The Broken Hearts Club
My film’s screening was yesterday, June 5th at the Laemmle Music Hall in Beverly Hills. You know the film, The Broken Hearts Club. I arrived early to watch another film by HBFF filmmaker and actor Chester Jones called, “Hey Diddle Diddle.”
There’s an interesting sub-story here in that Chester is from NY. I am from NY but have been living in LA for 15 years. Chester’s film and my film have been in the #1 and #2 spots on the HBFF Bside *buzz* lists. Chester’s film screened at 7pm. Mine screened at 9pm — same theater. Chester flew to LA and stayed with a friend…in Cerritos. I live in Cerritos.
How weird is that? I came to his film, he came to mine, as we both agreed. There was another filmmaker I met at the mixer, a young lady whose name escapes me, but she came to my screening as promised and I will attend hers on Sunday.
The day of my screening the theater was running behind. I’m not sure if it was because of an earlier film’s technical glitch or a long running Q&A session, but by the time my folks started to arrive the estimated start time was 9:30PM.
I was nervous all day and didn’t realize till later that I didn’t eat all day. I did manage to scarf down a a Bud Light and a Cosmopolitan at the HBFF mixer after attended two panel discussions. Earlier, I got to hear the profound words of industry wisdom from the acting gang of Notorious. Derek Luke, George Tillman, Malik Whitfield, and others were on hand to lend their expertise to aspiring actors and filmmakers. At the second panel for directors there was Bill Duke, Benny Boom and Oz Scott. The information overload was stunning and I walked away feeling positive committed.
Texting at the Fest
I was in the theater watching Hey Diddle Diddle when I got a call from Rob Gokee, my composer. He was outside and very early as usual. I stepped out to keep him and his son Nick company. Not long after my wife Kathy and her family showed up and then the actors started to slowly line up outside.
Just before we went in I popped in to see the projectionist to verify all was good. I’d spoken to him earlier and he said he’d queued up the tape and it looked good. Good. One less thing to worry about, I thought. Now all I have to do is win the crowd over.
Sean Ross, Michael Monks, Alan Pietruszewski, Andrew Elvis Miller, Gwendolyn Edwards, Dylan Mooney, Nicole Sessions, Kikey Castillo, Elena Campbell-Martinez, Lauren Connelly, Dave Thomas, Jim Rhodimer, Harold Lacunas and Tank Jones showed up for the screening. From Twitter, my tweep Allison showed up with a friend. And my dear friend, Mary C. drove down from San Francisco that morning with her daughter and sister.
Laemmle Music Hall
I’m told there was about 50 or 60 folks there. I wouldn’t know, my mind was wrapped about the possibility of a tech glitch ruining my big day. I was however disappointed that more actors from the film didn’t show up, but that’s how life goes.
The screening went very well and the film was very well received. Folks laughed out loud (literally), laughed in the right spots and got quiet in the right places. I remember one technical glitch where the tape seemed to pause for a second. My heart jumped and Kathy uttered an audible, “oh!” as she quickly drew in her breath. Other than that and the fact the the projection was a little dark all went well. At the end there was energetic applause.
The Q&A went smooth except for the fact that I forgot to introduce Rob Gokee. I felt so bad afterwards because someone from the crowd asked me what camera we used and referred the question to Dave Thomas in the audience, my gaffer/grip/bestboy. When I looked at Dave I saw Jim Rhodimer, my art director, behind him so I introduced him. But I frickin forgot to intro Rob and he deserves tremendous credit for the skill talent and attention-to-detail he employed in getting the score together for The Broken Hearts Club.
Michael Monks spoke to the crowd and told them I create a collaborative environment that makes it easy for the actor to work. That really meant a lot to me.
I would have loved to take more time to chat with folks afterwards but a guy from Michael Monks’ acting class asked me about my writing and we got engaged in deep convo. He wanted to know how I write dialog for some many characters and do it so differently for each, giving them an individual voice. His girlfriend wanted to know how I write dialog for women so well. That was nice. The truth is, Broken Hearts Club was a very special circumstance. I only hope I can have such a stream of consciousness experience with my future scripts.
Another gentleman introduced himself and told me he “really really enjoyed the film” and that I “did a good job.” Then the HBFF Theater Manager came to shake my hand and tell me I had a “great film and he really enjoyed it.” That was nice.
The crowd dispersed. I said some good-byes to those who hadn’t already left and Kathy and I marched on to our cars. I started to get hungry and I was craving a cigarette. I backed my Expedition out of the parking space and parked along the wall. I gave Kathy a kiss as she got in and I got out.
I lit a Kool and took a long drag…
Damn, I’m glad that’s over. [pause] Wait. It’s…over?
Yup. It’s over.
Festival Guide
HBFF Festival Guide
Tomorrow the HBFF announces the festival winners. My film is in the finals so we’re in the running. I made a calculated move in not streaming the film online at Indieflix because I do not want to ruin any chances for distribution. That said, the sight hasn’t looked very busy. When it’s all said and done, it comes down to the film.
And my film is good.
