How to Host a Screening

Host a screening to inspire dialogue and action in your school. Ask a teacher or student organization at your school for help. Below are steps to making your screening successful.

Step 1: Get the film Deadline (in DVD or VHS form).

Step 2: Define your audience and set your agenda.

Most importantly, you need to set up a format and schedule for the event: Will this be an assembly for your grade, or your entire school? Will it be for the school’s justice and human rights organizations? Can students receive extra credit for attending the event? Will there be community organizations present? Who will introduce the film and event? Will there be a panel of "experts"? Who will they be, and will they represent a diversity of opinions/interests? Who is going to ask audience members to support the local struggle? This type of call to action changes the typically passive experience of just watching media into an interactive event in which your audience members are encouraged to take immediate actions. Strategic consideration of what happens when the lights come up may be your most crucial decision.

Step 3: Find a venue and check the audio/visual facilities.

Find a space that suits your audience. If it is for your grade, an auditorium with a projector will be appropriate. If it is for a collection of classes or student organizations, a media room or classroom with a large screen TV might be suitable.

Secure your equipment. If you have never been in the space, check it out before making a commitment. You will need a good DVD or VHS player (many laptops offer the DVD function) and a large screen TV or a video projector with computer input. Ask to do a test run to check both image quality and sound. Check for lights or windows that may bleed light onto the screen, check for reflections if using a large TV screen. You should meet with the person that will be handling the equipment during the event at the same time you preview the space as this will allow you to ask them questions about the projection and sound equipment, and to arrange for outside equipment if needed. Discuss who will oversee all technical issues the date of the event, and confirm that all projection equipment and sound systems work properly. Play the Deadline DVD or VHS to make sure that it works. Remember to check for accessibility to the screening room and bathrooms for people with disabilities.

If you are unable to screen the film at your school, investigate local venues that have hosted community-initiated screenings or might be open to such an event.

Step 4: Confirm your partners, including community leaders and organizations, detailing their role and participation. A partnership with local organizations will focus your event, split the workload and increase the number and diversity of attendees.

Make a plan for hosting the reception and for your sign-in table. Put together a “Take Action Table” where audience members can sign petitions and become members of local organizations partnering with the screening. The Take Action links offer direct actions on the issues addressed in the film. Consider supplementing your film screening or event with computers available before and after so that audience members can take action on the issues. Supplement these online efforts with local actions; check with your allies to find out what people can do.

Step 5: Get the word out to your audience through school intercom announcements, flyer postings (make sure that your school approves the fliers before posting), community calendar postings, newspapers and radio public service announcements.

Decide what types of press you want to contact to advertise the screening and highlight the local / state issue. Consider all reporters, not just entertainment or film/video reviewers. Options include city beat reporters, political reporters and columnists, and of course arts and culture reporters. The Deadline outreach team can also help you to promote your event. Contact us at info@bigmouthproductions.com.

Step 6: Document the event by taking photos and recording stories you hear from attendees, survey attendees about how they liked the event and what they'd like to see next, document which press attended and who printed or aired stories, and save your print stories. We would love to feature a story about your event on the Deadline Youth website and we have evaluation forms that will help you assess your success. Please let us know how your screening goes and share press or audience responses (info@bigmouthproductions.com).

We hope that these tips are a helpful resource in the planning of your screening of Deadline. Remember, the most important thing is to get people to come together, be engaged by Deadline and take part in constructive discussions and actions around the issues. By planning things in advance, collaborating with other organizations and taking care of any technical concerns, you will be able to ensure a smooth-running event that will lead to positive change in your community. If you have any other questions or would like to be placed in contact with others who have held successful screenings, please send an email to info@bigmouthproductions. Good luck!