What are some cool things to do at a screening for yor your film?

[john threat]

I am going to have a screening this month for a project I am completing. I never had a screening before that I set up if that makes sense. I am mostly inviting friends and investors and all the principles and their friends for drinking and watching the work that their support helped make come to life. I am doing it at a bar so people can drink, but is that a good idea? I dont think i really want to invite the people who i'd like to help me shop it around - but I just might invite one or two of them.

What cool things have you guys done during your screenings that you'd care to share?

 

[J Davis]

when the tense moment you are waiting for is about to happen - get out of your seat, stand to one side and watch the audience.
It was a good learning experience when I did it.

 

[Jimmy Pierce]

Food brings people. Doesn't have to be a 3 course meal, but just a buffet of cheese, crackers, meat slices, fruit, vegetables and ranch dip, and lemonade. I agree with J. Davis' suggestion. When you show a film in a real world setting, audience response is everything. You can go further and perhaps have a short survey available (maybe online, maybe small pieces of paper handed out to the audience) and it just has a few questions such as "what did you like about the film, would you see it again, and rate it 1-10". Getting a few sound bites from the audience doesn't hurt either Filming them saying what they liked about the film can be used as a marketing tool to help convince othes to see the film. If there are any notable attendants, all the more important.

 

[Gary Huff]

You can go further and perhaps have a short survey available (maybe online, maybe small pieces of paper handed out to the audience) and it just has a few questions such as "what did you like about the film, would you see it again, and rate it 1-10".

I don't think you're going to get much response from this. Most people hate surveys, but are too poilte to tell you to your face, so they'll just hurriedly just down whatever b.s. they think they need to put on it and go on their way.

 

[Egg Born Son]

Oprah gives cars to the entire audience...

On a more serious note, drinks are a tough one. If you intend to do any business at this event, a couple of drinks maight make people more amenable, any more it might result in distraction and likely forgetfulness the next day. On the other hand if you just make it an all out party, a celebration and reward for participation then people will remember the party if not anything specific that happened there...might be a good thing for future participation. As for people who are going to sell it for you, maybe throw another one for them later...after they've done their job.

 

[john threat]

its more of a reward party for everyone involved than for doing business - just pure 100% fun and please look at my filthy film!

 

[Doc Bernard]

What would you like to see, if you were attending the same type of event but in different shoes? If this is more about rewarding cast and crew, give them something they will enjoy, besides the final work. BTS footage....a nice time focusing on THEM. Yes you will use it to thank your supporters, but balance it.

If you didn't shoot BTS footage for this exact moment and event......you failed to plan ahead.....big time.

 

[Jawa Ex Machina]

I don't think you're going to get much response from this. Most people hate surveys, but are too poilte to tell you to your face, so they'll just hurriedly just down whatever b.s. they think they need to put on it and go on their way.

I agree.

People at events like this will tell you they love it the same way people in the YouTube comment section will hate on it.
Festival audiences are kinder to indies and arthouse than mainstream audiences are.

As for rating it 1-10, there are no bad movies. You made your film, now sell it and try to make a profit so you don't lose money.



Since you're inviting investors etc, I think you should make this an event for them to show them how much their investment payed off. Make it look good, with red carpet or whatever. I'd also possibly invite those investors who chose NOT to invest in your film, maybe you can get them to come around next time by doing it?

 

[Egg Born Son]

its more of a reward party for everyone involved than for doing business - just pure 100% fun and please look at my filthy film!

Then I suggest committing to this purpose and literally make it purely a celebration. Don't put any pressure on anyone to do anything other than enjoy themselves. Maybe even make a point of announcing that it isn't business when you kick it off, thank your contributors and tell them just to have fun. If someone comes to you in the course then fine. But otherwise drinks, food and the film. Then you can follow up with phone calls after the event. You'll get their focussed attention and if they enjoyed themselves they'll automatically recall their good mood as soon as they hear your voice, making for an easy in to raise business.

As for feedback, if you don't call for it then you can give some weight to those that make an effort to seek you out to provide some. But bear in mind it will be skewed by the event.

 

[Batutta]

I agree.

People at events like this will tell you they love it the same way people in the YouTube comment section will hate on it.

I think if you are at all emotionally astute, you can tell when people are BS'ing you, or at least I can. No, nobody is going to tell you to your face it sucks. But I've had experiences where I can tell people were just being polite, and where they were genuinely impressed. When people genuinely like something they tend to go the extra mile to say so.

 

[Gary Huff]

I think if you are at all emotionally astute, you can tell when people are BS'ing you, or at least I can. No, nobody is going to tell you to your face it sucks. But I've had experiences where I can tell people were just being polite, and where they were genuinely impressed. When people genuinely like something they tend to go the extra mile to say so.

But just like people may not like something, and can't articulate why, the reverse is also true. I don't agree that you can always tell if someone is BS'ing you. What if they just don't know how to express themselves correctly?

 

[Batutta]

But just like people may not like something, and can't articulate why, the reverse is also true. I don't agree that you can always tell if someone is BS'ing you. What if they just don't know how to express themselves correctly?

I didn't say always. There are good actors out there who can fool anybody, to be sure. Or people who have an inarticulate manner that comes off as rude. But in general, I've been able to pick up on subtle behavioral clues, especially with people I know even a little bit, and suss out their actual feelings. Mostly though, I don't think people are that subtle.

 

[john threat]

Oh yeah - i have friends who hate my work. They won't even look at it. I know some will hate this work - they like other projects I do - but this piece is very challenging. Not everyone wants to see people in giant costumes doing disgusting things. More than one person on this forum told me they thought my work was disgusting and they couldnt even look at my avatar which was a screen shot from my work.

Well so far I will nix industry people and just have it for fun and have the bartender mix a special cocktail for the film and maybe show some stills flashing between showing the film.