With a remarkable turnout, an enthusiastic audience, and a pile of DVD sales, Fresh Fruit Pie’s World Premiere launches the series with a smashing start.
What a blast we had this weekend! We had shows packed so full we couldn’t fit any more people in. Balloons flew around the room and excitement filled the air. Audiences guzzled down gallons of soda and annihilated 30 pounds of popcorn. The energy couldn’t have been more positive.
It was exciting to see how the general public would respond to Fresh Fruit Pie. The cast and crew poured a lot of love into the production, but when the lights go dim and everyone else in the world begins to watch, that’s when the truth comes out.
As the Director, you can’t imagine how nervous I was during the first showing. Our show isn’t the typical family fare. With Fresh Fruit Pie, we strive for something new and innovative, not to mention intense. Coming into the premiere, we had no idea how audiences would respond. Would people understand the new format? Would it make sense? Would the kids like it? Would a stampede of pitchfork-carrying moms charge at me after the show, demanding my head on a plate?
People are naturally suspicious of something new, and likewise the room was quiet at first. After a few minutes into the show, however, a wave began to pass over the room. People all over the room loosened up, and a few giggles erupted. Giggles turned into chuckles. Chuckles erupted into gut-busting laughter. When that first round of unanimous cheer filled the room, my fears began to rest.
The people LOVED it.
The most excited audience? No surprise: Kids 6-10
Second most excited audience? SURPRISE – Full-grown men
As loud as, or in many cases louder than, the little giggles were full-on masculine bolts of laughter. This surprised us, as most “family films” cause men to yawn – but Fresh Fruit Pie’s humor hit a funny bone with the dads in the room. Awesome – we’re actually making videos the entire family enjoys!
Once the 1/2 hour experience was over, I asked everyone to join our cause of awesome family entertainment by signing our mailing list and voting to get Fresh Fruit Pie into stores. People responded en masse, and our entire mailing list suddenly DOUBLED in size.
We also offered parents a Family Guide and Bible Study to help create discussion about the positive values in the show. Over 100 guides were taken.
DVDs for Fresh Fruit Pie: “Party!” were available at the event, two weeks before our release date of October 5th. Boy did those discs fly off the table! We almost ran out in the middle of the event and had to rush over to our storage area to grab another case. Amazingly, proceeds from the DVD sales completely covered the cost of food, drinks, and the room rental.
Several members of the cast and crew graciously volunteered to manage the crowds and serve refreshments during multiple showings. I expected them to get bored watching the show again and again, but many stayed for three, four, five or more shows – and laughed at different jokes each time.
All in all, it was a tremendous success. Can’t wait to do it again.
Couldn’t make it to the world premiere in Mishawaka? Check out the online premiere or pick up a DVD.
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