Licking my wounds.
Learned my lesson.
Sharp learning curve.
Positive, not negative.
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| With Sekiguchi-san - director of "Everyday is Alzheimer's" |
All of that - and a lot more - could apply to me this Sunday evening. My film screening event was...err...under attended.....60 people came....far far short of the 240 plus I was hoping for.....
My fault. I didn't hassle the local newspaper enough to make sure of publicity. I relied on a press release delivered to the dozy door men on a public holiday, and uploaded information on the paper's electronic Events Diary.
I should have called in favors with people I knew...should have made the phone calls....
Going to be some hasty financial rearrangements in my life. Holiday in America this September looking uncertain...
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| Me counting the empty seats... |
But. But.
The people who came loved it. Loved the films. Loved the director's talk. Great learning, emotional experience for all of us. My team of students/friends were dynamic as a set up team. Old students/friends came...it was fun...on that level.
But still. A theater for 370 people...had 60 people in it.....lots and lots of space....
After the screening four of us - including Dear Son - went out for dinner with Sekiguchi-san, over beer and food we chatted and laughed. She is a power house of a personality. I loved meeting her. I feel more energy to do right by my Okaasan after seeing the films and meeting her.
The actual practical thing for her and us? While we are out promoting caring, flexible dementia support in general - her mum was in short term stay for 2 nights and our old lady was dining on convenience store food boxes. We had to call from the restaurant to make sure she was home safely and eating.
It WAS great to see the audience being moved by the films, it WAS great to see Dear Son absorbing a whole lot of information...it was good.....good...good...
But.
Not going to write more cos I'll get teary. And I'm meant to be a big girl now who can face up to life's trials. Learning my lesson.
Positivity. That is the best thing.
And another beer.
Hindsight is a good thing but as you say the movie reached people, you CAN change your travel plans, and hey next time maybe you could do a kickstarter fundraiser. Enjoy your beer, cry if it helps but also pat yourself on the back for making a difference in more than 60 people's lives. You're awesome!
ReplyDeleteThankyou...there'll be a next time??? At the moment I think not. This time was also really hampered by my lack of Japanese reading/writing skills....and...and...but you are right. 60 people did come and did enjoy. There was a lot of emotion as people came out of the theater.
DeleteI think it's great you organized this!
ReplyDeleteThankyou. It took a lot of time and effort - and I had fantastic support from students/friends who gave their time and skills. It all LOOKED very professional. So I know I made the right decisions on many aspects. But the publicity failure was a central one. I am so in love with the films I just assumed that the newspaper would see the potential for a good story. Never crossed my mind they wouldn't.
DeleteI am sorry the event didn't bring in more people. But, despite not being as well advertised as it could have been, you still reached 60 people. That is good! Being able to talk with others, hear other people's stories, and see another perspective are all really positive things for caregivers. You've helped 60 people in one night! You didn't fail. Event planning is hard.
ReplyDeleteYup! And event planning in a 2nd language is even harder. Every step of the way - the speaking to people I can do - in a ragged, slightly unprofessional way - but the writing/reading stuff all had to be one by people helping me. I was helped hugley.
DeleteMaybe you can network with some of the people that did come and next time work with them/others to help spread your reach? :)
ReplyDelete