Hey everyone –
If you haven’t heard, Sundance was an incredible time for us and our film. Having been to Sundance for the past 5 years, I always dreamed of being on the other side of it, knowing how hard it was to make a film that would screen there. It was every bit as amazing as I imagined – it also really proves that seriously, anyone can do it. If you really feel passionate about a story – you can find a way to make it – you can get your film in front of audiences. You don’t need to have a ton of money, you don’t need to come from a rich family, you just need a vision, and a plan, and time. It’s an obtainable goal.
I think our favorite part of Sundance was actually meeting all the other filmmakers that were there – everyone in our category were just such rad people. We hope that maybe one day we could work with them, or at least catch up with them at other festivals. All the industry stuff, and the press stuff – it was definitely overwhelming – but we found ourselves just gravitating to the events where all the other directors and actors were. Sharing the stories of how we made the film. It was great.
The screenings were also incredible. The audiences were just so great. It was nice to see the movie looked great on such a large screen too, as we had pretty much only seen it on my laptop up until then. The Q+A’s were really awesome as well – my favorite question came from a man who had drank an entire bottle of wine thru the screening: (to Stephen) “Do you know that you look like Dave Matthews?”
And now we’re home, nursing our various colds and sinus infections we must have caught up there in Utah, knowing that we’ll look back on this as a pretty monumental time in our lives. The one thing we do not feel, though, is closure. We know we still have a lot of work still ahead just to get the film out there. Just to make people aware
One of the ways we’re getting it out there is by setting up sneak preview screenings around the US, the first of which is happening next week is Los Angeles:
Tuesday February 16th – LOS ANGELES, CA – Cinefamily / Silent Movie Theatre
Click here for tickets. 8:00pm. Cast/Crew there for Q+A.
Saturday March 6th – NORTHERN VIRGINIA – Chantilly High School
Click here for tickets. 7:00pm. Stephen Hale will be there for Q+A.
Thursday May 6th – ATHENS, OH – Ohio University
Tickets on sale soon. Cast/Crew will be there for Q+A.
And we have even more coming up on the horizon that we can’t wait to tell you about once they’re finalized.
If you can’t wait though – the film is indeed available RIGHT NOW in our store for download or dvd purchase. We also have it available for rent on YouTube.
Seriously – you can watch it RIGHT NOW!
For all of you that have seen the film already (or are going to watch it RIGHT NOW), we’re going to host a skype Q+A just for you on February 23rd at 7:30pm PST. Just email us your skype name – we’re excited to talk to you.
In fact, I would say that connecting to people who love the film has been the real reward for making it. Seriously, if any of you are aspiring filmmakers and want advice – we want to share our process. Our contact/facebook info is on the About page – don’t hesitate to write. We’re friendly.
Additionally, if you dig the movie – please help us spread the word of mouth! Every facebook status update or twitter message you’ve written really helps us get the word out. For a film like ours, we simply don’t have the money for expensive ad campaigns, but what we do have is a community of awesome like-minded people who simply love independent film, and hopefully want to share that love with their friends.
It’s been kind of amazing – some people have told us that the story of how we made our film has inspired them to go out and make their own films. That’s so ridiculously awesome, but the main reason I think it’s great is simply because I just want to see more movies like ours. People shouldn’t be afraid to tell personal stories, and I actually really like when I see a film with awesome actors I’ve never seen before. I feel like I’ve said this before – if we can do it – you can do it.
I feel like there’s so much more that we can write, but for now I just hope that those of you in LA can come to our screening. And those of you outside of LA will check out our film in one of the other ways.
Until next time,
Mike