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.

"Countdown to July 27" Diary: Day Two

Monday 24:

Just read that the film is to be reviewed by Mark Kermode on Thursday.
Thats going to be fun!

Meanwhile...

Went to see Batman last night.  Although that's another story...
I was looking at the amount of screens the cinema had and counted seven screens given to Batman. two for Spiderman, two for Ice Age and the remaining one to Magic Mike!

That puts getting cinema distribution into perspective a bit, especially as the next Hollywood juggernaut "The Lorax" rolls in this week as well.  Its a miracle we got on any screens!

I think I'll try and see it in a few cinemas over the weekend to get an idea of what its like to see your film in the local multi-plex.
Also, I think I'd like to try and organise some arts screenings, especially in Newcastle.
Its a shame that we couldn't get a showing in newcastle, as thats where the crew are based and where the film is shot, but it couldn't be helped.
Instead I'll look into ways of organising something myself perhaps.

I'm very lucky to have lots of friends who keep reminding me what a great week this is going to be.
naturally, my fragile mind is fixating on the scary bits, so its a welcome relief to hear other perspectives.

"Countdown to July 27" Diary: Day One.

So many emotions racing around, with just 5 days to go until the release of my film The Man Inside.

So... I thought I'd do a diary of the week leading up to, and including, the release.
The anxieties, the highs and the lows and everything in between.
I've been blogging for about 3 years now, so it makes sense to cover what is easily the most important point in my career so far in a bit more depth.

Here goes...

Sunday 22:
I've got my suit ready for Tuesday.
I've never done a full-on red carpet premiere like this in the UK.
Two years ago James Moran and I attended the red carpet for The Streamy's award ceremony in Los Angeles, when Girl Number 9 was nominate for 5 awards over there. That was terrifying!
So hopefully it's warmed me up for what to expect.

It's a bit surreal to think I will be at a red carpet premiere in Leicester Square for a film I wrote and directed. I'm pinching myself a bit. It's the kind of thing I'd always imagined happening to other people far more important than me.
I'm told there will be a lot of press, although I imagine the cameras will be saved for the glamorous guests rather than little me! I don't quite know how to approach the premiere, so I'll probably drink a few gins and smile a lot, whilst my glamorous fiancé Sally steers me through.

With that out of the way there will be the business of introducing the film to several hundred VIP guests. I'll totally wing it. That's the only way I can do this kind of thing without sounding like a strangled Dalek with a speech problem.

I'm going to fill tomorrow with a lot of "stuff" to keep all the insecurities at bay.
Usually I get quite nervous before a film goes "out there", but this is on a whole new level for me, so this time the insecurities are amplified to crazy levels.
I guess it's the reviews that are the most terrifying.
It's a personal film with my fingerprints all over it, so any criticism is very close to home.
But, the film ultimately has to stand as a piece of work, and theres nothing I can do to influence anyone!

I reminded myself today that the film is a very dark and intense piece of work, and you know what?  I'm not actually quite sure how it got distributed!
I know that sounds daft, but it is a very challenging piece of work, and not always easy to watch. People who have seen it have been very affected by it and it seems to stay with people long after its finished.
A few people, in particular, have told me how much they love the film, including the one I respect the most - Peter Mullan.  His phone call after seeing the film for the first time will stay with me forever, and when I get a bit down in the dumps I always think about that call.

I'll be buying that man a large drink on Tuesday :-)