Simone does the PR at 1001 Production House Just last week I had a conversation with Nafiss about the concept of working together. I realized that working together can mean a lot of different things. And that together is not always together, but sometimes means ‘for me’. So in some cases you’ll be working for someone else instead of the intended together. And just that small difference in attitude can make all the difference. Dance Iranian Style was, for me, a perfect example of the working together principle. Of course Nafiss and Farshad were ultimately in charge, but there was so much working together going on during shooting. Even after shooting this feeling of working within a family continues. And that made me think about this concept so much. What if every company works together family-style, wouldn’t that make all the difference? That doesn’t mean there can’t be a head of the family who is in charge, like Nafiss, but it seems to give mutual respect. Sometimes all you need is to have somebody ask about your weekend or have those 30 minute lunch breaks together at a table, sitting down like we did when we were kids. This also means you can, but don’t have to, talk about personal stuff. Things that are bothering you and holding you back, but are not work related. Just like talking to your sister of brother, you don’t have to tell them anything if you don’t want to, but the possibility is always there.
This work ethos doesn’t mean you don’t have to work and can talk and gossip all the time. It’s the absolute contrary with me. Within a calm and friendly work environment I work even harder. I want to do better, I want to show my work-family that we’re doing this project together and I’m doing my part. So after talking to Nafiss about working together and understanding what it meant for her and what it means for me, I would like to encourage everybody to work together instead of working for each other. Create a ‘work family’, with a Don as the ultimate head of the family. I know I will with all of my future projects. Next week I will be getting back to business and sending out those press kit bastards to all the distribution channels. Those pretty bastards who are finally finished thanks to my official family Joost Waardenburg.
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Today I would like to give you some insight in the different lists I was talking about last week. After nearly finishing the press kit I am looking through my huge lists of possible distribution companies and film festivals. Making a choice seems impossible within this spider’s web of company names. Of course I made a short list, but my ‘short’ list still consists of over 50 different institutions and festivals. I can’t help but wonder what the difference is between all the bullet points on my endless list and how on earth I can make a choice out of these. So the first thing I decide to do is look at all these different companies and see how I can picture Dance Iranian Style on their website. Can I imagine them rooting for us? What other films do they distribute and do we even have a change if I send them my precious kit? So basically I am making decisions that can change the whole outcome of this project, make it or break it. Although I don’t think anything can break this project anymore. It united so many people en touched so many others, it will never be a waste. That fact makes me even more eager to find a right ‘distributionhome’ for it.
With all that in mind I have to seek the different gems within this film and let them speak for themselves. Different aspects I can put forward when needed. Sometimes DIS can be a human interest story, sometimes I can promote it as an experimental genre film or as a movie about the importance of cultural dance. This gives me a huge advantage and make the endless list a lot more not-endless. So all the distribution companies on the list, get your act together, you will soon find out how great this project is and you WILL fight for it. Next stop: sending the press kits. Super exciting! Creating a press kit for Dance Iranian Style is something that kept me busy for the last couple of weeks, me and the graphic designer Joost of course. The strange thing is that none of you guys will see this press kit, at least not for now. This kit is meant for the different distribution companies, film representatives, film festivals and our sponsors. We want to show our progress, we want to show off our hard work and we want to show them the beauty of this project, so we can distribute this film and everybody is going to be able to enjoy it. The next thing on my list is sending these kits out to all these different people and companies and hoping for the best. We, at 1001 Production House, like to aim high and knowing the response a lot of people have to this project I cannot help but think of the great success it’s going to be. The creative part is almost over for me and I have to switch over to a more marketing side of myself. That means getting this project the attention it needs and deserves. That involves dozens of phone calls, e-mails, talks with Nafiss and Farshad about the different view and goals we have, and making hundreds of to-do lists. So I am starting with one of these to-do lists of mine: Give you guys a sneak peak of the press kit you’ll one day see when this film is running in theaters or on a very very important film festival! Simone |
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May 2015
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