Check out some CALVIN MARSHALL Q&A footage after our World Premiere in Austin.
Diedrich Bader answers a question about the movie.
Josh Fadem answers a key question at our Q&A.
Showing posts with label WORLD PREMIERE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WORLD PREMIERE. Show all posts
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
World Premiere Last Friday!
Many have asked me how Austin was. In short, our premiere went about as well as one could expect. Our screening was packed and the audience reaction was electric and palpable. The comedy played bigger than I anticipated for what is ultimately a bittersweet story. Fans told us Calvin Marshall made them laugh and cry. They said the 35mm print looked and sounded gorgeous. Many told us they loved the soundtrack/score. Over and over people said the movie has strong performances and that Steve Zahn has never been better.
Seeing this kind of reaction up close was our biggest reward. Ultimately it's what matters most, right? Word of mouth will help carry a movie like this and we all seem to believe (hope) that people will discover it over time.
However, unless I blog about it, these kinds of unmeasurable rewards are hard to publicize. Local press was fantastic but AFF was virtually ignored by Hollywood and indie film press in general. (cough, cough Variety, HW, Indiewire, Filmmaker magazine, Important Film Blogs/Websites, cough) Now, the last thing I want to do is sound bitter here, so bear with me. I also want to be honest. I realize it's a difficult time for everyone and certain festivals will be ignored. But AFF? Is there just one too many festivals in Austin? Is that the problem? Perhaps thorough coverage will hit after Up In The Air closes AFF tonight. I'm not counting on it but if there is fair coverage, I will gladly take all this back.
It's hard to deny fear and a herd mentality still runs this business even as it struggles to survive. Everyone's chasing the money, and not just young filmmakers -- but the evolving press and even the pros at the top of the heap. Are those elitist circles forming again as "Industry Leaders" pick up all the pieces? Like Kenny Powers says..."You're f*ing out and I'm f*ing in!"
On the positive side, AFF was well-attended and there was an enthusiastic atmosphere wherever we went. The panels were vulnerable and informative. I participated in a few and attended some -- and the overriding theme was this: There's blood in the streets. "Worst time ever for filmmakers", declared one of my favorite directors. In the same breath, there was silver lining, "At the same time, never has there been more opportunity".
We are living this paradox everyday and probably for the next few years.
Seeing this kind of reaction up close was our biggest reward. Ultimately it's what matters most, right? Word of mouth will help carry a movie like this and we all seem to believe (hope) that people will discover it over time.
However, unless I blog about it, these kinds of unmeasurable rewards are hard to publicize. Local press was fantastic but AFF was virtually ignored by Hollywood and indie film press in general. (cough, cough Variety, HW, Indiewire, Filmmaker magazine, Important Film Blogs/Websites, cough) Now, the last thing I want to do is sound bitter here, so bear with me. I also want to be honest. I realize it's a difficult time for everyone and certain festivals will be ignored. But AFF? Is there just one too many festivals in Austin? Is that the problem? Perhaps thorough coverage will hit after Up In The Air closes AFF tonight. I'm not counting on it but if there is fair coverage, I will gladly take all this back.
It's hard to deny fear and a herd mentality still runs this business even as it struggles to survive. Everyone's chasing the money, and not just young filmmakers -- but the evolving press and even the pros at the top of the heap. Are those elitist circles forming again as "Industry Leaders" pick up all the pieces? Like Kenny Powers says..."You're f*ing out and I'm f*ing in!"
On the positive side, AFF was well-attended and there was an enthusiastic atmosphere wherever we went. The panels were vulnerable and informative. I participated in a few and attended some -- and the overriding theme was this: There's blood in the streets. "Worst time ever for filmmakers", declared one of my favorite directors. In the same breath, there was silver lining, "At the same time, never has there been more opportunity".
We are living this paradox everyday and probably for the next few years.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Austin Schedule Posted
Come on out for our CALVIN MARSHALL world premiere. The Paramount Theater holds 1300 so there's plenty of room.
It's on Friday night, October 23rd at 9:50 p.m.
Confirmed to attend (so far): All four of our producers, myself, Alex Frost, Michelle Lombardo, Andrew Wilson, Diedrich Bader, Jeremy Sumpter, Josh Fadem and the fantastic Rosie Thomas. (And we're very excited for Rosie to play a set of music at our after party!)
AFF has an interesting line-up this year and annually hosts the best screenwriting conference in the world.
Check out all the details and the entire schedule HERE
It's on Friday night, October 23rd at 9:50 p.m.
Confirmed to attend (so far): All four of our producers, myself, Alex Frost, Michelle Lombardo, Andrew Wilson, Diedrich Bader, Jeremy Sumpter, Josh Fadem and the fantastic Rosie Thomas. (And we're very excited for Rosie to play a set of music at our after party!)
AFF has an interesting line-up this year and annually hosts the best screenwriting conference in the world.
Check out all the details and the entire schedule HERE
Thursday, August 27, 2009
World Premiere - Austin Film Festival 2009
Austin's a great city to premiere Calvin Marshall because, at least from an outsider's perspective, it seems to unabashedly embrace both sports and independent film. You don't find this everywhere.
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