I'm not a fan of shameless self-promotional blogging, but what can I say?, the first SXSW screening of 51 Birch Street could hardly have gone better.
But take Dave Hudson's word at Green Cine Daily, not mine. Or look for Harry Knowles account later today, hopefully, at Ain't It Cool News. We didn't get to talk for long afterwards, but he did indicate he really liked it.
I'm running out the door for a meeting in 15 minutes, so can't give a long account. But like I've said, if I want to hold my head up high at the Blogging About Film panel in a few hours, I need to consistently blog.
Still don't have all my thoughts together about blogging. It's odd, in some ways I'm a hardened vet, in other ways very new to this (or, at least, the technical aspect of trackbacks and pings and all that stuff). But I'm not really worried. Panels tend to work better for me when I go in without any pre-planned thoughts at all, and just let it rip.
Just know that blogs have become the driving force behind word-of-mouth for films like mine not driven by a studio or distributor p.r. machine. Just ran into Joe Swanberg, who'll be on the panel, too, and whose film, LOL, is premiering here 15 minutes after the panel ends. We're in total agreement about the need to get our work out by whatever means necessary. And blogs have become our DIY workhorse.
Actually, what I said for panels goes for Q&A's too. After yesterday's screning, I had a great time with my father and Kitty on stage with the audience. I've gotten a bit used to the amazing responses we've been getting, but yesterday I was completely in touch with my love and appreciation for my father and Kitty, and gratitude to HBO for giving me the support early on to allow me tell this story about my family in the first place.
Films are so hard to make, even harder to get out effectively. But there are moments when you realize what all the time and hard work and sacrifice have been for. You can drive yourself nuts when your hopes or expectations get too high, and it can be a heartbreaking business. Yesterday, though, it was all good.
Afterwards, Lori and I and our friend Virginia, who's been helping us out here, met up with local D-Word members Christine and Jill, who came to the screening. We all took Dad and Kitty out for ribs, then a group of us went over to the Continental Bar and went dancing. The band kicked up a storm and we celebrated long into the night.
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