O PROPOSITION, O PROPOSTION, wherefore art thou PROPOSITION?
Written by Dan
Monday
As is the case on every Monday, we called the film couriers to make sure this week's films (WATER and THE PROPOSITION) were on their way. With the holiday falling on our regular delivery day, it was very important that we receive both films on Monday. WATER arrived at 2:00 pm... yay! But where was THE PROPOSITION? We called all the couriers, but none of them had THE PROPOSITION scheduled for delivery. In a panic, we called the distribution company. They're the ones responsible for releasing prints to the courier for delivery, so if anyone knew where the mix-up was, it would be them. CLOSED. Closed on Monday. Closed on Tuesday.
Uh oh.
Wednesday
We made our first call to the distribution company at 8:00 AM PST. Our normal business hours are 9:00 to 5:00. We wait an hour and call again.
RECEPTIONIST: Thank you for calling Name Withheld Pictures.
ME: Hello. Could I speak with someone in distribution and releasing please? I've been trying to get ahold of Bill McBillerton, but he's not in.
RECEPTIONIST: Sure. One moment please.
hold music
RECEPTIONIST: And what was your name sir?
ME: Dan Chilton with Moxie Cinema.
RECEPTIONIST: Ok. Dan Shelton with Maxi Cinema. One moment please.
hold music
SOME GUY: Yeah.
ME: (startled) Uh, hi. My name is Dan Chilton and I was trying to get ahold of someone in distribution.
SOME GUY: Yeah.
ME: Would that be you?
SOME GUY: Yeah!
ME: (tempted to quote BRICK) Well, we start THE PROPOSITION tonight and it doesn't seem like anyone in your department released it.
SOME GUY: You mean you start it on Friday.
ME: No, we start our movies on Wednesdays.
SOME GUY: Well, I can't help you. You need to speak with Bill McBillerton.
ME: I've already tried Bill. Is he in the office today? Have you seen him?
SOME GUY: He'll be in in five minutes. Tell him you talked to Steve. You need to talk to Bill. *click*
Five minutes later
ME: Hi, is this Bill?
BILL: Yeah.
ME: My name is Dan Chilton, and I'm with Moxie Cinema in Springfield, Missouri.
BILL: Uh huh.
ME: We're booked to start THE PROPOSITION today, but acccording to Technicolor (film courier) it was never released.
BILL: That's probably right. I haven't been in the office for four days, and I'm not really in a position to tackle this right now. I've got all kinds of stuff backed up.
ME: Well, I really need the film released. We start it TONIGHT!
BILL: (sounding put out) Alright, I'll see what I can do.
ME: What's the probability of us getting it on time?
BILL: I don't know. Do you want me to call you back?
ME: Yeah, that would be great.
Long story short - four phone calls later, the film is now somewhere between Wilmington, OH (Technicolor's homebase) and Springfield. Worst-case scenario, it arrives at 9:15 PM... and starts at 9:30. It's going to be a long, stressful day.
UPDATE: The film just arrived (7:45 PM)! It's on like Monkey Congo!