Movie screenings are fun. They are free movies to enjoy, ahead of the general public, and sometimes stocked with grub and drinks to get your mind and stomach happy so you will blab about it the next day at the office/social gathering. Generally there are two categories: Test Screening or Advance Preview.

Test Screening is done more in advance and audience members actually have to rate the movie and answer a bunch of questions at the end of it, with an increased likelihood that the movie will be changed based on the audience's reaction. Typically this is more common in Hollywood, with New York a distant second. However there are many cases where movie producers called on Canada for their feedback on a release, and guess what Canada means to them? That's right, Toronto...after all we have been dubbed Hollywood North for a reason.

So what did you think of James Bond dying at the end? Did you buy it?

Now Advance Previews are different. The movie is most likely already completed and done, but they need that damn marketing thing to kick in before the big release date. Also a little preview reaction to it doesn't hurt. So they invite a lot of media individuals to blabber on air about the movie and generate interest. These include movie critics - which is the biggest bullcrap job on the planet, right behind sports writers and stock analysts. Radio DJs, bloggers (such as your own here, tho I dont have the traffic for them to take a second look), and newspaper editors.


Welcome to the premiere of Transformers 7: Revenge of the Transformers.
Now we're...hey, where are all the invitees?

So how can I get in? Well, there's lots of ways. Knowing someone at a marketing firm is big. Knowing someone at a studio (right here in TO) is big. Did you know all the big ones have offices in Toronto? Participating in focus groups will land one sooner or later. Also they always dump a whole load of tix through contests on radio, tv, paper and social media such as facebook. Fan up the movie and watch the wall. Participate in different events throughout the city, networking will get you close to someone who can get you in. Last but not least, spin and embellish yourself. Don't lie, they're not stupid and will call you on it, but embellish like you would on a resume. For example I was able to talk my way into backstage passes for a major concert, talking to the CEO of a major record label, as well as talk my way as a reporter with full access rights to a major Formula 1 race by discussing my link to the University of Toronto's "major" newspaper. I may not have been an editor, but did have a link to it and just connected the dots.


Meow...I mean ROAR!..erhm..*cough*..*cough*..ROOOAAAAR!!!

Coming up in march, Disney's next major picture - African Cats. To be released on 22nd of April, there's an advanced preview next week on the 3rd of March (over a month in advance). Thanks to my coleagues at TCR I will be attending this one too, and as a cat lover I can't wait. Rumours are that the next installments of X-Men and Pirates of the Caribbean will host big preview parties this summer, as the movies will be so lame and worn out, that hype and marketing will be the only ones selling the tix.

Cost: Free of course