GSCA International Conference and Trade Show
September 9–12, 2008
Jersey City and New York City
Host: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Co-host: AMC Lincoln Square IMAX Theatre, New York
Marketing Awards Announced!
A panel of 5 judges reviewed more than 14 entries and named the 2008 winners of Best Film Launch by a Theater, Best Marketing by a Distributor, Best New Theater Launch, and the Best Big Idea. The winners in each category are:
- Best Film Launch by a Theater goes to the Museum of Science—Boston for the launch of The Alps for their all-embracing approach to launch and sustain the film in a crowded giant screen market.
- Best Marketing by a Distributor goes to MacGillivray Freeman Films for the launch of Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk for its comprehensive integration of big idea marketing.
- Best Theater Launch goes to the Myrtle Beach IMAX Theater in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for creating a premium 3D IMAX entertainment “must see, must do” experience for vacationers.
- The Best Big Idea goes to National Geographic for Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure for their coordinated day-and-date release to 260 screens worldwide—the largest ever day-and-date release of traditional giant screen film.
There was no winner in the Best Educational Program by a Theater category this year.
The Marketing Award winners will be honored at the GSCA Awards Gala in New Jersey on September 10, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City in the Hudson Ballroom at 8:30 p.m.
Two Sound Awards to Be Presented New This Year!
In the past, each year GSCA presented one award for Best Sound. The award has now been split into two different categories to better recognize the different aspects of what goes into creating a film soundtrack.
Best Sound Design
The Sound Design of a film is the audio elements of the soundtrack that do not include music composition but do include Location Recording, Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and Final Mix.
Best Original Score
An original Score is the instrumental music created expressly for the film which underscores the action and supports its dramatic needs. A great score is one that provides dramatic power, humor, thematic beauty, emotional impact, and/or any other musical attribute of significance to the film.
Big Changes Coming to Gala Evening Events
We are pleased to tell you that the Awards Subcommittee has made significant changes to this year’s GSCA fall conference Gala and Achievement Award presentation. The changes will allow us to implement suggestions from our members, including:
- moving the presentation to the second evening of the conference
- providing food before the award presentation
- reducing the overall program length
The Gala and GSCA Achievement Awards presentation will take place on the second evening of the conference (Wednesday September 10, 2008), allowing the Distributors Party to be scheduled for the final night.
The awards presentation will be preceded by an hour-long Gala reception featuring gourmet hor’d oeuvres, themed food stations, and an open bar. Afterward, guests will be invited to the award presentation, where coffee and desserts will be served.
We anticipate that the award ceremony will be 45 minutes in length.
Selected Awards to be Announced in July
We are planning to announce the winners of selected GSCA Achievement Awards in July, which we believe will reduce the time needed for the ceremony. Award recipients will be called to the stage and presented with an award.
This approach offers winners the opportunity to highlight their theater and award-winning plan in the event program and at the trade show.
The awards that will be announced in July are:
- Best Theater Launch
- Best Film Launch by a Theater
- Best Marketing Campaign by a Distributor
- Best Educational Program by a Theater
- Big Idea
- Special Achievement in Film
Please note that the physical awards will still be given out at the conference.
Awards Announced at the Gala
The following award categories will continue to be announced at the GSCA Achievement Awards presentation at the conference:
- Best Film Awards
- Best Cinematography Awards
- Best Original Score New!
- Best Sound Design New!
Winners will be asked to keep their acceptance speech to one or two minutes, depending on the award. To signal the end of each time allotment, music will start and gradually get louder, similar to other televised awards ceremonies. We believe that this change will help everyone keep to the schedule.
The Achievement Award presentation will be followed by a party with music, dancing and a cash bar.
Thanks to those of you who took time to provide us with your feedback through the annual GSCA survey. Your comments and suggestions help us evolve the schedule to better reflect our membership needs. Questions or comments about the awards evening can be directed to Gretchen Jaspering.