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How to Effectively Screen a Movie

Melissa Thompson
Photo by JESHOOTS.com from Pexels

Screening a film for family members, friends, or even your neighborhood can be a great time for everyone involved. But if you want to make the best impact, and make the event as memorable as possible, there are a few important things you’ll need to have in place.

Improving Your Movie Screening

If you want the event to go as smoothly as possible, you’ll need to pay attention to these key areas:

  • First, you’ll need to choose the right environment. There are a few possible angles to take here, and each one can be effectively optimized. For example, if you want to create a cozy, highly comfortable atmosphere, you might want to host the event in an enclosed room of your house with as much soundproofing as possible. But if you’re looking for something more open and welcoming, you might project the movie on a screen outdoors. There’s a lot of flexibility here, but you’ll need to control the environment as much as possible if you want to be successful.
  • Video quality. The better your video quality is, the more people will enjoy the movie. If you’re screening a movie in your own home, consider investing in the best TV you can afford, with 4K definition and a large screen. Additionally, you’ll want to stream the movie from a reliable service, play it from a Blu-ray, or use a high-resolution file.
  • Audio quality. Similarly, you’ll want to optimize the audio quality. If you’re screening the movie outside, you’ll have many more variables to consider; it will be hard to make sure your speakers reach your guests without disturbing others, and outside noises could interfere with your film. Inside, your best option is to invest in a surround sound system, and place your speakers optimally for a fully immersive experience.
  • Don’t forget about snacks! With a bucket of gourmet popcorn in hand, your enjoyment of any movie can instantly improve. Popcorn and soda are the classic movie snacks for a reason, so make sure you have ample quantities available for your guests. You might also consider putting out different types of candy, or even preparing themed dishes in line with the subject of the movies.
  • Furniture/seating. Where are your guests going to sit and gather? Indoors, a couple of couches could be the ideal arrangement. Outdoors, you can either set up chairs, or have guests bring their own blankets for a more adventurous feel.
  • Finally, you’ll need to think about attendance. Bringing more people to a screening can make it seem more official, or more event-like, but it can also add complexity to the event. With too many people, your screening will feel cramped—and you might run into more issues with interruptions or extra noise.

Choosing the Right Film(s)

Much of your success will boil down to your ability to choose the right film (or films).

Consider:

  • Single or double screening. Screening a single film allows you to give that film your full attention. Screening two films allows you to tap into the classic “double feature” vibe, and allows you to construct a theme. Additionally, the double feature may bring more people and have them stick around for longer. Beyond two films, you’ll need a highly interested audience if you want to keep the group’s attention; marathons are hard to pull off without dedicated fans.
  • The MPAA rating system is the current standard for evaluating the appropriateness of content in movies. Make sure you consider it if you’re going to screen films for mixed audiences.
  • Who are you going to screen this movie for? It’s tempting to choose a personal favorite, but if you want the screening to be a success, you have to know the preferences of your prospective audience members.

Before the Screening

Leading up to the screening, make sure you announce the event to all your intended guests and give them plenty of time to prepare. Additionally, the day before and/or the day of, spend some time testing all your equipment to make sure it works; the last thing you want is to be fumbling around for minutes on end, trying to get your film to work.

A Note on Copyright Laws

You’re completely free to screen movies at home for your friends and family, but if you screen them in public for a wider audience, you may need to think about copyright laws. It may not be legal to host movies not in the public domain for a public performance.

Putting together a movie screening event can be stressful, but it’s also highly rewarding. And once you pull off your first event, you’ll have the knowledge and experience to make future events even more enticing to your audience.