Projector Positioning Background

During the first season of Pyramid Pyro Theaters and our backyard movies, projector placement was pretty simple.  The outdoor home theater setup started with a patio-oriented position to grass/lawn-oriented on the strip along our row of town homes.  The original stand was an old oak cabinet that worked nicely on the concrete patio surface, but wasn't so hot on grass.  It was also very heavy and hard to store so it was replaced by a basic card table which got us through the rest of the first season.

The card table, along with everything else, moved to the next viewing area in the adjacent alley.  The alley was much more stable and level, but had an odd slant (probably for drainage) that was hard to correct with the projectors adjustable foot on the back corner.  It was also difficult to dial in the proper height adjustments because there was no soft ground to sing the legs into (probably not a good idea anyway).  True to the ways of the backyard theater owner, it was time to upgrade.

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Why write an article about putting buckets over street lights?

One of the natural enemies of any backyard theater is ambient light. The result is a washed out picture because the projector has to compete with surrounding light sources to throw a bright, clear image on the screen. In an ideal setting, your screen and viewing area would be completely void of any light.  Pitch black! Unfortunately, that's not always possible.

Depending on your outdoor movie screen and viewing area setup, it's always best to try and block as much ambient light as possible. As a backyard theater host, you are most likely insane and sweat these little details even though you know most guests don't nit-pick tiny flaws like this.

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"Yes, it's movie night tonight."

Those are the words you want to hear.  Those are the words you want to say.

Pyramid Pyro Theaters is the private backyard theater of the Griffin family.  The projector idea had been a long running dream, but the execution was a bit fuzzy until 2008.  Once things came into focus, the projector was purchased and the screen was designed with audio being salvaged from existing equipment around the house.  After a successful premiere in May, the weekend events became a regular occurrence.  Corrections and upgrades followed as per standard outdoor theater protocol, and that momentum has carried through to the present.

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Pyramid Pyro offers backyard theater rentals for your private event in Ventura County.

• Visit a private outdoor movie screening to review the setup before committing
• Pro-audio system with sub-woofer
• Seamless screen material
• No noise from inflatble blowers
• Custom packages and services available

See previous outdoor movie parties (click here)

"...you were awesome! Thanks again and I will be in touch!"
Colleen Fairman - Customer Relations Manager - DCH Honda of Oxnard

Ventura County Outdoor Theater Rentals

Add something new and unique to your next private event.  Outdoor movies are one of the most fun ways to bring life to your party.  Imagine a giant backyard movie screen showing your videos in a larger-than-life format.  It can be the focus of the event showing the flick you provide, or it can be an ambient asset working the background to give the night some style by projecting a slideshow.

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The equation is simple...

The backyard theater movement is the combination of all things great. At its core, the outdoor theater experience caters to the movie-lover; a chance to watch new or previously seen flicks on a large screen, reminiscent of the movie theater or drive-in experience.

See previous outdoor movie parties (click here)

On the technical side of things, it offers the audio/video geek a chance to learn more and apply their interests; by creating the viewing experience with all the equipment, wires, plugs, and knobs that provide the best possible visual and sound. Even those that are less-technical, but just as handy, benefit by being able to apply their skill or trade; by building out bigger screens and more lavish viewing areas. The glue that holds all this together is the backyard theater experience; movie entertainment in the company of your family, friends, and neighbors, while enjoying the open sky.

movies + outdoors + socializing = Backyard Theater

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