Screening Timing Conundrum at DVinfo.net

Ryan Graham · August 11th, 2005, 10:33 AM

Hi All,

My feature film "Livelihood" will be premiering in a few months, and I'm in a bit of a conundrum.

It's already scheduled to play at one theater on Wednesday, October 12th. This venue holds about 150 people, and we will get 1/2 of the door.

However, I want to have a premiere for the cast and crew, and anyone else who wants to come, sometime before this screening at another local theater. We'll be comping about 80 tickets, and the venue holds about 250 people. I'll be paying about $1400 for this screening, but hope to make most of it back in ticket sales.

The conundrum is this: how close together should I space the two screenings? I can schedule the premiere for pretty much any weekday (besides Friday), but the October 12th screening is set in stone.

What will generate the most press and buzz? Putting the screenings closer together, or spreading them out a month apart?

The people hosting the October 12th screening aren't too thrilled with my idea of having the premiere the Thursday prior (October 6th). They think if I do that, then nobody will show up for their screening. I think doing it this way would garner more press and word-of-mouth. What do you think?

Thanks,
Ryan Graham
www.37point5.com
www.livelihoodmovie.com

August 11th, 2005, 10:33 AM	#1
Ryan Graham Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 81	Screening Timing Conundrum Hi All, My feature film "Livelihood" will be premiering in a few months, and I'm in a bit of a conundrum. It's already scheduled to play at one theater on Wednesday, October 12th. This venue holds about 150 people, and we will get 1/2 of the door. However, I want to have a premiere for the cast and crew, and anyone else who wants to come, sometime before this screening at another local theater. We'll be comping about 80 tickets, and the venue holds about 250 people. I'll be paying about $1400 for this screening, but hope to make most of it back in ticket sales. The conundrum is this: how close together should I space the two screenings? I can schedule the premiere for pretty much any weekday (besides Friday), but the October 12th screening is set in stone. What will generate the most press and buzz? Putting the screenings closer together, or spreading them out a month apart? The people hosting the October 12th screening aren't too thrilled with my idea of having the premiere the Thursday prior (October 6th). They think if I do that, then nobody will show up for their screening. I think doing it this way would garner more press and word-of-mouth. What do you think? Thanks, Ryan Graham www.37point5.com www.livelihoodmovie.com