51 BIRCH STREET - Filmmaker Magazine Pick of the Week on MySpace

I have mixed feelings about the utility of MySpace as a way of getting word out about a documentary.  For oddball, futuristic, sci fi slasher musicals, perhaps, but for serious docs, hmm, hard to say.  Still, it's nice to have gotten a special nod this week from the good folks at Filmmaker. 

We're up to 435 "friends" on the 51 Birch Street page at MySpace.  Some, needless to say, are of the one-name variety (Tammy, Tiffany, Tara, etc.) and seem to belong to the same, ahem, "modeling" agency.  But others I've met online, like Lynn Lane (with 7457 friends!) and Nat at the Lake County Film Festival have been generous and extremely helpful.  And Peyton Hayslip, who I met while in Austin, has quickly become a genuinely great friend (Peyton's amazing daughter, Tiger Darrow, an actor, filmmaker and singer/songwriter, is one of the most gifted 13-year olds I've ever encountered).

The bottom line is when you're getting your film out there on a low budget, you use the tools at hand.  And social networking has been one of our primary marketing tools for 51 Birch.  It helps enormously that the film naturally generates great word-of-mouth.  But I think the two also go hand in hand.

So, if you wanna be my friend, I won't say no.  Hell, even if your name is Shana or Sheri... thanks for the add.

Comments

[Fred Sander]

I'm a family psychiatrist and will add this film to "Ordinary People (1979) as required viewing for my students.

Fred Sander

[Paul Merker]

The story I remember about your Dad is that he tried to make a dual purpose piece of furniture. It was a dining room table, that would convert into a guest bed. This is your Dad's old friend and neighbor from 57 Birch, Paul Merker. I would love to see your movie. How can I get a copy - or is there a chance it might play in an area near Delray Beach Florida??

[Pam Wright]

I viewed 51 Birch St at the National AAMFT Conference in Austin TX this past Oct. '06. It was outstanding and very moving. I supervise family therapist interns in Indianapolis and have posted the info handed out following the Saturday viewing. Doug, your sister (sorry I can't remember her name) mentioned that the DVD would be available this fall. Is there a contact I can make to follow up on this. I've browsed HBO and Google for possible air dates but haven't had any luck. I did notice that the documentary is still playing in NYC, congrats on that.
I admire you and your family for giving us this peek into reality and hope that it has in some way brought you all closer and that a measure of peace has been granted to all of you.
Thank you.
Pam Wright, LMFT, LMHC
Counseling Supervisor
Christian Theological Seminary