Week 7: Check In

Spring Break and the halfway mark are right around the corner, making Week 7 the longest one yet. As far as programming after last week, I’m excited of the films that were selected and I can’t wait to see which filmmakers get the traveling grants. On Friday I got an email from Ben, the Astronaut Ice Cream Shop CEO, that they would be happy to contribute 50 packages for Visions6! I was super excited when I got this email because I have a gut feeling the ice cream will be a huge hit for the swag bags. I have contacted Moleskin pertaining to the storyboard notebooks, but their website stated that sponsorships and donations will take a 4 weeks for a response. I will still try to get ahold of them or other companies that sell similar products so hopefully the notebooks will work out. However, if the notebooks aren’t attainable, this will be a great idea for Visions7 and they will be able to get the ball rolling early enough for Moleskin to review the submission. Once I get all the donations confirmed, I just need the big bucks to start popping tags! With Week 7 under my belt, I can finally see Spring Break as the light at the end of tunnel. Until next week, signing off!

Week 6: Check In

Week 6! By the end of this week, the budget will be finalized for swag bags and then the fun of buying begins! After finalizing all the content within the bags and the overall look of them, Im really excited on how they will turn out. In the mean time, I have been trying to get in contact with the Astronaut Ice Cream Shop, but they are hard to get ahold of. Last night Shannon suggested the good idea of getting Moleskine Storyboard Notebooks donated to the Swag Bags. I just finished all the information Moleskine requires to submit if interested in sponsor and partnership. I really hope Moleskine responds soon and say they are happy to work with us. However, while I wait for their reply, I will continue contacting other companies who sell Storyboard notebooks because they will be a great feature to the swag bags. By the end of this week, I will submit the list of movies to the Etsy store that makes the movie pins so she can begin working on our order. Overall, I have been getting things ready for once the budget is finalized, I can begin the next step of purchasing for the swag bags. I am also continuing to further contact with companies for donated items.

Week 5: Check In

Well, it looks like it is that time of the week again! The bake sale and Valentine’s party last week were super fun and I am glad I got more time to get to know everyone. I am impressed on how much money we raised with the treats, party, and Indiegogo campaign. I can’t wait to see the final outcome over everyone’s hard work. I just left our weekly department meeting and I’m really impressed of all the work and creativity going into everything. Tomorrow I’m going to present my different budgets to the class in hopes of getting more money! After looking at what other film festivals do for swag bags, I have finalized all my budgets and am just putting the final touches on them. My main focus this week has been contacting the Etsy store that makes movie pins and Astronaut Ice Cream. I have been in communication with both companies and conversing on what my vision is for the swag bags (no pun intended). Outside of the swag bag world, I have been continuing to help Rebecca and James for an after party venue. I have been getting in contact with venues, like Hops Co. and Ziggy’s. Sadly, due to maximum capacity, price, and location, these options will not be able to work. However, we will continue to search for a venue… this process is really late and should have already been planned. But overall, I am excited for what this next week has in store. I just hope no one else gets sick and everyone remains healthy!

Week 4: Check In

This past week has been a blast for me. With programming, I have had so much fun watching the films and debating about them with everyone. It is interesting to hear everyone’s opinion on these films because they all are so different! After the past few weeks I have a good list of contents and ideas for the swag bags. After weeks of brainstorming, I have now begun to make budgets and put things into action! This week I have been focusing on my $250, $350, and $500 budgets and content. I have been comparing prices of different businesses and making selections for the bags. I will continue contacting businesses this week for donations, like the Astronaut Ice Cream.  I have already initially contacted them but I didn’t get a reply so I will continue trying. However, I have been in communication with the Etsy store that makes movie pins, and she is excited to make them, but I just have to decide exactly what pins we want and the details within that order. This week I have jumped on Kebba’s bandwagon in search for an after party location. She gave me a list of different venues to contact and begin comparing prices and amenities. I can tell she is a little scrambled and busy so I am more than happy to lend a helping hand. The next two nights Jack and I will be in the kitchen making cookies galore as we get ready for the bake sale on Wednesday!

Week 3: Check In

This week I have been focusing on more researching and brainstorming for the swag bags. After last week’s presentation, I have been able to take everyone’s input and reconstruct the bags overall aesthetic. New ideas were given to me that I now have brought into consideration. This week I have been researching possible bag options that are a little nicer than years previous. I want the bags to look nice and reflect our theme and the common love for film. Another thing I have been researching is pen options as well as ways to make the bags unique. After weeks of brainstorming, I’m ready to start figuring out the logistics. After looking at prices of everything, I think having a sponsor for the swag bags is the right way to go, but will be decided in class Tuesday.  As this week comes to a close I’m getting all of my information gathered to present this week to the class. Unfortunately, our department director got sick and was unable to meet this week, but I have been staying in contact with her through Facebook to make sure I am on the right track as far as schedule. My goal is to get all the content finalized so I can then begin contacting businesses and preparing a budget.  I’m excited with the new ideas and creativity going into the swag bags to make them personal and unique. A long-term goal of mine pertaining to swag bags is that they are good enough to not be left in the hotel rooms!