Getting in the Game – A DVD Box Set Quest

Rainbow Sangria, mixed by Tipsy BartenderThe life of my military homecoming film “ABYSS: The Greatest Proposal Ever” must go on after its Red Cross run, if this movie stands any chance at growing an audience.

I wonder if repackaging the DVD into a bundled experience of sorts would make it more appealing to men and women who have a hard time wrapping their head around supporting a 20-minute, low-budget buddy drama, produced by an indie writer/director who they never heard of until now.

So I’m toying around with the idea of making a boxed gift set that contains a drinking card game featuring questions about friendship, weddings, relationships, jobs and conflict, all based on themes in my movie. I picture this game serving as a good ice breaker during social gatherings while also providing opportunities for people to discuss funny and even hot topics while learning about, and hopefully understanding, the perspectives of those in their inner circle.

On the most basic level, players in my movie game would pick a card from the pile, read the question on that card aloud, and then guess what the other person’s answer is to said question. If the answer is incorrect, then he or she must drink one shot but if it’s correct, then the other person must do a shot. Seems simple enough, right?! What I’m having trouble figuring out, however, is whether the questions on these game cards should be in multiple choice or yes/no form.

Would you loan money to your best friend, for his or her wedding plans?

Would you loan your car to a friend for 9 months?

Would you pay to bail a friend out of jail?

If you joined the military, in which branch would you serve?

G is for Guessing GamesOne of the reasons for going the gaming route for creating a DVD box set also comes from an understanding that casting a smaller, yet targeted, net might be more beneficial than trying to promote my movie to every Tom, Dick and Harry who enjoys home entertainment.

If I do this card game thing, I figure the film’s ideal market could include groomsmen who are planning bachelor parties, people hosting surprise birthday parties for their besties, and summer BBQ gatherings.

Oh the joys of trying to get more (or find the) people to watch indie films! *sigh*

Which types of questions do YOU think are better suited for game play, yes/no OR multiple choice?

What was the last drinking game YOU played?

The Fire Relief Fund: My Red Cross Film Tour at a Glance

So I went on tour with my film not too long ago, hoping to sell a lot of DVDs while raising awareness for disaster relief and building an audience for future work. Adjustments had to be made along the way and this initiative raised more than $100 for the American Red Cross. The experience taught me some things about fundraising, charities, people and communities. Here is an overview of what went down to provide blankets, a hotel night stay, groceries, toiletries and/or other immediate needs for a handful of people who are displaced by home fires that claimed everything they owned.

F is for Fundraising 

That's all I have for today. How is YOUR Tuesday going so far?

4 Types of Handmade Soap in the Movie Themed Gift Baskets I’m Raffling for the Red Cross

Proceeds from my raffle featuring the "Girl’s Night Movie Gift Bag" benefit the disaster relief efforts of the American Red Cross.The cast and crew members who worked on the short military homecoming drama “Abyss: The Greatest Proposal Ever” used a lot of soap while filming this movie.

At various points during the production, you could’ve found any one of us lathering up to remove makeup, germs and blood from our skin before shooting the next scene or wrapping for the shoot.

Given that this was just another day at the office per se, we didn’t think twice about using a regular ol’ drugstore brand. Or at the very least, I didn’t. My approach to choosing soap, however, took a different route when the time for making DVD gift baskets for my dinner-and-a-movie style Red Cross fundraiser came around.

I wanted to create a movie night experience that allows the winning recipients to entertain and pamper themselves this holiday season. Nearly all of these DVD gift sets include one bar of handmade soap that is produced in the USA. The bars are available at Soap Hope, a Dallas, Texas-based company that carries natural, wholesome and eco-friendly body care and household products. I buy from this store because I like their practice of doing business in a way that gives back to communities near and far.

According to Soap Hope, 100% of profits they make from every purchase are invested into microloans that empower women around the world to uplift communities from poverty. The recipients of these microloans return the funds interest-free within one year after obtaining the skills and resources they need to become self-sufficient. It is a business built on the idea that when you shop at Soap Hope, you change the world.

A family of four is in the care of the Red Cross following a devastating fire. / via @telesaraKnowing that my purchase helps a business make it possible for women to end poverty, in communities where sustainable solutions for capital and other basic resources are needed most, makes it all the more worthwhile.

It’s like putting the icing on the cake because this very purchase also helps me give back to the Red Cross so they can continue meeting the immediate needs of men, women and children who are rebuilding their lives after losing their shelter and belongings to home fires. In the end, those who win the gift baskets get to reap the benefits of bathing with organic bath and body products containing ingredients such as shea butter, olive oil, goat’s milk and coconut oil. It’s a win-win for everyone involved, all for the goal of trying to make the world a better, safer and more resilient place.

The LEAP Organics Lemongrass, Orange and Lime soap bar is available at www.soaphope.comCreated around themes involving the special limited edition DVD of my short film about a U.S. Army Sergeant whose homecoming plans are, the Movie Lover’s Emergency Go Bag includes one bar of French Green clay soap; The U.S. Army “Night at the Movies” Care Package comes with a Lavender, Clove and Orange soap  bar while The Girl’s Night Movie Gift Bag has one Confetti Zum Bar goat’s milk soap.

Last but not least, the Guy’s Movie Night Gift Bag sports a bar soap infused with Lemongrass, Orange and Lime – made by LEAP Organics in Boston, Massachusetts.

I’m convinced it would be hard to find a movie goer who doesn’t recognize the value that soap has in our daily lives.

Whether it comes in liquid, bar, foam, power or some other form, soap washes the remnants of butter popcorn off your fingers. This cleansing item helps us get ready for a night out (or in) at the movies. While we can all agree that soap is a necessity, all soaps are not created equal. There is a time to use standard soap when performing everyday tasks, and then there’s a time to break out the good stuff on special occasions. I wish all who are supporting my film and Red Cross fundraiser the very best of luck in the movie gift set raffle because this is, indeed, one of those occasions.

What do YOU do with your soap scraps? Do you use them until there's nothing left or Do you designate them for other purposes (room freshener, etc.) or Do you just discard them?