6Qs with Jennifer Grausman of Pressure Cooker @ Florida Film Fest

Q1:  Can you tell us about your film.  What were the goals for the project?

JG:  Mark Becker (co-director and editor) and I spent a year filming at Frankford High School in Northeast Philadelphia, making Pressure Cooker.  We followed 3 students as their teacher, Wilma Stephenson prepared them to win college scholarships in the culinary arts.  Mrs. Stephenson mentors the students outside of the classroom, taking interest in their lives both in and out of school.  She takes the students to dinner, prom dress shopping, helps them with their college applications, etc. She believes that if other teachers put in the extra time and care as she, public education would change dramatically.

Our goal was to expose the world to Mrs. Stephenson’s work and philosophy.  As a first time documentary filmmaker, I was excited to share a dynamic story and the inspirational lives of Mrs. Stephenson, Erica, Fatoumata and Dudley with others.

Q2:  How are you identifying, targeting, and building your audience?

JG:  We are playing at festivals, local screenings at high schools, and other venues interested.  The film can attract foodies, culinary students and chefs , people interested in education, and all those interested in documentary films.  High school students loved it!

Q3:  What role has the Internet and social media played in your DIWO (Do-It-With-Others) filmmaking? 

JG:  I have been using email blasts and Facebook.  Participant Productions Executive Produced the film so we have also been benefiting from their Take Part website. We have been working with different organizations’ websites to promote the film as well, such as C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program) and ACTE (Association for Career and Technical Education).

Q4:  What tools or tactics would you recommend to other filmmaker for fundraising or promotion?

JG:  Grassroots marketing and festivals are very important.  With a movie like Pressure Cooker it is important to focus on the social cause.

Q5:  What was the budget for your film?  Can you tell us about any creative techniques for fundraising?

JG:  In 2005, we started raising money using Fractured Atlas in New York as our fiscal sponsor.  Seeking grant money, we initially sent foundations a ten minute trailer based on C-CAP students at three different high schools.  We then shifted our film to focus on Philadelphia and were able to raise grants from the Jerome foundation and other family foundations.  From there we sent a 16-minute trailer to Participant and we were able to get them involved as our main funder and production partner.

Q6:  What is your plan for distribution?  Do you have a plan for self distribution?

JG:  BEV Pictures will be distributing the film.  They specialize in grassroots marketing.  May 27th we are opening at the IFC Center in New York, June 5th at Sunset 5 in LA, and June 12 at the Ritz at the Bourse in Philadelphia.   We hope to get onto cable TV in the fall and eventually sell DVDs.  We were hopeful at the beginning for a wider theatrical release but will determine expansion based on the current distribution plan.

Comments

[Armil@cable tv]

This is awesome! Great information! and question also. Looking forward for another reliable post.