ABSTRACT
Instead of referring to these screenings as just test screenings, we called them Brain Trusts. We like this phrase; it feels more inclusive and it really is using the collective minds of this small group of people. We were able to do this while still in production, by using our Brain Trust survey forms and asking for email addresses. Our very first Brain Trust screening was of a 30-minute cut of the film to what we now consider as partners in Washington DC. There are other organizations that can also help with outreach for a fee, and work as social impact producers. Once we had a 90-minute rough cut of Musicwood, we held another Brain Trust screening in Portland, OR. We continued to hold Brain Trust screenings with every new cut of the film. Musicwood wouldn't be the film it is without them.
