Are you planning on throwing a movie-themed party for your friends? If so, then you'll love this post. We look at all the do's and don'ts so that you can avoid making mistakes while providing guests with a great time. Here's what to do and not do:
Do choose a cohesive theme
You'll want to start by choosing a cohesive theme and being as creative as you possibly can be around it. For example, you might have Hitchcock films as a theme or Tarantino films as a theme. You could also hark back to 80s classics or superhero flicks. It's really up to you. Just make sure everything fits together from the cocktails to the cupcakes.
Do prioritize comfort and setup
Another thing you'll want to do is prioritize comfort and setup, especially if you plan on watching actual films during the event. Make sure you provide your guests with plenty of pillows and good lines of sight to the screen. You don't want people craning their necks for hours. If you're outside, also provide blankets. Make sure that the projector is in the right position, and set up your audio-visual equipment in advance.
Do go somewhere that can cater to all of your guests
You also want to go to a location that can actually cater to all of your guests. If you're planning on hosting the party outside of the home, look for a food and drink package and specials wherever you go. Sometimes you can get significant discounts.
Do add fun activities
Another thing you'll want to focus on is adding fun activities. People who are interested in film are often also curious about other fun party games and activities. For example, you could have a movie trivia quiz or you could set up a photo booth in the style of Audrey Hepburn. If you're planning on watching longer films like Cleopatra, then you might want to set up specific activities for various intermissions so that people aren't sitting in their chairs for hours at a time.
Don't start the movies too early
Make sure you give people time to mingle with each other before starting the movies. Give them an opportunity to eat, drink, and settle in. Most people will want to talk to other guests at your party first before just watching a movie. If you set up the movie immediately, it can kill the social vibe.
Don't pick a divisive movie
It's also worth going without saying that you want to avoid picking a divisive film for your movie-themed party. Try to go for something that is likely to bring political and emotional consensus. Avoid anything that's too sad or violent, as people might feel put off by this. Particularly be careful with anything with sexual content as you don't always know the sensibilities of the people who turn up.
Don't overdo drinking games
Finally, you'll want to be careful around drinking games. If people drink too much or they get too competitive about drinking, then they can do and say things that they later regret and they can also become sick.