Tipless Documentary Announces Virtual Premiere and Q&A Session Movie Will Inspire Conversation on Tipping in America Ahead of Chicago Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Cassidey Van der Kamp cassidy.t.vanderkamp@gmail.com

CHICAGO, IL - September 25, 2003 - Tipless is a feature length documentary that explores the tip-free restaurant movement in the US. Tipping has become a cultural norm in America. However, the deeply ingrained practice may be on its way out. Chicago is currently working on passing legislation that would affect the wages of tipped workers, and while they are the most recent city to tackle tipping legislations, the past several years the U.S. has seen many cities across the country confronting similar issues, passing legislation that would hinder or prohibit the practice.
In the face of these changes, many restaurant owners are having to rethink the traditional model, and some have already taken action to eliminate the practice altogether. Tipless is a film that endeavors to help communities navigate these changes. Join the virtual screenings and uncover the personal stories of those facing changing wage legislations, the uncertainty that comes with these changes for small business and how restaurants are choosing the tip-free model to help create sustainability in the industry.
Live and on demand screenings will be available through Filmocracy. Live Q&A's will follow the screenings, and be available to stream on demand following live events. Click here to get tickets.
Screenings:
9/27 - 5pm PST
10/1 - 1pm PST
ABOUT THE FILM:
After discovering their business plan would no longer be sustainable in the face of new minimum wage changes, Homestead restaurant owners Fred and Liz Sassen make the decision to switch their Oakland establishment to a tip-free pay structure in order to survive the changes long-term. The film explores the effects that the minimum wage laws are having on small business, specifically restaurants, and the drastic measures many are taking to stay afloat in the ever-changing market. While the film focuses primarily on the Sassens, other restaurant owners, workers, economists, lawyers, and activists from across the country join in the conversation, discussing whether the tipless model could be the future for restaurants in America.

THE MISSION:
The mission is to educate the public about what is happening in the restaurant world, give courage to restaurant owners facing unpredictable legislation changes and create a space for better conversation about tipping, small business affairs and the efforts in protecting low-income workers. The sparks of this conversation have been growing in the last few years and the film can became part of that conversation. The hope is that this conversation helps individuals think more deeply about poverty and the ways we attempt to effect change within communities. Conversation started by this film could help business owners, employees and legislators work together to create a more sustainable model for the modern American restaurants. This change can be made independent of local or federal legal requirements. The filmmakers hope the seeds planted by this film spark positive change for individuals affected by these issues.

"The film was born out of my experience working in the hospitality industry. For over a decade, I worked in a variety of restaurants in both tipped and tip-free environments and saw first-hand the effects tipping made within a restaurant system. It inspired me to create a film that explored the impacts more in depth and celebrated those trying to pave the way to a better model of restaurant business ownership. There is a lot that the public doesn't know about the way restaurants and small business legislations operate and I believe this film can bring to light some of the intricacies of the way those systems are structured. But ultimately, I hope it sparks a better conversation about how we approach helping the lowest paid workers make more money," says Tipless filmmaker Cassidy van der Kamp.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION COMPANY:
Flow in the Dark Productions is a production company that specializes in video and live event production for the "big idea" space. Their mission is to tell stories that matter and make space to have better conversations about controversial issues. Cassidy van der Kamp is the owner of Flow in the Dark production as well as the director and producer of Tipless. Cassidy graduated from San Francisco State University in 2017 with a BA in Cinema. She currently resides in the Netherland with her husband and newborn daughter as she continues to create media and organize live events within Europe. Tipless is her first documentary and feature film debut.
TICKET LINK: Filmocracy.com Tipless - Virtual Premiere
FILM WEBSITE: Home | TIPLESS (tiplessfilm.com)
FILM TRAILER: Tipless: Official Trailer - YouTube

Flow in the Dark Production
3666 E Zachary Dr.
Phoenix AZ 85050

Flow in the Dark Productions is a production company that specializes in video and live event production for the "big idea" space. Their mission is to tell stories that matter and make space to have better conversations about controversial issues. Cassidy van der Kamp is the owner of Flow in the Dark production as well as the director and producer of Tipless. Cassidy graduated from San Francisco State University in 2017 with a BA in Cinema. She currently resides in the Netherland with her husband and newborn daughter as she continues to create media and organize live events within Europe. Tipless is her first documentary and feature film debut.

This release was published on openPR.