Comments on: gasparilla film festival — friday

by: tampafilmfan

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:05:37 +0000

Linny — I wish I could write in-depth reviews of every movie I see. That’s impossible, however, because after working full time (and then some) at a regular job (unrelated to blogging), commuting an hour a day, taking care of family members with chronic illnesses and the routine tasks/chores/errands of day-to-day life, I barely have time to post on my blogs at all.

I’ll have to win the lottery and become a full-time blogger before I’m able to write reviews of the numerous short films I see every month.

I understand your point about filmmakers wanting constructive criticism, but I disagree with your assessment of my saying “liked it, didn’t love it” as my having “dissed” them. Any filmmaker who exhibits his or her work publicly will hear much stronger words than that occasionally, if not often.

I’m sorry to hear that you were disappointed, but I appreciate your feedback.

by: Linny

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:43:12 +0000

I was expecting to see some movie reviews on here and not just whether you like it or loved it. Very disappointing considering how much I’ve heard about your site. I’m sure the filmmakers whose movies you dissed would appreciate some constructive criticism too, and not just an empty synopsis.

by: tampafilmfan

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:51:07 +0000

Rick — Thanks for sharing your experience. I didn’t see “The Flock” and before now, had not heard anything about it (or the theater, etc.) except that it sold out.

I will let the GFF director know about your comment, as requested.

I’m glad to hear that at least the movie was good. Thanks again for stopping by.

by: Rick

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:25:27 +0000

I only went to “The FLock” premeire, I found the flick to be great, but the festival itself to be very disorganized.
We purchased tickets for the 7pm show at around 5pm, it wasnt clear where to go to purchase Festival Tickets(no big signs), but we were told by the ticket lady at Channelside to go into the side door..nice red carpet and lighting, but the people behind the tables were very disorganized, no one greeted us, it just seemed like mayhem….after purchasing the tickets we went for a bite to eat and noticed she gave us the wrong tickets, so I went back there and quickelt exchanged them, no questions asked, i dont even no what she did with the toher tickets(just kind of threw them in a file folder)…They told us that they start letting epole in 15 minutes prior to show time, well it’s a good thing we got tyhere 30 minutes prior, becasue a line had already formed, we were about 40 people in on line. They took our tickets while we were on line, and handed out surveys to complete after the movie, they had us move from one wall to the other wall in line, then they had about 50 people just wondering in the theater by about 10 minutes after the show was supposed to start(I guess they were all VIP’s? but i didnt see VIP badges around their necks)..but 15 minutes afer they finally started to let us in the theater, only to find minimal seats available..we were lucky to find 4 together in the back row, alot of people were split up, then to be told they they oversold the show, and more people had to leave, after they brought in chairs!! Since we were in the back row, we could ghear music and talking coming from the projectionist room above us..not good.
Was not very professional, im not sure if the rest of the festival was like this or not? But I was not liking the situation at all. I have attended other festivals(Gay and Lesbian in Tampa, and others throughout the country), I know its the second year but more organization would have led to a better experience.

Please share this experiece with the Festival Directors.

One additional note: Why not use the Muvico Ybor THeaters? They have 7 theaters in one corner that could be blocked off from the rest of the public(on the west end of the theaters), and also the Premiere Theaters that are in a separate area of the Muvico(on the east end) with numbered large seats, and tis own bar/lounge area. Just a thought.