A few weekends ago I went to a friend’s experimental short film screening. There were a lot of problems that inspired me to write this post. This is a short list to look at when screening your short films, from the perspective of an audience member.
1. Be Professional
Every choice you make surrounding your screening either adds or detracts from the perceived value of your films. So:
- Be punctual and prepared.
- Make sure the films you have chosen to show fit together thematically.
- Respect your audience’s need to adjust to the process by choosing “easier” films first and working your way up to the harder ones.
- Have a program so people know what they’re seeing.
- Test all equipment beforehand. Never make the audience wait.
- Have a place where people can write their comments if they like.
- Have a poster with the event, your website and the means of contacting you.
- Have a list where people can write down their emails to hear about further events.
If you do all these things, people will implicitly understand that the event and your films have value. They will take you and your films seriously. They won’t gripe about a two or three dollar cover charge and may even buy some of your films (which you of course have for sale).
2. Choose a good venue.
What’s a good venue? A good venue:
- Has comfortable, well-organized seating.
- Appropriate equipment for projection.
- Reasonable prices for drinks.
- Friendly staff.
- A reachable location.
- Maybe free popcorn.
You may not have all of these elements, but ask yourself: What do I enjoy? What would annoy me if I were at one of these things? It makes sense to sit down and have a brainstorming session about how you can make the screening as enjoyable as possible. People will appreciate you and your films more.
I would recommend John August’s Professionalism and the Rise of the Amateur for further advice on professionalism.
Good luck!
