Well, here it is. Thursday night was a sell out crowd at the New York Television Festival, and after a few opening night jitters - the film went on. The venue isn't what you would at first expect, a stark white art gallery space at Milk Studios retrofitted for film and tv programs at the first year of the festival (www.NYTVF.com) but it was kind of interesting. Both the main room and the more comfy Phillips lounge provided an interesting environment - and the crowd was mix of film people, curious conservatives, and a mix of democratic campaign staff and media people. Everyone had a stake in the movie, or so it seemed. Because of a decision place speakers in the back of the house, the sound was somewhat boomy and at times hard to understand. That combined with a projection problem didn't give the audience an altogether easy viewing experience. But - to quote Jim Loftus - "The Universe Hardly Cares." The show went on, and the crowd sat tight for 82 minutes after a half hour late start. In then end, applause (which i confess I'm not sure i could bring myself to do after reliving '04 all over again.)

And the team from the film was all there - bleary eyed, but enthusiastic.
Left to right: Ronald Guttman - Exec Producer - Doug Davis, Producer, Dan Luskin - Editor, Me, Rob Barnett - Big Cheese Producer, and Kate Cunningham - Producer.

Also in attendance, Editor Waleed Zaiter, Editor, Shooter, and Mixer Pamela Yoder, and Videographer Max Rosenbaum.

Here's Ron and Doug, hanging out in the Philips Lounge with swag from sponsor TV Guide.

Among the notable comments:

- These guys look great.
- i don' t know what the campaign was so worried about.
- Boy, the Democrats are going to have to do better in '08
- It was like 'Animal House' but with airplanes
- Jim Loftus is amazing, i think he's cute (with a raised suggestive eyebrow)
- We should send a DVD to every Democrat in America.
- It made me sad, watching the movie, i forgot we lost.
- It should be called 'trouble in the bubble'
- I want my money back - from the DNC.

Clearly - a consensus (not). And i guess that is good for the movie. 20 minutes later people were in the lobby, still talking politics. Debating '04. Crystal ball gazing about '08, and feeling a sense of engagement that hasn't been in the air since November of '04.

I'm pretty proud of that.