Premiere update

Well, Dobler's Pen pulled off another successful premiere. Whenever one of these things come off, I'm reminded of this scene from Shakespeare in Love.

Philip Henslowe: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.
Hugh Fennyman: So what do we do?
Philip Henslowe: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.
Hugh Fennyman: How?
Philip Henslowe: I don't know. It's a mystery.

It is a mystery indeed.

The film edit completed 2 days before our event. The popcorn arrived just in time, making it to Baltimore from Georgia in just over 36 hours (yes, Georgian popcorn is that good - well, it was the only one I could find online, pre-popped and delivered in those classic red and white striped boxes.) The audio and video setup, despite early problems, was completed just minutes after the first moviegoers arrived. And thanks to the efforts of Todd and Melissa, the after party room was transformed from an Inquisition dungeon to an eclectic bistro - it was like one of those home make-over shows, without the mannish crying (well, Todd did tear up at one point, but I wouldn't describe it as mannish.)

I am very impressed with Doblers (hmmm, since I'm part of Doblers, does that make me impressed with me? - is that egotistical? and why I am typing my random thoughts? am I Zach Braff? that would be really cool, as I've always wanted to be able to do a hair flip when I had something important to say.)

Oh yeah...very impressed with Doblers. We manage to make each of our premiere events unique - at the first event, Matchbook, we cashed in a favor with my Chef friend Laura, who made an incredible array of delicacies, which was unexpected for a movie showing in a gymnasium. Our Annapolis premiere of Full Circle (this time at a real theater) featured more great food, wine and a live band. Our film showing at Gardels Supper Club (this place rocks - check it out at www.gardels.com) in downtown Baltimore so impressed the owner, that he promised us a better door rake if we did it again. And this year, we went with a movie theme, providing popcorn and twizzlers to all our guests. Kasandra and Chester also set up a Production table, with props, scripts and various stills used in the movie - it was a fantastic idea and a big hit.

What is great about Doblers is that every member contributes in surprising and meaningful ways during each one of our movie cycles (from pre-prod to premiere - hmmm, that's a catchy title). Though I am still trying to figure out how my being a smart-ass is meaningful.

So, congrats to all - let's do this again in 18 months - but without the mannish crying.