Oh, don’t you miss going to the movie theater with your friends?

The good news is that since the pandemic began, many streaming services have developed shared viewing options to now make “virtually going to the movies” with your friends a reality. Examples are Netflix Party, Disney Plus Party and one by Amazon Watch Party.

You can also use video conferencing like with Zoom or Skype, with dozens of friends, for that same shared, communal experience!

Now I’m going to show you, as I did on a recent episode of Live with Kelly & Ryan, how everybody participating in your “virtual night at the movies” can create that movie theater feeling...at home!

HOW TO WATCH

Smartphone DIY Projector:

There are many ways to watch the movie, but you can literally create your own movie projector!

Supplies:

• shoebox

• cheap magnifying glass

• opaque tape (I like electrical tape)

• box cutter, pencil

• phone

• phone stand (you can make this too!)

Cut off the handle of the plastic magnifying glass (I used a small saw). In the center of the short-end of the box, outline the round glass using a pencil (barely visible above). Cut out circle using box cutter.

Place lid on box. Place glass circle against cut out hole and box top and outline remaining demi-circle that needs to be cut out so that the top can fit on the box once the glass is in place.
I further taped the demi-circle with tape, as it was a little rough cut.

Pop the glass in the hole, and secure and seal with tape (I did this from the inside of the box). Seal any gaps and cracks as you don’t want any light to enter the box.

Prop your phone—with the movie playing upside down—in the back of the box on a phone stand. You can move this up or back to focus your film.

The magnifying glass will right your image right-side up on the wall, akin to how our eyes work with images.

Electronic Video Projector:

I have one and, believe it or not, you can now even get a mini version of a video projector for as little as $30 on the internet.

Screen:

For either of these options, you can just put a white sheet on your wall or somewhere outside...and you’ve got your screen!

SET THE SCENE!

Hollywood Stars: As with all Zoom/Skype video conference calls, we know the backdrop really has to tell a story. Grab some easy supplies and get creative! Use poster paper, gold stars, cut out your own Hollywood sign out of white printer paper. You can even hang the stars with tape from the ceiling for a more dramatic effect that’s multi-dimensional for your video conference call: I was channeling the scene out of La La Land.

Film Table Runner: Remember on a Zoom call you do see a bit of table in front of you! Using black poster paper and white printer paper and a glue stick, create your very own table runner that looks like a film reel!

Tip: round the edges to really make it look like film.

A New Twist On Movie Tickets:

Make your own personalized movie reward tickets. During the week prior to the party, kids can earn tickets for good behavior and helping out. The kid with the most tickets across all families, gets to select the film!

Relax, You’re At Home!

Virtual night at the movies if even more fun because you don’t have to be dressed to go out! Perhaps have everybody participating wear their favorite dressy pajamas and have a REEL slumber party movie night with your friends! (Let’s be honest: maybe you’ve been wearing those pjs all day—even better right?!)

THE CONCESSION COUNTER IS OPEN!

Popcorn Flavor Contest: Have everyone across this socially-distanced party make their own signature popcorn: triple pepper, apple cinnamon, lime & cilantro or maybe furikake (that’s my family’s: Japanese seaweed sprinkles!). The most creative and best sounding WINS!

TIP: One thing I’ve learned is NOT to have a big bowl filled with popcorn for scooping: it makes a serious mess all over the table and floor . So use pre-scooped popcorn placed in red-and-white striped bags, found affordably at your grocery store.

Make Supersized Healthy Versions of Soda!

One fun thing about the movie theater is getting an extra big drink cup you can sip throughout--so you don’t have to get up again. Get out your big summer tumblers and reusable straws! Fill ‘em up with half juice and half seltzer to create your own homemade juice “soda.”

Sweet Concessions Tray:

Take all of your favorite boxed movie candies (and then some) and fill up a tray colorfully. But also add some berries, grapes and healthy alternatives to this tray, to balance out the sugary treats.