I’ve been really bad about updating my own website. Like, really, really bad. So much so that I almost forgot, until Wordfence (a WordPress security plugin) reminded me that I had about 15 plugins that were out of date, that I hadn’t posted anything about the kind of big latest news about my documentary, Parkway of Broken Dreams. I mean, it’s all over the film’s website and social channels, and most of my own social channels, but not my poor, neglected website/blog that never gets any love.
So, anyway, yeah, Parkway of Broken Dreams is having its world premiere in Las Vegas on October 13 at 8 p.m. inside the Galaxy Theatres Boulevard Mall, located right at the corner of Maryland Parkway and Twain Avenue, because of course it is. I’m equal parts excited and anxious about this. There’s the normal anxiety over what could go wrong technically at the event and whether people will like the movie. Well, less about them “liking” it, and more about whether they’ll come after me with pitchforks and torches wondering why I didn’t interview them, or why I did interview X person, or why the film doesn’t talk about That One Place they remember as an essential part of the scene the film covers. I’m hoping there’s an understanding that this is just one filmmaker’s perspective and only so much can be covered in 80 minutes, but STILL. It’s a concern. (Pin that one on my constant need to be liked by everyone.)
The other, abnormal anxiety, however, draws from the fact that this event is being held mid-pandemic in a venue where I can’t require proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test. I can ask everyone to mask up; that’s theater policy. But I have not been to a movie theater myself since January 2020 (last film I saw: 1917), and I have not been to a concert, bar, event, or barely even an indoor restaurant dining room since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yes, I’m fully vaccinated. And, so I am hoping, are most of the people who will show up to this thing. But we all know all that does is cut down on our chances of severe illness if we catch the virus. It doesn’t prevent it happening in the first place. And I certainly don’t want to host a premiere that is going to become a super-spreader event.
But, I know the research shows that movie theaters are some of the safest public activities you can participate in: An oversized room with high ceilings and excellent ventilation and filtration systems, in which people sit facing the same direction wearing masks (most of the time) in relative silence (most of the time). And it’s only 80 minutes plus Q&A. So … I’m just going to tear off the band-aid, hope people follow the guidance, and pray all goes well.
Then there’s going to be a LOT happening quickly after the premiere. The next day, actually, I’m going to show the movie to UNLV students at the Greenspun School of Urban Affairs, a/k/a my alma mater. Then–although I haven’t publicly announced it anywhere (because neither has the festival)–less than three weeks after the Vegas premiere, Parkway of Broken Dreams will have its Los Angeles-area premiere at the 21st annual Valley Film Festival. And then, by late fall, the movie should start showing up on video-on-demand and/or streaming platforms, also to be announced. And then I have to get a 60-minute version of the doc ready for a national public television broadcast that (hopefully with the help of generous sponsors–inquire within) will be starting March of next year.
Oh, and in between, I’m helping a local producer make a short film called #miraclebaby. Because apparently things are getting back to “normal,” whether or not we’re ready for it.
I guess I’d better get ready for it!