It seems like I’ve spent months traveling back and forth between Bristol and Exeter for insightful talks, stressful planning and the good company that went with it. When we started the Future Producer’s course, the delivery dates seemed so far away. But alas, with the weekend having just past, and Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival with it, my time is up.

Many lessons have been learned (especially the importance of getting events organized in time for publicity deadlines) while organizing our events, but despite any apparent disappointment, we can all be pleased with how well it all turned out. My comedy writing workshop was a success, and although only a few attended it, those who did no doubt left feeling that much knowledge had been imparted.

In particular I have enjoyed being involved on the inside of a festival, rather than just attending (the free tickets and coffee did help with that as well) and I feel that I may have been bitten by that bug. It’s no coincidence that I’ve just sent off half a dozen emails to different festivals, offering my support mere days after attending Encounters.

Now all I can do is wish the other groups well with their events, and look forward to hearing all about them.

While writing the above post, a few numbers popped into my head, and I felt that sharing them would be a nice way to sum up at least part of my experience. SO, please find below- Future Producers by Numbers:

1 hotel room

2 days spent in car (total traveling)

3 times getting lost while leaving Bristol

12 cans of kx energy drink consumed

14 lovely people who bought tickets for my event (and 10 who actually turned up)

20+ great new people who I very much hope to stay in touch with

Over 300 pound on travel and parking

0 Regrets

Best of luck everyone, and see you all soon

MD