In Orem, Utah, where we filmed the movie The Last Eagle Scout, we held an official premiere at the Scera Theater with cast and crew, friends and neighbors. It was a crowded house with about 400 in attendance.
I was very nervous because we had been through several different cuts of the film and mixed reviews from the previous showings we did last year. But after the final cut of the film, our audience tonight was overwhelmingly pleased at what they saw.
It was also great to see the actors and crew come after almost 4 years to the day we went into production. I could start naming names, but it wouldn't be fair to those I missed.
We started at 5:00 with a reception for cast and crew, where we had food. My awesome assistant, Dennissa, spend hours preparing sandwiches and fruit. My lovely wife, Stephanie, helped decorate the room we were in. Brian Kelly, of Shop J and L is handling our merchandising, and he was there with a table where he sold the DVD at a reduced rate as well as the shirts, hats, backpacks and the comic book. I also sell t-shirts with a logo of the previous project I produced for six years, Will It Blend.
Then, we started the film at 6:30. I introduced it and also announced a Kickstarter program I am starting to help raise money for the Scera Theater to purchase a digital projector. They are still using 35mm reels, and the big studios are basically going 100 percent digital on new releases by the end of the year.
As the film played, I paced the halls (I never sit in a showing of mine, I know I should). I talked to others who were outside. Then, I went in at the last 10 minutes so I could just jump to the microphone and take questions. Gladly, the end brought about an applause I haven't had in a while. I stood up and brought everyone to the front who worked on the film. (Or I jokingly said "anyone who would still be seen with me"). It was a large crowd of cast and crew and I was proud to have them up. Because time was short (we were being kicked out for the next showing of another film) I couldn't introduce them all. So we just opened for Q and A. People loved the half comedy/half drama feel of the film, as well as the message it presents. We worked hard to not make it a right/left argument, but just a message of political correctness craziness and a media that is out of control.
Wonderful event!
It ended, after cleanup, with Steph and I doing our traditional visit to IHOP (didn't have dinner yet).
The only thing missing were my parents. It would have been great to have them there, but I am sure they were there in spirit.
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