Day 72 in lockdown 3.0, life goes through the ebb and flow of maintaining a routine for yourself...good thing that we have Minecraft! I’ve been busy,
Presenting the Kode Cinema, my amalgamation of cinema across the ages; from its origins to the Hollywood behemoth it remains to today. I’ve had a lot of fun with this project, and if you are able to follow these steps, you’ll be able too!

Step 1: Romancing the Stone

N.B - screenshots won’t necessarily be placed in the right order; publishing via tablet can be challenging!

For the overall design of the Kode, I opted for the idea of a renovated theatre as the foundation of the cinema. With cinema becoming ever more popular during the 20th century, you would of seen old, dilapidated theatres undergoing renovations, to go with the flow of the current trend.
Once again, much like Joe’s Diner from January, the Americana is strong with this one!

Step 2: Tombstone

The iconic imagery of the cinemas of the 30’s & 40’s, evoking the opulence and grandeur of those elevated buildings with those elongated, almost tombstone edifices.
The famous white picket noticeboard (what are they called?) was created with chiselled marble. Make sure it doesn’t clash with whatever your roof is made of. It’s important to not use bricks for the roof, as it’s both unrealistic, and really hampers any attempt at making your structure stand out.

Step 3: Fiddler on the Roof

What does of the roof of a cinema look like? I don’t know either.

My idea of a triangular, thatched-esque roof certainly doesn’t look normal, but if I’m to go for the style of the retro theatre, I guess I better go all the way. Sticking with the same colour as the ceiling, easing off any hard edges, so it becomes a single object, rather than some unconnected pieces.

Step 4: Rear Window

The idea of the huge, elaborate double windows that look into the foyer came from my own local cinema, which come to think of it, a lot of the Kode comes from my local.
Stained windows are a great inclusion to detail, as long as the colours aren’t too bold and distract you from the bigger picture.

To recreate the famous outside lights that lit up the West End & Broadway, I used glowstone, as it best represents the array of bulbs and LEDS.

Step 5: Spotlight

A bat-signal? Na, it’s just a spotlight. We’ve all seen those fancy premieres with these things lighting up the night sky.

Created using blackstone tiles and good old sea lanterns, these turned out far better than expected!

Step 6: Jacobs Ladder

The large foyer started off with a cross stitched floor of blackstone and andecite.

The multi-storey approach required an escalator, which I created with more andecite (if only I could make it actually move!)

Step 7: The Color Purple

The second level evokes the days of old theatre, with rounded walls and high ceilings.

As you’ll see, this building requires a lot of light, of which you will see the solution later on.

Step 8: Hollywoodland

What would a modern day cinema be without a big poster or two?

These miniature pixel art posters were in all honesty, just random images that were in front of me at the time of making these.
There are many online tutorials on pixel art that you can find online; it’s seemingly becoming a trend! MC for the Win!

Step 9: The Driver’s Seat

There are six screens in the Kode, and it would be a whole other published project if I showed you every step for every screen. Overall they are the same in colour and and theme.
Use a colour that can blend into the darkness with ease, with dark seats and appropriate floor.

You only need a few lights, a few. I placed sea lanterns on each corner of the room to create some degree of depth to an otherwise dark screen auditorium.
Other designs for screen rooms include more contemporary bohemian sofas, to wider spaced conference rooms with stages.

Step 10: Risky Business

The finishing touches include the ticket booth, and the food court.

This for me, best represents the 80’s style of the bubblegum aesthetic; hot pink and purple for the stools and tables.
Go wild with the interiors, the bolder the better.

Spice up the lights too, you can only have enough overhead lights. Place lanterns within the walls in different patterns, evading the mundane.

Step 11: The Kode Cinema

I for one cannot wait for the return of cinemas once lockdown is over! Building the Kode has made me wish for the old days of popcorn under the bleachers, with overpriced drinks aplenty! Attached above are the coordinates/seed for if you ever able to track it down! I hope you’ve enjoyed this build - keep safe and keep building!

Coming soon - Robot Camels.