There’s hardly a better feeling than wrapping up production on a film you worked so hard on. Once you send your movie to theaters or a streaming service, it’s time to celebrate with a wrap party. This tradition lets the cast and crew relax with a night full of fun.
How should the team celebrate? These six ideas will make your celebration unforgettable.
1. Hand Out Awards
The crew put blood, sweat and tears into production, so it’s only right to recognize their hard work with awards. Be creative and allow the accolades to transcend best actor and actress. Filmmakers can have fun with the trophies and create laughter and camaraderie with their cast and crew.
For example, if an actor frequently spills beverages, hand them an award for the most likely to cause a mess on set. This ceremony can also be an opportunity to recognize the crew members who don’t get enough credit. The actors and directors often get recognition, but set designers, makeup artists and sound engineers can quietly put a movie over the top with their efforts.
Cast and crew recognition is essential because it boosts their confidence and increases the likelihood they work for you again. Research shows 29% of employees say they don’t get enough recognition at work, so filmmakers can change this trend with awards.
2. Give Gifts
Trophies are friendly gestures for your hardworking crew, and you can go further with gifts for the entire team. No official title or award is necessary to show appreciation, so find something for everyone. Filmmakers could get every member the same present to ensure fairness or personalize items to make them even more special.
Keep tabs on what the cast and crew say they need while filming. They may complain about their wired headphones, so gifting a pair of wireless earbuds would be thoughtful and practical.
Actors may appreciate if the set or costume designers saved a specific item for them to keep as memorabilia. The gift options are endless, so be thoughtful and open-minded.
3. Play Games
A party isn’t complete without games. Plan various activities for the cast and crew to enjoy throughout the evening. One idea is to hold a trivia night. The categories could center on film locations or ask questions about the cast and crew. This trivia idea brings everyone together and provides one last bonding session before they go their separate ways.
Wrap parties also present the opportunity for themed games. For example, the event’s theme could be Las Vegas, with various card games around the facility. If the crew likes stimulating activities, play a few rounds of Mafia or Werewolf. They are excellent for wrap parties because they involve role-playing, teamwork and strategy.
Ensure the games are appropriate for the party. For example, Cards Against Humanity is for adults and might not be suitable if children are around. Play charades or Pictionary for a more family-friendly environment.
4. Show Your Film
How can the cast and crew best celebrate the movie they just created? Watch the film at the wrap party for a premiere. Providing an exclusive first look would be meaningful for everybody in the production — especially if the filmmaker thinks they have a masterpiece on their hands.
Encourage the crew to bring their spouses and children to the premiere so they can see everybody’s hard work on display. Ensure you provide enough food and beverages for everyone.
5. Bring on the Drinks
The wrap party is a time for celebration and relaxation, so filmmakers should ensure they have an eclectic blend of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages available for the partygoers. If children are present, ensure you provide a wide selection of water, lemonade, sodas and various juices.
You can be more creative with alcoholic beverages. Give the selection a theme or make it fit with the season. For example, a summer wrap party is an excellent time for blonde ales, so serve Good Morning Vietnam from the Wooden Robot Brewery or Baby Genius from the Bissell Brothers Brewing Co.
The crowd will want more robust and warmer beers in the winter. The holiday season is a terrific opportunity to try Gingerbread Yeti from the Great Divide Brewing Co. or Santa’s Private Reserve from Rogue Ales.
6. Theme the Food
You’ll have a great party if you have good food. The selection is critical for a wrap party, so filmmakers should ensure they have plenty of things to eat. After all, they know how food boosts morale on set, so it can make everyone happy at the wrap party. Offerings should include vegetarian and vegan options.
One way to make the wrap party fun is to give the food a theme. Barbecue is an easy idea that leads to incredible tastes for meats, fruits and vegetables. Internationally themed food will be fitting if the film is set in a foreign location or different culture.
For example, a film with a New Delhi setting could serve chicken biryani, palak paneer, chaat or other famous delicacies. In this instance, it would be wise to order Indian food from a catering service specializing in this cuisine. If the budget is tight, filmmakers could always ask the crew to do the wrap party potluck style.
Wrapping up a Terrific Production
Depending on your budget and schedule, film production could take months or even years. The 12-16-hour days are strenuous, but it’s all worth it when you celebrate with your cast and crew.
Use these six ideas to make your wrap party a memorable night.
