How did this happen?
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So last night was the first time I’ve attended an event with press credentials. I was covering the opening night of the New York Television Festival at New World Stages in midtown. And as I stood behind the card announcing which media outlet I was with (it was laminated and everything!), I had to reflect on how I got there.
I started Filming In Brooklyn less than four months ago. I really had no idea what I was doing. I just started showing up at movie and TV shoots asking questions, trying not to annoy anyone too much. I had started websites before that had fizzled within a couple months, but this one felt different. I actually liked working on this one.
My wonderful husband, whom I affectionately refer to as The Ass, was annoyed at first by how much time I was spending on it, but realized very quickly that I was diving in headfirst, trying to make something successful out of it, not just treating it like a hobby - I really hadn’t invented it as a way to get out of folding laundry. He gave me one year to work on it grief-free. I set a goal for myself: that the site would support itself in one year, including travel expenses, equipment, and any babysitting I would have to pay for as part of working on the site.
I started cold-calling studios, trying to get interviews. I landed an interview with Antoine Fuqua, director of one of my favorite movies, Training Day. I talked my way onto the sets of several big TV shows. Word started to get around within the very small NY film community that, while I might be annoying, I wasn’t looking to get any embarrassing pictures of actors or sell any pictures to tabloids, and I behaved well on set. I started getting more access.
And last night, I found myself doing red-carpet interviews, a few spots down from E! and ABC News, interviewing the creators of shows like Desperate Housewives and Samantha Who? And with five more days left of the festival, I’ve got a lot of work to do.
But as excited as I am by all of this, Filming In Brooklyn is at a critical point. It grew fast, but readership has now leveled off, and I really have no idea how to get it to the next level, how to reach a broader audience. I’m only making about one-tenth the money I need to make to break even. I have no idea where to go from here, what to do other than try to get more and better content up on the site. But at least I’m having a great time!
Originally posted on Selfish Mom
Comments
Comment from Amy
Time September 14, 2008 at 8:21 am
Thanks Tammy! I’m sitting here trying to write up the interviews from the NY TV Festival from two nights ago, before I can even get to last night’s Fringe stuff. Not enough hours in the day!
Comment from Queen of the Click
Time September 14, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Wow just four months! You are doing awesome. To get more of a readership, I think you just need to tap into a few more spots where there are people that would love to read about your work.
Of course the Brooklyn and New York Crowds would love to know what going on so maybe linking up with some blogs such as Livejournals New York Community (you can make an RSS feed for LJ or simply make a quick blog and post a link in the community), Livejournal’s Brooklyn community is small but there are many blogs on LJ which follow celebrities or do celebrity siting. You also may want to join some of the community websites - Bay Ridge, ParkSlope, Downtown Brooklyn, etc.
Comment from Tracy
Time September 14, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Amy,
Reading this made me so sad. You know how much I love your site, & what an avid, well ok, rabid fan I am of it. I sent the link of my dream day to everyone I know, & I’ve posted your site on many tv message board sites, trying to spread the word. I even talked it up @ the premiere last night to people!
You do such a great job, & work your butt off. I want to see you succeed so bad, for your sake, because I know it’s your dream, but also for my own selfish reasons! 
What would I do w/out it???
I like Queen of the Click’s ideas, & please everyone else, spread the word about FIB. It’s such a great site for tv & film fans, both for those who want to go watch filming & see their favorite stars, & even for those who can’t get there, they can read the reports & see pics.
At last night’s Fringe premiere of the 2nd episode, I almost jumped out of my seat to scream proudly to everyone that a scene of a man dropping a pregnant woman off outside a hospital was one that Amy had photographed & posted about on her site! That would have been embarrassing if I hadn’t controlled myself. hehehe I wondered Amy, wherever you were in the theater, how incredibly cool that must have felt. I was happy & proud for you, does that sound weird? hehehe
Go FIB, Go FIB!
Comment from Amy
Time September 14, 2008 at 9:40 pm
It shouldn’t make you sad! I never thought the site would be at the point it is after just a few months. But I have to move it to the next level now, and really am clueless. So thanks for the suggestions Queen, and thanks for your support Tracy!
Comment from Tracy
Time September 14, 2008 at 10:01 pm
You’re right. You were sharing your excitement @ how you’ve come so far so fast. It is amazing. What made me sad was that you’re working so hard, & doing such a great job, & getting to such a great point(this weekend!!!!!), but readership & advertisers just aren’t there yet. It just made me scared that you might be considering throwing in the towel, even though you said you were giving yourself a year for it to be self supporting. Sorry to be a downer! I just want you to succeed.
Comment from Cara
Time September 15, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Training Day is one of my fav movies..did you do that interview already? How were the red carpet interviews? I would be so nervous….maybe you can get a job for E!
Comment from Amy
Time September 15, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I know, mine too. The night before the interview I watched it three times. 
The interview is here.
I wasn’t nervous doing interviews about shows I’ve been covering, but I was nervous on shows that haven’t premiered yet that I knew nothing about. I’ve been so busy I wasn’t as prepared as I would have liked. And I think I insulted Laurie Metcalf. But that’s a whole other post.
Comment from Tammy
Time September 14, 2008 at 8:18 am
I’m definitely going to forward your site to my friends. I enjoy reading them!!! Good Luck!!