People filtered in, for the fundraising benefit, starting just after 6pm until the gathering reached about fifty people. We were expecting thirty so we consider the evening a smashing success. We were really grateful that people brought friends and passed the word along if they couldn't make it. We raised some funds and made some excellent new connections. I really enjoyed speaking with those people whom I have never met and it was great to catch up with old friends who i don't often get a chance to see.
We have been sifting through so much material lately and experimenting with a lot of structural elements that it was difficult to commit to a cut for the benefit presentation. Nothing like a deadline to push you to make decisions! In the end we agreed on a piece that represents about the first 30 minutes of the film. 
We held the start of the show as there were reports of heavy traffic on the bay bridge and we wanted to give a few people the chance to arrive. I sat back to see how this version played for an audience and was immediately sucked into the film. It went by like it was only about 10 minutes long and left the crowd really wanting more. It was a great feeling for me with a film at this early stage of editing and I am really looking forward to showing more.
Afterwards, we had the chance to talk about the ongoing cost of post productions and our projections to finish the film. We made some excellent connections with people who were very interested in helping the film move forward and are now in the process of following up. We'll keep you posted as things develop and when we will be doing another public screening.
In the end, I just want to give a big THANK YOU to all those who attended and urged their friends to attend. Please keep spreading the word about the film and directing people to the website at: http:// www.wayoflifefilm.com.
The support is very much appreciated!
PHOTO: David Driver, Discussing "Way of Life" at the Rickshaw Stop in SF. FEB 27.(photo: Ben Clemens)