On Saturday, July 13, Gala Film is thrilled to premiere “Chicago, I’m Home,” a stand-up comedy special that promises to bring laughter and heartfelt moments to your screens. Taped in front of two sold-out crowds at the iconic Studebaker Theater, this special captures the essence of comedian Barry’s journey and his deep-rooted connection to his hometown of Chicago.
Barry’s return to Chicago is more than just a performance; it’s a homecoming. The Studebaker Theater, a venue steeped in history and cultural significance, provides the perfect backdrop for this special event. The crowd’s energy, the theater’s ambiance, and Barry’s dynamic presence combine to create an unforgettable experience.
Real Life, Real Laughs
“Chicago, I’m Home” is the culmination of Barry’s real-life experiences, intricately woven with over fifteen years of honing his craft as a stand-up comic. His stories are relatable, touching on universal themes with a uniquely Chicagoan twist. From navigating the bustling city streets to the quirky characters that define the Windy City, Barry’s humor is both personal and universally resonant.
A Journey of Fifteen Years
Barry’s comedy career spans over a decade and a half, marked by countless performances, relentless dedication, and a deep passion for making people laugh. This special encapsulates his journey, reflecting on the highs and lows, the lessons learned and the moments that have shaped his comedic voice. It’s a testament to his perseverance and the love he has for his art and his hometown.
Why You Should Watch
“Chicago, I’m Home” is not just a stand-up special; it’s a celebration of Chicago’s vibrant culture and the indomitable spirit of its people. Barry’s witty observations and engaging storytelling will have you laughing out loud while also giving you a glimpse into the heart of the city he calls home. Whether you’re a Chicago native, a comedy fan or someone looking for a good laugh, this special is a must-watch.
Tune In on Gala Film
Don’t miss the premiere of “Chicago, I’m Home” on Gala Film, free to watch and ad-free. Plus, you’ll get rewards for watching!
Join us as we celebrate Barry’s comedic journey and his heartfelt tribute to the city that has been his muse.
Get ready for an evening of laughter, reflection and a whole lot of Chicago charm. Mark your calendars, gather your friends and prepare to be entertained by one of the funniest voices in stand-up comedy today.
Watch closely for more updates and exclusive content surrounding the premiere.
Chicago, we’re coming home with Barry, and it’s going to be a night to remember!
We’re working hard to build Gala Film bigger and better every day. Today, we want to share the following critical update for Film Node operators:
Starting on Monday, June 3rd in order to receive Distribution Film Nodes must meet the following requirements;
Node Software version v3.6.6 (or higher)
The following ports must be exposed: 4002, 9096, 5443
Each node must have it’s own Public IP Address
System:
Windows, Mac, or Linux (64-bit)
4GB RAM
2 or more CPU Cores
60GB free storage space
A stable internet connection
This includes any Nodes currently running and any new Nodes that come online. Any nodes that do not satisfy all of these requirements by Monday, June 3rd will not be eligible for Film Rewards Distribution until the requirements are met.
Check Your Node Status
Head over to your Node Dashboard (https://node.gala.com/#/). If your Node is on version v3.6.6 (or higher) and you have a GREEN dot next to your node, the various workloads, and the port status icon next to “Running” – you are all good. No action required!
Please be patient with these steps. These requirements empower your Nodes that are running Gala Film workloads to support the Gala Decentralized Content Delivery Network (dCDN). This is still an experimental, emerging technology that requires thousands of Nodes to talk to each other as well as Gala backend services. All of this network communication taking place means things (like port checking and online status updates) may take longer than expected.
If you are interested in more of the technical details of Nodes, please check out the FAQs at the end.
If the Dot Under ‘Node’ Is Orange
Check the following;
Each node runs on its own unique Public IP Address This will generally be an issue if you run multiple nodes from your home network. If your Node runs on a VPS or if you run a single Node at home you likely do not have to worry about this at all.
Your nodes meet the minimum system requirements. With more workloads going through the node ecosystem, if your node does not meet the requirements it may frequently fall offline.
Windows, Mac, or Linux (64-bit)
4GB RAM
2 or more CPU Cores
60GB free storage space
A stable internet connection
You can find multiple guides for setting up, managing and updating your node Software on the Gala Node Support Page:
Issue Fix #1 – Is your node version v3.6.6 (or higher)?
If your node is currently under version v3.6.6, you will need to update your node. This can only be done via your system, and NOT through the Node Dashboard.
You can find guides for updating your node Software on the Gala Node Support Page.
If you find an ORANGE Status on the Node Management Dashboard, hover over the icon to highlight the issue you need to resolve to get your node back online.
Gala Nodes require certain ports to be open for your node to run.
Any nodes running at home will likely be behind a firewall as part of your Internet Service Provider. If you’re a Node Operator running through your home connection and need these ports exposed, you will need to set up port forwarding through your ISP.
Any Nodes running on a VPS probably already have these ports exposed.
The following 3 ports all need to be open; 4002, 9096, 5443.
Check your firewall settings to open these ports if needed.
Previously we required Ports 4002, 9096, and 5080. Please note that the third port number requirement has changed and your Film workload will not be able to run without all three ports exposed.
Try using a free port checking tool (like this one: https://portchecker.co/) to verify that the correct ports are exposed.
Once the ports are available, it could take several hours for your node to recognize that the ports are properly exposed.
Issue Fix #3 – Have you restarted your Node?
Once your Node Software is up to date (v3.6.6 or higher) your Film Workload will automatically update itself to the latest version (v4.1.21 as of this article’s publishing). Once your Gala Film Workload has automatically updated, YOU WILL NEED TO RESTART YOUR NODE.
You should see a “Restart Required” message in the Node Management page next to the restart button if your Node requires a restart. This is a Node restart, not a Film Workload restart.
The restart will need to happen AFTER your Film Workload has updated itself to the latest version (v4.1.21 as of this message going out for the first time), if you restart before the update is complete it will need to be restarted again.
Important Notes
It can take a while for your workload to verify that the ports are exposed so please be patient!
Once you see your Film Workload is up and running according to the Node Management page, it may also take some time for your Node Dashboard to show your node online.
FAQs:
Q: Why does each node require its own Public IP address?
A: The core technology that powers the dCDN uses IPFS, which relies on public IP addresses to identify peers. Our IPFS implementation is technically able to perform NAT (thanks to libp2p) however, the dCDN egress doesn’t (yet). So, for now, we rely on a fixed set of ports and a public IP.
Q: Why do we need to expose those ports both inbound and outbound?
A: We require inbound traffic because your Node isn’t just talking to a backend server, it’s actually talking to A BUNCH of other peers (thus, a decentralized system). If your node can’t be reached by its peers, then your Node can’t participate in the network. Also, if a node doesn’t allow inbound traffic then no client can send a request to stream content from that node.
Q: Why are there more requirements for running a Film Workload on a Gala Node than any other Gala Workloads? A: Film Workloads (and Film-Beta Workloads) are the only Gala Node workloads that facilitate and participate in the Gala Decentralized Content Delivery Network (dCDN) at this time.
The first four episodes of David Bianchi’s sci-fi thriller series, RZR, are available now, exclusively on Gala Film. Collect NFT Moments now to secure daily platform rewards or open Mystery Boxes to unlock additional content from the show!
At Gala Film, we’re building more than just a place to watch movies– We’re fostering connections between fans and creators, creating deeper connections to the stories they love. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce Pitches, a revolutionary platform feature that will empower anyone to step into the exciting industry of film.
Pitches–Unleash Your Inner Filmmaker
Gala Film’s Pitches is an upcoming platform feature that will make it easier than ever for creators to bring their projects to life while offering community members opportunities to play a key role in any project’s success.
With the power of GalaChain, the pitching and backing of films is no longer limited to the Hollywood elite and those with the deepest pockets. Anyone and everyone will be invited to participate in this new approach to film pitches on any level they choose.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan yearning for a sequel to your favorite film or a budding director with a groundbreaking story to tell, with Pitches, you can make it happen.
Community at its Core–Supporting Pitches
At the heart of Pitches lies the power of community. Use your $FILM tokens to support projects that spark your passion. In return, you’ll unlock exclusive benefits like early access, backstage passes, credit listings, or even cast appearances! More info will be coming soon about specific opportunities as Pitches prepares for launch.
Reshaping the Filmmaking Landscape
Pitches fosters a collaborative environment where fans can actively influence the creation of content they love. This innovative approach redefines filmmaking, making it more inclusive, vibrant, and accessible than ever before. This is yet another example of how Gala Film is planning to breathe new life into a beloved industry while empowering everyone involved, from artist to fan.
Crafting Your Dream Project–Creating Pitches
Gala will equip you with a user-friendly template to craft compelling pitches for your dream projects. We believe every great film starts with a compelling pitch, and Pitches makes that process seamless and empowering. This crucial part of the process should be fun–not frustrating, simple–not strenuous, and rewarded–not regretted.
Join the movement! With series and film content like David Bianchi’s RZR, it’s time to envision what you want to see, then start putting in the rewarding work to make it a reality!
Gala Film has hit the ground running with an incredible and gritty dystopian sci-fi series from the mind of creator David Bianchi. If you haven’t caught the first two episodes of RZR yet, what are you waiting for? Login to Gala Film right now and watch for free. The story will keep you on the edge of your seat, and you’ll qualify for Mystery Box rewards simply for viewing the first episodes!
Crack open Mystery Boxes to assemble unlockable Director Cuts by collecting Shards, or purchase Premiere Mystery Boxes for $3.99 for a chance at additional exclusive prizes.
Looking to get in on the ground floor of web3 entertainment ownership with RZR NFT Moments? Getting rewarded for participating in Gala Film is easy and there are lots of ways to get involved!
Paths to Rewards
Today we’re happy to announce that following a successful platform launch, platform distribution rewards are officially live.
If you’re participating on any level in the Gala Film ecosystem, you’re likely to start seeing POPCORN! rewards in your account. When the $FILM token launches within the coming months with its initial Token Generation Event, you’ll gain the ability to convert all your POPCORN! to $FILM, and from then on you’ll start receiving $FILM directly for all the actions described below.
Check the Gala Film Litepaper for additional information about Gala Film rewards, including allocations, long term plans and reward boost opportunities for owning various early adopter NFTs!
You can now get rewarded for…
Supporting the Ecosystem
In the decentralized world of entertainment, anyone’s success is everyone’s success, so rewarding platform support is paramount to Gala Film. Whether you’re bringing new audience members by sharing your favorite episodes with friends and family, watching the latest episodes of your favorite series, or unlocking exclusive content through Mystery Boxes, you deserve to be rewarded for your time and attention.
According to the Gala Film Litepaper, a portion of $FILM is allocated to a pool called “Ecosystem Supporting Behaviors.” With launch, this pool will consist of 12.5% of total $FILM, but each year as the platform grows toward total decentralization, this pool will increase by ~1%.
This reward pool observes a point system to allow certain actions to qualify the user for a greater share in the pool. The list below includes the initial qualifying actions that will result in $FILM rewards from this pool.
Owning Moments
When you hold Moment NFTs from a Gala Film production, expect regular rewards that are dependent on the number of platform views for your content. When you own a RZR NFT Moment (no matter the episode), you’ll be qualified for rewards whenever any episode from the RZR series is viewed!
Because Moments are pieces of curated Scenes, when you complete a Scene, you’ll get a reward boost for all the Moments within that scene.
If you manage to collect all completed Scenes from RZR, you’ll get the MAX Boost for all your Moments.
In the Gala Film Litepaper, the reward portion allocated to owners of Moment NFTs is called the “Content Incentivization Mechanism.” This portion of $FILM is divided among publishers/creators and viewers of Gala Film content.
With the initial platform launch, 17.5% of $FILM rewards are allocated to this reward pool, and each year as Gala Films grows toward total decentralization, that percentage will increase by ~2%.
Rewards for Filmmakers
Filmmaker $FILM rewards are also considered part of Content Incentivization, with a portion of this allocation used to reward the visionary creators and artists who make Gala Film productions a reality.
With the future Gala Film Pitches update, it will become possible for anyone in the community to submit film projects or ideas, calling the Gala Film community to gather in support with their $FILM and essentially crowdfunding the future of decentralized cinema!
Operating a Theater Node
The Gala Film DePIN is powered by the operators who contribute computing power in exchange for rewards. Video content is delivered in real time using a state-of-the-art DCDN (Decentralized Content Delivery Network) with Theater Nodes at its core.
As described in the Gala Film Litepaper with the initial platform launch, active operators of Gala Film’s Theater Nodes share in 17.5% of the total $FILM rewards allocated. As the platform continues to grow toward total decentralization, this percentage will increase by ~2% per year.
Additionally, 2.5% of $FILM is awarded to Gala Founder’s Node operators for their role in supporting the backbone of the entire Gala ecosystem.
If you are interested in Theater Node operation to enhance your potential rewards while supporting the growing Gala Film ecosystem, you can purchase a license here.
Join the Next Generation of Film
After many months of tireless work from across the various Gala teams to make this all possible, we’re extremely excited to finally see the fruits of our labor enjoyed by the community. Not only can we offer awesome exclusive film and series content absolutely free, but we can promise a rewarding and gamified experience that will take you deeper.
If you haven’t started watching RZR yet, check out the first two episodes now and we think you’ll be just as hooked on Grimm’s dark story as we are.
The first two episodes of David Bianchi’s dystopian sci-fi thriller series, RZR, are officially live, only on Gala Film. Anyone with a Gala account can watch for free, and new episodes will drop each week!
Have Some POPCORN!
Owners of RZR Moment NFTs are eligible for daily rewards based on the platform views of the series. These ownership rewards are the core of Gala Film’s empowering approach to production and distribution of exclusive video content.
The Gala Film Litepaper outlining the ecosystem’s economy and current plans for distribution of rewards has been updated to reflect the latest developments. A new reward structure will soon be implemented in which units of POPCORN! are awarded directly to users, rather than in buckets. This will take effect after all outstanding POPCORN! Buckets have been distributed to operators of Theater Nodes from before the launch.
While RZR is the only series on the platform, the NFT owner portion of all available “content incentive” rewards will be distributed to RZR Moment owners. In the future when other pieces of content (other shows and films) are added, these rewards will be proportionally weighted to those programs that receive more views.
In the long term, these rewards will be issued as $FILM, directly to owners’ accounts. However, until the initial token generation event of $FILM (coming within the next couple months), rewards will be issued via the placeholder token, POPCORN!.
When $FILM is created and first issued, it will be distributed to holders of POPCORN!, converting all POPCORN! To $FILM at a set rate. The rate of automatic exchange for POPCORN is 1 POPCORN = 10 $FILM*.
*These are the subject-to-change numbers listed in the Gala Film Litepaper.
POPCORN! Buckets
Throughout the in-development stages of the Gala Film platform, POPCORN! has been used to reward operators of Gala Film’s Theater Nodes. POPCORN! Buckets of various sizes were also found in some Common Ground World Mystery Boxes, which are no longer for sale. Operators have received POPCORN! each day for which their Theater Nodes (formerly known as a “Gala Film Nodes”) were active for the minimum 6-hour requirement. Additionally, a bonus “streak” system (described below) was employed to ensure that extra POPCORN! rewards were given to those who operated their nodes for consecutive days.
Following the platform launch going forward, both NFT owners and Node operators will receive single units of POPCORN! instead of buckets. When this switch is made, the issuance of POPCORN! Buckets will be retired. Then when $FILM is first generated, all POPCORN! (whether single unit or Bucket) will be redeemable for $FILM.
Number of POPCORN! units in each bucket:
Welcome Bucket = 1 POPCORN!
Small Bucket = 10 POPCORN! Medium Bucket = 25 POPCORN! Large Bucket = 50 POPCORN! Extra Large Bucket = 100 POPCORN! Mega Bucket = 150 POPCORN!
These “Bucket” items will remain Buckets in your Collection until the $FILM token generation event, when all owners will have the option to exchange POPCORN! Buckets for $FILM, according to the values above + additional TBA streak bonuses.
POPCORN! That Never Goes Stale
Unlike your belly, your Gala account has room for all the POPCORN! you can gather. If you’re looking to start a new POPCORN! collection in anticipation of $FILM, this is your chance! Start collecting RZR Moments as soon as you can, and consider becoming a Theater Node operator to power the future of film!
Extra Action
There are plenty of ways to get rewards in addition to collecting Moments and running a Theater Node. Certain “Ecosystem Supporting Behaviors” will also allow you to collect POPCORN!, including some that are immediately available with the RZR premiere and platform launch!
Community Early Access to David Bianchi’s groundbreaking sci-fi thriller series, RZR, is officially live! This moment marks a unique opportunity for Gala Film NFT owners and Gala Film Theater Node operators to dive into the action before the rest of the world.
Early Access Details
Those who have passionately supported Gala Film by owning NFTs or operating Theater Nodes will be the first to explore the riveting universe of RZR with exclusive access all weekend long leading up to the global premiere on Sunday, April 14th.
For Gala Film enthusiasts who have yet to acquire any Gala Film NFTs but are eager to partake in the Early Access experience, there’s a golden opportunity awaiting. By purchasing a RZR Moment Pack, which includes a single NFT collectible Moment from an episode of RZR, not only will you unlock the door to early viewing, but you will also tap into the regular platform rewards that come with owning a Moment.
The Significance of RZR Moments
These Moments embody the essence of engagement and ownership within the Gala Film ecosystem. By holding a Moment, you’re not just a passive viewer; you become an active participant in the platform, receiving regular rewards and enjoying a closer connection to the content you love.
Because the Gala Film platform has not yet launched its official utility token, $FILM, a placeholder token called POPCORN! will initially be issued as the reward for both Theater Node operators and NFT Moment owners. The incredible news is that as long as RZR is the only production on the newly launched platform, 100% of the NFT owner rewards allocated to content incentivization will go to the owners of RZR Moments.
Join the Excitement
Get in on this Early Access event to become part of the pioneering moment where film collides with cutting edge web3 tech for an explosive and game-changing combo. Gala Film is dedicated to transforming how stories are told and experienced, and through initiatives like this, we’re inviting our early adopters to a front row seat at the revolution.
We encourage every film aficionado and blockchain enthusiast to seize this opportunity; be among the first to view the first two episodes of “RZR.” Let’s come together to celebrate this milestone in Gala Film’s journey towards redefining the future of entertainment.
For those who are ready to step into the world of “RZR” and explore the benefits of Early Access, visit our platform now to secure your RZR Moment Packs. Let the countdown to Sunday’s global premiere begin, and may this be the start of many more exhilarating experiences within the Gala Film ecosystem.
RZR Mystery Boxes
If you’re not quite ready to support the production directly through reward-enabled Moment ownership, then check out our RZR Premiere Mystery Boxes! Collect the Shards within to assemble Director Cuts that take you deeper into the story. Each Premiere Mystery Box (on sale now for $3.99) contains 4 items, including chances to win exclusive prizes like $GALA, POPCORN! and more!
You’ll get a Starter Box just for watching episode one, and completing other tasks within the ecosystem will secure additional Mystery Boxes. You’ll be on your way to unlocking your first exclusive Gala Film Director Cut!
Welcome to the future of film, where your passion for cinema meets the endless possibilities of blockchain technology.
