Japan 'Cardboard Theater' Movie-Viewing Experience Craze: How to Make Your Own Set-Up

Some people are thinking out of the box by literally getting their heads inside of one.

In hopes of re-creating a movie theater experience right at the convenience of home and without having to shell out bucks, there are those who content themselves with watching a movie using a cardboard and their smartphone or tablet, Mashable reports.

The simple contraption consists of a box with two holes -- one slot for the gadget screen and another for the user's head to slip in. The enclosing area of the box allows the user to shut himself from the surrounding noise and light, resulting to a theater-like viewing experience. It's like having your very own personal movie space.

And you might think, it's a little bit outlandish, borderline crazy, right? Well, it depends on what side of the planet you're on. When you are in Japan, home of the highly-discombobulating-at-first, but turned-out-to-be-awesome inventions, the weird and the crazy become innovative and cutting-edge. The East Asian country is home to inventors of the karaoke, sushi and walkman after all, Mashable adds.

For those who would want to see for themselves if the cardboard theater really works, there is nothing rocket-science about setting your own up. Kids can even try doing it themselves, but with the supervision of parents due to the need for sharp-cutting tools.

DramaFever.com recommends using a large cardboard box. Then, one can cut out a neck hole on one side of the box enough for the head to fit into.

One should also cut the shape of his / her smartphone (or tablet) at the bottom face of the box. Place the gadget inside, and make sure the display is oriented the right way relative to head position. Provide ample support so as to prevent it from falling.

For a more visual demonstration of how to make your own cardboard theater, you might want to check out the video below.

The cardboard movie theater may have established its own following among the Japanese people, but it's still not for everyone. The setup may just be too crude and unsophisticated for those with discerning tastes.

For one, the confined nature inside the box is not for the claustrophobic. There's also the possibly of experiencing difficulty in breathing. But, if you're really bent on not spending a dime for your next movie-viewing experience, or breaking the bank with those pricey home entertainment systems, you may want, additionally, to consider the DIY cardboard projector for your smartphones.