Continuing from my last blog post, I had arranged a private screening of "That Asian Thing" documentary. Purposes for this grandious event were as follows: 1. to give the primo opportunity for all the cool Asian-American artists involved to get the first taste of what can hopefully start a ripple 2. to receive feedback from objective eyes that can help improve some sections I may have overlooked during creation and 3. to see how this bad boy looks on a ginormous screen.
THEATER RENTAL PROCEDURES
For all you young auteurs or new comers to the craft (as myself), if you're ever interested in renting out a movie theater, I suggest a few venues beforehand. To save on some fundage, let's reveal resources that may be readily available under our snoozer. Look into movie screens available at colleges, community centers, and (if your movie's wholesome) even church halls. As long as you can find digs that has a large screen and decent sound associated, I would hop on it. I went the final resort and shelled out some dough to rent out a nice Landmark Century Theater.
When you inquire and work out a master plan with the theater manager, you get a contract to seal the deal. I went through the motions and found myself at 95% complete with the film. I had about 3 weeks to go before the date that I reserved for the (gulp) premiere. Not only was the pressure on, but this was a test to see what I've been working on this whole time. Is this really how I want the film to look? Are there any extra little things that I can add here or there? Can this keep peoples' interest?
Also - I wanted this event to have some sentimental value to my life experiences. Thus I went the extra route and worked out a deal with my boy, Jason Vita of Tinbox Solutions to hook up a poster/postcard design. Eventually I would've needed this somewhere down the line - SO, might as well get this box checked sooner than later. J Vita has helped "That Asian Thing" with a couple of designs from the past and if it ain't broke, let it stay unbroke.
Therefore - I had the theater, I had the poster, I had a postcard (for promo), and now I needed to bring the film to a complete finito status.
This is the part of the story when the hero does what he needs to do to finish off the obstacle in the way of this goal. I had a free weekend to bring my 95% complete to 100% complete. The layout was already set, I just needed to clean up the sound as much as I could; insert closing credits; insert intereviewee shot credits; and basically make sure the overall product was at smooth sailing status.
Equipped with caffiene, a late night pizza order, and gallons of water, I was able to stay up for over 24 hours to iron out everything I needed to. The procedure started Saturday morning and finished Sunday afternoon. AND THEN EVEN MORE SO - I had to fix a few things throughout the week after to make it all pretty. BUT YES - it was done. gasp and whew! gasp and whew!
Then to add to excitement of this wind down, Tinbox Solutions made words into reality by completing a movie poster. Check it:
This was super cool man! It added so much more hype in my head that I felt like a tide has turned. Waves were hittin a climax that surfers got goose bumps over and this was a high no j ever hit in college. I liked it...
Along the way, I did have a bit of a scare. The theater (god bless'em) had a minor technical difficulty and thought the film was in Black & White after a test run. Email dialogue went on between parties till I had a notion to test out the DVD I had sent them on a computer/laptop. I was pretty confident that the flick I sent them, via overnight mail, should be in working fashion. Just as quick as that idea was commenced, I received an email confirmation that everything was NOW good to go. The minor technicality was the ol' "wires were crossed wrong" synopsis. Completely understandable and as long as everything's fixed a day before the viewing, then it's cool with me.
THEN THE SCREENING
Wow - what a crappy day weather-wise in Chicago. Mother Nature hit the Windy City with its own nicknamesake and mixed it with a few flurries here and there. Ultimately it was rain, cold air, and dark clouds. Pretty much the kryptonite to the location of my theater. However - show must go on!
With probably 50% of the amount of people I expected showing up, my nerves were a bit shot. I didn't know if this movie was ready for comments...or rather that is...I didn't know if I were ready for comments. So I had to remind myself that this was to make it better! AND to release it from the baby blanket of my computer screen. This was the time...
***SPOILING TO DOCUMENTARY TO BEING***
Right before you entered Auditorium 5, you got to see this:
If you look above the poster - you'll see the sign for theater 5. Sweetness!
SO - the viewing came and past. It came to a close and the lights went back on. I did a Q&A portion, as well as receive feedback on surveys I handed out. A few of the positive notes had to deal with my storyline. Focusing on Flipside/SOTO throughout their career was cool for people.
The audience members also dug the "spoken word" girl (Charlene-Haze Alcantara) and Mr. Steve Munoz.
I did get a lot of positive reports overall, but these few seem to be on the higher tally.
The whole night was overwhelming and I must admit that I walked away feeling that an improvement had to be made. Although majority were in positive formation about "That Asian Thing" - the few critical comments I did receive on items to clean-up, really were valuable. Therefore - I have a couple more dances in me before letting a film festival panel gander at my goods.
I wanted to publicly thank the peeps who come out to write on my survey handouts. Like I told them after the viewing, "Thank's for coming out on such a crappy night!"
AT THIS MOMENT
At this moment, I'm in film festival mode, BUT I have to do some last minute things before sending the film out. I'll be working with a couple of private screening members to iron out the comments I got. I'll feel more confident knowing that this was a joint effort on editing. Although I think my Adobe skills are getting above par, I'm still no Jedi Master. More magic will be ensued...
MARKETING AND PUBLICITY
In an effort to gain more recognition toward the film, I was honored to be a part of a podcast interview. The Paunch Stevenson Show is hosted by a couple of my high school friends who still loom in my current email address book. It was really fun and good practice for me to talk about my film. I'll follow up on this when the show gets posted on their website. THANKS ROB AND GREG!! YOU GUYS ROCK!!
AND FOR NOW
It's back to the editing machine for another handshake. And for now - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Be well and warm....
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