Plans for a film festival in Macon, Georgia

[magicpoe]

Linn spoke about possibly having a film festival in Macon, Georgia. Anyone interested?

[buddhawake]

if there is breakfast from the Waffle house I'll go. if they even have one in Macon.

[magicpoe]

In the south, Waffle Houses are as prevalent as McDonalds. You have a Waffle House right Linn?

[iron flag]

How far is Macon from Atlanta?

[Linn1]

umm...yeah. There's perhaps ten around and about the place. There's one four minutes from my house. :) Macon is about an hour and a half drive down from Atlanta. And the Macon airport is a hub, or will be soon, for the Atlanta airport.

[oldeschool17]

Linn, yer in Macon? Why in the hell Macon though? Why not bring it to Atlanta where you can reach a bigger audience? As a matter of fact, cant we get some local (Atlanta)support from the independent film buffs, vid stores, and martial arts schools?

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

I'll definitely attend this one. :)

After veiwing these Venom remasters, throughout the week following Lo Mang's visit, I can't help kicking myself in the ass everytime he's on screen.

[Steve Barr]

Dragon*Con is this weekend in Atlanta, FWIW
www.dragoncon.org/ (http://www.dragoncon.org/)
www.dragoncon.org/photos0.../index.htm (http://www.dragoncon.org/photos05/combat/index.htm)

Just mentioning it because the fan base for SB films and SF/F somewhat overlap -- perhaps there'd be some value in talking with them. Maybe come up with a set of guests, dealers, and films for 2008, sort of a convention inside the convention.

Just a thought.

[oldeschool17]

yeah bringing in some dragoncon fans could help gain attention in numbers too.

[Austin Jones]

I go to Macon a few times a year; one more won't hurt. ;)

Austin Jones

[Agent Orange]

Nobody else is going to pull this stuff together. Your right let's do it ourselves. I live in chicago but ive
been to Dragoncon. Dragon con www.dragoncon.org is a gathering in atlanta where there are a lot
of people signing autographs from various comic books, novels and films mostly. I think it would be
perfect to have anything at the Dragon con. I would be willing to come down as well. Is it really
possible we could pull some martial arts stars and have them come down? I dont know... But i tell
you what it's the perfect place to do it not only that.. phillyfest was great i heard but there were only
50 people there. At Dragon con there are Gee i dont know a thousand people?

Granted they are NOT there for the same thing but still there are a lot of people. Mostly people sell
things like comic books and sheesh a lot of things, booths and booths of people selling things or
promoting things. Signing tables etc. 2008 is a while away but im will to start to knit such plans into
the future and i would definitely come down.

I was going to fly down this year because Buck Rogers and Erin Gray are going to be there but i
decided not to go this year. Here is the list of people that are schedueled to be there right now.

www.dragoncon.org/dc_guests_list.php (http://www.dragoncon.org/dc_guests_list.php)

Eclectic group, a fun place to be indoors. Shoot if we could get Lo mang there next year i would
promise to do a Quadruple freaking flip and a salute for that man. Him and any other Shaw Actors
and actress especially. It seems impossible but then i dont have any contacts and do not know
what is really possible. The Shaw Stars especially have lived in HK all there life.

Could i really dream of such a day...

[oldeschool17]

Im tellin ya, this is the kinda exposure we need to pull it off. Macon or Atlanta, ill be there

[Linn1]

Why in the hell Macon though?

Sorry if it wasn't clear, I had posted this in the Lo Meng pics thread:

I had actually planned on mentioning this, but I've talked to a local theater/pizza/bar about sponsoring an Asian film festival during the Cherry Blossom festival held here in Macon, Ga every year. This is something where people come from around the world, mainly Japan and China, to do all kinds of events around the city. The city has longtime ties with Japan. Yes, in Georgia. Don't ask me. :) Anyhoo, this place I THINK can play prints. I know they usually play films via dvd and pay a fee for the ability to show second run features. This might be something that I can set up where the theater cuts most of their rates and it would be of little cost.

That said, there's a second venue, which can certainly play prints and anything else we'd want. It does have popcorn and drinks, but no real food. It's $1500 to rent the place for a full day. Both of these places are renovated old theaters dating back to the 1800s with great sound and seating. The screens are not the biggest, but certainly larger than anything you'd have outside of a theater.

This was something I had already planned on doing outside of the board quite a bit prior to the Lo Meng convention, someone just mentioned something on the thread and I spoke up about my plans. I'd talked briefly with some people locally who were interested in doing something when I suggested it. I honestly wasn't even going to mention it on here until everything was a done deal. As for why I would do it here above elsewhere, because I would have greater control over and be much more likely to get it done for less (or no) money, which is important for such a venture IMO.

I've been to Dragon Con nearly every year until a couple of years ago and know some people behind the scenes. In the past, it might have been a good idea, but not now. I had actually asked a year or so ago about something like this, and was told they already had too much on their plate as it was. They added wrestling and more TV programing over the last few years and thought, and I agree, that something like kung fu films would get lost in the shuffle. Actually it already has in the past, as DC had a kung fu contengent a few years ago when Ric Meyers used to come there on a junket with Tai Seng every year (where I met him), but they quit a while ago. Dragon Con has now moved from concentrating on films, to focusing more on old tv shows, and gaming. There's still writers and the like coming to it, but it's been stale for many years as far as film goes. And even in it's heyday, they didn't show films on the "big" (actually the screening room of the campus nearby) screen with the exception of a premier or two.

Also, move it to Atlanta, and it becomes "owned" by every Tom, Dick, and Harry who thinks they have a stake in it because they have a martial arts school who's featured. It also has a MUCH larger chance to fail when you start off on the scale you guys are talking about. If it starts off small and does gangbuster business like I know it can with the help people on this board, and folks I know elsewhere, it could grow on its own. But to be talking about some full scale operation where it has dealers rooms and the like is asking for trouble IMO simply because of the scale. Dragon Con itself started off as a very small convention that later morphed into what it is today. But it took them years to do so.

[Chia Ling AKA Judy Lee]

Linn, if you get Judy Lee to come I will fly from the UK to be there.

[silver hermit]

well if you really think about it, depending on each citys fu scene. with the help of people on this board you could organize a tour and hit different big citys where there is a demand for events like this. and offer discounts for those that travel more than 500 km to get there.(copywriten)
we allready pack theaters for fu here i couldn't imagine a special guest being there. it would be MADNESS!!!

these types of events need to happen and be supported by fans and by the companies that want to open up the market.

[Tosh]

Hmmm, I didn't know Macon had a Cherry Blossom festival, sounds interesting, so would this just be movies or could we get another Venom to show up? (hint Phillip Kwok;) )

I'm actually going to dragoncon this saturday for the first time, I agree it be a waste to have something like this there as it's already a bloated event. I'll be sure to slap Erin Gray on that (I'm sure still) fine ass.

I could give a few reasons to have it in Atlanta, the Plaza theater would be a great place to have something like this, not to mention there are many bars and restaruants right there, and people wouldn't have to rent cars to drive down to macon, just throwing out the pros, but understand the cons, I need to get to a job here so I'll get back to this.

And Buddhawake you can't drive a block without seeing a wafflehouse here, we'll have you covered:b

[oldeschool17]

very good points linn. i certainly see the pros and cons for a small/big event. I guess i was just thinking about the cost factor to cover expenses and hopefully make a small profit. This cherry blossom festival you speak of, i think my friends dojo goes to each year. Ill have to find out. Anyways, this sounds cool. Keep us posted.

[magicpoe]

Linn,

Keep as much control over this as you can.

Also I think your dead on about keeping it small and having it build momentum over several years.

[Austin Jones]

And Buddhawake you can't drive a block without seeing a wafflehouse here, we'll have you covered

Scattered, smothered, AND covered.:lol

As an attorney, I'd be more than willing to review any contracts and/or rental agreements prior to signature, free of charge. I think this is one of the coolest ideas I've heard; I have always been envious of other major cities getting theater screenings of Shaw flicks. The other pluses about Macon, plenty of places to stay, plenty of bars, and great food!

Austin Jones

[Linn1]

but I was thinking, why not stay here, and go to Atlanta if you want to. This is not a large city, but there's certainly plenty to do for a day or so. Lots of places to eat, see music, and sites, the Ga sports and music hall of fames are in Macon. As I said, you can fly into Macon via the Macon airport and just fly out via Atlanta if you want. As for guests, there might be one or two, but don't know yet. I think this first time, it will just be films. We'll see. It's a ways off and there's lot talking to do.

A far flung tour of the US type event would take a lot of time, and a LOT of clout. And some sort of support system in each city. It would be very hard to do first time out. By the time it was done, you'd have no control over it. What would happen is if it was successful, whatever partners you'd have would take it over or start their own version in each of the cities. What's the point of starting something for other people when you can start it yourself. If it sucked, it would all be blamed on you and the chance to do it again would pass. If it becomes big in a small venue, THEN you move to a larger one. Is that being scared? No, that's ensuring you get more than one chance to try this thing and giving it the best chance to succeed, which is what investors, present and future, want to see most.

As an attorney, I'd be more than willing to review any contracts and/or rental agreements prior to signature, free of charge.

Consider yourself in the loop! :)

[oldeschool17]

Linn,
How do you plan on covering expenses? If renting the theater is $1500, how much would you charge for admission and what would be included(how many movies will be shown, will a shaw bros star be present, will there be any merchandise sold)? What kinda turnout do you anticipate?

[Linn1]

the $1500 is a secondary location. If I can get the people behind it I'm talking to now, who own the theater, it may cost me nothing, and they'd just make money off selling tickets, pizza, and beer. They would like to do a film festival here for Cherry Blossom, they just need help with what films to get and the like. As for how many movies, I'd love to do a two day festival with as much as you can cram in there with people buying a pass for the event or tickets just for certain shows. But it will more likely be a one day event to start with a few films. As for stars, as I said, I don't think the first time. BUT, it depends on what's shown, as there's a few people I can get who I think would come if their film is featured. That said, I would put together a booklet for the event with notes on the films, and also introduce the movies.

But remember, this is still just an idea at the moment that I've mentioned to a few people who seemed interested, it could turn out to be nothing.

[raider yang]

Could raise a few $$$ here on this forum from those who would and wouldn't attend to get a head start. That distance would be tough for me but I'd surely kick in some dough.

[Agent Orange]

these types of events need to happen and be supported by fans and by the companies that want to open up the market.

i agree totally. and todd your going to slap erin grays ass? lol man youll be lucky if you can get away with that without buck rogers tackling you right on top of 10 other people including fans and security.

dreamer alert

[buddhawake]

I'm down either way as long as I have a 2 month window to gather some cash and book hotel and flight or even if its giving some funds. anything I can do let me know Linn.

[oldeschool17]

sounds good. keep us posted.

[silver hermit]

A far flung tour of the US type event would take a lot of time, and a LOT of clout.
don't you have a lot of clout?
look at heroice grace they are meeting a demand thats out there.

And some sort of support system in each city. It would be very hard to do first time out. By the time it was done, you'd have no control over it.

never said it was easy, i was thinking in terms of cities that allready have a strong scene and have demand. there are people working behind the scenes to make it happen. damn why people allways want to control everything?


What would happen is if it was successful, whatever partners you'd have would take it over or start their own version in each of the cities.

sucess is good is it not???? i think you missed the point you don't control the whole tour, you handle GA, takeo NY and so on. that way people with their own ideas can share the cost of flying a celeb from over seas and covering their stay. that way it would be bigger and small markets would get support from bigger markets. why do you say people would want to have a hostile take over? is that what happened with philly?
why can all the kids play nicely with each others toys.

What's the point of starting something for other people when you can start it yourself.

i thought the point of a convention? don't you want other people there?? or just yourself??


If it sucked, it would all be blamed on you and the chance to do it again would pass.

thats called responsiblity, if you put yourself in that position you should know the risks. these films are 30 years old if the chance hasn't passed by now it won't. also saying that goes against your therory of start small grow big. if your city needs a small start so be it. you know the conditions in your city so you can judge that.


If it becomes big in a small venue, THEN you move to a larger one. Is that being scared? No,

i agree totaly agree 100% i have seen screenings grow in my city thats why i have faith it would work.


that's ensuring you get more than one chance to try this
thing

maybe you should talk to the guys at dragoncon and ask them how they did it. how they failed. and what worked

giving it the best chance to succeed, which is what investors, present and future, want to see most.

i agree 100% with this aswell. but thinking small won't give something like that the chance we all want. selling yourself and the event is the main thing when it comes to investors some are better than others.

where there is a will there is a way. if people want it to happen it will.....one day best of luck on this one

[Linn1]

the point of what I'm doing is for a film festival, not a convention. If someone wants to start up a convention, they'll certainly have my support.

[buddhawake]

Linn and Magicpoe are absolutely right on this one. Small is the way to go and let it grow from there as it may. It would be crazy to attempt something huge or in another city (where one doesn't live) when this is a niche thing that needs to grow a wider fan base. Like I said, the guys from diabolik have been doing this in new jersey and philly for years and they do it small and is successful (they do have screenings throughout the year). besides is for film screenings, not a convention. but since silver hermit seems so eager and has a lot of ideas maybe he can do his thing and we would support it.

[silver hermit]

respect.. but this thread is about the linn thing i was just throwing ideas out there. the passion gets the best of me at times

[chingdog]

I am all for it and would come for sure...it would be about a 7 hour drive for me.....

[WalkOn]

You have my support, Linn, just say the word. I'm still kicking myself for not attending the Lo Mang event. Pizza, beer and KF flics?!? What more do I need? ;)

[monk sante]

I'm still kicking myself for not attending the Lo Mang event.

You and I both.

You can count me in for this one though! :D

[rindge]

I could not make Philly because I just relocated to Dallas the week before the event, otherwise I would have driven down from Buffalo. For personal reasons I find myself in Atl on a regular, thus if you were to have something in Macon, there is a strong possibility that I and the crash crew would be there to support :-)

Linn, weren't you in Boston at one time? If so, I'm sure you remember the draw that coolidge corner used to have with their films - that was due to the location of a major city. Anyway, I understand your views on not doing it in Atl.

Rindge

[Jesse Smooth]

Sorry I've been MIA. As far as a film fest, I'm down for that. Let me know when and I'll hop on a plane.

[bboyninku]

I'm down in Augusta, GA so I will definitely make the time to come out and support! Keep me informed!

[pressureworld]

If it is in the great state of GA (hopefully Atlanta) count me in