What do people do at a Premiere?

Azmyth

Azmyth

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I'm planning the premiere of my first feature in October. Its going to be showing at our local cinema. It has been promoted heavily and theres tons of buzz about it. What typically happens at a premiere, for an indie film? I'm sure its more than just showing up and watching the movie right?
 
Most people spend some talking about the film, usually a funny story about something that happened while making it, It's a good time to thank the businesses that helped with locations, food, or anything that contributed to the film. It's not a bad idea to sell shirts, hats, and copies of the film to make a few bucks back.
 
What typically happens is that the theater screens the film. If you're really lucky, some people will show up to watch it. The theater may give you the option of speaking before or after the screening.

If you feel really ebullient, you can yourself buy a bottle of Friexenet for maybe $12 or so. Dom Perignon starts at $30 or $40.

If nobody shows up, cheap whiskey gets you just as drunk as expensive whiskey.
 
Here is a chance to get some press coverage. Do you have any media like newspapers, radio, tv or cable stations? Actors love press lines and press lines are synonymous with premieres. Along with introductions before the screening and a Q and A after. Have fun.
 
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Well, alot of the actors are first timers.. but this movie has alot of buzz here. The theater is probably going to do a "run" of it, because the main house of the 3 room theater only holds 96 people. we had like 130 something extras.. so...

That, and because we live in such a small town.. EVERYBODY knows about it, and I do not doubt that it sells out. We are doing a local TV spot, a newspaper spot (front page), and I think they are rolling out the red carpet/spotlights for the cast. We'll be selling t-shirts and giving away free stuff like buttons and stickers. We are meeting with the theater owners this week to discuss any other particulars, we'll be going with the president of the chamber of commerce as well as she has pull in that area. She's providing the red carpet and such, and even mentioned limo's but.. we don't want to sanctify actors noone has ever heard of.. thoughts?
 
Azmyth said:
She's providing the red carpet and such, and even mentioned limo's but.. we don't want to sanctify actors noone has ever heard of.. thoughts?
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Have fun, it's ok. Do it all. I've been a part of a few small town premieres that made use of red carpet, limos, search lights, etc.

Why not?

And besides, as soon as an audience sees the actors on the big screen, they instantly become larger than life.
 
I wish I got to go to the premiere of the first film I edited over 3 years ago.

My former director showed me pics and it looked like it was a blast.
 
Have fun, be humble, be yourself. Take lots of pics, try to keep egos in check. Get this documentary from netflix and watch it http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390336/. I have been to a few and everyone approaches it differently. From how they dress to whether they drink or not, etc. If it isn't you, someone needs to bite the bullet and be constantly making sure things are running smoothly and therefore, sober.

Is the after party at the movie theater or somewhere else? If so, is there a special section set aside for the "stars"? Do you have special badges/tickets to maker sure the after party is not overrun with fans/freeloaders/zombies? You have your red carpet set up and roped off with a good backdrop for photos to be taken? If you look through other events there is always some signage in the background when the pictures are taken. Will some of the seats be sectioned off for the stars? That is what happens at some premieres. Oh and they never seem to start on time, so don't get frustrated if that stuff bothers you. Definitely promote the heck out of it on all your social networking sites.

Have fun!
 
I will let you know Sunday. I have a film premiering at the theater at Warner Brothers in Burbank on Saturday night.
 
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