Screenings went well, "Date Number One" plays well even w/ out music, Chuck T. should have review on Mon, Ian MacKaye came to a show!
DC World Premiere screenings of Date Number One are over, looking forward to Seattle next weekend: Fri 5/19 - Sat 5/21@ Northwest Film Forum, 6 shows.
Blogger/film reviewer & media professor Chuck Tryon was at the show, said he enjoyed the movie, & said he will write a review soon. Looking forward to it. Thanks for coming Chuck.
Ian MacKaye, one of my favorite musicians (The Evens, Fugazi, Minor Threat, Dischord Records) came to the 7 PM show. I think he enjoyed the movie (I was doing post-show Q & A when he left, did not get to talk to him at length). Thanks for coming Ian.
Got to hang out w/ a lot of the lead actors from the movie, had not seen some of them in months, it was an awesomely good experience, looks like they enjoyed the movie.
I was in a rush, did not take my still camera (took a couple of cell phone pics though), but I may still have some pics from the shows - from friend's cameras. Will post 'em up when I get 'em.
About 80- 100 people total came to the shows tonight (1st show about 50 - 70 people, 2nd show about 30 people, did not keep an exact count, will do for Seattle).
And here are some of the other highlights & lessons learned from tonight's event:
1. The film is funny, people were laughing pretty much (80% of the time let's say) where I expected them to laugh.
2. The film plays well even w/out music (did not have time to finish the music work before the screenings, also the sound in general was only about 60% fine cut, still needs a fair amount of work) and w/an OK image (the projected image was close to DVD quality, not MiniDV tape quality - which is the best way to show this movie - will be projecting from a MiniDV tape in Seattle).
3. Must, must, must have the fine cut of the movie in hand at least 3 days before a screening gig. Will follow that rule for Seattle.
Other Notes:
- some money was raised for We Are Family, more $s will be coming their way this month due to the screening event
- feels awesome when strangers, dozens of them, show up to see your movie, people you would never meet otherwise, & pay to watch your movie
- show # 1 (7 PM) started late & since I did not have music in the movie & the sound was rough, I decided to make that a free show (people at that show donated $s to We Are Family), but then, after seeing the movie play well to the 7 PM audience, charged the 9 PM audience a reduced rate of $5 per person (due to rough cut status of film, next time, in Seattle & when I return to a DC screen- regular price since I will definitely have a fine cut of the film by then/in a day or so), made some money (less than what was spent for the screenings, but the event was a success in other areas and I believe that future DC screenings will go very well ticket sales wise)
- the City Paper ad was a good investment
- must do tons more publicity & must get reviews in the local papers (meaning, get screener DVDs to reviewers in time!)
Special thanks to everyone who made the screenings happen today, & for everyone who came (!audiences rock!), and specially for Mark Andersen for coming by & talking about We Are Family.
Off to prep for the Seattle trip, will post a link to Chuck's review when I see it. Also, early next week, Hollywood Is Talking's review link should be available.
Very happy w/ the audience reaction to the movie. Several areas of the Wild Diner Films distribution machine needs fine tunining, I am sure that will happen as I get a dozen or so screenings done. All in all, awesomely happy right now, the film is done & it makes people laugh.
- Sujewa
Blogger/film reviewer & media professor Chuck Tryon was at the show, said he enjoyed the movie, & said he will write a review soon. Looking forward to it. Thanks for coming Chuck.
Ian MacKaye, one of my favorite musicians (The Evens, Fugazi, Minor Threat, Dischord Records) came to the 7 PM show. I think he enjoyed the movie (I was doing post-show Q & A when he left, did not get to talk to him at length). Thanks for coming Ian.
Got to hang out w/ a lot of the lead actors from the movie, had not seen some of them in months, it was an awesomely good experience, looks like they enjoyed the movie.
I was in a rush, did not take my still camera (took a couple of cell phone pics though), but I may still have some pics from the shows - from friend's cameras. Will post 'em up when I get 'em.
About 80- 100 people total came to the shows tonight (1st show about 50 - 70 people, 2nd show about 30 people, did not keep an exact count, will do for Seattle).
And here are some of the other highlights & lessons learned from tonight's event:
1. The film is funny, people were laughing pretty much (80% of the time let's say) where I expected them to laugh.
2. The film plays well even w/out music (did not have time to finish the music work before the screenings, also the sound in general was only about 60% fine cut, still needs a fair amount of work) and w/an OK image (the projected image was close to DVD quality, not MiniDV tape quality - which is the best way to show this movie - will be projecting from a MiniDV tape in Seattle).
3. Must, must, must have the fine cut of the movie in hand at least 3 days before a screening gig. Will follow that rule for Seattle.
Other Notes:
- some money was raised for We Are Family, more $s will be coming their way this month due to the screening event
- feels awesome when strangers, dozens of them, show up to see your movie, people you would never meet otherwise, & pay to watch your movie
- show # 1 (7 PM) started late & since I did not have music in the movie & the sound was rough, I decided to make that a free show (people at that show donated $s to We Are Family), but then, after seeing the movie play well to the 7 PM audience, charged the 9 PM audience a reduced rate of $5 per person (due to rough cut status of film, next time, in Seattle & when I return to a DC screen- regular price since I will definitely have a fine cut of the film by then/in a day or so), made some money (less than what was spent for the screenings, but the event was a success in other areas and I believe that future DC screenings will go very well ticket sales wise)
- the City Paper ad was a good investment
- must do tons more publicity & must get reviews in the local papers (meaning, get screener DVDs to reviewers in time!)
Special thanks to everyone who made the screenings happen today, & for everyone who came (!audiences rock!), and specially for Mark Andersen for coming by & talking about We Are Family.
Off to prep for the Seattle trip, will post a link to Chuck's review when I see it. Also, early next week, Hollywood Is Talking's review link should be available.
Very happy w/ the audience reaction to the movie. Several areas of the Wild Diner Films distribution machine needs fine tunining, I am sure that will happen as I get a dozen or so screenings done. All in all, awesomely happy right now, the film is done & it makes people laugh.
- Sujewa
