"Countdown to July 27" Diary: Day Five

Thursday 26 July:

So nearly there now!

I've organised a few trips to different cinemas over the weekend to see how the film is being projected.  Well... I might as well, its not every day you get a film on the cinema is it?

I started this week worried about reviews, and friends much wiser than me, said to not pay too much attention as it was a subjective thing.  I still agonised though.

In fact, the first one I read, was unfortunately negative, and I fell pray to a nasty bout of insecurity.

The following day that movie magazine's main's competitor published a review that completely contradicted all of the things its rival said and praised the film highly.

Yesterday the same thing happened.  More rival magazines publishing reviews that contradicted specific elements.  

It was at that point that I shrugged my shoulders and thought "this REALLY is just opinions"  Why should I allow about 20-30 critics define what I, or anyone else think of the film?

So, now my feeling is... let the film find its audience.  

Of course, being a huge advocate of always improving myself, I'l read all the reviews together when they are out, and if there any opinions that form a consensus then I'll take that on board as a way of addressing those issues in future films.

And thats what next week is all about. Future films.

This week has been exciting, but ultimately I'm a filmmaker and I am ready to make more!

Countdown to July 27: Day Four

Wednesday 25 July:

Last night the car picked us up and dropped us on the red carpet at The Vue Cinema Leicester Square.
We walked into complete madness.
I was quickly ushered in front of a wall of paparazzi who flashed and clicked away making me fully appreciate the phrase "rabbit caught in the headlights".
They shouted at me to "look up, left, right, down, straight ahead, smile" etc etc and this went on and on until I could barely see.

Then the star of the film Ashley Bashy Thomas was thrust next to me and we stood and it all happened all over again.

I did my best to look cool, but frankly, when you're standing next to someone like Ashley you may as well just accept defeat.

After this I was ushered towards cameras and people with microphones where I was asked lots of different questions about the film, many of which were thoughtful and interesting questions.

The best of them all, was with the brilliant HEYUGUYS who are one of my favourite sources of movie news.

Here's the interview I did with them...




Once all that was done I was able to quickly say hello to the cast before the screening began.
After a brief speech the film began and I was pleased how the audience got quieter and quieter as the film progressed.
Afterwards the reaction was fantastic, and I was pleased and very proud to be told by many people how moved they were by the film.

This seems to the genuine reaction of people who enjoy it.  They seem to really become affected by it and the message resonates with them.

The final leg of the night was the after party.

I'll confess, this is not my favourite part, because I'm a filmmaker and not a schmoozer, but it was good to see so many people enjoying what we had accomplished and to say a personal thank you to a few very special people who not only made this film possible, but had also helped me throughout my career.