evenings are just around the corner, but that doesn’t mean an end to all outdoor fun. Outdoor movie events have become quite popular in the last few years and are an excellent way to bring the neighborhood together. With advances in projection and wifi audio streaming equipment, they are easier than ever to produce.
Parks and Recreation
Offer regular community gatherings at parks and outdoor spaces around your town. Start the evening with lawn games or frisbee golf, while you stoke up the barbecue. When the food is ready, and it’s dark enough, start the movie. You can make the event free or charge a small fee to offset costs or act as a fundraiser for the park.
Professional Organizations
Use outdoor movie screenings as a way to enrich your local community, and bring together like-minded individuals to make connections with your clients, potential clients, and employees’ families.
Charities & Civic Organizations
Host a movie night to raise awareness for your cause and ask your volunteers to bring their friends. Select a film that is relevant to your organization, and bring in vendors and other entertainment. For example, if you’re screening a documentary related to your cause, invite the director for a post-screening Q&A.
Sports Teams
Another effective way to raise funds, this time for local community or school sports team. You could also simply have the screening be an end-of-season celebration for players, parents and fans.
With the right set up and equipment you could host a series of outdoor movies all year long, just like they do at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. AudioFetch solutions allow you to stream the audio from the movie playing on the projector directly to the audience’s smartphones who can listen using earbuds or headphones. This keeps noise to a minimum and ensures that everyone can hear the movie no matter where they’re sitting.
Contact us today to learn more!