5 ideas for how to create an at-home cinema or concert experience

11 June 2020, 11:58

Promoted by Visa

Here’s everything you need to bring the concert hall and cinema screen to your home...

If you're missing the smell of freshly popped popcorn, the immersive experience of a darkened cinema screen or the roar and energy of a concert – we've got an idea.

Until we can all experience all of those things at our local venues, maybe it’s time to recreate them from the comfort of our own homes.

Here's five things you can do to create an at-home cinema or concert.

1. Create the perfect atmosphere

   

   When you think of a trip to the cinema, or a night out watching some live music – certain things spring to mind.

   It's the sights, sounds and smells: the bright coloured lights at a concert, the darkness of a cinema screen and the smell of Pick and Mix.

   So, to create an authentic experience, curtains must be drawn and lighting chosen strategically to create the right environment.

   For a cinema experience, comfort is key – so plenty of cushions and blankets are recommended.

   If you're bringing a concert to the living room, try safely putting coloured material over lamps to create a different coloured glow and atmosphere in the room.

2. Choose the right tech for your streaming

   

   Unless you're already equipped with a 34-foot-wide screen size screen at home, here's some ideas for recreating an immersive experience.

   A tablet, laptop, TV or mobile can be made into your own custom cinema screen – just make sure the brightness is set just right and the device is propped up so you can sit back and relax.

   If you've got external speakers, or surround sound, connect your TV or device to emulate the sounds of a venue (on a slightly smaller scale, albeit!).

3. Make it an event with family or friends

   

   Going to the cinema or watching a gig is often so fun because of the people you go with – be it friends, family, or the children.

   So, make your experience more of an event by virtually inviting family and friends.

   If it's a concert you're hosting at home, create a video call which loved ones can join.

   Or, if you're planning an at-home cinema experience, schedule a set time for friends and family to all start watching the same movie.

   Then, when it's finished, you can have a video or phone call to discuss what you thought – just like you'd do after leaving a cinema screen.

4. Staying immersed in your at-home experience

   

   Going to the cinema or a gig is an immersive experience – which is one of the reasons we love it.

   It's a little trickier to create this kind of escapism at home, but there are some steps which will help.

   If you're streaming from a device, make sure all notifications are turned off during the show and phones are on silent (remember, this is an authentic cinema/concert experience!).

   There's almost always background noise in any house, so try and shut doors to reduce the sound of those household items whirring away in another room.

5. And of course, the snacks...

   

   It's not a cinema trip or a gig without some great snacks!

   It doesn't have to be just cinema-style popcorn that you nibble on as you watch a film, or dance away to a virtual concert.

   Be creative and make an at-home Pick and Mix with whatever you can find in the cupboards – it's also a great excuse to get all those almost-empty packets of food eaten.

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