So now that you saw where the Home Theatre idea started, let’s see where it ended up.
In case you haven’t noticed, I tend to semi-obsess with projects now and then. A couple years ago I spent my Christmas holidays putting together a modular 3D terrain map for Battletech.
But something I’ve been working on for much longer is my home movie theater.
This is one of those things I really wanted as a kid, but don’t put too much stock into that. I also wanted a mini-golf course in my backyard and a rocket pack to fly to my mountain base.
However, in recent years, I realized that this particular dream was actually within the realm of possibility. Especially if I was clever about it.
I started off small, simply getting the screen, projector and a 5.1 speaker system setup as affordably as possible. These days an LED projector system can be very affordable and decent quality, and a pull down 100 inch screen is not too expensive. Even the speakers I got a good price on. All in all, it came to about $800 (Canadian).
And really, that’s all you need.
But… come on. When you think of a home theater, is that ALL you think of? Hell no. I wanted some frills.
No, I wanted ALL the frills.
But I was also hesitant about cost and practicality. So I started small and cheap. Like a cooler/vending machine, gumball machine, and popcorn machine. Maybe a sign or two… some old-fashioned posters printed on my printer…
Within a year or two, I either upgraded or expanded all of these things, most notably the concession stand, replacing the cooler with a proper fridge, a better popcorn maker, and a mini candy rack.
As well as better movie posters, and various other knickknacks…
Oh yeah, now I’m starting to feel it! Hmm… what about a custom theater logo and bumpers before the movie starts? Add some backlighting?
Hang on! How about an arcade machine! Ticket box! Digital movie poster that rotates and updates automatically?
Oh, I know! Stanchions! Gotta have velvet rope stanchions!
Okay, maybe I’ve gone too far….
…
Naw!
What’s great about this is my wife is into the movie experience the same way I am, and was behind this project 100%. We will often have a movie pre-show run on the big screen while we play a few rounds on the arcade machine before we settle in to watch a film on date night (which I will create and print off tickets for).
Second, the whole setup is easily moved around so that the living room can go back to being a living room. Which makes it convenient for going between everyday use and transforming into full on theater mode.
If you want a better idea of what the place is like, here is a tour of the place, both during day mode, and movie mode!
(as a bonus you’ll get to see my office where I’m currently finishing up the sequel to Lost Souls, Lost Cargo!)
What I love is you have two rows of sofa, so friends can sit on the back sofa, for a complete movie theater experience ! 🙂
Thanks! It’s a standard love seat and sofa arrangement, but I modified the love seat so the legs can lower 3 inches and (if I want) raise the sofa up by 3 inches, potentally providing a full 6 in height difference if needed. (usually just the 3 inches is fine for the back row to see, especially if it’s kids up front)
Fun! Who needs to go to a movie theatre and spend tons of money on popcorn!?
And it’s very easy to recreate theatre style popcorn too without spending a ton of money. For example, if you have a coffee grinder, you can make the salt required simply by grinding it into a fine powder. And if you can get ghee cheap (clarified butter) it is absolutely PERFECT for a buttery taste without having to add butter afterwards. If you can’t, then butter-flavoured coconut oil is a decent substitue.
Oh, and I totally agree about the term “Man cave,” and love your Tardis door! Really cool set-up you’ve got!
Thanks 🙂