Video Screenings for Fun and Fame (page 2)

If the venue doesn't provide them, you can rent a video projector and screen in most towns - or ask a local industry for a loaner (with generous credit of course). Until recently, a good VHS deck was all you needed; but with the rise of DVDs, you may want to include a good player - meaning one that accepts a variety of home-recorded formats. As for audio, your venue may already have a system. If you bring one yourself, try to set it up so it can be controlled from the house. It is difficult to ride the gain on shifting audio levels if you aren't hearing the show the way your audience does.

How do you bring in the customers? Small university towns are always plastered with handbills, but this may not work in Manhattan. One trick is to pledge every participating party to round up four live bodies to attend. Also, consider an ad in the free weekly tabloids that specialize in community happenings. If you belong to a professional, service, cultural or worship group, get the word out within your community.

The late, great A. J. Liebling said, approximately, "Freedom of the press means the guy who owns the press has the freedom." You have every right (and responsibility) to set ground rules for the videos submitted. These rules should be clear to every would-be entrant and they should include:

• Length. At ten minutes a pop, a two-hour program cannot screen more than 12 productions and that doesn't include down time for any comments or applicable reel changes.
• Rating. The Hollywood rating system offers good guidelines. To avoid offense, stick to PG-13, unless you plan to exclude kids entirely.
• Opinion. To avoid a moral swamp of decision making, determine in advance whether advocacy of any kind belongs in your show. If no, then keep it non-controversial with a clear conscience. If, yes - well, you're on your own.
• Copyright. Don't forget: any screening for viewers other than personal friends and family is a public performance, and that involves legal stuff. Here's a checklist to keep your entrants honor-bright. Participants should stand ready to show proof that they have:
• Obtained music rights (even "Happy Birthday" is copyrighted) or composed their own score. Software like SoundForge and Cool Edit Pro is amazingly easy and effective.
• Acquired signed talent releases for performers and property releases when not shooting on public streets or land.
• Not used copyrighted graphics (e.g. ads, postcards, posters, book covers), again, unless they've obtained the rights.

Above all else, be sure to protect yourself. It might not be a bad idea to include: "We reserve the right to refuse screening to anyone."

Okay, the joint is packed, the audience is scarfing onion rings and soda and the houselights dim. Now what? Do you just roll the first program, or what? As any chef knows, the food is only half of it: the rest is presentation.

Recruit a master of ceremonies to introduce each show, get a big hand for its creator (who is doing an awww, gawsh! number at a table) and position the program. That means letting the audience know in advance what kind of show to expect. Nothing kills a video quicker than having the audience laugh louder and louder at a seemingly funny opening that is really an ironic introduction to a serious subject.

Next, decide whether to let people talk about the programs. You could let the creators explain what they were up to, but (usually) if a video doesn't deliver its message unassisted, it doesn't belong in your show.

Audience critiques are a different matter. First, they often deliver valuable feedback to the video producer. Perhaps more importantly, they help the audience buy into the process and feel ownership of the event. It is essential that the MC moderate this feedback. We all know the crank, the fanatic and the guy who just happens to have an important insight on absolutely everything. Without a discussion manager, these tyrants will take over, to the disgust of everyone else.

Finally, try to budget some mingle and network time in your show, most likely during an intermission. This will help make your event a magnet for everyone around who's interested in video. And building that video community is the most important thing you can achieve - even more important than screening Terminator XXXIV.

• Digg This!
• del.icio.us
• Technorati
• StumbleUpon
• Reddit