WAMG Pre-Tribeca Party FAIL!

I’ve failed you Movie Geeks. Before this year’s festival even kicked off, I accomplished the feat of throwing the worst Tribeca party of the year, and probably ever. I know I can claim it wasn’t a Tribeca party since it was before the festival but I will just own up to my failure. It’s actually a funny story, or so I am told.  

On March 30th, I received confirmation that I had successfully booked the 11th Floor Auditorium of my school for a special screening of Stuck Like Chuck on Tuesday April 21st. By the end of that week, I spoke with Scott and turned it into the official WAMG Pre-Tribeca party. I spoke to a friend of mine about getting me some pizza from his Dad’s pizzeria at cost. (When making the film, we got 3 delicious pies for $10 total!) I started sending out invites and when I found out one of the bands from the film was in the area for a tour, I booked them to open the night. So what happened?  

A few days prior, my friend told me he would not be able to provide the pizzas at cost because of the place would be to busy at that time. Since the pizzeria is 30 blocks from my school, I decided to just use a local place since paying full price made it no longer worth it to go pick up the pizza. (Anyone in NY reading this, I still 100% recommend Pronto Pizza at 376 West 36th Street) The pizza issue was later resolved but that should have been my first inclination of trouble.  

The afternoon of the Party, I spoke with the band and found out their van was having some trouble. Apparently, they were calling from a garage and they had to pay $2,000 to fix it. They may still be able to come at that point but it was unlikely. I tell them to keep me updated. A few hours later, I get the call that the band definitely won’t make it. (Anyone anywhere reading this, I still 100% recommend The Scenic at www.myspace.com/thescenic)Â  

I get to the school at 6 pm. The party starts at 7 and now with no band, there is a lot less to set up. Unfortunately, I am halted by security because they had to confirm the event. I thought, much like my first screening, someone running the floor forgot to contact the front desk. I was so very wrong. There are a few guys that run the 11th floor, the auditorium and all of the equipment for it and they all went home for the night.  

According to them, despite a confirmation email that I showed the security guard, I had not booked the room. On top of that, the room was booked by the school’s choir. “But our school does not have a choir.†� Apparently, it’s new. Oh, and while it is technically booked for them, it is no being used. It is a practice night in case any student wants to sing, they are free to go into the auditorium and sing. In addition, all the projection equipment is locked in the main office of the floor and no one has the key.  

After running back and forth between the school’s 2 buildings, it was now 7 o’clock and guests were arriving. My dad and 2 friends were there to help me so they were stationed on the 11th floor while I ran around the school with the security guard and someone from the Comm Arts department. I used the stairs for one of the buildings since apparently there was a problem with the elevators, and there were actually students stuck in one of them.

  At 7:10, I was told to go through every floor of the school until I can find an empty classroom and set up there. At 7:25, I finally find an unused room and lucky me, it had a projector/screen set up with enough space for 50 or so people. I was told I could use it but there may be an 8:10 class there so we had till 8:10. I was also told that a working portable projector was located but there was no screen for it.

  I ran up the stairs, spewing a string of profanities at how much I hate my school. Out of breath, I open the doors to the 11th Floor waiting area/art gallery to reveal about 15 guests, including my dad, the 2 friends, the cast of Stuck Like Chuck, their guests, and 3 of the people on my guest list. The day before I had about 50 confirmed guests and 20-something maybes; some of which were bringing multiple guests. I asked if some people left and they did not. Although one guest, an actor I met on Twitter, was getting ready to leave because he had another event and only came to stop by. I wish I could have left also.

  While waiting to hear back from the guy at the Comm Arts department, I started snooping around the tiny conference room/storage space. I found a screen with some minor marks on it but it would do. I had them rush over the projector, a DVD player and speakers. We were all ready to set up when I was told we still couldn’t use the auditorium. Despite being empty, it was reserved for our imaginary choir. After some discussion, we set up in the hallway next to the auditorium. We did however take the chairs from the auditorium and put them in the hall so that people did not have to sit on the floor in our makeshift theater. (Take that imaginary choir) After it was all set up and ready to go, I find out that the lights cannot be shut.

  About 8 pm, I make a little speech and the film screens on a shoddy projector with crappy speakers in a cramped well lit hallway next to a perfectly empty auditorium. 86 minutes of laughter and emotional discovery later, the film ends to a standing ovation. Well, people clapped as they stood up to get some pizza but I’m counting it. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the film. I got the always popular “I did not expect this to be good at all but I actually really loved it†� from a few people. The mingling ended about 20 minutes later when everyone left. Yes, the “party†� started 1 hour late and ended 10 minutes early. With everyone gone, I went to enjoy some pizza. There were 2 very small, very cold slices left. At least they were good.

  Here is a depressing picture from the party:

Special Thanks (and apologies) to Dave Gonzales (@Da7e), Todd Terwilliger (@CriticalTodd) and Gary Betsworth (@GaryBetsworth) for coming.

  Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com