with Todd Darling on the phone
with Todd Darling on the phone
Date: 11/15/2014 11:31:31 AM ( 10 y ) ... viewed 1891 times
Update, November 22, 2014
Had a second phone conversation with Todd Darling this morning.
The Film Occupy The Farm was showing in 19 theaters last week.
:My hope is that the film enters the culture as a film to be discussed,"
Todd Darling, director.
We talked about doing a single showing of the film in San Diego with enough lead time.
I will review and update my experience so far here…when I have time.
11:08 am
November 22, 2014
MY PLANT YOUR DREAM BLOG ON THE FILM IS HERE
http://plantyourdream.net/?p=19346
"What the hands do, the heart learns" says the poster for one of my favorite films of the year, "Occupy The Farm" by director Todd Darling and Producer Steve Brown. This bit of wisdom relates to my own thought that The Right to Know and the Know How to Grow Some of our Own Food Go Hand in Hand.
Right now, at this writing, my fellow Tribes men and women are up in Oregon knocking on doors to make sure that 13,000 contested votes in the recent @orrighttoknow get tallied. We are closing in, narrowing the margin between the reported No vote that spend more than $13.50 a person on each oregon voter.
This theme of growing some of our own food is central I believe to the transformation that is needed to Win Back Our Sacred Seeds.
My theme most of this year has been Helping Uncle Sam Marry Anti-GMO.
There are connections between the Gill Track Community Farm Project, and the film, and my Right to Know Labeling support that are beginning to show themselves.
…BUT HERE IS THE NEWS FOR NOW…
On November 14, I went down to the UA Horton Plaza in San Diego to see the film "Occupy The Farm." I was deeply moved by the trailer alone and wanted to see the film.
I will return again the eve of November 19 for the 7:30 showing. November 19 is my birthday, and attending is something I want to do on that day. I am thinking of setting up a special Facebook page. Maybe others in San Diego would like to join me for the showing.
TALKING ON THE PHONE WITH TODD DARLING, DIRECTOR OF "OCCUPY THE FARM."
I woke up Saturday morning with a lot of questions. How in the world did this film get in 20 Regal Theatres????
It turned out that director Todd Darling was not too difficult to locate. He called me back from a New York Subway after I messaged him through Facebook.
We spoke for about twenty minutes.
It turns out the the showing at the Berkeley Premier was so successful, outgrossing "Gone Girl, for the weekend, that the Regal Theatre group decided to give the film 20 more outlets the next week!
This was a bit crazy from a promotion point of view.
Todd told me that he really hadn't had too much time to follow the fast paced series of events.
Producer Steve Brown made a cold call to the Berkeley Regal threatre less than three weeks ago. Todd was still editing the film! The premier was a full out, complete with speakers and a special event!
Then came the additional offer. Within a week the film would open at 20 theaters of their choice.
So here I was November 14, with my housemate Kevin Lopez sitting in the UA San Diego all by ourselves for the 4:05 pm showing. It was our personal screening, so to speak!
Todd put me in touch with Steve Brown who also followed up with me via email.
The ambitious team, flying by the seat of their pants, want to see the film go into 200 theaters. This feat might be possible if they can show some ticket sales in the initial run.
Have Kevin and me be the only two tickets at that 4:05 pm showing wasn't exactly what the Regal was likely looking for in ticket sales, but this turn of events was enough to get me, Your Enchanted Gardener, dreaming up some strategies for how to alert the San Diego, as well as my Facebook friends in other cities to the existence of the film and these screenings.
WHAT TO DO?
It turns out that Jimbo's Naturally is also in that UA Horton Plaza. I immediately had a thought to pay a visit to the store after the showing. Turns out--Jim the produce--man told me, that you need to get permission from Kelly at Jimbo's Del Mar before I could shoot footage in the store.
I had in mind in make a promo video. I had already taken a few pictures!
Jimbo is an old ally of mine. I remember when he was the manager of The OB People's Food Coop decades ago. He is now a millionaire, no doubt.
ANOTHER CONCERN
Another concern of mine is that this is a film about Occupiers. I am not sure how many of them--a natural audience for the film--can fork over $12.00 per ticket. Our 4:05 showing was $9.50. Parking is free.
DISCOUNTS AND FREE TICKETS?
Turns out, wouldn't you know, that Todd and Steve have no budget for promotion. I did notice that John Roulac of Nutiva was one sponsor of the film. I thought to call him on the cell and ask for $300.00, but it turns out I did not write in his number when I saw him last.
Hmm…Maybe call David Bronner? He and his team are busy no doubt walking the streets of Oregon right now, making sure the contested ballots--13,000--are counted properly.
I will follow up with that call.
ANYWAY
I would like to share seeing the film again on my birthday November 19, but would anyone come?
Even Nadine, my sweetheart, may be working that day.
I don't exactly like the idea of having a party and being the only one to show up, but then again, where would I rather be on my birthday eve than down at the UA.
I am going to set up the Facebook page now.
MY, OR MY…
What a whirlwind ride! Thanks Todd! Thanks Steve!
--Leslie Goldman
Your Enchanted Gardnener
Plant Your Dream Blog
RELATED PLANT YOUR DREAM BLOG
November 15, 2014
http://plantyourdream.net/?p=19346
RAW NOTES
On the phone with Todd Darling, director and editor of "Occupy The Farm."
Steve Brown…ciild
9:31 am
November 15, 2014
December 1, 2014 update:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-holt-gimenez/occupy-the-farmthe-movie_b_6189032.html
I commented.
I haven't heard anything.
MY FACEBOOK PAGE
FOR MY BIRTHDAY
https://www.facebook.com/events/351117781728821/?pnref=story
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