3 Often Overlooked Factors You Need to Consider When Planning an Outdoor Movie Fundraiser
Hosting an outdoor movie screening fundraiser is one of the most fun and profitable ways to raise money for your school or organisation. Families love watching movies under the stars, and you can sell popcorn and 'premium' beanbag seating to generate extra money. However, they're also one of the most organisationally intensive fundraisers, so you'll need to have everything planned out to ensure your night is a success. Here are three things planners often overlook that could make or break your event.
Adequate Lighting
You may think you don't need lighting for your event. After all, it's harder to see a movie projection in an over-lit environment. However, it's important to think about what happens before and after the movie. People need adequate lighting to get to and from their cars or to the food cart; if someone trips in the dark, you could have a lawsuit on your hands. Think about how you'll light the way to the exit, and how you'll ensure that it doesn't affect the visibility of the film.
Maximum Capacity
Do you know how many tickets you can sell? Many people think that means the more the merrier when it comes to fundraising, but selling more tickets than you can cope with can make the night unpleasant for all and ruin your chances of repeating the fundraiser. Your maximum capacity should be calculated based on a number of factors. First, you need to think about how much space you have on your grounds. Remember that people won't want to sit too close to strangers. The average arm span of a human male is around 1.75m (5 feet 9 inches), making 1.5 metres squared to 2 metres squared a good ballpark estimate for how much space each person will need. You also need to think about the size of the screen you've rented or bought. The more people you invite, the bigger the screen will need to be to accommodate them.
Generator Sound
Not all generators are made equally. When you're hiring one, you'll probably consider factors like cost and efficiency. One thing most people forget to consider is sound. The last thing families want at their movie screening is a deafening hum emanating from a noisy generator. Find a good generator rental company who can supply you with a specially made quiet power generator. There are many generators on the market that are labelled 'super quiet' or 'super silent', which is perfect for a event where noise-minimisation is crucial.