Big Screen Dreams

Random Notes from the week that was…

Most of us here last week were annoyed or somewhat saddened that Indian Summer has been upstaged by an early onset of Old Man Winter, or at least his annoying chip-on-his-shoulder cousin, Slightly Above Middle-Aged Really Early Cold Fall.

Last Thursday, we were delighted to show the premiere of New Jersey Network’s Morristown: Where America Survived, and it was a pleasant event for all. First, in the morning, we had over 1,000 local school children and then in the evening, despite horrible weather, another 700 people came out for the official premiere screening. Kent Manahan, formerly of NJN News hosted, and John Cunningham, whose book the film was based on, was delightfully charming on stage.

Comments aside on the content, what we found exciting was the use of the large HD digital screen in our building. This screen is similar to the screen we are looking into investing for digital film events down the line, and let’s just say that a large HD screen in our Theatre looks awesome (And I am one not to use the word awesome). Another note – if and when we do have this screen, the seats in the middle and rear of the auditorium will be great.

Friday night, we staged Defending the Caveman and I find it somewhat amusing that in our post event surveys, people complained that show started late. It started at approximately 8:10 pm, which if it had been on Broadway would have been a similar start time. Our Executive Director, Allison Larena, made a pre-show curtain speech at 8 pm to thank a sponsor, which also allowed latecomers to settle into their seats. I say with 100% confidence that the same people complaining about the show starting ten minutes late would also be the same people complaining that latecomers were sitting in their seats after the show started. It’s one or the other.

Which leads me to this question…do people just like to complain for complaining sake? We have to try to balance the experience of over 1,200 people. 1,200 people have 1,200 difference experiences. We are far from perfect, but I think we get it right most of the time.