Open Roads starts this week. I will have a few titles, however I was not given access to all the films I wanted so coverage will be limited.
---
When you are looking at the big fests where big films launch (like Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, Busan, and Venice), do yourself and the filmmakers a big favor and spend more time looking at the reviews of the smaller films. Look at those reviews and make notes. Keep those films in mind while they are being highlighted on the big stage, so you don’t forget them over time.
Yes, I know the big films are what interest you, and reading on them is great, but the truth is unless you are there it will be weeks if not months before you see them. When those big films hit your local cinema, they are going to get a big PR blitz and be everywhere. You will not be allowed to forget them. I know that’s where the excitement is.
On the other hand, the small films will end up getting lost. If you don’t have notes and reminders when these small gems are before your eyes they are going to get lost. YOU are going to lose out on seeing some truly great films. And to be honest odds are the smaller films are ultimately going to be better than the big films, because they probably are, they just don’t have the budget for a big PR push.
seriously, I am frequently watching these small films at Cannes and elsewhere that blow me away, that everyone ignored but suddenly are discovered and in the year end awards race.
So pay attention to the small films.
--
Right now, with reposts I’m about 60 something films into Tribeca.
Lots of good stuff and some great stuff. I’ll lay all of that out in the curtain raiser next week.
I do want this out in the open that I am not sticking to the embargoes on my reposted reviews. In the case of WHALE 52 and some of the free titles I’ve run the reviews multiple times prior so I am not holding off putting up a film I’ve already discussed at length.
I do want to remind you that I will be assisted on the ground by Ariela Rubin. Eden will be dropping a review or two, I’m talking to Liz Whittemore about sharing pieces and I’m working on getting photos from Wendy Feinberg from the in-person screenings she attends.
Its going to be crazy.
A word of warning, specifically to PR people and filmmakers: I'm 60 plus films into Tribeca- this means that while I will have reviews of every film sent me, the review may not be dropping at the ebargo time. Experience says that if I post anything shorter than every 3 hours posts get lost and over looked. I am not breaking the three hour rule except for something special. Ths effectively means that the films sent to me earlier are closer to when the embargo drops. Other films, especially those with an early play date may not get posted until a good time later. Apologies. I know you need the reviews to go up, and I want them to go up, but I also want them to be seen. A review on the site is no good if it's instantly buried by 4 other films. Its not a matter of clicks. Its not malicious, it's because I care. (If I don't space them this way what happened in the past will happen- which is I will get emails about not reviewing films when even the PR people didn't see the buried review). Reviews dropped on my schedule are seen more than multple drops in an hour.
--
If you are covering the fest and reading this and you haven't checked the festival press screening list do so sooner than later. Despite the festival saying that the festival will be opening doors for each screening half an hour before the screening- the schedule actually has maybe 10 minutes between films in each theater. There is no time to do more then jet between theaters- though odds are you'll be jumping between films before the end.
--
A word of warning- the way things look there is going to be multiple reviews every day from here until close to July-or because of the july festivals, maybe august... so feel free toi check back or page down when dropping into Unseen so you catch everything.
No comments:
Post a Comment