OK so how many people were at the screening last night in Burbank, CA? I only found out about it by chance when I read a post on the IMDB message board for Straightheads. For those of you not in the know, Sony Pictures (they acquired Straightheads for most of the world including USA and Canada) organized a test screening at a cinema in Burbank, California, which I imagine involved an invited / randomly selected NRG-type audience, special forms to fill in and a focus group at the end of it all. I wonder how big the audience sample was. More than that, I wonder what the test result was!! I'd love to hear more, so please post your comments if you were one of the Chosen Few of Burbank. A well-organized test is a great thing - we screened Straightheads in a late rough-cut to a proper test audience in London and the results were phenomenal. In fact the test screening took a lot of the executive pressure off me in the cutting room, as it reassured our wonderful financiers that audiences would "get" the film. But that was London. Now let's see if Straightheads translates...
The famous Straightheads premiere - well, it looks like there ain't going to be a premiere as such, more like a small private screening and no public hooha. No press, no red carpet (damn!) and therefore I suspect no reason for you intrepid travellers to rejig your travel plans. Now, are some of you really going to fly to London to see this movie - or are you just saying that to provide my fragile ego with a welcome boost? I guess we'll see, come the Weekend of Truth (27-29 April, for those of you who have just joined us). By the way for anyone who might be interested, one of the movie trade mags published this today: Download screen_international.pdf
I'm flying in from Gothenburg, Sweden on the 25 th and I'm hopefully going to see it on Friday. IF I get tickets to it!
Posted by: GADD1960(Marie) | 04/05/2007 at 11:55 PM
after much finagling (and getting time off of work!) i was able to get to the screening last night. my friends and I (i believe they all frequent this blog as well) were the first 4 people in line (we were there super early!) and we were chosen to be a part of the focus group at the end of the screening. i was glad that we got in that, so there were some present who had some previous knowledge and affection for the film.
It was a pretty big audience. the theatre was nearly full, if not completely full. its hard to comment on reactions, cause they were varied and many, depending on what was happening on screen, and i don't think this is the place for spoilers, unless they are coming from you! I wish you could read our discussion on one of the message boards we frequent this morning. This is a film that stays in your head, and you feel the need to talk about it. so all day we have all been posting there and sharing what we are feeling and thinking, and emailing one another.
you had a vision, Dan, and you took me on a ride I will never forget. I can't wait to see it again. I'm sure others will stick their heads in with thoughts and comments, and I will again, as I am at work and need to think about that for at least a moment! to be honest, my mind has been on Alice and Adam all day. What i wouldn't give to pick your brain now that I have seen the film......
Posted by: ericka | 04/05/2007 at 11:56 PM
Wow that's cool they had a screening. Erica seemed to like it, I'd be interested to see what others thought of it and what the final results were of the focus groups, etc. It's all sounding good Dan!
I really can't wait to see it!!
~Les
Posted by: Leslie - NL, Canada | 04/06/2007 at 12:01 AM
First of all it is a pity that there is no big premiere since I know that many pheeps have planned to come over here and will certainly be disappointed but I am dying to see that movie. I am prepared that it might be shocking but I think it is also a good opportunity to show the people what might happen if one closes ones eyes to the reality. We cannot only watch "glamour movies" that is codswallop! The movie is a good way to show that situations like that can happen. One minute ones world can be turned upside down and then one has to find ones own way to cope...
Is there an opportunity to book some tickets online? And does anyone know at what cinema in London the movie will be released? Frankly I did not have the time to check it out. (:
Good luck Dan I will keep my fingers crossed but I am quite confident that this project will be successful. :)
@ Marie, gadd1960 don't worry I will do anything to get tickets and if I have to take out my water gun. :p Ha, ha
Posted by: Peet | 04/06/2007 at 12:19 AM
Dan, already have my plane ticket! Figure I'll see Straightheads at least a dozen plus times while in London. Can't wait!
Posted by: alicentexas | 04/06/2007 at 12:34 AM
I was able to attend the screening in Burbank. WOW!! Is it enough to say, Mr Reed, that I got it? We talked for hours this morning, on the site that Erica spoke of in her post above, about this film's effect on those of us who've seen it. I was trying to discuss it with a good friend of mine last night on the drive home from the theatre. I was speechless. There were parts that, although I was miserable... I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Powerful. Ms Anderson did an incredible job with her portrayal of a strong, intelligent, successful..self-assured woman, whose life is rocked to its very foundation, by an act of severe violence...a woman who is broken emotionally, mentally and physically. A truly amazing performance. The majority of the focus group felt that she drove the movie.. that her performance was what made the movie. Her eyes and face told the entire story...even if she hadn't of said another word through the movie, those eyes spoke volumes. Violent? Yes, but appropriately so. Not to spoil anything, but you should know that during the "gun" scene, people were applauding for Alice...we were there...in the scene with her...feeling her anger... I felt the movie was definitely geared towards an older, more educated audience. I say that only because it effects one on so many levels; it inspires intense discussions and, only those who were able to see it as something more than just a revenge thriller with a little sex thrown in, were able to understand the true point and purpose of the movie. I think the film moved incredibly fast and, at time, I would have like for a moment to absorb what was going on. I think, though, the pace drove the story forward, preventing us from dwelling merely on the characters, instead of the story itself. No time to really think...That all came later...on the way home...late in the night... and this morning, with frineds. Congratualtions on an incredible piece of work. I think the film will definitely find its niche here, in the states. I think though, after the initial flux of curious viewers (for obvious reasons), the film will draw a smaller, quality audience rather than, perhaps a large viewing audience. It was a great film....glad I got to see it here... and didn't actually have to travel to the UK to do so. LOL. Whew!! That could have gotten pretty expensive. LOL. Great job...to all those involved...
Posted by: Tracee | 04/06/2007 at 01:40 AM
I love how Danny comes with his own "Explict Content" warning!! LOL!
Dan, you MUST feel proud! The best movie review *EVER*- "I was so turned on, I was fidgeting in my seat!"
-SARA !!!
Posted by: sara | 04/06/2007 at 03:58 AM
Sorry to hear there isn't going to be a premiere. I got my tickets to come across the pond to meet up with friends and see the film.
Posted by: Bren | 04/06/2007 at 04:44 AM
Quite a fascinating and mature discussion, from people who have and have not seen the film, going on in this thread of this message board
http://community.idealistshaven.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13089
Posted by: the mole | 04/06/2007 at 04:48 AM
Wow. I heard about this movie a while ago, but I had no real frame of reference for what it actually was. After reading this blog and the reviews above, I really can't wait to see it. I wish I had known about the showing in Burbank - I would have driven down. This sounds like it's well worth the 5 hour drive for me.
I'm new around here, but I'm really excited to have found this!
Posted by: Kyran | 04/06/2007 at 10:04 AM
I did not plan to be in London on prime-minister, but I shall catch it in Russia.
Posted by: Ann | 04/06/2007 at 10:53 AM
Tvou mat :( I spoke that I did not plan to be on premiere in London, but I shall catch it in Russia.
Posted by: Ann | 04/06/2007 at 10:56 AM
I liquidated a terrible blank, I have looked Farenheit 9\11. I do not know what to tell... I want to tell: " Thank you Mr. Moore ". I have huge quantity of emotions in relation to authority which organizes war... All these words cannot be compared to refined curses of Mr. Dayer, for example. Russian is rich not normative lexicon, and I use these riches in immodest expressions to address of any authority which gives the order to kill and destroy.
I do not proceed on the person because my country has nothing to be proud also: destruction of the Caucasian nationalities, eviction of Germans of the Volga region, Chechens in 1943, destruction of a cultural heritage and originality of tens nationalities, I can name it only a genocide, war in Afghanistan (without declaration of war), victims of 1991 - political revolution, war in the Chechen Republic - all this is just a small part of a political history.
Not normative lexicon to address of authority which we choose is display of weakness. I hope only that we shall be more attentive to those to whom we trust our lives and lives of our children. The primary aspiration to authority comes to an end manic aspiration to keep it, invariable.
I think, that when the person gives itself the sanction to kill other person this means that this is a reference point of his own death.
Excuse me, if it is a off-top.
Posted by: Ann | 04/06/2007 at 01:46 PM
Hi Dan,
I, too, was one of the fortunate ones to attend the screening in Burbank on Wednesday night and I was also lucky to be a part of the focus group. As mentioned above, you certainly have given those of us who have seen Straightheads a LOT to talk about. We're now going on day two of online discussion. I know I've hardly gotten any work done! Haha.
First of all, I want to say that this movie really knocked the wind out of me when I first saw it. And I don't mean that in a bad way. I believe you've stated before how you feel movie audiences have more or less become desensitized to movie violence. That's a statement that I agree with. What I really hadn't thought about until after I saw Straightheads is that movie violence and gore has become highly stylized to the point we really don't see what real violence is anymore.
Before going into this movie, I was prepared to see a lot of blood and guts and whatnot. But, I didn't see a lot of that. It was the phenomenal performances that really drove it home. Violent acts aren't about the amount of blood shed, it's about the people involved.
I'd really like to discuss things more specifically, but knowing that there are only a handful of us that have actually seen this movie, I don't think it would be fair to spoil it for everyone. So, I wont' say anything more.
Also, while I think those of us in the focus group were disturbed by the imagery you painted in our heads, the majority seemed to think that the movie was good overall.
I really hope that it gets a theatrical release here in the U.S.
I've not stopped thinking about Straightheads since I saw it Wednesday night. I even had some disturbing dreams as a result. If this keeps up, I'm sending you my therapy bills. Haha. ;)
Good job, Dan!
Best wishes,
Julie
Posted by: Julie | 04/06/2007 at 06:20 PM
Thanks for more interview clips, Dan! I would have given my left arm to be at the screening in Burbank, but alas, I was unable to attend and am currently GREEN with envy after reading reports from the event. I get the feeling this film will be worth whatever wait is in store for us here in the States. Take care!
Posted by: Tracy | 04/07/2007 at 02:23 AM
Loving the buzz, Dan. I really want to catch this film in the U.S. Thanks for the vids. Danny was hilarious in his interview about the press lady getting turned on. If you can turn a woman on with a film like this, I give props to you. Glad the film is receiving good feedback so far. Good luck.
Sean
Posted by: Sean Austin | 04/07/2007 at 04:10 AM
Loving the buzz, Dan. I really want to catch this film in the U.S. Thanks for the vids. Danny was hilarious in his interview about the press lady getting turned on. If you can turn a woman on with a film like this, I give props to you. Glad the film is receiving good feedback so far. Good luck.
Sean
Posted by: Sean Austin | 04/07/2007 at 04:10 AM
Dan, can you ask Verve to post the list of the theatres that will have Straightheads?It would be easier to catch the movie for us who are not from England. Thank you very much!
Posted by: Adry | 04/07/2007 at 04:46 PM
bloody hell...... just been on youtube lookin at some straighteads stuff and there have been like, 32,200 viewers that have watched the trailer.... if im not wrong thats alot of people..CANT WAIT NOW 20 days to go yeah!!!!!
Posted by: delly | 04/07/2007 at 08:53 PM
Oh my gosh, I am even more excited about seeing this now that I have read the reviews from the people that have already seen it. Wow Dan, I really hope this puts you on the map! And I hope to God Gillian finally gets recognized for her immense talent! From the way everyone is describing the movie, it sounds like the performances are amazing. Ahhh, I can't wait for this to get to Orlando! Damnit! Good luck Dan! It sounds like you've made it!
Kristy
Posted by: Kristy | 04/07/2007 at 09:40 PM
"I love how Danny comes with his own "Explict Content" warning!! LOL!
Dan, you MUST feel proud! The best movie review *EVER*- "I was so turned on, I was fidgeting in my seat!"
-SARA !!!"
lol tell me about it! Though he is so endearing though!
I watched him on the Charlotte Church show..........he is such a sweetheart really! Even though sometimes he really does dig himself into holes!! Also i love that if you ply him with Drink then he is very compliant!!
Im curious as too, if/when GA will do some TV interviews. I understand that she may not......but I am curious.....unless Sky movies air a possible interview taken from the hotel where you guys promoted SH???
Posted by: Toni | 04/09/2007 at 10:47 PM
Yes, I have only seen a handful of small interviews give by GA. Or maybe they are not filtering out to the US just yet...I keep searching the skies however!
SARA!!
Posted by: sara | 04/10/2007 at 03:02 AM
Dan, I am curious if you guys are not trying to pass the news that the movie is released April 27 th. All the promotional material released so far give April 20 as the date..
Posted by: Mary | 04/10/2007 at 04:55 PM
Just so you know, Dan, its been nearly a week since I have seen the film, and I am still thinking about it. That's the mark of a job well done. I need to spend the day in a theatre, and immerse myself in it for awhile, to really soak it all in. I can't wait for it to be released for real here in the States!
Posted by: ericka | 04/10/2007 at 09:29 PM
Hi Dan, just been to the official site and seen all the venues which makes it all very real and exciting but where on the list is Brighton?!!! Seriously, audiences in Brighton are so much more receptive to this kind of film than audiences in, say, Crawley (no offense to anyone living in Crawley). Brighton is an extremely diverse, liberal and bohemian city and other than London and perhaps, Bristol and Manchester would be the first place that I would open this movie - and that's not just because I'm biased!
It's very exciting that it's opening in the multiplexes but is it opening in the arthouses too? Is this the definitive list or is Verve planning on opening it anywhere else?
Posted by: Penny | 04/11/2007 at 01:59 PM