Outdoor Movie Theater

[bmac]

Thought I'd share a couple of photos of a little project I have going - an outdoor movie theater. The pics are "progress" photos of where things stand as of tonight. I have constructed the frame of the screen with PVC pipe. I've set it in the holes - now waiting to get some Quickrete to set the pipes in the ground. This is a modular screen frame. The orange ratchet straps kind of hold it together. The two end sections (with the horizontal braces) are glued together. The top and bottom horizontal pieces and the 2 diagonal braces connect the end sections to the center post. When disassembled, the whole thing comes out of the ground and the ingrond posts will be covered with valve box enclosures.

We still have to sew up the screen fabric. It will have grommets around the border abd will be attached to the frame with bungee cords.

I have an lcd projector that's been sitting around for awhile (my wife uses it 4-5 times a year) that I'll hook up a dvd player to. Add sound from an old unused stereo and "viola!" instant drive in movie.

BTW, the screen is 24' wide by 14' high - big monster. Also, the tractor in the picture was not used in the frame construction.

 

[ToadHill]

Do people actually watch the movie at the drive in? Haven't been to one in over 40 years but I never remember watching the show.

 

[randy41]

theres a family living around here with an outdoor movie setup and every year they have an open to the public free movie night. they have a projection booth with a real movie theater type projector. everyone brings a blanket to sit on.

 

[MossRoad]

May I suggest Popey the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor for your opening cartoon feature?

Here's a link to part one and two
Part one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6CzDqbK2ng&mode=related&search=Part two

 

[EddieWalker]

Pretty cool idea!! I like that part that you can remove it when not in use.

If this idea doesn't work out for you, maybe something like a tennis net design. Two strong poles with wires going off the tops and anchoring on the sides. Then all you have is the poles to deal with for storage.

I bet this will be one of those things that your kids will remember forever!!!

Eddie

 

[schmism]

i have afull home theater useing a DLP projector and we talked about takeing it outside on the warm summer nights to do "drivein" night. That and i happen to aquire an old movie screen that i can hang on the side of the barn

Nothing like watching signs when your on an litttle old farm surounded by corn feilds

 

[bmac]

May I suggest Popey the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor for your opening cartoon feature?

Here's a link to part one and two
Part one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6CzDqbK2ng&mode=related&search=Part two

Thanks - That would be great to show.

 

[bmac]

Pretty cool idea!! I like that part that you can remove it when not in use.

If this idea doesn't work out for you, maybe something like a tennis net design. Two strong poles with wires going off the tops and anchoring on the sides. Then all you have is the poles to deal with for storage.

I bet this will be one of those things that your kids will remember forever!!!

Eddie

Eddie - What do you mean "If this design doesn't work out..."? It Has to work out!!! Now, as it is a design "by-the-seat-of-my-pants" project, there may be a few modifications along the way. And, if by chance the final product resembles a tennis net, then that will be purely coincidental.

I'm sure the kids (and I) will enjoy it once we get it finished. I'm just hoping that no one gets hurt in the process. This thing is huge and heavy.

 

[MossRoad]

Nothing like watching signs when your on an litttle old farm surounded by corn feilds

YIKES! That's worse than ghost stories about a guy with a hook!

 

[scott_vt]

Afternoon Bmac,
Thats a cool idea !

The problem up here is that the wind would make short work of the screen !