Lights, cameras help put action into movie-themed room

DEAR GAIL: We're making one of our extra bedrooms into the kid's movie room. We want to make it fun without spending too much money. We have a couple of movie posters that we're going to frame but we wanted a couple of other fun ideas that we could add to the room. Thanks. -- Nora.

DEAR NORA: Whenever I'm designing a themed room I think of all the different things associated with the theme. With movies, think of what you do and see when going to the movies and also what goes into making a movie.

When you get to the movie theater there is the theater marquee. I'm thinking of the older one that used plastic letters. That would be fun when the kids are having friends over; they can put up the name of the movie they'll be watching that night.

Next, to get in you have to buy a ticket. If you go to a party shop, you can find large gold tickets that are only a couple of dollars. You can tack these on the wall.

Once inside, the first thing we do is buy soda, popcorn and candy. Again, at the party store you can buy popcorn boxes and large candy boxes. You can place them up on a shelf as part of a gallery with your posters and tickets. Or, if you have the room, a popcorn machine on a stand is fun.

Inside the theater itself there are always drapes. Buy inexpensive material, sew a pocket for the header, hem the bottom and install them with an inexpensive rod wall to wall behind the TV. Of course, there's also gum on the floor and under the seats, but we don't want that.

When a movie is being made, think about what the director uses. How about placing a director's chair in a corner? They also use, or at least use to use, a chalk board showing the scene number and take.

Other movie-making items include megaphones, movie reels and film. You can mount all of them on the wall and add vinyl wall words around them, such as "All quiet on the set," "Take one" or "Lights, Camera, Action!" They are inexpensive, easy to put up and easy to remove.

Also on the set there are cameras and lights. You can find old movie cameras at antique shops or online that are fairly inexpensive. Again, check the party store for cardboard spotlights for the wall.

Of course we can't forget the movie stars. For the posters you have, buy inexpensive Halloween costumes that go with the movie and group those on the wall around the posters. So, if you have a Batman poster, add his cape and mask. For Indiana Jones, use a fedora hat and bullwhip. It doesn't have to be the whole costume, just the main pieces. Using other items with framed posters will really add a lot of interest to the room.

So have fun, Nora, and enjoy your room.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.