PMH23: Successful Screening, MPAA, Final Date, Christmas

New Orleans Screening = Awesome

Our screening at New Orleans Wizard World was amazing!  We had about 90 people come watch Silver Circle, and ask lots of questions.  It’s very encouraging to leave our studio and see real people and real peoples’ reactions to our film.  It was fun and very encouraging!

A few takeaways for me were:

* People really like the story, and they get emotionally involved in the action/intrigue.

* People were leaning forward, looking intently, and reacted strongly as events unfolded…  (Sorry, but as a producer I do watch the audience more than the movie.)

* Very few left once the movie started, which is impressive since the movie took a big block from the middle of a raging huge comic con floor.

* People seem to really like Jay, the male lead character.  A lot.

* People who are not politically engaged like it too – we seem to have found a balance that does not turn off folks new to the Federal Reserve.

* The animation style is unique and works well, whew! We actually had our first experience of being stopped by fans in the middle of dinner to talk about the movie, too.

As a humble hardworking producer this is kind of different and fun, and we are really eager to remain accessible and connected to our peeps.   It’s an unusual experience because we spend most of our time in the basement processing frames.

MPAA = PG-13 as Planned

The censors at MPAA have reviewed our film and deemed us to be PG-13 for “Violence, Brief Language, Drug Use, and Sensuality”.  This is what we were going for – we wanted to avoid a punishing R rating.  It makes us seem so naughty.  They were not entertained nor swayed by my arguments that the drug use was legal, in this future world.

In order to have the ability to go wide with the movie, we’re playing by their rules.  If we didn’t play the game and went for an unrated movie, then many movie chains would not carry Silver Circle, and we could not reach a wide audience.

In theory I’m all for private ratings between contracted private agencies, and this is what this is.  It’s better than being censored by the Government.  But it is a strange experience to be “judged”.  It goes against my general rebel sensibilities, but our real mission is to get this film out far and wide.

Stake in the Ground = March 15

In order to deal with the final production demands and mainly for pre-marketing to our release cities, we are pushing back the release once again.  Believe me, this drives me crazy too.  This time we’ve put a big stake in the ground for March 15, just after South by Southwest.  This will let us get our cities ready and primed for that key first few weeks.
Our tentative plan is to start in New York, then Austin TX, then Washington DC, Phoenix AZ.  From there we add Boston/New Hampshire and a variety of other cities.  It’s called a “platform release” and involves slowly and steadily building up a successful viral base in each location.

We don’t have the money for billboards or TV ads, so we are going to rely on our strong grassroots community to be our feet on the street.  We’ll be coordinating a variety of shenanigans as we hit each city.  We’ll be out there on tour with the film on its first legs.  You might catch Megan and I out on the streets wheatpasting posters on the walls in your city soon!

New Studio Name = Two Lanterns

Just a reminder – before the end of the year we will be changing our studio name from “Lineplot Productions” to “Two Lanterns Media”.  You history buffs know what we’re talking about.

Season = Christmas

It’s Christmas time already – can’t believe it.  Though I should do my part to encourage you to buy our Holiday Package, the real meaning of the season is not materialistic.  I do know there are several festivities going on this month, but we are reminded by our readers to keep the Christmas lights glowing through the veneer of “Holiday Spirit.”  So though we are working hard, we do want to take a moment to wish everyone a great Christmas – I hope you all have a lovely season of family, friends, and connections.

Song of the Month – Christmas Eve / Sarajevo

There are in fact several Heavy Metal Christmas songs.  The most accessible one is kind of sweet, and involves kittens.  So since you caught me in one of those moments, I’ll share this one – Christmas Eve/Sarjevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

I know, it’s Metal for soccer moms, but soccer moms need to rock it out too, you know.

A Long Snowy Road

Thanks for sticking with us through this journey – see you in the theatres!

Pasha.

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