Honoring Prophet's Request for a Social Media Fast, Army of Relief Society Women Turn to Old-Fashioned "Phone Banking" to Promote JANE & EMMA
SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Excel Entertainment, the preeminent independent film distribution company in Utah with more more than 40 successful inspirational films released since 2000, is premiering its much-heralded film JANE & EMMA. As part of the promotion in advance of the October 12 theatrical release, the marketing team had intended to rely heavily on social media advertising to spread the word. But following the Prophet, literally and figuratively, caused a monumental pivot in their strategy for the film's awareness.
On Saturday, October 6, President Russell Nelson (President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) invited women within the church to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and focus inward. Nimbly, the marketing team promoting JANE & EMMA shifted focus and quickly assembled a phone bank of women this Thursday in the Canyons Conference room at the Hilton Hotel SLC (255 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City UT 84101) from 8am to noon. This call bank will be the final push for this weekend's release, and the public and media are welcome at the event.
"I won't lie?initially, we were thrown for a loop by the announcement, but in the end we fell in love with the new plan. At the core of President Nelson's announcement was a recognition that we should build stronger relationships with each other offline. By personally connecting with members of our community, we can adhere to the church's request and get the word out about our movie at the same time. Plus we'll get to bond with each other and create some great memories during the process," said Chantelle Squires, Director of JANE & EMMA.
This Thursday's event is open to the public and media.
WHAT: JANE & EMMA Volunteer Phone Bank
WHEN: 8am to noon on Thursday, October 11th
WHERE: Canyons Conference room at the Hilton Hotel SLC located at 255 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City UT 84101
MORE INFORMATION: 801-637-4207
JANE & EMMA tells the true story of two women?a free-born African-American woman and a wife of a controversial religious leader?whose unlikely bond of friendship gave them the strength to withstand grave challenges on the night Church founder Joseph Smith was murdered by a mob in 1844.
JANE & EMMA RESOURCES
- Visit the website : https://www.janeandemmamovie.com/
- Release from ReFrame: https://goo.gl/uQm4KM
- Story in Variety: https://goo.gl/zwoBfD
FILM SYNOPSIS: JANE & EMMA is based on the life of Sister Jane Manning, one of the first black Mormons. She returns to Nauvoo to find that Joseph Smith, her prophet and friend, has been assassinated. Jane spends a ceaseless night with his widow, Emma Smith, sitting watch over the body of the prophet as a whirlwind of loss and confusion leaves them wondering how either one of them will be able to move forward. Through the long night, Jane wonders if the prophet's promise to extend the blessings of eternity to her has died along with him. The film explores the possible events of that night, including Jane's endeavor to remain amongst the Latter-day Saint people and Emma's struggle to cope with her heartbreaking loss. Poignant issues of racism and polygamy threaten to break their bond of friendship. In the end, will Jane and Emma have the courage to follow the path each believes they must take?
The JANE + EMMA cast includes Danielle Deadwyler as Jane (THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS, GIFTED), Emily Goss as Emma Smith (THE HOUSE ON PINE STREET, SNAPSHOTS), Brad Schmidt as Joseph Smith (THE BIRTH OF A NATION, HOUSE OF LIES), and K. Danor Gerald as Isaac James (SAINTS AND SOLDIERS, THE VOID)
JANE & EMMA is directed and produced by Chantelle Squires (RESERVED TO FIGHT) of Clearstone Films, and written by Melissa Leilani Larson (FREETOWN). It is produced by Madeline Jorgensen, Jenn Lee Smith, and Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes (Sistas in Zion). The Executive Producers are Brent Jorgensen, Sundance Film Festival Co-Founder Sterling VanWagenen, and Jon Lear.
The movie also features the title song "Child of God," performed by The Bonner Family.
ABOUT CLEARSTONE FILMS
Clearstone Films is a Utah-based, woman-owned production company known for Reserved to Fight, an award-winning national PBS documentary, and The Generations Project, an award-winning, multi-part documentary series for BYUTV. Its first narrative feature film, JANE & EMMA, is due in theaters October 12, 2018.
ABOUT EXCEL ENTERTAINMENT
Excel Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deseret Book Company, is the preeminent independent film distribution company in Utah. Since 2000, Excel has released more than 40 successful films. Well-known for telling Mormon stories (GOD'S ARMY, THE WORK & THE GLORY SERIES, 17 MIRACLES, PRIDE & PREJUDICE), Excel has also had success with films with non-Mormon themes and stories (FOREVER STRONG, SAINTS & SOLDIERS, JUST LET GO, THE COKEVILLE MIRACLE). Excel exists to tell stories that challenge us to live up to the light that is within each of us, bringing hope and inspiration to audiences worldwide.
SOURCE Excel Entertainment
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