A bit of a different approach today: a beat-by-beat run down of the launch of the Phoenix, Oregon movie tour during the craziest week to date.
You might find it fun… Or not.
This week found us wrapping up a 13th birthday party, picking up RVs, packing at the last minute, and hosting our first four screenings.
Now that we are on the road, days take on a less fevered routine. But last week…
~•~
6/10/19
it drives smoothly
relief
decide to buy…
even though it’s been driven hard,
smells like pine-sol cleaner,
and has pervasive cosmetic damage
i stop at the bank for a cashier’s check
5pm
mechanic-friend gives the thumbs up
stay until 7pm finishing paperwork
finalize the purchase
7:30pm
say goodbye to the horses at the barn where Flannery works
6/11/19
9am
RV walk through
video the tutorial for future reference
since we’ve never driven an RV,
filled (or emptied) tanks,
or used an on-board generator
marvel at the massive solar batteries
which take up half the storage space
but which will power our entire computer setup
12pm
drop RV off to The Sign Dude
to be measured and wrapped
1pm
haircut
6pm
finish weekly blog
6/12/19
10am
final pre-tour meeting with the alien squad:
molly, ben, kim, gary, annie & luis
i squeal with delight when i see the RV
literally
it’s all i imagined and more
the pipers drive home to k-falls to pack
6/13/19
tightness in my chest
i want to throw up
it’s the most stress i’ve had in months
i feel the full weight & responsibility of the tour
what have i gotten us into?
i’m exceedingly worried about the first week
that we’ve been so busy, we haven’t done press
i’ll let everyone down
venues, family, the team, audiences
we sell some t-shirts
start to feel some relief
and a lot of gratitude
11am
a theater calls
their DCP isn’t working
12pm
we wave goodbye and leave for Grants Pass
check-in at the bowling alley
feel despair when the front desk staff
knows nothing about the movie
wander around town in the sweltering heat
looking for wifi
curse the squadship’s ineffective AC
8:45pm
Q&A
the audience LOVED the film
we sell some shirts
i feel so much better
relief
6/14/19
8am
drop the RV off at the mechanic for final repairs
and to check the AC
(there’s nothing wrong with it,
we’d just let the RV get too hot)
11am
drop off Pogo for a temperament test
12pm
finish laundry & packing
try not to take too much or forget anything
try not to snap at anyone
2pm
sell our first sponsorship logo for the back of the RV!
5pm
pick up the RV
park it in the Ashland Safeway overnight
9pm
drop off a load to the RV
6/15/19
8am
take Pogo to vet for required boarding shots
9am
drop off Pogo to boarder
meet & greet at the bowling center hosted by
Oregon Adventure Coast visitor & convention bureau
and North Bend Lanes
grateful to both of these organizations
for bringing a crowd to the theater
and bearing with our exhausted team
the screening was small, only 20
but the audience enjoyed the film
we felt a little off our game
and determined to dial in our marketing and promotions
with the help of Mark at North Bend Lanes,
we announce a campaign to
Bowl 300 / Win $300
we will test this through Oregon & California
6/16/19
11pm
leave for Florence
i’m too afraid there will be none
as we’ve done very limited promotion in this area
there are 35 pre-sales with double that expected
i believe he is teasing me
he isn’t
Michael, the owner, is loved by his community
and valued for his curation
the audience expressed extreme gratitude for our visit
the theater fed and watered us,
let us use their wifi,
and sent us off with good wishes
and a hope to book us at their sister venue in Bellingham in August
6pm
leave Florence for Newport
7pm
stop at the absolutely gorgeous
Heceta Lighthouse
take a sunset walk on the bluffs overlooking
a quintessential Oregon beach
with jagged rock outcroppings,
ferns, rolling fog and the thunder of waves hitting the cliffs below
for the first time in a week,
i take a deep breathe
slow my steps
extend my legs
and stop worrying
6/17/19
organize the RV
finish unpacking all our bags & boxes
12pm
drive RVs to theater
work in the parking lot
at least 2 theater patrons buy tickets
after seeing the RVs
2pm
take kids to the Oregon Coast Aquarium
5pm
dinner downtown Newport
there are only two sea lions sunbathing on the platforms
we worry they are lonely for their friends
who left to eat in California
we ask each person how they heard about the screening:
— facebook boosted post (ads)
— facebook event
— saw the trailer in the theater
— saw the movie listed in the theater weekly ad
— saw the RV in the parking lot
— heard about it from a friend
12am
get kicked out of the spot in which we mistakenly thought we could park
6/18/19
4:30am
my extra-loud alarm wakes up the whole neighborhood
5am
drive from Newport to PDX
~•~
That about brings us up to date.
I’m feeling wonderful about our team and our strategy. We get better each day.
I took a big breath yesterday and realized that the tour is in motion and has now taken on a life of its own.
I can step back and focus on the bigger picture and next steps: partnerships, new strategies for outreach, distribution, expansion, etc.
Next stops Portland, Salem, Corvallis, Eugene. Can’t wait to see many of you along the way!
♡ Annie