Feebee Labs· Dipali and Pier-Luc · Checklist · 3 min read
Unexpected Items
The screen and projector are the easy part. Here is the small stuff that quietly makes or breaks the night.
Planning your next movie night and want to make sure everything is ready before your guests arrive? The screen, the projector, and the speakers are covered in most guides. After a dozen backyard screenings, here is what we keep forgetting: the non-obvious items that quietly make or break the evening.
We have ordered the list by what ruins the night fastest if you forget it.
Mosquito repellent
Mosquito bites can ruin a charming evening within minutes, so plan your defense before guests arrive. Citronella candles work well for ambiance, and a Thermacell covers a wider area without the smell. Make sure you have enough coverage for all your guests.
Power setup
You will most likely need an extension cord to reach your outlet. Consider adding a power bar to it as well. Do not assume one outlet will be enough. Having several outlets gives you the flexibility your setup will need.
Warm clothes
It is surprising how fast the temperature drops after sunset. Prepare and bring a set of warm clothes: a jacket, a tuque, and gloves. Never underestimate the comfort of a blanket. If you are feeling adventurous, a wearable blanket will take the experience to the next level.
Comfortable chair
Most camping chairs are built around portability. Comfort is not a priority because you usually stand up within 15 minutes to tend to the fire or grab a drink. For a movie night, it is worth investing in a zero-gravity chair to make the experience much more comfortable.
Portable light
Your movie will probably start soon after sunset, when there is still some light around. But two hours later, darkness will surround you. Keys will get dropped. Earbuds will fall out of your ears. Keep a flashlight or a small lantern within arm’s reach so you are not fumbling in the dark. A headlamp is even better when you need both hands to coil cables or fold up the screen.
Portable charger
A not-so-obvious factor of movie night is that it usually happens at the end of the day, when your phone has already been used and is low on battery. There is a real risk that your phone will die during the movie, or worse, right at the end of it. Bring a portable charger so you won’t be powerless.
Pet kit
An evening would be incomplete without our fur babies. Do not forget to bring the usual items: leash, playpen, and blanket. You know your companion better than we do, so bring whatever they need.
Hot drink
There is nothing more comforting than a hot drink on a quiet evening. A thermos of coffee is the easy pick: it stays hot through the whole movie and saves you a trip back to the kitchen. Pier-Luc swears by hot chocolate, and Dipali is loyal to Earl Grey, Hot!
Trolley
Finally, you will end up with a ton of equipment to move around at the end of the night. We recommend a folding wagon or garden cart to dump everything into, bring it inside, and sort it the following morning.
One last thing about sound. You may have noticed we did not mention speakers. That is on purpose. Outdoor speakers are the part of the setup most likely to cut your evening short. Neighbors complain, or guests struggle to hear dialogue over ambient noise. Feebee Labs is building an audio solution that streams the movie’s sound directly to each guest’s phone and headphones, so everyone hears it clearly without disturbing anyone around you.
If that sounds useful, book a demo and we will show you how it works.
