103

is the magic number.
103 bums on seats at the Riverside last night.
We knew 70 tickets were sold in advance. Still, nerves jangled as we waited & watched. Would we make it to three figures? It was slow at first, painfully slow. The 90s were very nervous. Felt like we were facing Warne and McGrath at MCG, playing and missing. But then a sudden rush with five minutes to go. 100 up. Releasing a film is not for the faint-hearted. Fortunately, the Riverside has an excellent bar.
Great screening, great audience. They laughed in all the right places. They really got the film. Sacha, Richard and Trevor did a great Q&A. Big round of applause at the end, with an extra one for the trumpeter Jon Scott, who composed and played the CHINATOWN-style trumpet theme in the film & was watching the film for the first time. (Fortunately, he liked how we used his music.)
Can't beat the feeling of it all working. Big audience, film lovers, enjoying the film, really appreciating that director and stars turned up to support it. More of the same please! Back to convincing more people that it'll work for them too.