John David Ware with Big Shoes to Fill
Photo by Steve Puffenberger
Melissa Biggs and Vincent Irizarry Present Awards
Photo by Bryan Seltzer
Psychotic Fog Machine
Photo by Bryan Seltzer
Photo by Bryan Seltzer
I wore some big boots to go with this big job (literally). See the photo of me addressing the crowd of young folks at our first ever “168KIDS!” event.
It is hard to appreciate from the outside how much work goes into even a small show like ours. I appreciate it more as I do different jobs behind the scenes.
Usually, I'm working on the award show script and taking care of a lot of different details related to my last minute, procrastinating persona. This time, I delegated better and was much more prepared. That meant that I could be intimately involved in the logistical command center and execution side of things. And – all I can say is: “WOW!”
Here’s what I mean…
In the audience, everything – or almost everything – looks smooth. But, behind the scenes, you would never know there are a thousand emergencies; one coming on the heels of another, and then another and then another!
Special recognition goes to the amazing “pastor whisperer” and PR guru Tami Outterbridge, Stephany McManus, Patrick Snitchler, Spencer Clarke and Rachel Spartan. I would also like to recognize EJ Orlando and the staff at the Aratani Japanese Theater.
The major differences between our show and a big one is the amount of money spent and the number of people involved. Because we're small, the budget doesn't allow for redundancies of personnel or a lot of extravagant things. And when volunteers don't show up, as happens frequently, it makes things much, much harder.
The joyful part of what I get to do is be an ambassador in the greeting of our filmmakers, volunteers and celebrities. Filmmakers from all over the world came; each of them so excited to see what would transpire. Could they possibly win that coveted award?
I was impressed with the work of ALL of the artists. Their hard work and dedication was evident over the two days of the festival and they are to be congratulated and saluted!
I sometimes find myself wishing that we could do this without awards. But winning is what makes people work hard. It is also what makes people come from worlds away.
One of the Australian gentlemen just completely made my day when he said, “There's nothing on earth like 168. We come because of how you folks make us feel.” Wow! Thanks, Mate!
But, there are regrets as well. In the massive crush of doing this festival, inevitably, some balls get dropped. But, on the whole, it went great.
I was ecstatic about the “168KIDS!” event that was so amazingly executed by Hannah Brown, our Festival Director. We had about 100 kids show up thanks to our partners, Union Rescue Mission and Team United Diversity, and they were absolutely jazzed with the activities.
They saw Nathan Kress (star of iCarly), played games on the Aratani Japanese Theater patio, watched a slate of kid-friendly films and, maybe the best part of all – just hung out with each other as kids! As part of this first-ever kids event, the moms and dads came to listen to Cindy Osbrink as she talked about "Your Child In Hollywood."
The inaugural “Pastors & Producers Media Forum” was an amazing event – as riveting as I had hoped it would be. We really did uncover some new ground in our discussion, which was themed “Capitalizing On The Year of Christian Film.” There was such excitement from the pastors that were invited.
Their powerfully positive response warrants a follow-up event; and, quite possibly, a new cooperative where we can have ongoing interactions between pastors and producers. The goal would be to revolutionize the way faith films are done in the future. Expect the video of the “Pastors & Producers Media Forum” to be posted soon.
The screening of the films went flawlessly (with one exception). My sincere apologies to the film that was left out of the screening schedule.
Next to the screening of all the films on Friday and Saturday, the best part of the night was the Awards Show. Thanks to designer Timothy Lowry, we had a new look for the show that was "TV legit." Expect a show coming your way soon!
Our award presenters were amazing – and the teleprompter worked well this year!
One part of the comedy in the awards show was not intended. Specifically, we had what I’ve termed the "psychotic fog machine."
Award Show Producer, Susan Shearer, did an excellent job in pulling together the resources on a short timeline. The quality of the show is largely due to her efforts.
We wanted a fog machine for the production and that sounded pretty good. I expected "Nutcracker-ish" fog, cool and mysterious, sitting on the ground in an ankle-caressing embrace of mystery. Instead, what I got was more like one of the flaming sets from the movie "Backdraft," with smoke burning my eyes and filling my lungs.
I did what I always do – I made a joke. The crowd thought it was very funny, and many of them later asked if it was planned. Uhm – No!
We also did the ALS “gag,” which was where hostess Kerri Pomarolli called me out for not having taken the challenge of having a bucket of ice water dumped on me by "friends."
It was a lot of fun to see the audience nervously slip away as I sat on the lap of an unsuspecting gent. There was relief when the bucket contents turned out to be confetti and not ice water!
The Roush Media After party at the Ace Hotel was spectacular. I got there tardy (11 PM), after the theater load out and cleanup. The folks stayed late and so did I, especially because I was crashing at the Ace.
When I got to my room, I was jazzed to see where God had placed me in the hotel. I was directly under the giant, blazing, red neon "Jesus Saves" sign, which has been there since the 1960's. Thank YOU, Lord!
A good night “street taco” at 2 AM and I was out like a light!
Thanks, again, to all who participated, supported and enjoyed the 12th Annual 168 Film Festival! See Facebook for more pics.
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