Let’s Get This Party Started

I’m sure there are young lasses who dream of being the next Diane Sawyer or Carl Bernstein. Sniffing out facts and breaking stories to land their names in the history books. But that wasn’t me. Nope. I was enamored by fiction. And, by God, that’s where my talents would stay.

Until… I experienced the cold, hard reality of the film biz. Really, it’s like any other business – you have to work your way up before people listen to what you say. That makes sense. But as we all know, the dream looms bigger and has a better marketing budget than reality.

So when a brilliant friend, who shall remain nameless (until I get his waiver), suggested I write for film magazines, I thought, “How clever! Write about film and get my name in lights. Instant credibility!” Little did I suspect that non-fiction would grab hold of my psyche and draw me in with the tantalizing appeal of opinions, style, and quick deadlines.

I was pretty content getting my name in print. While I was basking in the glow of reader feedback, my nameless friend saw a cliff I was avoiding – the film festival press junket – and decided it was time for another heave-ho. Luckily, I’m quick with the ’chute cord.

Most folks work their way up doing small festivals first. Not me. I hurled myself into the Toronto International Film Festival. Deep end, head first. Scrambling to learn the ropes while everyone else was on high-adrenalin and had little time for newbies. The rush was incredible. Hell, that’s one of the things I love most about this biz.

Working the film festival press junket is one of the strangest, yet most fulfilling, experiences I’ve ever had. Binging on films. Dancing with publicists. Asking questions in front of A-list stars and all the cameras. All while juggling deadlines, parties, and occasionally, dinner. I’d pretty much liken it to riding a roller coaster after chugging fifteen espressos.

I was, however, unprepared for the biggest lesson of the junket: that promoting your project is just as important as making it. Sacrilege! Creative traitor! But it’s the cold, hard truth. And it’s not something you leave (only) to the publicists. Speaking as someone who plays on the other side of the promotion-fence, it’s a vital skill for all creative artists.

My mission, should you choose to come along, is to share stories from the press trenches… to bridge the gap between creator and promoter. And, ultimately, unite us with the goal of sending audience-worthy movies into the world.