So, why am I writing about the 2019 Garden State Film Festival with photos from last year now, and not 48 hours after it occurred like most media outlets did? I call it my “Bon Jovi” strategy. Let me explain.
Back in 2011, when Jon Bon Jovi opened his restaurant in Red Bank, NJ, media FLOODED the internet and newspapers with articles about the Soul Kitchen. Basically, once you read one article about it, you really didn’t need to read someone else’s version of the same facts within a few days of each other. It was a headline overload on the same topic.
What did I do? I waited. I waited until the restaurant had been open for a few months and THEN I went in, did my interviews, took photos, and asked how the Soul Kitchen was doing AFTER its grand opening. I had some new information to add to the pot. My perspective was fresh, and not buried between 50 other stories about the singer’s endeavor.
Similarly, I apply my Bon Jovi strategy, now.
Within a few days of the Garden State Film Festival every year, social media is similarly flooded with photos from the event, and you’ll catch many articles online about the same movies and people. There’s only so much you can absorb at one time.
Me, I’d rather stand apart from the crowd, just like I did in 2012 with Jon Bon Jovi. Plus, if you consider going to the Garden State Film Festival THIS year, (which, I think you should) you’re a lot closer to the event, than before. It’s a win-win situation.
Back in 2011, when Jon Bon Jovi opened his restaurant in Red Bank, NJ, media FLOODED the internet and newspapers with articles about the Soul Kitchen. Basically, once you read one article about it, you really didn’t need to read someone else’s version of the same facts within a few days of each other. It was a headline overload on the same topic.
What did I do? I waited. I waited until the restaurant had been open for a few months and THEN I went in, did my interviews, took photos, and asked how the Soul Kitchen was doing AFTER its grand opening. I had some new information to add to the pot. My perspective was fresh, and not buried between 50 other stories about the singer’s endeavor.
Similarly, I apply my Bon Jovi strategy, now.
Within a few days of the Garden State Film Festival every year, social media is similarly flooded with photos from the event, and you’ll catch many articles online about the same movies and people. There’s only so much you can absorb at one time.
Me, I’d rather stand apart from the crowd, just like I did in 2012 with Jon Bon Jovi. Plus, if you consider going to the Garden State Film Festival THIS year, (which, I think you should) you’re a lot closer to the event, than before. It’s a win-win situation.
Inside the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ were GSFF holds many screenings during the festival.
I’ve been attending the Garden State Film Festival for a few years now. I used to live in New Jersey, and as such, I went to many star studded events regularly in the tristate area. The film festival always features prominent people from the Garden State, and actually all over the country; so for me, it was like going to a family reunion. It still is. There’s something to be said for the feeling of family as this long weekend of movies unveils itself in Asbury Park. That’s why I flew 2000 miles last year, and will do it again this year, from my new home state, New Mexico, to go again. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
It’s more than about watching movies. Sure, there’s an appreciation for that, alone. But the red carpet cocktail party on the first Friday night of the festival is not to be missed. The after parties are so much fun; and when you meet the directors, producers, cast, and crew associated with the hundreds of films shown over what’s now FIVE days, they are approachable, enthusiastic, genuine, and friendly, even if you’ve never met them before. It’s a great way to meet up with entertainment industry people, old friends, and make new friends, too. It’s kind of like eating, drinking, and watching movies, for an extended time.
Let’s backtrack one second. I said the Garden State Film Festival is in Asbury Park. Some of you may be shaking your head or wondering if I just forgot where I was in New Jersey. Nope. Last year was the festival’s second year in Asbury Park, since it returned to the city by the shore in 2018. It was held in Atlantic City for a few years, but it decided to return home to where it all began. And, it’s actually a great idea, because Asbury Park has been undergoing some rejuvenation and renovation. Besides the historic Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel (which was remodeled in 2018), you can also stay at The Asbury Hotel. This year there is an additional choice: the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel . Don’t worry, you’ll still get to experience the iconic venues like Convention Hall, the Paramount Theatre, and the Wonder Bar… they aren’t going anywhere.
A room at the Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park where last year's screenplay reading took place.
A few of my favorite highlights are: attending the meet the filmmakers night, held on the Thursday evening of the weekend, the opening night gala cocktail party on Friday night along with the screening of the opening night feature film, the screenplay reading held that Saturday, one of a few after parties held at the Wonder Bar, and attending a screening block with the films closing the festival on that Sunday. There’s also a black-tie awards dinner on the final night of the film festival that’s fun to show up at, too. In between all of this, there are the films, films, and more films at various venues, and the socializing, eating, drinking, between walks on the boardwalk and in the salty air. This year’s honored attendees include actress Linda Hamilton, actors Robert Patrick, and Matthew Modine.
You don’t have to go to all of these events. You can pick and choose where you want to go, which of the 247 films this year you want to see, or what day(s) you want to be there. Rather than me babble on about this year’s fest, let me sprinkle some photos here (below) for you to see for yourself what last year was like at a glance; and what a great gathering this truly is, thanks to the Founder of the Garden State Festival, Diane Raver, the Executive Director Lauren Concar Sheehy, Chairman of the Board, Eric Ascalon, Vice-Chair Heather O’Scanlon, former Chairman of the Board, Nick Falcone, and all of the other board members, volunteers, VIP’s, photographers, press, attendees, and a myriad of others who devote their time and tireless energy to making this one of the not-to-be-missed events in New Jersey.
Come join the family - the GSFF family! See you there!
18th Annual Garden State Film Festival
March 25-29th 2020
Asbury Park, NJ
Tickets & info:
https://www.gsff.org
March 25-29th 2020
Asbury Park, NJ
Tickets & info:
https://www.gsff.org
NOTE: Due to the coronavirus, the Garden State Film Festival was changed to an online film viewing event for ticketholders.
All photos property of and copyrighted TheLadyinRedBlog.com, LLC (2019)
Photo Credits: Patrick Zehr, Manda Madsen, & Laura Madsen
Photo Credits: Patrick Zehr, Manda Madsen, & Laura Madsen
 View walking into Convention Hall  Director / Actor Anthony Bradford with Actress Manda Madsen  Founder of the Garden State Film Festival, Diane Raver  GSFF Executive Director Lauren Concar Sheehy and her husband and board of directors member, Brian Sheehy, Sr.  L to R: Actors Manda Madsen, Darryl J. Wey, and Laura Madsen  Zaiden Ascalon posing like a star  Actress Heather O'Scanlon interviews actor/director Ernie O'Donnell and others  Actress Manda Madsen with Rising Star Award recipient and Board of Directors member Joe Sernio  Actor / Director PJ Bracco  Actress Manda Madsen and NJ Discover Journalist Cal Schwartz  Actress Siobhan Fallon Hogan being interviewed on the red carpet  Actors Ronnie Marmo and Artie Pasquale  Executive Director Lauren Concar Sheehy poses with cast and crew who attend for every film  What a crowd on Friday night!  More red carpet photos!  Snapshot of the crowd at the cocktail party  Actress Annmarie Hagenaars with Fiance and Musician Paulo Coelho  Actress Laura Madsen with Actor Ernie O'Donnell  Former Chairman of the Board Nick Falcone  First class food at opening night  The crowd on opening night  Festival Founder Diane Raver, Board of Directors Member Brian Sheehy, and Executive Director Lauren Concar Sheehy  Former Chariman of the Board Nick Falcone with Actress Manda Madsen |  Photographer Andrei Jackamets in action by the red carpet  L to R: Actors Michael Tota, Artie Pasquale, and Brian O'Halloran and others getting ready for the screenplay reading  Chairman of the Board of Directors of GSFF, Eric Ascalon  Actors Basia and Michael Newman  Center: Actress Siobhan Fallon Hogan with her husband on the left  Actor Garry Pastore and others get ready for the screenplay reading  L to R: Actors Laura Madsen, Manda Madsen, and Dominick Mancino (plus on onlooker in the back) :)  Actors Michael Newman, Erin O'Brien, and casting director Donna McKenna  A sampling of cocktail party food  Actor Brian O'Halloran (center) and actor Dominick Mancino (right)  Executive Director Lauren Concar Sheehy takes the time to pose with every attendee on the red carpet  Founder Diane Raver, Executive Director Lauren Concar Sheehy, Actor Brian O'Halloran, former Chairman of the Board Nick Falcone, and Board of Directors member Stephanie Clineman  Selfie time with photographer Patrick Zehr (front center), and actresses Manda and Laura Madsen (L to R, rear)  Screenwriter / filmaker Keith Armonaitis with a friend  Former Chairman of the Board Nick Falcone with Actress Jennifer Jiles, and Board of Directors member David Schoner  Directors Tom Baldinger and Lenny Venito  Executive Director Lauren Concar Sheehy posing with guests  Actress Siobhan Fallon Hogan having her photo taken by photographer Ed Shin  Actresses Kerrianne Spellman and Manda Madsen  Director Steve Stanulis |
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