Verve Pictures hosted a small but beautiful launch event on Tuesday at the Rex, a members' club with a great screening room in Soho. It was a friendly, memorable evening with just a few people, and I really loved it though I admit such occasions always make me a touch nervous and very thirsty. No press were allowed in, barring a couple of photographers to get pictures for the newspapers - the Evening Standard ran a nice picture of GA and DD in their diary section, there may have been pics elsewhere too. Guest numbers were limited, so mine were mainly family. There was a lovely, chilled vibe and as I introduced Gillian and Danny before the screening, I must have got a little over-animated because I took a step too far backwards, plunged off the stage and into the cinema screen - well, almost. Somehow I didn't actually fall all the way, and managed to bounce back on stage. That really broke the ice.
As usual after every screening so far, a lot of pale, shocked faces, people couldn't stop discussing it, and predictably a number of people took me to one side and asked me to consider psychotherapy...
This coming week things accelerate on the publicity front - in addition to the TV spots on Sky and Channel Four and the cinema trailers already out there, Verve are running a poster campaign on the Tube (the underground metro network), plus radio ads and I think some print ads too. I'm starting to hear back from frineds of mine "Oh, I spotted a Straighthead poster... " or "I caught the end of a Straightheads trailer on Sky...". I'm still praying for grey skies a week today.
Tomorrow we'll get the first newspaper reviews. I hope they're as favourable as the one in May's "Sight and Sound" (the British Film Institute mag) but somehow I suspect they won't be! But as Gillian says it's out of our hands now and we just have to let go of the result. I know Verve Pictures are giving Straightheads the best possible release here in the UK, and have got it into more than double the maximum number I ever thought we'd get. Still, that means nothing until those screens have rows and rows of people sitting there in the dark watching my movie. It's up to all the people out there now. Straightheads has to find its audience. That means YOU and YOUR FRIENDS! You have no idea how much I'm counting on you.
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I'll leave you with the last of the clips from our press day at the Dorchester.
Have a great weekend.
Sweet. First comment!
Rest assured Dan, you have many many many people to fill up those theatre seats here in the USA!
I wish you and the entire cast and crew a great weekend! I hope all goes well on Friday! One more week! I'm so excited for you all!
*Sara Alice*
Posted by: sara | 04/21/2007 at 02:25 AM
for some reason the video isn't working, says its private.....
this must be such an exciting (and maybe terrifying?) time for you. its tough to let something go into the world. But with that in mind, I'm so glad you have made this film and shared it with us. I'm glad to have it in my life. (Strange to be glowingly, happily, cheerily positive about this film, but only because of its subject matter!)
Posted by: ericka | 04/21/2007 at 04:10 AM
Congrats, Dan and don't worry so much -- I get the feeling much praise will be coming your way from those newspapers. My friends and I will ABSOLUTELY be there to support the you, the film, and its stars (with some extra Gillian love from me ;))!
Posted by: Tracy | 04/21/2007 at 06:07 AM
Trying to do my part Dan. Nothing like spending a week in London watching STRAIGHTHEADS!
Dan, I gotta have 2 STRAIGHTHEADS posters!!!
Posted by: alicentexas | 04/21/2007 at 06:12 AM
LOL, Alicentexas! I just need one poster. i already know where i will put it! :) I want it in my home, not simply cause its a movie with Gillian, but because I feel marked by this film, in a way I haven't experienced in a very long time.
Posted by: ericka | 04/21/2007 at 06:51 AM
ericka! I'll be scouring London (between watching the film) for posters. Where are you? If I get lucky I'll pick one up for you.
Posted by: alicentexas | 04/21/2007 at 07:12 AM
Oh, I wished I could see the movie in one of those cinemas... I hope Straightheads will be shown here in Germany, too.
Posted by: Sarah | 04/21/2007 at 08:35 AM
So happy it is on at 4 cinemas within a 20 minute drive of me. :D Will get to see it Friday night and then I am away!! :/ This most recent Danny Dyer clip isn't working for me either - says it is a "private video". :(
Posted by: Norma | 04/21/2007 at 11:07 AM
A week to go!!
I saw the straightheads trailer on MTV yesterday! Its getting pretty real now!
Fingers crossed for a rainy day!!
Posted by: Toni | 04/21/2007 at 12:15 PM
I'm taking my friends along on the day it opens. There'll be 7 of us in total and I can't wait to see it and see their faces!
Posted by: Vicky | 04/21/2007 at 03:59 PM
Congrats for the S&S review! Your film sounds more and more interesting - if such a thing is possible. I wish *so much* I could fly from Milan to London next week-end... instead I'm going to reserve one dvd on play.com. (sigh)
Posted by: Lily | 04/21/2007 at 04:16 PM
Make it a good opening weekend next week you guys and gals! All the fans in the U.S. want to make sure that we get to see it sometime soon too! Tell all your friends! Good luck to you Dan, I am crossing my fingers for you and sending good vibes your way!
Posted by: Kristy | 04/21/2007 at 05:44 PM
Hi Dan.
How are you? Congratulations on the positive review from "Sight and Sound" magazine! Certainly well deserved!
Thanks for posting those new videos. They're great! I hope that there's still more videos and pictures for us to see here on your blog even after Straightheads premières in...*gasp*...6-days time (at time of writing this of course)! I can't believe how close we are to it! I can barely contain my excitement!
First off I'm absolutely over the moon at seeing on the Official Site a cinema which is closer to home. Only a mere 10 to 15-minute drive which is a massive improvement on the 2-hours it would have taken for me to get to Birmingham. So that's cool.
I've also seen on both Sendit.com and Play.com that Straightheads is now available for pre-order and due for release on either the 7th or the 8th October (depending which website you believe) this year! Fantastic!!! My pre-order is already well and truly placed!
I recommend placing your pre-order with Sendit.com, Ladies and Gentlemen. Play.com are selling it for £14-99 but Sendit.com most definitely has them beat with their selling price of £9-89! Postage and Packaging is free from both, but whether that applies to deliveries outside the UK I'm not sure.
I've supplied the web links below for both Sendit.com and Play.com so you can decide for yourselves which of them you'd prefer to order from:
Straightheads DVD @ Sendit.com:
http://www.sendit.com/video/item/7100000022094
Straightheads DVD @ Play.com:
http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/3350066/-/Product.html?searchstring=Straightheads&searchsource=0
Happy shopping all and I hope everyone that everyone will have a great weekend! I sure know I will!
I look forward to your next update, Dan. I hope you have a great weekend too. Take care and I'd like to say a massive "Thank You" to your good self and everyone else involved in making Straightheads. You're all the best.
- Alan.
Posted by: Alan | 04/21/2007 at 06:01 PM
Yeah, play delivers free abroad! Great site ;-)
Posted by: Lily | 04/21/2007 at 08:25 PM
thanks for the videos! That picture of Gillian and Danny is sooo nice. :)
~Les
Posted by: Leslie - NL, Canada | 04/22/2007 at 03:38 PM
hi,
I just want to know how long will Straightheads run in the UK because I'll be going to the UK for the first time in may 18th just to catch Straightheads! i hope that I'm not too late. i have a strange feeling that Straightheads won't be shown here in the Philippines and I really, really, really want to see it.
Posted by: Nikka | 04/22/2007 at 08:37 PM
I really cant wait now, i cant belive straightheads is being shown in both the cinemas near me, and i only live in a small town called crewe. trying to check what time its on, but the times are still to be confirmed.
Ive made all my friends and my boyfriend come watch it with me hahaha, cant believe its only 5 days to go, feels like ive been waitin forever!! oh and the last video clip on your last post isnt showing? ??? hope you have a goood day friday and enjoy your film were ever you watch it :)
love adele
xxxxx
Posted by: delly | 04/22/2007 at 10:22 PM
When is it to be released in U.S.? Can't wait to see it!
Posted by: Santo Lopresti | 04/22/2007 at 11:26 PM
I throw well wishes your way to the cast and crew of SH!!! Have a wonderful week!
*SARA A*
Posted by: sara | 04/23/2007 at 04:56 PM
If DVD are declared (for sale in the future) on the certain Internet - portals of Britain, I believe, that internet site Ozon will buy up the right on sale Straightheads in territory of Russia and the ex-countries USSR after a time.
I think, that it is pleasant to look film in the good company without superfluous eyes and importunate compliments.
Interestingly, what first words are spoken by the spectators when they leaves a hall after film?
Something like "Cool" or " I shall not go home one... ".
One time I was engaged in research the most known maniacs. I have re-read huge quantity of the literature and have written the comparative analysis of specificity of manic obsession of maniacs of the West and maniacs of the East.
Well, after time I began to react inadequately to men around:)
I began to study anew to perceive men normally...
Posted by: Ann | 04/24/2007 at 05:49 AM