wrap party suggestions?

Ralph D

Ralph D

Active member
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions for a decent wrap party? Any tips or guidelines? It's been a few days since production ended, but I guess it's better late than never.
 
any and all successful parties consist of three basic ingredients.

1. women
2. alcohol
3. music

that's all you need to throw a party.
 
I've been to some sick wrap parties, and some really lame wrap parties. Some were unmemorable - one I barely remember at the Marmont was strictly... well, it was a very good party.

You haven't mentioned budget, but you should:
  • Host drinks for at least part of the party. Arrange ground tranportation or at least carpeted bell carts if attendees are staying at the venue.
  • Keep the guest list down to people who were directly involved in the show (or their beautiful friends). Anyone who is affiliated with HBO Sunday night shows or The L Word should get in, regardless of their lack-of-connection to your project.
  • Have a hard out time... (unless you're at the Marmont, of course).
  • Do not film or tape any of it - stills are okay.
  • Not bring in a s****y cover band - have a good act that skews younger before you hire one where the median age is 48 or higher.
  • Control your DJ or play list - with force if necessary. Village People, Right Said Fred and others of this ilk should absolutely not make a bow until there are people already getting sick outside the venue or passed out on or near the premises. This is a strict rule that is often violated - never with good results.
  • Provide just enough space for people to break off on their own to complain about the project, but not enough to have relations without obvious and lascivious public display. (See previous notes on Château Marmont)
  • Provide two choices for food - one of them never being fish.
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overlandfilms said:
  • Control your DJ or play list - with force if necessary. Village People, Right Said Fred and others of this ilk should absolutely not make a bow until there are people already getting sick outside the venue or passed out on or near the premises. This is a strict rule that is often violated.
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But certain party classics never go out of style.
 
You are a naughty, naughty man. You know what they say ...fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.

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overlandfilms said:
You haven't mentioned budget, but you should:
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Yeah, I should point out that there's really no budget for anything extravagant. The only thing I can think of is if everyone gathers at some bar/lounge. I've never organized a wrap party before so I'm just not sure how to go about it the right way.
 
dvxmusic84 said:
Yeah, I should point out that there's really no budget for anything extravagant. The only thing I can think of is if everyone gathers at some bar/lounge. I've never organized a wrap party before so I'm just not sure how to go about it the right way.
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Depends where you live, but a nice barbeque will be your least expensive. As long as you have a backyard, put some meat on the grill buy some drinks and you should be good.

Since you don't have the funds to throw something extravagant, avoid anywhere where you'll get a tab. A good barbeque with some friends and drinks can go along way.

If you don't have a backyard, find a Park.

*Start saving now for the release party, it's ok. to cheap the cast & crew on a wrap up party, but don't skimp them on the release party. If you can, that's when you should bring out the big guns, start saving now! Ofcourse this is all assuming everybody worked for free on your project.
 
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capitalP said:
Since you don't have the funds to throw something extravagant, avoid anywhere where you'll get a tab.
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Everyone would have to pay for their own drinks, etc. Everyone worked for free, but I poured so much money (much more than I originally budgeted for) into the project that I can't really handle the thought of dishing out a lot more in this case. Besides, aside from going out of my way to accomodate the cast/crew during the shoot, I reimbursed everyone for gas money, tolls, subway fare, cab fare and I consider that very generous.

Is it usually common practice for the filmmaker to handle everyone's expenses for whatever wrap party occurs?
 
dvxmusic84 said:
...I poured so much money (much more than I originally budgeted for) into the project that I can't really handle the thought of dishing out a lot more in this case. Besides, aside from going out of my way to accomodate the cast/crew during the shoot, I reimbursed everyone for gas money, tolls, subway fare, cab fare and I consider that very generous.

Is it usually common practice for the filmmaker to handle everyone's expenses for whatever wrap party occurs?
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Compensating the crew for time and expenses is the rule in professional film and video. Per diem, lodging, mileage (currently $.445/mi per USGov), travel days, meals during the working day (above the per diem) are all standard practices - in addition to their day rate or salary on the show. On union shows, you'd also pay fringes, health and welfare and so forth. Welcome to producing!

There is a little bit of freedom for the the producer to wiggle on rates, but this all must be negotiated in advance. I've never seen this instructional before, but it seems like an accurate resource.

e
 
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overlandfilms said:
Compensating the crew for time and expenses is the rule in professional film and video. Per diem, lodging, mileage (currently $.445/mi per USGov), travel days, meals during the working day (above the per diem) are all standard practices - in addition to their day rate or salary on the show. On union shows, you'd also pay fringes, health and welfare and so forth. Welcome to producing!
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But, as far as a wrap party is concerned, is it looked down upon if the cast/crew has to pay their own expenses? Production is over and they don't have to show up if they don't want to.
 
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