[continued...] ...Thomas’s acting job as Ash, the theatre setting (lovely on film), and the soundtrack by DESCIPLE all received much praise.

One older lady said she had been going to film festivals for 11 years and that “Usher” was her favorite of the last 5 years. I gave her an “Usher” button.

The film played on a large screen, and looked very dynamic (much better than most DV-originated films shown). The crowd was film-savvy and seemed to appreciate all the references (hidden though they may have been) and understand the aesthetics. Or at least, give them a break.

Needless to say it was a very positive experience. I received a lot of advice, too. We have been sending screeners to producer’s reps and distributors, and what little buzz this screening created motivated the programmer of the Santa Barbara Film Festival to call me up last Tuesday and ask me to submit “Usher” to their film festival. We also have a producer’s rep in New York who wants to represent us in AFM, this November. Fingers crossed.

It was reassuring after 3+ years to show the film to a public and find that they would meet it on its own terms. Everyone who worked on the film back in 2001, at 4:00 a.m. in the Orinda Theatre, should be proud.

You should have been there. But you wouldn’t have been able to get in!

On to Silver Lake Film Festival, at the end of September!

(Feel free to email me with questions, or visit the website for breaking news.)

We’re Going to Telluride!