Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You.....ME!!!

Well I have exciting news...and due to everyone I know asking me about my experiences last week, I just thought I'd post it here instead!

In case you missed it, here's the scoop: I was one of 20 people selected nation-wide to participate in a national ad campaign for Examiner.com and National Cinemedia (ncm.com.) The campaign is called "The Best Film Critics in America." As you know (or may not know) I write two different columns for Examiner.com: as the Detroit Wedding Examiner and as the Detroit Movie Examiner. Through my reviews on my Movie Examiner column and through a video I had to send in, I was selected.

Read on for details on my experiences, but first I want to share with everybody exactly what Examiner.com is and what National CineMedia is.

Examiner.com. Examiner.com was the #1 Fastest Growing News website according to Nielsen ratings, and continues to grow. Click on the previous link for a bunch more. Examiner.com employs a slew of writers that they refer to as "Examiners" in over 240 markets including 6 in Canada. Last August, Examiner.com had over 7.5 million "unique" hits on it's website, and currently receive around 17 million uniques a month, and over 40 million page views (thanks Matt Sandy from Examiner.com for the updated stats!!!!).

National CineMedia (NCM). From their website: "NCM operates the largest digital in-theatre network in North America through a venture of AMC Entertainment, Cinemark USA, and Regal Entertainment Group, which are the 3 largest theatre operators in the U.S. NCM network includues approx. 16,800 screens in over 1,325 theatres in 46 states, reaching more than 660 million moviegoers annually.

In more familiar terms, NCM is responsible for the "First Look" Video that plays in front of every single movie at local theatres (except MJR theatres). This "First Look" normally plays 15 minutes prior to the actual listed show time, and before the Previews.

The "Best Film Critics in America" Campaign. Basically, I was flown out to Denver, CO, where they produced a 30 second promo video on me specifically. Here is what I know about the video:

• Beginning March 19th, this 30 second video starring me will play in front of every movie, at every theatre, as part of "First Look" in every AMC, Regal Cinema, and Cinemark Theatre in and around the Metro/Detroit area.
• The spot is currently slated to run for a period of 6 months, or thru September 19th.
• The spot is promoting me as the "Detroit Movie Examiner" and will prompt people to check out my column and movie reviews.
• The spot will prompt people to access my reviews via ncm.com, where all of my Detroit Movie Examiner reviews will be posted.
• IN ADDITION: On a side note, from the 20 people selected for this, 4 of us were chosen for a National Spot that will air nationally in various markets. I was selected as one of the four!!!

My Experience. Although it was a quick trip, it was totally paid for by Examiner.com and was one of the greatest experiences of my life! The first night was more of a mixer, where I got to meet the other Examiners from across the country, as well as important people from Examiner.com. We bonded and I truly made some friends that I will keep in touch with.

The next day was the shoot, where we were brought to NCM studios and given the full treatment: Hair, make-up. They made me take off my Detroit Tiger "D" T-shirt for fear of copyright...oh well. My shoot took about 20 minutes. The group shoot for the national spot was more intense but also more fun, and we finished that only minutes before I was rushed out of the studio and on to a shuttle to catch my flight back to Detroit.

What all this means...For those who know me, you know my passion in life are Movies. I began writing the Movie Examiner for no purpose at all other than to do something that I love. Now it seems, that this career path is taking off more than I could have ever dreamed. In the past few weeks, it has become a full-fledged career opportunity. Don't worry brides reading this...none of this will effect my availability for your wedding! But it is a step in a direction of a dream of mine that I've had since childhood: To have it be "Siskel, Ebert & Santilli", or at least, that was my vision of it...

So look for me in theatres beginning March 19th, and be sure to check out (and subscribe) to my column which can be emailed to you for free. From this opportunity, I am now being added to receive (Free!!!) Advanced Screening Tickets so I can post reviews before the movies come out to general public. I am hoping to be admitted to the Online Film Critics Association as well as the Detroit Film Critics Society in the coming year, which both would be extreme honors. There is also interest to have me host a local TV Show that would deal with all things movies in the Detroit area.

I write because I love it. I love movies because of how it effects me and I find it fascinating how a movie can effect each person differently. I am not a "film snob", I just write about how a movie impacted me, good or bad. If you do read my column, please give your comments on the review (it allows you to post your comments). I am never "right or wrong" when it comes to movies, and I would love to hear your opinion and your reaction to each movie as well.

Until next time, the balcony is closed!!!! (I've always wanted to say...or type that...)

Tom Santilli