The drive to the BNFF started crossing over the Freddy-Sue bridge.

My friend, Linda Morreale, took a day off from work to attend opening day at the film festival with me. What a friend! The sky spit rain as we left Rochester city limits, and the drive was uneventful, save for two people catching up with fun conversation, and hopeful visions of how the day might unfold. I had one goal: to meet actor Louis Gossett, Jr. and introduce him to my script about Frederick Douglass.

I knew the way and still got lost. I had discussed the directions with a client, located about 3 blocks from the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, and followed their misguided directions instead of my instincts. I announced that I was going to turn around and the next block was Douglas St. We easily found the theatre and community parking spaces on the street one block behind. It was about 1:30, and events were scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Up at the Riviera, nobody knew anything about the events, where to get my badge or where any of the vendors were.

Linda and I wore the FD pins I made. One of the cops on the street stopped us to ask a question, thinking we were the event organzers. The street was blocked off, but the town was desolate. We went back to the car to lunch on a slice of cold pizza and fresh fruit. At this point the day almost unraveled. I locked the keys in the car. It ended up costing $30 for a mobile locksmith to come unlock the doors. I'm an idiot.

Linda took care of getting the car keys while I went to the theatre to get my pass. I went inside and correctly picked the person who knew most about everything going on. Karen Cowell introduced herself as the wife of the event organizer, and pulled out a box with all the credentials. She asked my name, and what my screenplay title is. “North Star: The Life of Frederick Douglass.” Hher jaw dropped, and her eyes widened gleefully, like a kid who sees Santa in front of the tree on Christmas Eve. “You're the writer? Your screenplay was FABULOUS! I was one of the readers.”

Rocket launch from Pad #4, destination, Cloud 9.

Then, she gave me my badge with the big letters VIP, and Kerry Gleason, Filmmaker. And the Kodak neckband! So very cool. And a little gift bag. I joked that as soon as I got my car opened, I'd have a place to put it. lol

I stepped outside, where the limo had arrived with Louis Gossett Jr. and Cindy Williams. I strategically positioned myself where Louis Gossett, Jr. would have to go through me to get inside. He was fine to chat with people near the door, and eventually, he got to me and shook my hand. I made my quick pitch about how my script and his Eracism Foundation had like goals, and he refused my one-page flyer. Even better, he reached into his pocket and gave me his card. He told me to call him and we could talk.

I looked toward the street and saw Linda grinning ear-to-ear. The festival had not even started, and I had already achieved one of my primary objectives.

Later, both stars signed autographs outside. I fumbled to decide what to have him sign. All my experience in media training led me to stick with my key message point, and I a binder out of my back and presented that for Mr. Gossett to sign the title page of my script. He acknowledged me from our previous conversation, and looked at the page, and pulled back. “Whoa!” he said, before leaning in to sign. “Now you're going to send a copy of that to me, won't you?”

“Absolutely!”

Linda and I made our way into the theatre and watched a burlesque show. It was hysterical, because anyone who knows Linda could tell she was squirming with modest embarrassment. I tried my hardest not to laugh at her. Then, Cindy Williams and Film marketer icon Dick Delson introduced the film “American Graffiti.” Back to the car for dinner out of my picnic cooler, and then we drove home in the rain, once again letting the Freddy-Sue bridge welcome us home.