APFS Afterglow: PERSON OF INTEREST Screening Wrap-Up

It is very easy to be impressed with the talented filmmakers we meet when holding screenings for the Annapolis Pretentious Film Society. But the level of enthusiasm generated by our audience never ceases to amaze me. They understand that they are participating in a cultural dialogue, and they are beginning to really look forward to interacting with our filmmaker guests. 

Photo: Press Kit

For instance, at our July 28th screening of PERSON OF INTEREST, we had Boise, Idaho filmmaker Gregory Bayne in town to present his film and participate in an audience Q&A. Greg made PERSON OF INTEREST on a micro-budget and then used "Crowdfunding," to support his PERSON OF INTEREST "Off the Grid" Film Tour.  In other words, Greg is taking his art to the people instead of waiting for people to find his art. It is all part of the asymmetrical distribution experiments that filmmakers are trying as we attempt to bridge the gap left by the ever shifting distribution model for independent film. We were honored to have PERSON OF INTEREST make it's first stop at the APFS for its Sneak Preview.

Filmmakers like Greg are the reason we, the Annapolis Pretentious Film Society exists. 

Photo by Alison Harbaugh

It was a Wednesday night at the O'Callaghan Annapolis Hotel and it's always a little nerve-racking between the tech check and waiting for the audience to arrive. But arrive they did, with still and video cameras, beer from the bar, and curiosity about this edgy little film with big ideas.

Photo: Alison Harbaugh

We had a few regulars but many newcomers, brought in no doubt, by articles in our regional newspaper, THE CAPITAL and our city's newest news and information site, THE ANNAPOLIS SOUND. We had a solid turnout and Greg introduced the film, mentioning that the writer/producer/lead actor, J. Reuben Appelman would be joining us after the screening for the Q&A via SKYPE. We started PERSON OF INTEREST and everyone leaned into the screen.

Photo: Alison Harbaugh

The mix of audience was broad, from teenagers to Senior Citizens and one of our regulars, Michael B., an Iraq war veteran, brought other veterans that he served with. I thought that this was g a great test for the film, which deals with issues of an Iraq veteran suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS).

Photo: Pericles Lewnes

Now, being the curator, I was especially excited about both the film and the Q&A. PERSON OF INTEREST is not only well made for pennies, but it is a bold film that will challenge an audience and begin to expand their cultural boundaries. We embrace all kinds of films at the APFS, but PERSON OF INTEREST had the potential to push buttons and change moods.

Photo: Alison Harbaugh

When the movie ended and the credits rolled, there was silence.  Our audience was not unhappy, they were stunned.  This did not surprise me, as PERSON OF INTEREST is extremely powerful and leaves you at a loss for words.  Greg went to the front as my wife, Lisa got the lights and my son Alex, dialed in to SKYPE to punch up J. Reuben Appelman for the Q&A. Maybe two people left, and the rest stayed. For forty five minutes, Greg and J. Reuben took questions from the audience, who wanted to know more -- about the idea, the story, the motivation, and the budget.

The soldiers took the movie very seriously and asked many questions. I will have a video wrap-up of the Q&A as soon as possible, but until then, I will only be adding to the spontaneous interview created by one of our members, David Clow (aka @kingofannapolis ) who spoke to one of the soldiers who attended.


Person of Interest - A Veteran's Reaction from David Clow on Vimeo.

It was a very successful screening. Many people I did not know came and shook my hand to thank me. I felt very lucky as I pointed them in the direction of Greg.

Photo: Alison Harbaugh

Photo: Alison Harbaugh

 (More soon!)