Downtime

TEAM BUILDING

Let’s catch a (virtual) movie

As anyone who has been to a showing of Th e Rocky Horror Picture Show will know, watching a fi lm is better in company. A virtual movie night could be just the ticket

The DIY approach

Th e simplest form of viewing party is to nominate a fi lm or programme, ask everyone to be ready at the appropriate time with a full glass and nibbles, and set up a WhatsApp group or a video call to take care of the interactive element.

To watch something on demand, you could cue up a video and share your screen during the call (if using Zoom, you’ll need to tick ‘Share computer sound’ and ‘Optimise screen sharing for video clip’.) Shortcomings include video quality problems and lag, and beware of sharing material that breaches copyright or platform terms and conditions. If you use content encoded with Digital Rights Management, the stream may be blacked out.

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Kit to work

If it’s time to exchange the temporary workstation at the kitchen table for a more permanent arrangement, here’s some equipment worth considering

Streaming platforms

GroupWatch on Disney+ (disneyplus. Amazon Prime Video (amazon.co.uk) com) restricts you to six friends, who watch parties involve a few clicks to set all need to be subscribers, and you’ll the event up and invite up to 100 need to use a separate device for participants, who can swap comments chatting along. However, you can in a text window. Everyone needs to stream shows and fi lms from the watch on a desktop browser, and you’re Disney portfolio via smart TVs limited to fi lms and shows available on d shows available on as well as browser windows. Prime: each participant ipant needs to have bought or ght or rented the video you’re watching. as well as br

Third-party apps Third-part

A platform that helped jump-start the A platform th group-viewing trend was Netfl ix Party group-viewin

1Double click

Using a trackpad for long periods can leave your hand like a claw; an ergonomically designed mouse can make a big diff erence. The wireless

1Logitech MX Master 3 (£99 from logitech.com) has won multiple awards for its comfort and innovation, including an accurate electromagnetic scroll wheel. A more aff ordable alternative is Logitech’s M280 (£29.99), a two-button model with a rubber grip moulded to fi t the hand snugly. 2 n Lighten up If you’re looking shiny, Lightenup 2 shiny, n o shadowy or washed-out at hed video meetings, poor lighting lighting is probably to blame. Lume

Cube and Zoom’s video conference lighting kit (£69

from amazon.co.uk) includes a compact LED lamp with adjustable brightness and colour temperature, which can be run off USB power or the internal battery.

3Loud and clear

Not looking your best is one thing, but audio is critical.

The Blue Yeti Nano (£99.99

from bluemic.com) is a USB microphone that delivers broadcast-standard sound for calls, podcasts or videos. Its stand takes up little space, and 3 it comes with vocal-eff ects software to enhance clarity. Those on a budget might consider the Fifi ne 669B (£39.99 from amazon.co.uk), a simple USB condenser mic with volume control.

(not affi liated with Netfl ix) – now known as Teleparty (netfl ixparty. com), and available as a free extension for Chrome and Edge browsers on laptop or desktop machines. You can use it to host watch-a-thons for up to 50 people on Disney+ and HBO as well as

Netfl ix, with group text chat. Every member requires a valid subscription to the streaming service being used.

For a more polished experience, try Scener (scener.com) – also available as a free Chrome extension. Th is enables video chat for up to 10 participants, plus text chat for unlimited further guests in ‘theatre’ mode. It’s compatible with YouTube and Vimeo, as well as services such as Netfl ix, Disney+ and Prime Video. Each party-goer needs a valid account on the service being used.

Other apps and add-ons worth looking into include Metastream (getmetastream.com), which can chain multiple videos – perfect for a kitsch pop-video binge – and TwoSeven (twoseven.xyz), which allows you to share local fi les as well as online streams. A great opportunity to revisit that embarrassing fi lm of the last teambuilding day.

4On your feet Plenty of home workers 4swear by sit-stand workstations.

The motorised Flexispot EG1 desk (£199.99 from

fl exispot.co.uk) is stable and robust, easily assembled and quiet in operation, with a 73-123cm height range. Another way to break your sedentary work habit is to get a riser that sits on your table-top. Ergoneer makes a simple Z-frame model with two tiers to accommodate a monitor and keyboard (£105.95

from ergoneer.co.uk).

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THE HOME WORKER’S ARMS KER S ARMS

With licensed premises shut for much of the past year, some people have recreated the pub experience at home. It has made for a booming market in breweriana: collectibles such as beer trays, beverage bottles, branded jugs and enamel signs.

Alan Blakeman started up BBR (onlinebbr.com), an auction house specialising in breweriana and antique packaging, in 1979. “When I fi rst started, whisky was dominant,” he says. “Now beer is number one. You can still pick up good items from big national beer brands for perhaps £15 or £20, but you have serious collectors who will pay four fi gures for items connected with regional breweries that have disappeared.”

During the past 18 months, the greatest increase in demand has been for rare advertising signs. “Enamel ones that advertise drinks and cigarettes have skyrocketed,” says Blakeman. “We’ve also been seeing demand for laminated signs from the late 1950s and early 1960s. Five years ago, they’d fetch £10, but now they’re £50 or £60.”

Fakes and reproductions are rife. The most infamous cautionary tale comes from the 1990s, when a forger obtained the original moulds for the ceramic toucans and zoo animals used to promote Guinness. Many of these bootlegs are still in circulation on online auction sites.

It pays to purchase the best pieces you can aff ord. “Buy one good item rather than two lesser ones,” says Blakeman. “You’ll get the enjoyment of it for 10 or 20 years, and if you’ve invested wisely, it’ll still be worth something at the end.” Here are fi ve lots from BBR’s “Whisky, Brewery, Smoking and Other Bits” auction in February 2021.

Lot 178

Dubonnet poodle and British bulldog: a 7” advertising bar fi gure in Beswick pottery. £140

Lot 181

Grants Whisky Scotsman decanter: a Royal Doulton jug with a barrel-motif handle. £85

Lot 285

Ind Coope’s Ales and Stout enamel sign: a coveted 28” x 20” ad in near-perfect condition. £450

Lot 246

Mansfi eld Ales pub jug: well-presented relic from a lost leviathan of regional breweries. £130

Lot 293

Bass coaster: a rare Minton pottery item featuring the famous red triangle motif. £130