The Climb to Katahdin: Good things. Past and Future

The premiere at the Manship Theatre here in my home town of Baton Rouge went incredibly well. It didn't just sell out, it overly sold out. Yep. 325 seats available but they had to add seating to 370. It was the best turn out for a film the Manship has ever had. I'm honored and flattered.

The feedback has been amazing. I know Lindsay can't work a shift at Whole Foods without a random person coming up to her and telling her how much they enjoyed her in the film. Random people at that. There were so many people there that were friends and family, yes, but there was also a whole other crowd that either always come to Manship events or have some sort of interest in the Trail, whether a family member hiked it or they, themselves, hope to hike it one day. Either way, awesome awesome night and awesome awesome feedback. People were touched and I appreciate that. Even a lot of tears! Everyone laughed at the right moments and cringed at the sight of others(You'll know what I mean when you see it).

What a way to kick off The Climb to Katahdin! I was fortunate enough to get a substantial amount of coverage for the premiere. WAFB interview and 225 interview.

I have a few more screenings coming up in the near future that are getting some coverage as well. Baton Rouge Gallery's Movies on the Lawn August 23rd at 8pm for only 5 dollars is the next one. I am very much looking forward to this one. An adventure movie like TCtK is perfect for an outdoor screening. However, if the weather doesn't cooperate, it'll turn an unlimited number of admission to about 95. I'm hoping and praying that isn't the case despite the early Weather Channel prediction of 60%. We are working on getting pre-sales up so that if there is a rain out, people who purchase early can definitely get in. I'm predicting another huge turn out. Fingers crossed.

Aside from that screening, I have a few planned at my home school, Baton Rouge Community College in mid September. In addition, I'm trying to plan a few more out around the state to prepare for what's to come. What's to come? An eastern tour. I am in the early stages of setting up dates for October-November. I have contacted over 25 community colleges and a few outing clubs. It's already harder than I thought it would be as I have only heard back from a few contacts. That's okay. Just gotta keep positive. I know anyone would be happy to screen The Climb to Katahdin, it's just making the appropriate plans and dates for it to happen. I very much look forward to traveling and screening and seeing old friends and hikers. The tour will start heading into Florida all the way down to Miami then up to Charleston, SC. Then to NC and up to Pennsylvania. Then NYC and Maine. Then down along the Trail and a little of Kentucky. Then back to NC and Tennessee. Then home. I'd like to book about 30 showings and be on the road for roughly 35-40 days.

I am focusing in on community colleges, yes, but I'm hoping to show in more places than that. I'm open to many venues. I just want people to see it.

I have entered a few festivals that I'm waiting to hear back from. As far as distribution, I want to wait until after I get back and look deeper into it. Don't get me wrong, I'm ready for this film to be on sale. I am just still building buzz.

In the meantime, so that I have something for fans, I am working on merchandise. We have some great TShirt designs, posters, bumper stickers, and prints of Lindsay's work that we'd like get made. It's just a little out of our price range at the moment. Oh, and the soundtrack, which I'm in love with and was getting asked about so much after the premiere. We are working on that too. Few things I'd like more than to have something for people who want to support the film but are unable to purchase the DVD yet. Give me a little more time.

Again, thank you to everyone reading this and who cares. It means a lot to us and we can't wait to show you the film!!!

Don't forget to Like us out on our Facebook Page.

Quick thanks to Josh Nee for his amazing work with his amazing flyers.

ONE MORE THING: I'll be on the Jim Engster Show Thursday, August 22nd on NPR discussing the film. I seriously am so excited about this. Yeah, it's local, but few things I love more than NPR. ALSO, I'll be on The Around Town TV Show this upcoming weekend. When these clips become available I'll post them(on Facebook first).

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