Join me for an exclusive screening of this fantastic documentary created by local film maker Craig Thompson of Balinran Entertainment https://www.ballinran.com/about

I have the privilege of working with Balinran in the context of marketing and sales. Though I have no shortage of projects to vie for a piece of my attention and expertise, I make time for Craig and Balinran. I like the goals they have of putting Stratford on the map as a filming and post production destination. With the local talent, proximity to Toronto, and having what I like to refer to as 'Stratford's James Cameron' it is only a matter of time before we realize that goal.

I have time for Balinran and jumped at the chance to attend the exclusive screening of his latest documentary.

I don't want to spoil the movie but went in expecting a very professional and insightful film connecting the dots between all of the game shows as they have woven together a fun layer of the north american culture. I had no idea!

I arrived at City Hall a bit early for the 5:00 showing. This is where Queen of the Square Cinema http://queenofthesquare.ca/ calls home which is fairly special in and of itself. The auditorium has been transformed into an art house cinema thanks to Craig and the team.

It is definitely an iconic and historic building that doubles as a venue for showing special artistic films in the center of an artistic city. In the reception area, you can see a bit of the wardrobe I believe was part of a Murdoch Mysteries https://www.cbc.ca/murdochmysteries/m_site/ which has been shot in this building.

It was a nice touch to have the director and producer himself set up the film and welcome the people who have shown up to participate in the exclusive screening. He promises to return again in 90 minutes to answer any questions that come up after the viewing.

I sneaked my camera out without disturbing anyone to snap a couple pics to give you an idea of the really neat production and title shots.

It is very aptly named as a film as the story behind the dawn and evolution of game shows throughout the decades really is a game changer. What is also funny is that there is a very popular, similarly named documentary related to vegan lifestyle of world class athletes. https://gamechangersmovie.com/

As you may know, Alex Trebek is valiantly battling advanced stage pancreatic cancer. Being the host, Alex is the focus of many of the questions. Turns out he is a very down-to earth and grounded individual who would rather spend the entire film focusing not on himself but on the game shows throughout the ages and the folks with whom he shares the fraternity of game show hosts. It is becoming a little less of a boys club which is covered in the documentary. Discovering the creative journey from beginning to end in a production like this is fascinating. It took years to story board, secure funding, film, have the funding company go bankrupt, find new funding, edit, and cross the finish line in releasing the film. So entertaining and enlightening.

It was pretty late when we had gotten through the early and later screenings. Craig and I each had to hop out and get our daughters from a couple events. Seems even film making geniuses and dynamic sales and marketing tycoons
alike happily fulfill the taxi duty ti enable our little ones to discover and have fun.

In the end, thousands of dollars were raised through these screenings for Cancer Research in support of Alex and his battle. What a night. Blessed to be invited to be a part.

I am honoured to curate for:

Any local film makers or special screenings in your town?

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