A U. S. site for next Welles Conference

[Jeff Wilson]

A brief update: I have heard back from Stefan, and without getting into more than I should, the upshot is this: the main thing is to find a site with people who know what they're doing (organizationally and in terms of experience with this kind of thing) and have the funding to carry everything off. Whether that can or will happen is another question. So feel free to continue debating sites.

[Gordon]

So, as a point of order, if our local film festival is experienced and organized, and we are in an affluent area, where there is a reasonable possibility of accessing funding, should we just approach them on our own, and if we get a strongly favorable response, get back to you?

[Tony]

Jeff:
How much would something like this cost, i.e. rental of theatre, film prints, flying in guests, hotel accomodation for them, tickets, advertising, etc.?

???

[Jeff Wilson]

Beats me. It depends on a lot of factors. Where, when, how many people you invite, where they're coming from, how long they're each staying, etc etc. Many thousands of dollars would be required. Upwards of 20 grand, I'd think, easily. I mean, my ticket to Locarno was over $1200, if memory serves. So you figure a similar amount for whatever European guests you have, plus all the US guests' airfare and hotel costs, and it will mount quickly. And that's before any fees for print screening, possible hall rentals, and so on. So as mentioned, suitable backing and organization are must haves.

And no one should be contacting me regarding the venue, as I have no say over it.

[Alfred Willmore]

I'd like to advance the idea that a Welles related program be held in coordination with a Southern California film festival next year.

Perhaps "Me and Orson Welles" and "Fade to Black" could be featured at the Festival, and a nearby university could hold a scholarly symposium and/or an exhibition on Welles.

Leigh