Where Have All the Line Parties Gone?

I was recording a new episode of Middle-earth Talk Radio with Hawke Robinson last night and we got to talking about the upcoming “Hobbit” movies (naturally). I wondered where all the line parties are. We’re only about 18 months out from the first movie and it seemed odd to me that there has been no buzz about setting up line party committees.

As it turns out, around the end of April TheOneRing.Net put out a call for line party organizers who had been involved with the LoTR film line parties that fans organized around the world. So word has gone out I just missed it first time around.

Fortunately Hawke checked in on the TORN chat and someone pointed him toward that post. So I’m going to do my part to help publicize TORN’s line party database. But more importantly, if you were NOT involved in the LoTR line parties but want to organize a Hobbit line party in your area, you should go ahead and contact them. They may be able to help you connect with other people who want to do the same thing; but if no one has stepped up to the plate, then you may become the de facto line party organizer.

There is a lot involved in organizing a good line party. For one thing, you want to make sure you reach out to all your friends and local fan groups. Get together and design some flyers and other announcements you can distribute to local comic book shops, book stores, bulletin boards (like those that grocery stores and libraries still make available).

Don’t use just one flyer — design one to call for volunteers to help you form a steering committee. Put up fresh announcements in advance of your meetings (you should probably plan on meeting once a month).

You’ll need to contact your local cinemas and find out which ones will work with line parties and what requirements they have. You may need to get some event liability insurance, for example.

You’ll want to connect with local and online businesses to find sponsors who will put up prizes (they don’t have to be Tolkien related) and help you promote the event.

You’ll also want to develop ideas for what to do while people wait for the midnight showings. You want games, trivia contests, costume contests, maybe a local Tolkien scholar to give a presentation, etc. If the theater is willing/able to work with you, you may even be able to give a video presentation.

Line parties can be extremely creative. You can have votes for “Best of …” fan experiences. You can share pictures and anecdotes about old LoTR line parties (and Harry Potter or other movie line parties).

If you have anyone in your local community who has been associated with Tolkien-inspired movies or plays (community theater, for example), get them involved.

Go to your local science fiction and fantasy conventions and put literature on the fan tables. If you can get a budget for advertising, then buy some ads in the local convention program guides. Make sure that people in your area know the line party is happening, where to find out more, and how to get involved.

And most importantly — build a relationship with the local news media. Send letters (not email but WRITTEN LETTERS) to your local TV stations and radio stations beginning about six months in advance. Let them know where your line party will be, who is involved, who is sponsoring it, what kind of activities you’ll have, etc.

Keep them up to date each month. In the last 6 weeks send them bi-weekly letters. Try to form a relationship with a contact at each TV and radio station. Try to get one or more of them involved in helping you promote the line party.

You can also set up a YouTube channel to help keep your friends and neighbors informed. Take the time to create thoughtful, inventive videos. Don’t just sit on your bed in your t-shirt and make a grainy video where you sound like you’re talking in a tin can.

Most if not all of the cinemas will require strict enforcement of “No camera” policies in their viewing rooms but if you can develop a good relationship with your local cinema, they may work with you to promote the event. Ask them what they can and will allow.

In Houston, the local cinema that hosted the Narnia line party went all out. They had a special display booth provided by the film company and a fan table right next to it. Cinema employees painted all the doors to depict scenes and characters from the movie.

The Houston fan-run Lord of the Rings line parties were organized by Vince Smith. He drew in over 1,000 people the first year, over 2,000 people the second year, and over 3,000 people the 3rd year. The new media covered the second line party but they snubbed Vince’s event in the 3rd year for the “official” New Line Cinema line party at a rival theater (they only drew about 800 fans).

Regardless of whether the studio organizes an official event in your area, make sure you get news media support. That means you have to show them you are dedicated and determined to put on the best possible fan event in your community.

These are just suggestions. You’ll have to plan the event you want to have. And, truth be told, some communities may not get as much support as others from local businesses and media. But make the effort to reach out to everyone. Make it a real community event.

December 2012 will be here before you know it. Now is the time to start learning what you have to do to make a great line party happen.

And one more thing: the line party doesn’t end when the movie starts playing. You need to make sure you document it and put pictures and videos of all the fans online. Share your fun with as many people as possible, because not everyone will be able to attend a line party.

Good luck to all of us. I’m looking forward to finding a great line party near my own home. Hope to see you there!