How to Organize an Interactive
If you would like to have an interactive POTC viewing in your area, the procedure is quite simple. First you must find a theater willing to show the movie. It has been our experience that the independent theater owners are the best ones to approach about this. The big chains seem to have stricter contracts with Buena Vista and therefore it's much more time consuming and complicated to obtain the necessary go-ahead. Go to the smaller theaters. These are often the ones that show foreign films, documentaries, non-mainstream types of movies. They are also, more than likely, the ones who have done Rocky Horror Picture Show or the Sing-along Sound of Music. And they will usually jump at the chance to be the first ones in their area to have a Pirates interactive.

Let the manager know that this is an idea that is taking off all over North America. Mention places like Ontario, Tampa, Biloxi, Portland, Atlanta. Tell them that we have been written about in newspapers all over the continent, including the Tampa Tribune, the Oregonian, the Observer....and most recently Esquire magazine.

Several people have asked if they have to rent the theater. We don't rent the theaters. It is up to the facility to choose the time that they want to have the interactive. The movie is not, at this time, available to the theater through the regular channels, i.e. booking agents. You must make it clear to the theater owner/manager that they have to contact Buena Vista directly. The theater should email Laura for the contact info to obtain the print from BV for your event. The theater sets the ticket price and Buena Vista would get it's usual cut of the ticket sales, whatever that may be.

Once approval from BV has been granted and a date chosen, the word must get out about the event. The cinema will often have its usual advertising that is done for any of its films. You can help out tremendously by doing the following:

First....contact Laura to let her know about your interactive so she can assist you with the advertising and obtaining a copy of the print from Buena Vista.

Next...send out some quick emails using the News Release we provide, to the following places...

1) Local newspapers -- entertainment editor
2) Local radio DJs -- send your email directly to the DJs, not the station manager
3) Local TV stations -- they are always looking for events to spotlight at the end of the newshour. And what could be more interesting than a pirate raid for the whole family?
4) Colleges and universities. Most schools not only have their own newspapers, but also their own radio stations. Students love this sort of thing. It's a fun night out that is not expensive for someone on a student budget.
5) If there is a festival occuring in your area the same week as the interactive, find out if they will mention the event in their flyers and newsletters.
6) Local amateur theater groups.
7) Go to POTC fansites and announce it on the forums or email the web owner, asking them to help you spread the news.
8) Post a notice at your workplace, either in the staff lounge or lunchroom. If you're a student, ask if you can post it on the student bulletin board.
9) And finally, do an email blitz to all of your friends and relatives, asking them to join you for a night of fun.

The key to remember when you send out your notifications is this: keep the announcement short, light, fun and don't forget the details...i.e. date, theater, address, showtimes, whether advanced ticket sales are available....AND be sure to include the address of the website....www.potcinteractive.com

It may sound like a lot, but you can get an interactive scheduled with as little as half an hour of your time. Once you convince a theater to try it, the rest is simple. Being enthusiastic about the idea is very contagious. If you're excited about it, others will be as well!

       

   

   


Last update: 5 October 2005

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All original material contained on this website, © L. A. Griffin, September 2003

Disclaimer: this is not an official site. The POTC Interactive Project is in no way connected with the film, The Walt Disney Company, etc. The POTCIP is just a fan site.