A Pretentious Screening

Over this weekend I had the honor to have my first feature film NEW YORK LATELY screen at The Annapolis Pretentious Film Society — an emerging film screening series curated by the selfless Pericles (Peri) and Lisa Lewnes.

What’s unique about the series is that they are choosing alternative/non-traditional venues to screen the films.  We played at the Rams Head On Stage and I don’t think there could have been a more appropriate place.  It was a matinee screening and the place was quite full — with food and drinks aplenty (yes tasty alchohalic beverages were offered).  This to me is an ideal way to view a film.

What Peri did — which I think was a nice touch and helped make this screening feel like more of an event — was he programmed NEW YORK LATELY and advertised that I’d be making an appearance along with my cast members (Mark DiConzo was there — unfortunately Jenn Dees was ill and couldn’t attend).  Peri then played 2 of my film trailers (WHAT’S UP LOVELY; DEATH OF THE DEAD) prior to the screening which I think really helped generate interest from the audience in my career.  This was one of my main goals of the screening — to generate and build audience awareness for the films and myself.

The Q&A afterwards was the best one I’ve had yet.  I received some questions I haven’t been asked before about the film — and about my future projects!  The best part was they wanted to know how to see all of them!  Amazing.

Learning lessons:

1.  Have a Mailing List Sign-Up Sheet – I didn’t capitalize on the excitement and interest from the crowd in the moment.  I had a lot of people asking how they can find out more about ALL my projects.  I had business cards to give them, but soon after I realized that it puts an extra step on their end in making a connection with me.  Who knows if they’ll go home and remember to enter my links on their computer during their busy lives.  In all the enthusiasm for my film and being there, I know the crowd would’ve been very receptive to my passing a mailing list around — and even if just a few people signed up I could’ve followed up with them myself with no extra effort on their part.  This is definitely an opportunity lost that I will not let happen again.

2.  Have Merchandise To Sell - I know I’m preaching to the choir about this.  And I’ve already said it myself that it’s important to have something to sell to capitalize on the impulse buy.  Audiences are usually so caught up in the moment and wish to support the filmmaker — or just love the film enough to want to own it!  Have something to sell so you can make money.  Again, I already knew going to this screening that my Spec. Ed. DVD’s were not ready.  And my movie only DVD screeners have been depleted.  But seeing the audience response just solidifed the point and drove it home for me.  Moving forward, I know that I will be ready in this area with WHAT’S UP LOVELY.

3. Have a Story Ready to Start Your Q&A - I can’t stress enough that audiences in the beginning (for the most part) may not know where to begin when you stand there ready for questions.  It’s always nice to start with a little anecdote to break the ice.  They’ll see that you are willing to talk and ideas/questions may spark in their heads based on what you discuss.  I did this for the screening and it led to some really wonderful conversations.

I’m sure more will come to mind but those are the standouts.

BONUS ROAD TRIP FOOTAGE: (Road trip from NYC to Annapolis.  We were running a bit late and overshot our destination…then a sheet of ice flew off a car and hit our windshield.  Car Occupants: filmmaker Gary King, actor Mark DiConzo, producer Susie King)

After the screening I hung out with some great people – both filmmakers and indie film supporters!  I also recorded a quick and fun video interview with Victoria (@vicachic) for the Pretentious Film Society.  I will post it once they have it done.

Then it was on to dinner in a pub for some delicious crab meat mac n’ cheese!  The only thing I didn’t want to do was drive back to NY that night — we made it but wish we could’ve stayed longer.

Special thanks to Corrie (@corrietweets),  Coven (@cndmndprdctns) and the countless others (the Kueblers and fam!) that traveled a ways to see the film.  The experience could not have been any better.  And not that I hope that this was the last screening in a public venue for this film, but if it was it was a great way to bow out.  Thank you Peri and Lisa!!  We appreciate your support for us and true independent films!

Now on to the special edition DVD’s!  Coming soon!

Filmmaker Coven Delacruz

Mark DiConzo, Pericles Lewnes, Susie King, me

The Kueblers and family/friends